Column Archives:
Column 1
Psst. Allow me to let you in on a little secret.
Feel free to share it with Jack Bauer-millions of innocent lives aren't at stake. Just don't breath a word to UC, WLW, or the Pawtucket Red Sox.
Ready?
I'd do it for free.
Don't get me wrong. I don't have wealthy ancestors and I've never won the lottery, so the regular paychecks are both needed and appreciated. Especially living in Boston where the average single-family home goes for $485,000 (compared to $137,000 in Cincinnati).
But I know how ridiculously lucky I am to make a living broadcasting sporting events.
Take last Saturday. My current employer, the Pawtucket Red Sox, played in a minor league doubleheader at Fenway Park, baseball's best-looking 94-year-old (by a slim margin over Julio Franco).
The game was sold out (33,394!) as Fenway was filled with families who either can't afford or can't get their hands on tickets to Boston Red Sox games.
The view from the broadcasting booth was breathtaking (I've attached a photo of me and my broadcasting partner Steve Hyder), offering perfect views of the Green Monster, the Pesky Pole, the Citgo sign beyond the wall in left, and the Boston skyline beyond the wall in right. A game-winning HR in the bottom of the 8th by first baseman Carlos Pena capped a perfect night.
Broadcasting Bearcats football and basketball provides similar opportunities. This year during the football season, we'll return to the "Horseshoe" in Columbus for an intimate gathering of roughly 101,000 people, and I'll get my first look at the "Home of the Hokies," Lane Stadium in Blacksburg, VA. I'm guessing Coach Dantonio is less-excited then I am about back-to-back trips to Ohio State and Virginia Tech, but it certainly provides an opportunity for the 'Cats to grab some headlines.
Our basketball trips include a return to the Carrier Dome, a first-ever trip to the Pavilion at Villanova, and hopefully, several days at Madison Square Garden during the BIG EAST Tournament. BIG EAST road wins are about as good as college basketball gets.
It sure beats working for a living.
But that's our little secret, right?
