Happy New Year! This week we are revisiting two more of our Patreon BONUS episodes. Two legendary Detroit sportscasters, Bernie Smilovitz and John Keating, share some unforgettable stories.
STRAIGHT DOPE: Bernie Smilovitz’s Career and Personal Reflections.
- The New York “Anchors Away” media firings: Bernie recounts his brief, tumultuous time at WCBS in New York, where he was abruptly fired alongside nine other top earners after Westinghouse bought the station to cut costs.
- Family and Personal Loss: He speaks movingly about his late wife, Donna. He credits her with managing their family while he worked late-night shifts and for her own mid-career transition into becoming a doctor. He also highlights the success of his sons, including one who became a comedy writer for David Letterman and Netflix.
- Anecdotes and Bloopers: Bernie shares humorous behind-the-scenes moments, such as a falcon pooping on set during a live broadcast and Steve Yzerman jokingly attributing his longevity to Viagra after winning the Stanley Cup.
- The State of TV News: He discusses the changing landscape of local television, noting that stations are cutting veteran salaries and requiring reporters to shoot and edit their own material.
- Media Colleagues: Bernie and ML speak highly of local media figures like Dan Miller, Devin Scillian, and Jamie Edmonds.
- Winter Classic Memories: Bernie recalls a harrowing drive to a snow-filled hockey game at Michigan Stadium with Mickey Redmond, who insisted on eating a bowl of cereal while driving through the storm.
NEXT UP: John Keating, a recently retired Detroit sports broadcasting legend, serves as a retrospective of his 45-year career covering the Detroit Tigers and Detroit Red Wings.
- The “Paul Byrd” Rant: Keating recounts a famous story where Leyland flipped a table in frustration after a loss to pitcher Paul Byrd, calling him an “American Legion pitcher”.
- The 3:00 AM Baseball Talk: Former reliever Todd Jones shared a memory of staying overnight in the clubhouse with his son; at 3:00 AM, Leyland walked into the dark room in his underwear, sat on the edge of the bed, and talked baseball for an hour.
- A Personal Touch: Despite his “salty” exterior, Leyland was known for his genuine care for players, often walking the field to check on their families and well-being
- Scotty Bowman’s Mind Games: Keating details how Bowman used psychological tactics to keep players on their toes, such as the “signing stick” trick to catch players breaking curfew.
- The Yzerman Standard: He reflects on how Steve Yzerman was molded by Bowman’s discipline, transforming from a pure scorer into a defensive-minded leader who commanded immense respect and kept the media at a distance to protect the team
- Tough Interviews: Keating mentions players like Delmon Young and Victor Martinez as being particularly difficult to interview during tense periods.
- Favorite Personalities: Conversely, he praises the professionalism and openness of stars like Justin Verlander, Pudge Rodriguez, and Max Scherzer.
- Next Steps: Following his retirement in April 2025, Keating plans to spend more time with his family in Grand Haven and co-host the “Ozzy and Keats” podcast with former Red Wings goalie Chris Osgood.
OUR BENEFACTORS: We have no new Soulmates or donors, which reminds us to remind you that it’s better to give than receive! So, just in time for the holidays, we’re making a special offer: For a $500 donation, you can sit in on a show.
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