Nice Guy

Sad to hear of the passing today of Jim Keye , longtime broadcast executive in the Coachella Valley. Jim was the sales boss and radio factotum at KWXY. I first met Jim back in 1996 at the then Bob Hope Golf Tournament. Jim would hold court for the first 2 hours he was there. Always with a twinkle in his eye. He explained to someone once that I was "a good kid." I was 40 at the time!!!!

I loved to have lunch with him the first day of the Hope and listen to his stories about his days on the radio in Minnesota. He would always offer constructive criticism about my show. Always a charmer, we would talk about the local radio scene.

Earlier I had mentioned the first 2 hours of the first day of the Hope because if the truth be told, he would leave after that! In those days the Hope was a 5 day event. We would never see him the rest of the 4 days as he would do his reports from home. A few years ago, after KWXY was purchased by our radio group, I did the Hope and later Humana reports on the station. More than one wag in the media center said it was the first time KWXY had a man on sight for the whole tournament in years.

Jim Keye was a nice guy who had a great laugh and made a huge impact on the local broadcasting scene. It was an honor to know him.

A Man Gets A Chance

On the beautiful Sunday, I am at work engineering a baseball game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Colorado Rockies. For the most part it is a meaningless games as the Rockies are in last place and the Dodgers are headed to the playoffs. The Dodgers are losing 2 to1 as I write this in the 7th inning.

Why you may ask am I writing about what many would consider such a non-event? Because one of the reasons baseball is so wonderful because it teaches so many great lessons about life.

The starting pitcher for the Rockies was Jeff Francis. The lanky Canadian started out his MLB career with so much promise. Francis had a great couple of years including starting Game 1 of the 2007 World Series for the Rockies. Then he has been beset by injuries and the promise has faded away. This year he has a lousy year and his contract is up. Today could easily be his last day in baseball.

Francis pitched well today and had a 2-0 lead in the 5th, In baseball, you must pitch 5 innings to get a win. In the 5th, Francis struggled and gave up a run. There were runners on first and third for the Dodgers with 2 outs. Out of the dugout came Rockie manager Walt Weiss. Weiss is an old school guy who you can tell respects the traditions of the game.

Dodger announcers speculated that Weiss would take out Francis. All of the infield gathered on the mound for the meeting. And Weiss being aware of the situation, that this could be Francis's last game  and that he couldn't be the winning pitcher if didn't complete the inning,  did the classy thing. He simply smiled and patted Francis on the arm and went back to the dugout. If this is to be the last game for Jeff Francis, his fate was in his own hands.

And how did Francis respond to this reprieve? He struck out the Dodger batter. He may not win today's game but he walked off the field a winner. And Walt Weiss? Well his team may have finished last this year but he managed like a champion today.

A remarkable little story in a "meaningless" game.

PS Update Rockies win 2 to 1

God BlessTinyTim

In the last few days, I have had to decide about the fate of Tiny Tim. That is a nickname someone has given my 2000 Saturn. Yes a car they no longer make or manufacture. The old kid needed a serious repair. Was it time to say goodbye and purchase a new/used car?

Tiny Tim though is more than just a car. My dad and mom were concerned about me riding the bus to work every day and even though I was over 40, went out and purchased it. It was a great present. (I did pay for more than half of it.) It has served me well in the last 13 years.

Tiny Tim and I have weathered 3 relationships, innumerable trips to LA, the X Games, 3 Rose Bowls, an Angels World Series and trips to Arizona. Not bad. It has been the scene of both heartbreak and triumph.

It took me about a day to realize this. I authorized the repair and next week Tiny Tim and I will begin our 14th year together. You may wonder why I am doing this?

Well maybe it is because I just can't let go!! Maybe I like the car!! Or perhaps every time I get in it, I think of my folks, both gone now in the last 5 years.

Believe I'm going to go with number 3.

Back In The Saddle

You know, it's a funny thing, I really enjoy writing. I have ever since 2007 when I was first asked by Rick Green then of the Desert Sun. There is something about organizing your thoughts. Plus some of the best people I have met in my life are print media reporters. Most are pretty outgoing and fun. I am lucky to follow a lot on social media.

I have not written a lot in the last 3 weeks. It seems that every time I try, there is some roadblock set up towards achieving that goal. Well today I decided that is it. I am going to do it.

I just wanted to get back in the a swing of things. I will write again tomorrow but right now off to the radio show. I do lead a charmed life.

I Come Into Work And Talk To A Rock Legend

This has become a great Sunday. No I didn't win the lottery or invent a cure for cancer. I had to work but it was actually a good day. There were a bunch of challenges involving engineering. But I was able with the help of some gracious co-workers to fix them and all was well.

What made this day great was during the golf show I was working in a call came. "Hi,Can you tell Matt it;s Robbie Krieger?" Yes sir I stammered realizing that I was talking to one of 2 surviving members of the Doors.

I would like to say that I wowed him with my witty conversation. Instead all I said was, " Right away." Not much really. But hey the golf host did a great interview and for what is worth, I talked to a rock legend. Not bad for a Sunday.