Babe Ruth
When It Was A Game
November 06, 2009
by David Krell
david@davidkrell.com
Today, the New York Yankees celebrate a 27th World Series Championship with parade in Manhattan’s Canyon of Heroes.
The excitement of the 2009 World Series between the Philadelphia Phillies and the New York Yankees overshadowed the recent steroid scandal.
But baseball has suffered scandals since its beginning.
The Black Sox Scandal of 1919 where the Chicago White Sox suffered accusations of fixing the World Series against the Cincinnati Reds.
The betting scandal involving Pete Rose betting on baseball games, including games played by the team he managed -- Cincinnati Reds.
For a time when the lines were clearer, the heroes were greater, and the myths were bigger, look no further than HBO’s When It Was A Game documentaries.
HBO made three documentaries in 1991, 1992, and 2000 respectively under the When It Was A Game banner.
The musical score, appealing visuals, and artful narration combine for a step into history that even the most casual fan will appreciate.
The musical score’s foundation is its fanfare. It appropriately shows the reverence for the heroes depicted in the documentaries.
The visuals come from home movies -- 8 millimeter and 16 millimeter films shot by fans and insiders from the 1930’s through the 1960’s.
You see stadiums that don’t exist anymore -- Polo Grounds in Manhattan, Ebbets Field in Brooklyn, Sportsman’s Park in St. Louis.
You see legendary players -- Joe DiMaggio and Ted Williams along with old-timers Ty Cobb, Rogers Hornsby, Babe Ruth, and Cy Young.
And throughout the When It Was A Game trilogy, you hear wonderful narration from people who love the game of baseball.
James Earl Jones -- Actor.
Robert Creamer -- Writer.
Jim Bouton -- Pitcher.
Maury Wills -- Shortstop.
Frank Robinson -- Outfielder.
Jim Kaat -- Pitcher.
Al Kaline -- Outfielder.
Thomas Boswell -- Writer.
Bob Costas -- Broadcaster.
John Sayles -- Filmmaker.
When It Was A Game recalls eras when legendary players enjoyed unbreakable associations with teams. Fans could count on their favorite players spending most -- if not all -- of their careers with one team.
Roberto Clemente -- Pittsburgh Pirates.
Al Kaline -- Detroit Tigers.
Hank Aaron -- Milwaukee Braves / Atlanta Braves.
Willie Mays -- New York Giants / San Francsico Giants.
Jackie Robinson -- Brooklyn Dodgers.
Bob Gibson -- St. Louis Cardinals.
Harmon Killebrew -- Minnesota Twins.
The eras depicted in When It Was A Game were eras of greatness in baseball. But the bottom line definitely existed. Promotions took place. And owners were hard-nosed in their negotiations with players in the time before free agents, massive bonuses, and free agency.
But the eras enjoyed deep reverence. And that depth shines clearly in the When It Was A Game trilogy.
Before the first pitch of a baseball game was sponsored, before .220 batters got million dollar contracts, and before stadiums were named for corporations, there was indeed a time when baseball was a game.
david@davidkrell.com
Today, the New York Yankees celebrate a 27th World Series Championship with parade in Manhattan’s Canyon of Heroes.
The excitement of the 2009 World Series between the Philadelphia Phillies and the New York Yankees overshadowed the recent steroid scandal.
But baseball has suffered scandals since its beginning.
The Black Sox Scandal of 1919 where the Chicago White Sox suffered accusations of fixing the World Series against the Cincinnati Reds.
The betting scandal involving Pete Rose betting on baseball games, including games played by the team he managed -- Cincinnati Reds.
For a time when the lines were clearer, the heroes were greater, and the myths were bigger, look no further than HBO’s When It Was A Game documentaries.
HBO made three documentaries in 1991, 1992, and 2000 respectively under the When It Was A Game banner.
The musical score, appealing visuals, and artful narration combine for a step into history that even the most casual fan will appreciate.
The musical score’s foundation is its fanfare. It appropriately shows the reverence for the heroes depicted in the documentaries.
The visuals come from home movies -- 8 millimeter and 16 millimeter films shot by fans and insiders from the 1930’s through the 1960’s.
You see stadiums that don’t exist anymore -- Polo Grounds in Manhattan, Ebbets Field in Brooklyn, Sportsman’s Park in St. Louis.
You see legendary players -- Joe DiMaggio and Ted Williams along with old-timers Ty Cobb, Rogers Hornsby, Babe Ruth, and Cy Young.
And throughout the When It Was A Game trilogy, you hear wonderful narration from people who love the game of baseball.
James Earl Jones -- Actor.
Robert Creamer -- Writer.
Jim Bouton -- Pitcher.
Maury Wills -- Shortstop.
Frank Robinson -- Outfielder.
Jim Kaat -- Pitcher.
Al Kaline -- Outfielder.
Thomas Boswell -- Writer.
Bob Costas -- Broadcaster.
John Sayles -- Filmmaker.
When It Was A Game recalls eras when legendary players enjoyed unbreakable associations with teams. Fans could count on their favorite players spending most -- if not all -- of their careers with one team.
Roberto Clemente -- Pittsburgh Pirates.
Al Kaline -- Detroit Tigers.
Hank Aaron -- Milwaukee Braves / Atlanta Braves.
Willie Mays -- New York Giants / San Francsico Giants.
Jackie Robinson -- Brooklyn Dodgers.
Bob Gibson -- St. Louis Cardinals.
Harmon Killebrew -- Minnesota Twins.
The eras depicted in When It Was A Game were eras of greatness in baseball. But the bottom line definitely existed. Promotions took place. And owners were hard-nosed in their negotiations with players in the time before free agents, massive bonuses, and free agency.
But the eras enjoyed deep reverence. And that depth shines clearly in the When It Was A Game trilogy.
Before the first pitch of a baseball game was sponsored, before .220 batters got million dollar contracts, and before stadiums were named for corporations, there was indeed a time when baseball was a game.
Tim Russert: One Year Later
June 05, 2009
by David Krell
david@davidkrell.com
Approximately one year has passed since Tim Russert died on June 13, 2008.
And America's Sunday mornings still are not the same.
From 1991 until his death last year, Tim Russert served as the caretaker of NBC's classic jewel, Meet the Press.
He was the everyman.
The favorite uncle who always asks how you're doing.
The neighbor who shares your passion for sports.
The teacher who is truly interested in your ideas.
Tim Russert loved politics and he loved explaining it to us.
Talking with popes, presidents, and prime ministers, Tim Russert never forgot his roots in south Buffalo.
He never let us forget them either, rooting for the Sabres and Bills regularly at the end of Meet the Press.
While other newscasters may come from the Ivy League or work themselves up the ladder from humble beginnings, they often forget about the average Joe.
Tim Russert never forgot about the average Joe.
The son of a sanitation worker, Tim Russert knew, respected, and embraced the working class that comprises the true backbone of America.
Tim Russert let us into his personal world, writing books with a deep appreciation for a father's sacrifice -- Big Russ and Me and Wisdom of Our Fathers.
To say that his passing leaves a void in television news is like saying Babe Ruth could hit a baseball. The words do not even begin to do justice to the reality of the situation.
During the memorial service, we took comfort in Tim Russert's tremendous legacy at NBC News and in his family, primarily his son who gave a thoughtful, inspiring, and deeply touching eulogy. Luke Russert is a tremendously poised, mature, and well-rounded young man who graduated from Boston College last year. The family went to Italy to celebrate Luke's graduation. Tim Russert returned to Washington, D.C. ahead of his wife and son so he could tape his MSNBC show and work on the June 15, 2008 edition of Meet the Press.
Perhaps appropriately, Tim died at work while recording a track for Meet the Press. Luke Russert described the show as "a second child."
At the memorial service, we also saw many colleagues give thanks, condolences, and memories of the political professional turned public personality.
Once a staffer of New York political icons Mario Cuomo and Daniel Patrick Moynihan, Tim Russert became a staple of Sunday mornings -- leisurely breakfast, Sunday newspapers, and Meet the Press.
Luke Russert's eulogy encouraged us to think of a Meet the Press special edition in heaven. Maybe Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr will be on for the full hour. Maybe JFK and Barry Goldwater will debate.
During the 2008 presidential election, transition of presidential power, and these early days of the Obama administration, we miss Tim Russert's enthusiasm as we do his affection, acumen, and stability.
If it's Sunday, it's Meet the Press.
But it's still not the same without Tim Russert.
Go Bills!
david@davidkrell.com
Approximately one year has passed since Tim Russert died on June 13, 2008.
And America's Sunday mornings still are not the same.
From 1991 until his death last year, Tim Russert served as the caretaker of NBC's classic jewel, Meet the Press.
He was the everyman.
The favorite uncle who always asks how you're doing.
The neighbor who shares your passion for sports.
The teacher who is truly interested in your ideas.
Tim Russert loved politics and he loved explaining it to us.
Talking with popes, presidents, and prime ministers, Tim Russert never forgot his roots in south Buffalo.
He never let us forget them either, rooting for the Sabres and Bills regularly at the end of Meet the Press.
While other newscasters may come from the Ivy League or work themselves up the ladder from humble beginnings, they often forget about the average Joe.
Tim Russert never forgot about the average Joe.
The son of a sanitation worker, Tim Russert knew, respected, and embraced the working class that comprises the true backbone of America.
Tim Russert let us into his personal world, writing books with a deep appreciation for a father's sacrifice -- Big Russ and Me and Wisdom of Our Fathers.
To say that his passing leaves a void in television news is like saying Babe Ruth could hit a baseball. The words do not even begin to do justice to the reality of the situation.
During the memorial service, we took comfort in Tim Russert's tremendous legacy at NBC News and in his family, primarily his son who gave a thoughtful, inspiring, and deeply touching eulogy. Luke Russert is a tremendously poised, mature, and well-rounded young man who graduated from Boston College last year. The family went to Italy to celebrate Luke's graduation. Tim Russert returned to Washington, D.C. ahead of his wife and son so he could tape his MSNBC show and work on the June 15, 2008 edition of Meet the Press.
Perhaps appropriately, Tim died at work while recording a track for Meet the Press. Luke Russert described the show as "a second child."
At the memorial service, we also saw many colleagues give thanks, condolences, and memories of the political professional turned public personality.
Once a staffer of New York political icons Mario Cuomo and Daniel Patrick Moynihan, Tim Russert became a staple of Sunday mornings -- leisurely breakfast, Sunday newspapers, and Meet the Press.
Luke Russert's eulogy encouraged us to think of a Meet the Press special edition in heaven. Maybe Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr will be on for the full hour. Maybe JFK and Barry Goldwater will debate.
During the 2008 presidential election, transition of presidential power, and these early days of the Obama administration, we miss Tim Russert's enthusiasm as we do his affection, acumen, and stability.
If it's Sunday, it's Meet the Press.
But it's still not the same without Tim Russert.
Go Bills!