A Voice Stilled

I was at work in the studio when my phone started to buzz. First once, then again and finally a 3rd time. A blogger reported the death of Rancho Mirage's Ralph Kiner at 91. I didn't know how I would feel. You see Ralph Kiner was a Valley resident, a Baseball Hall of Famer and also a voice of my youth.

I grew up in Northern New Jersey on the outskirts of New York City. Many a night was spent watching the New York Mets on WOR Channel 9. Ralph Kiner with Bob Murphy and Lindsey Nelson recounted both the highs and lows of each Met season.From the worst team in baseball in 1962 to the Miracle Mets in 1969, this golden trio was a constant.They became like Oxford Dons tutoring a kid with horrible eyesight and terrible coordination who eat slept and breathed Mets baseball. My mother, who hated baseball, was always kind to me about watching the games.

Every night my Dad's carpool would drop him off from the New York FBI office.He would catch up on the days comings and going before heading to the "playroom". My brother Chris and I would lie on the floor and he would sit in his easy chair. There was the break about inning 5 to unload the dishwasher but I was pretty much set for the night. Ralph would talk about Wayne Garrett and Jerry Grote but he would also regale with tales of all of the baseball greats. Ralph had either played against them or had a connection.

Years later when I worked with radio legend Bud Furillo, he would be amazed as I would rattle off stories of the PCL league or other such trivia. I never confessed but these were Ralph Kiner stories. Ralph Kiner taught me baseball..

I got to interview Ralph once and I wish I could say it was memorable. I was very nervous but I did get him to talk about Ty Cobb who used to write letters to him. Amazing.

Ralph Kiner was a legend on the field and off. I can not help but smile as I think back to all those warm summer nights with the crickets chirping through the screen windows as the Met get set to battle another evil foe.

 I lost a hero today but heaven not only got a Hall of Famer but a great teacher as well.

Twittering Around

It is true if you are going to work in the media today, you are going to have to do social media. And I guess there are social norms one must get used to.

I have been on Twitter now for a few years and enjoyed it very much. To me it has been a great way for instantaneous information flow and communication. I have made friends and also lost a few along the way. The way you are you are kicked off someone's Twitter feed is when they block you. You may notice you have heard nothing from that person in a while. You go to their feed and it pops up, You have been blocked form this account at the request of the user.

At that point, you may feel a range of emotions ranging from hurt to anger. Then you think in your mind. at least if you are me, "What did I do to cause this? Or are they having a bad day?" In 3 years, I have been banned 3 times. Following over 330 people, that is less than the statistical margin of error.

The first one was an aviation buff. I sent him a link to the Palm Springs Air Museum. He blocked me. An idiot.

Second one was a good guy who was an announcer. He had some personal issues and I think I was not the only one blocked. But I felt bad for him and hope he works out his demons.

The third one I have no idea why and after this blog, am done with it. Wish this guy well but have no understanding what went on and really could care less.

You may want to know if I have blocked anyone on Twitter. Only 3. You want to guess who?

Davis Cup Come Through With A Home Run

When the fall rolled around, I underlined on my calender the last week in January. I really wanted to go and cover an outdoor sporting event unique to a stadium. I had heard these were all fun and I felt that I belonged. I was all set for a unique adventure.

Then the rejection came. I was disappointed and embarrassed. How could I be turned down? It was my dream to cover this sport in a baseball stadium. Yet the NHL said I was not high enough on the media food chain to go to the Kings-Ducks game in LA. I probably could have called some contacts to get the situation reversed. But I am glad I didn't.

Instead this freed me up to go to tennis's Davis Cup. The event is also being held at an MLB Stadium, Petco Park here in San Diego. The venue is fantastic. Left field has been transformed into a clay court. The US team is taking on Great Britain in tennis. The competition has been great and the media room has been friendly and full of great fun. Where else can you here someone saying that their next stop is Paducah Kentucky?

Tomorrow American Sam Querry takes on Andy Murray. David must slay Goliath if the US is to have a chance. I have to say that even though I was iced by the NHL, landing here among friends in San Diego at a great event has been more than adequate compensation. I am lucky.

One Of Those Days

I had a nice weekend. Worked on both days but when work is fun, it is not work. Had a blast watching sports and actually got caught up on stuff. All in all, I also realized that I had a relatively light workload on Monday, one of my duties including writing this blog.

Well things started to change. First I was needed to take my friend Dean to school on Monday morning about a 10 mile drive. That request came from his mother. I was then going to pick him up. Dutifully I set the alarm for 5:30A and got up. At 6:30a, I received a text stating I was no longer needed. Yikes!!

I went into work early and of course spent an hour fixing my computer. Despite invoking the Wrath Of The Gods, the damn thing is not working. Fortunately I brought my laptop to work with me

Then I got caught up in a 20 minute discussion. You know the work kind. This never ending discussion was one I was trying to bail out of every 30 seconds. But since I had initiated it, I felt I had to stay to the bitter end.

Throw in one or 2 minor crises and I have spent nearly 3 hours accomplishing nothing. Except for writing this literary masterpiece. Oh well.

Diminished Expectations How I Went From Number 1 To Number 338 At The Rose Bowl

One of the greatest times in my life was when I worked for the late, great Bud Furillo. The most generous, fascinating and mercurial person I have ever known. Bud was a fantastic writer, and broadcaster. I truly loved the guy and loved all his stories. And he and I collaborated on one story I still laugh at.

Bud picked me up and I drove us to the 1997 Rose Bowl. Jake Plummer and the Arizona State Sun Devils were taking on The Ohio State University. We parked as usual about 15 minutes from the Stadium and Bud was having health problems so we were a little late getting our media passes. We hurriedly put them on and then up to the press box.

Before the elevator took off, a couple of surprises occurred. First Mike Tirico of ESPN got in. Then none other than John Glenn, and I for one realized the former astronaut still had the "Right Stuff." All during our ride up I felt an cold glance from Mr. Tirico. After getting off the elevator, we proceeded to do what sports journalist do all around the world before covering a big event. Bud and I dropped our gear off and headed to the food line.

While waiting in line we again were joined by Mike Tirico. He gave the once over and finally said," May I ask you a question?" I replied yes and he then said, "Can you tell me why your press badge is numbered 001. How did you get that?" I looked down at the pass and this being the days before ESPN radio said, " If I tell you can I get an interview?" He agreed and then I had to explain that the number 001 belonged to Bud Furillo who was covering his 47th Rose Bowl. It seems we had put the tags on without checking them and made a mistake. Tirico roared as Bud and I exchanged passes. I dropped 337 places to 338.

And yes Mike Tirico did give us that interview. Quite a Rose Bowl!!

New Head Of Riverside County Board Of Supes Wants Out

I have always had a few laughs at the expense of the august Riverside County Board Of Supervisors. What once was a serious legislative body has degenerated into a pompous, supercilious caricature of itself. Now all this would of course be harmless except for the fact they are responsible for many vital public services in the county.

Well today, keeping in tune with its comic opera theme the Board Of Supervisors appointed Jeff Stone as the head of the Board for one year succeeding John Benoit.. Stone certainly is a colorful character. A few years ago he tried to call a secession conference for counties to leave California.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/07/14/south-california-secession-jeff-stone_n_896433.html

After that idea bombed, Jefferson Davis Stone hit upon a new plan. He is now running for the State Senate.

Senate.http://www.pe.com/local-news/politics/jim-miller-headlines/20130725-state-senate-stone-to-run-for-28th-district.ece

So if Mr. Stone wins his election he will effectively have seceded from the Board Of Supervisors. They have chosen as their head, a man who wants to leave!! Figures.

How I Got Banned For Life From Palm Springs Film Festival

It is a good time here in the Coachella Valley. The weather has been tremendous. (Sorry to all those who have been affected by weather back in the East or Midwest. Or the extreme heat in Australia or rain in the UK and Ireland.) Also in town is the Palm Springs International Film Festival!! This is the 25th anniversary and it is going gangbusters. Major stars from around the world have graced our Valley with their presence. The Festival has always had a friendly vibe despite the fact a director once banned me from attending.

It all happened a few years ago when I disputed some of the obvious ridiculous financial projections the Festival made. They were counting internet mentions like dollars. I knew I had ruffled some feathers but someone had to. I just waited for the response and it came that afternoon on a rival station. Festival honcho Earl Greenburg who has since passed away went on the air in a rage. Who was I and how dare I make such comments? One of the hosts, who has since been fired twice said I had no talent and was a nobody. Perhaps right on the former but definitely not the latter. Earl then banned me for life.

I started to laugh because the next night, through the good graces of a local listener Nate Israelson, I had already been invited to the Canadian Film party at the Festival. I went to the party awaiting to be thrown onto the street. Alas no such thing happened! The movie screening after some swank eats was based on hockey legend Rocket Richard. It was rather long. After the showing I felt like I had spent 2 hours in the penalty box.

At the after party, while chatting to the director who did I see but an exhausted Earl Greenburg sitting down!! Here was my chance to flaunt my revenge. I could walk up and be a wiseguy. But discretion was the better part of valor that day. I quietly slipped out.

Earl has since passed and curiously has been whitewashed from the Film Festival history. Only one mention of him in the paper's 25 year review that I could get on line. I have not been to a screening since either. I wonder if that ban is still in effect.