Bleacher Report - Articles by Jim Sheridan

How Stats Get to Your TV: Now That's the Bottom Line

Jim Sheridan — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 12:12:15 -0400

Most of us diehard sports fans multitask while watching a sporting event by glancing at or studying (depending on our interest) the bottom line or the ticker. I never gave any thought to how all that information got to the bottom of my screen—most likely some computer generated statistics. Wrong.

I had the opportunity to see first hand how this all works and I think that you might be surprised.

We arrived at Comerica Park about two hours before game time, and got our press passes we then got our press packs and went to the press box to look over the notes for the game that had the Tigers hosting the Anaheim Angels. I went to the cafeteria for some food, and while eating, I heard a familiar voice at the next table.

Ernie Harwell was sitting with friends telling stories. I immediately lost focus on why I was there—his voice is that mesmerizing. Back in the press box we waited for the official line up announcement so we could fill out our scorecards that would be faxed to ESPN after the game.

It was almost game time. There was a quick check of the weather channel for temperature and wind direction (yes, that information is necessary) and a phone call to Bristol Connecticut; this phone call would last the duration of the game.

From here, things would get complicated; keeping an official scorecard is basically giving a play-by-play over the telephone, and we also had to chart all the pitches, ball outside, strikes ect. I was told that if I missed a pitch, don't bother asking someone because they are not eager to help out. If you had to use the restroom between innings, it was an all out sprint in order to not to miss a pitch.

When the game was over, the three hour phone call was finished, and all the information was sent to ESPN, I could finally relax. I have been to hundreds of ball games over the years, and I left there that night barely knowing that the Angels won the game 6-5; I was so wrapped up in everything else that I had to do.

The next time that you are watching a game and take a look at the bottom line to check a score, I hope that you will think about what it takes at each and every stadium every night for that little bit of information to come across our screens.

Philadelphia Phillies, 1980 Vs. 2008: There's No Comparing

Jim Sheridan — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 03:23:02 -0500

As I prepared to write this piece, I was looking over the statistics of the 1980 Phillies versus the 2008 Phillies. Then it came to me: Who cares? I was going to break it down position by position, batting average, extra-base hits, RBI, etc. Does it really matter that second baseman Manny Trillo hit .217 in the 1980 fall classic against Chase Utley's .167 in 2008. Larry Bowa hit .375 to Jimmy Rollins .227, and the point of this all is...both are World Champions.

Two teams, 28 years apart, will now be linked forever to Phillies fans. The same way people my age talk about Steve Carlton, Tug McGraw, and Mike Schmidt, the newer generation will talk about Cole Hamels, Brad Lidge, and Ryan Howard.

We seldom mention the 1983 National League Champion Phillies, who bowed out four games to one to the Baltimore Orioles, and we can now put the memories of John Kruk and the '93 team to rest, although the vision of Joe Carter circling the bases will burn in our memories forever.

To take and compare the two rosters would be unfair to everyone, at the end of the day, all that really matters is the final result, in this case: a World Championship and the result of that, a parade down Broad Street! A parade that ESPN chose to show 20 second clips of about every 15 minutes, but that's for another day.

Thank you to the Philadelphia Phillies organization for making our dreams come true. I have been talking about the '80 Phillies for 28 years now, and because I now live in Michigan, it must be very boring to most people that anen't baseball freak-shows. Thank you for some new material to talk about...And please don't make us wait another 28 years.

The Philadelphia Phillies Bring It Back Home

Jim Sheridan — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 05:15:01 -0400

After 28 years and eight days, the Philadelphia Phillies are World Champions once again.

Having been at Game Six in 1980 as a 12 year old, the feeling is a lot different almost three decades later. As a child, it seems as though this will happen every year, and when the Phillies reached the series again in 1983, it seemed to be a possibility.

10 years later, in 1993, Philadelphia's hopes were shattered when Joe Carter and the Toronto Blue Jays drove a dagger into the hearts of the Phightin' Phaithful. Since then, it's been a series of close calls, almost there, and wait 'till next years. Next year is now.

It didn't sink in to me how loud it must have been at Citizens Bank Park last night until I saw the Rays first base coach, George Hendrick, coaching with ear plugs in his ears, literally shouting to Carl Crawford at first base, less than a yard away from him.

The sea of red and waving white was a sight to behold.

After a perfect final strike out, reminiscent of Tug McGraw in 1980, and the dog pile on the mound, it starts to set in.

Grown men as happy as they have ever been in their lives, celebrating. From about 800 miles away, I was celebrating, too, and wishing I was back there.

My phone was ringing, and I was listening to the partying going on "back home." Watching live via web cam was great, but it wasn't the same. As I was reading live reports of fans overtaking a firetruck and driving it down Walnut Street, I could picture the sight.

It's time to sit back and enjoy this moment. If I had known back in 1980 that I would have to wait 28 years to feel this again, I may have savored it more, but then again, I may not have, being only a child. This time, I realize that I may never see this again in my lifetime. To the Phillies phans that were not born yet in 1980, ENJOY. Let's hope that our heroes can bring it on home again in 2009.

Sean Baligian: It Is What It Is

Jim Sheridan — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 11:30:30 -0400

Sean Baligian is the host of "It Is What It Is" Detroit"s No. 1 morning sports show. He can be heard from 9 AM until Noon on 1130 The Fan. Sean can be heard doing the Detroit Lions' postgame show. He also hosts "Icetime," and "Fantasy Geekly." He writes a Fantasy Football column for the Detroit News. He is the voice of the Plymouth Whalers of the OHL.

In 2003, Sean started MEATA (Men Eating All Tasty Animals), an event that raises food for Detroit area food banks. We thank him for his time.

JS: Sean, your show is incredibly interactive. Was that your intention or did it evolve to where it is?

SB: Jim, Believe it or not, I wanted it to be that way from day one. When you host a show by yourself, you want to be able to "rely" on interaction with listeners. Due to the fact that I am on from 9-12, and so many people are at work at that time, I really like to include e-mails in the show as well, as many people would love to call in but can't.

So, I really try to have a show that is not so "formatted" but rather a bunch of sports fans hanging out just chatting up sports, like at a sports bar.

JS: Isn't that how MEATA started out? I was at MEATA No. 1 in the studio parking lot. Can you tell us how far it has come in five years and how proud you are of all that you have raised for local food banks?

SB: MEATA was something that just happened..In the spring of 2003, I was talking about a giant BBQ and how cool it would be and a lot of people agreed with me [go figure huh?!] and it just happened.

I had no idea how big it was going to be, I would've been content if 50 people showed up, quite frankly, but the idea of it was just a cool way to hang out, talk sports, and of course..EAT LIKE PIGS!

To see what it has become today, and the fact that so many people out there have been so generous, as we have literally donated tons of non-perishables to the Oakland County Food bank is still amazing to me. I never envisioned that to say the least.

JS: Do you ever get complaints from listeners or management about your show drifting from a topic of say John Daly to a 15-minute discussion about Arby's five for five?

SB: YES! Not so much from management, I think they are used to the odd ways my brain works, but you get some from listeners. If you notice, most of the time we "deviate" from the normal stuff is on slower sports days per se, when there is not a lot going on.

We try to have fun, and I personally think that many more people enjoy the silly, off the wall stuff than do not. I try not to do a lot of that stuff, but sometimes it's a nice change of pace when you are doing a three-hour show by yourself.

JS: Do you feel that your show has made more people aware of OHL hockey and hockey in general?

SB: I really would like to believe that, but I am not sure that I have any kind of impact. It's my favorite sport by far, really is it. I don't understand why the masses do not embrace the sport more, especially with the success of the Wings, and yes...the Whalers. The OHL is a great league, I really, truly enjoy it as much, if not more than the NHL.

It is nice, however, when somebody says they checked out an OHL or Whaler game and told me how much they enjoyed it and that they plan on coming again. If I had my way, I would do a lot more hockey talk on my daily show, but I understand that for many that might be "instant tuneout", so I gladly do the Icetime show to feed my inner hockey geek.

JS: Sean, your listeners seem to get excited over the fact that you are getting more into baseball due to your young son Jack's interest in the game; are you surprised that baseball is now a bigger part of your life? You must be proud when a caller's first question is, "How's Jack doing?"

SB: Jim, Heck yes...It makes me very proud. I am proud of my son...and my daughter for that matter, and I think to share stuff with listeners really is important, like we are all a bunch of guys that know each other from the neighborhood hangout or whatever.

I am shocked that I am into baseball as much as I am, but I am glad that my son has found what HE really likes, as opposed to what his dad wants him to like. I swore I would never be THAT dad that forces his likes and dislikes on his children, and I hope I have remained true to that.

JS: The music that opens your segments is awesome. Is it something from the listeners that snowballed or was it planned?

SB: All the opens that we have used have been composed and performed by listeners. It's pretty cool that guys would take the time and effort to do that, so we are more than willing to play the tunes as "Hour" opens.

JS: Finally Sean, do you feel that ESPN swept the Dana Jacobson "Roastgate" under the rug? And do you feel somewhat justified after she chastised you on Cold Pizza for using the word "crap" during an interview about the 2006 Detroit Tigers?

SB: I really do feel that it was swept under the rug personally...Even in a roast, those are things that you should not even joke about. I wasn't angry about her reminding me that it was not talk radio but rather TV, I was just more stunned by it to be honest...I really did not think that saying the word "crap" was worthy of playing the holier-than-thou card that she played, but its no biggie to me in the end. It's just ironic when you consider what she eventually said at that roast.

JS: Thank you so much for your time Sean, would you care to make a World Series prediction?

SB: Tampa in six.

Ronan Tynan: God Bless America

Jim Sheridan — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 12:23:09 -0400

America was still in shock on Oct. 30, 2001 over the events of 9/11, when President George W. Bush took the mound at Yankee Stadium at the start of Game Three of the World Series and fired a strike to backup catcher Todd Green.

The crowd of 55,820 chanted "USA USA USA" as the President left the field. Most people remember that ceremonial first pitch, but to feel the full effect of patriotism one would have to have stayed tuned to the seventh inning stretch.

Ronan Tynan was born in Dublin, Ireland in 1960. He was born with deformed legs and had both legs amputated below the knees at age 20. He went on to become a physician, as well as winning 18 gold medals in the Paralympics. He held 14 world records.

His father encouraged him to take voice lessons and he won several prestigious awards in this field also. He became a member of The Irish Tenors, which led to him performing in New York, and eventually at Yankee Stadium.

No performance was as touching as that night at Yankee Stadium, just weeks after the attacks. As Ronan stood behind home plate and sang the first verse (the one that we don't normally hear,) of "God Bless America" a capella, the camera captured women, men, young and old with tears rolling down their faces. Some were tears of sadness but many, like mine, were mixed with tears of pride.

Ronan Tynan also sings at Buffalo Sabres games. You may have seen him at the Ice Bowl on New Years day with the Sabres playing the Pittsburgh Penguins outdoors.

We can all thank a man from Dublin, Ireland, a doctor, an athlete, and a tenor, for that night in late October 2001 for reminding us what it means to be an American.

What Are The Odds?

Jim Sheridan — Sun, 19 Oct 2008 14:38:35 -0400

Everyday, in every sports bar, ballpark, arena and workplace some things are bound to happen. Here is a short list along with my less than expert odds.

#10) 40-1 These are the odds that you will ever use that credit card that you signed up for at Wrigley Field this past summer.

#9) 4-1 The odds that you will use the beach towel that you got for signing up for the aforementioned credit card.

#8) 2-1 During Monday Night Football at a Buffalo Wild Wings near you, someone will inevitably say, "I know that I could do a much better job than Tony Kornheiser."

#7) 5-2 The odds that the words " train wreck" will be used to describe John Daly sometime in the next six months.

#6) 2.5-1 The odds that you will see a picture of a cheese steak and the liberty bell in between innings of the World Series. Double down that they play the Rocky theme at the same time.

#5) Even When watching Boise State plays a home game someone will tell you to fix the color on your tv.

#4) 3-1 That same person will ask you why the field is blue.

#3) 1000-1 Steve Bartman will run for public office in Chicago.

#2) 2-1 The odds that someone will yell "BALK" when a pitcher fakes a throw to second.

#1) 1500-1 The odds of Matt Millen landing in an NFL front office anytime this millennium.

While watching the Boise State game the other night, someone busted out the old fix the color routine...that's what led to this list. Feel free to add your own inevitable things that will happen.

World Series Memories

Jim Sheridan — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 11:42:48 -0400

October 21,1980 started out as a normal school day, sitting in Sister Franchesca's fifth grade classroom, with the exception of a bit of excitement in the air about the Phillies being in the World Series. Shortly before lunch someone came to the classroom door and the teacher said that I was wanted in the principal's office. I thought, "This can't be good."

As I headed down the hallway I saw my sister coming out of her first grade classroom. As I waited for her I thought, "This really can't be good, someone is sick or worse."

We knocked on the door and went in. Our father was in the office. Sister Innocenta (the principal) asked us if we had any plans for the afternoon.

"Umm, school, I guess."

"No," she replied. "Your dad is taking you to the World Series."

We returned to our rooms to colelect our things. Word started buzzing around the classroom, "James is going to see the Phillies tonight."

I actually think that I saw a smile on the teacher's face as I was leaving. The same teacher punished me for having a transistor radio in my desk with an earpiece that I ran up my sleeve to listen to day games.

After stopping home to change into our Philly gear and pick our Mom up, we packed a cooler because it turned out that this was a bus trip. The mood on the bus was incredible. People were cheering and yelling—and the game was five hours away.

Someone yelled, "Philadelphia is the center of the universe."

Not knowing any better I asked my dad if it really was and he said, "It is tonight."

It was absolutely electric outside Veterans Stadium. The Phillies were up three games to two and playing at home. Incredible.

Inside the stadium, the noise was deafening, it was magical—65,838 people and I was one of them. Section 708, row 6, seat 16, $15. Yes, $15 for a World Series ticket. When George Brett came to bat, the game was stopped so the ushers could pick up all the Preperation H tubes that were thrown onto the field.

Steve Carlton pitched a gem and the game moved along fairly fast, but in the ninth inning, with Tug McGraw (RIP) on the hill the Royals, down 4-1, loaded the bases with one out. Then came "The Play." Frank White hit a pop foul that bounced out of catcher Bob Boone's mitt, but Pete Rose was there to snatch it out of the air—incredible.

Mounted policemen were staged around the field. The crowd was going nuts, as Tugger struck Willie Wilson out to secure the Phillies first and only World Championship. It was 11:29 pm.

The Economy and YOUR Sports Lifestyle

Jim Sheridan — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 12:30:40 -0400

This past summer I went to exactly one Major League Baseball game. The reason: money.

In early April, I drove the 90 miles to Detroit to watch the Detroit Tigers play the Chicago White Sox. On my trip home that evening I decided that for the rest of the summer, if I needed a baseball fix, I would drive the 30 miles to Lansing, MI to watch the Class-A Lansing Lugnuts of the Toronto Blue Jays organization.

This is just a small example of some of the changes that people have made recently to adjust to the changing economy.

While at Comerica Park, I heard people complaining that beer went up fifty cents a glass. Unless your Barney Gumble from the Simpsons or Shane MacGowan (look him up) you won't drink enough for it to hurt your wallet. It's a small price to pay for the opportunity to watch Miguel Cabrerra every night.

When you're driving down Interstate-80 and cross the Pennsylvania border, you're greeted by a sign that reads, "DUI You Can't Afford It." That's exactly how I feel about the NHL. In the not so distant past on any given Friday during hockey season, someone would say, "Lets go down to the Joe, and it was a done deal." Now, it's less expensive to get the Center Ice package for the entire season than it is to make a night of going to a Detroit Red Wings game.

My annual journey to South Bend, Indiana has been put on hold this year, not due to ticket prices, but because of the hotels that charge $175 per night on football weekends for a $65 per night room.

Yes, you can do a one day road trip, but you miss the pep rally on Friday night, and Mass at the Basilica on Sunday morning. It's less tiresome to stay at home and watch on television.

I know some people that in past years would not work on Saturdays in the fall, now they have to get the overtime while they can, and hope their team is playing a late game.

MLB's overall attendance dropped this year (1.1 percent) for the first time in four years, although ten games were lost due to weather, the totals would still have been short of last year.

The Detroit Lions have not been blacked out from television since they moved into Ford Field, but that due in large part to some major company stepping up the Thursday before every home game and buying the remaining 2500-3000 tickets.

My question to you is "Has the economy changed the way you enjoy sports?"

Philadelphia Phillies Continue Their Quiet Journey

Jim Sheridan — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 14:28:52 -0400

The Philadelphia Phillies have very quietly made their way to the NLCS for the first time since 1993. Just how did the Fightin' Phils accomplish this stealth mission? They basically stayed out of the headline's for most of the season and played ball.

Some of the top stories coming out of Spring Training this year were: Joe Torre's departure from the Bronx and what effect would he have as skipper of the Dodgers. Would Barry Bonds find a home? East Coasters were still baffled by the Mets' '07 meltdown. Were the Detroit Tigers capable of scoring 1,000 runs with their new lineup? And finally, the final 81 games at Yankee Stadium.

By midseason, some things had changed and some stayed the same. Were the Rays for real? Could the Cubbies finally exorcise 100 years of misery? Barry still hadn't found a place to play. Julio Franco, who was playing for the Phillies' class-A Peninsula Pilots in 1980 (the year that the Phillies won their only pennant), was not on a major-league roster for the fist time since 1982.

Maybe the most touching midseason story was Josh Hamilton's remarkable comeback from the depths of hell. Meanwhile, the Phillies were hanging in there, with a record of 52-44 at the break.

As the 2008 regular season wound down, some of the stories became: When would the Rays finally self-destruct? Man-Ram's bum knee suddenly heals in the California sun. The Detroit Tigers squeaked out 821 runs and were shut out 13 times.

While all of this was going on, the Phillies were in a seesaw battle with the Mets for first place in the N.L. East and were bouncing between first and second place in the wild-card race. All of this was done without making any major player moves.

On July 1, pitcher Brett Myers was sent to the minor leagues for 22 days to work on his mechanics. Closer Brad Lidge was given a three-year contract extension on July 7, and Matt Stairs was signed on Aug. 30 as a power boost.

In some cases, the squeaky wheel gets the grease. In this case, the Phils won 13 out of their last 16 games while the Mets drew all the media attention for having yet another meltdown. (Sorry Mets fan.)

Along the way, the Phillies hit 214 homers, had a .255 team batting average, and a team era of .388. Ryan Howard led the majors in home runs (48) and RBI.

Can this be the year that the Phillies crush the demons of 1993 and finally forget about Mitch Williams' pitch to Joe Carter? Is this the year that Ryan Howard, Pat Burrell, and Cole Hamels walk side-by-side with the heroes of 1980: Mike Schmidt, Pete Rose, and Steve Carlton?

Look up 1980 NLCS and you will find arguably the greatest playoff series of all time, the Phillies and Astros put on a week-long show, not short on extra-inning game. Let's all hope that the Dodgers and Phillies can treat us to some more of that "old time classic playoff baseball."