Strasburg's Performance Prompts Praise

Rookie pitcher Steven Strasburg struck out 14 Pittsburgh Pirates batter Tuesday night -- and struck a chord with former ballplayers as well as full-time broadcasters in the process.

Pick the network, venue and expert/host and the reaction to the right-handed pitcher's debut was unanimous. It was awesome, impressive, an overwhelming success. All those adjectives, praise and more, were heaped on the 14-strikeout effort.

Some of the praise, especially that from proven and trusted sources, sounded so over-the-top it would've been considered silly coming from anyone else.

But, when baseball voices such as Bob Costas, Orel Hershiser and Jayson Stark agree (and they represent just a small sampling of a unanimous chorus of praise), sports fans probably feel they should listen.

Costas, working with Jim Kaat and John Smoltz (two pitchers who amassed 496 victories during 46 years combined years in Major League Baseball), sounded almost reverential at times during the game broadcast on the MLB Network.

Afterward, as experts made the rounds on shows after the game and early Wednesday, Cy Young Award winner and former NLCS and World Series MVP Hershiser, who pitched a record 59 consecutive scoreless innings in 1988, offered some of the highest priase.

"It's going to be a possible Cy Young as soon as he pitches a full season," he said. "That's the kind of performance and talent that can go for innings without giving up runs."

Likewise, ESPN expert Stark, one of the best in the business covering baseball, said he changed his schedule to see Strasburg's debut -- something he never does. And he was happy he did, calling the effort more impressive than he expected.

Completing the sweep of praise was some from unusual sources, among them Colin Cowherd of ESPN Radio. Often an appropriate and reasoned critic of some things baseball, he admitted he was on the Strasburg bandwagon and encouraged Major League Baseball to promote the pitcher -- simply because: "It's so rare when the performance meets or exceeds the hype."

For Strasburg to meet the hype and praise that have been heaped on him in just the past 18 hours might be difficult, though.

Parochial Somtimes Sounds Uninformed

All too often local experts on an issue get a chance to talk to a wider audience and while they think they're sharing insights they're really just sharing the obvious -- because their proximity to the situation makes them no more insightful than others thousands of miles away from the situation.

One recent example came Tuesday during "College Football Live" on ESPN.

As part of a fairly complete segment regarding pending NCAA sanctions for USC, the weakest part was a brief interview by phone with a reporter from KSPN-AM (710), the ESPN Radio affiliate in Los Angeles. When asked about the situation, he noted the passion of USC fans and that nowhere else in the country can you find customized, garnet-and-gold painted vans and that 100,000 fans will still show up at the L.A. Coliseum no matter what happens in regard to a NCAA ruling.

The comments were silly on several levels.

First, it indicated that the passion of USC fans was unrivaled -- and that's not the case. It's a fact that those types of fans (with their custom-painted vehicles and so much more) exist around every major college football program. Sure, the vehicles certainly are not be garnet and gold in Blacksburg, Happy Valley, Tuscaloosa or any number of other towns, but they do exist. By indicating USC was different or special, it only showed the local expert was parochial at best and uninformed at worst.

Also, the comments also ignored history -- because USC has not always been a program that attracted throngs on gameday. While it's unlikely any NCAA sanctions will damage the USC program (because more reliable experts on the same ESPN show said they expected relatively light penalties), fans in Los Angeles have shown that they will not blindly turn out for a team. Whether because of the impact of an NCAA ruling or the offseason coaching change, should USC struggle in the coming years it's really not out of the realm of possibility that attendance could suffer if the team struggles on the field.

To ignore that possibility makes the reporter sound like a homer at best and uninformed at worst.

Indecision Produces Solid Sports Talk

Too often sports talk radio thrives only on opinions, reaction and vitriol, with common decency and common sense lost in all the jabber.

Thankfully, though, a sensible island if indecision exists -- and that's why "Mike and Mike in the Morning" on ESPN Radio remains the best sports talk show on radio.

Hosts Mike Golic and Mike Greenberg have opinions, and they're not afraid to share them when appropriate, but they never rant and rave just for reaction. They prefer informed discussion, and when they do not have a strong opinion they're not afraid to share their indecision with listeners.

Greenberg did that again on Wednesday morning's show when the discussion turned to LeBron James and his recent streak of sitting out games late in the season despite being healthy. Some argue the NBA star has a responsibility to play, providing paying customers the on-court presence they expect to see when they purchase a ticket. Some argue it's OK for him to sit out and rest in preparation for the playoffs because he's ultimately there to help the franchise win a championship.

Greenberg had no stomach for an argument on either side, though. He told listeners he could see the situation from both sides, and he and Golic capably and thoughtfully talked about the pros and cons of the situation.

Still, they refused to pick a side just to prompt reaction -- something many other radio hosts would do in a heartbeat -- and that inaction was refreshing. Sports talk radio needs more of that, and it's already good that it exists with "Mike and Mike."

Tiger's Tale Remains Topical for Talkers

Here we are a full week later, with Tiger Woods himself back in rehab, and his public apology remains a fairly common topic on sports-talk radio. It has also reshaped sports talk radio in one major U.S. market for at least another week.

While the Tiger topic sounds like overkill to some, it's obvious fodder for sports talk -- because people cleary care -- and sports talk radio exists not so much to inform as to evoke response, thereby driving listeners and and ratings. At least in theory.

Numbers from ESPN last week prove people have an interest. During ESPN's live telecast of the statement, it averaged a 1.4 rating -- three times the audience in the timeslot the day before and higher than some live sporting events the network airs. Likewise, ESPN2's audience was 48 percent higher than the day before and ESPNEWS attracted four times its normal number of viewers.

Online -- ESPNRadio.com recorded its largest concurrent streaming audience for a single event in its 10-year history (85,000 listeners) -- and in mobile applications, ESPN's other numbers were similarly huge. And those are just the result for ESPN. Other cable channels and networks enjoyed a similar boost.

So, Tiger clearly ranks a topic people care about. Even a week later.

Also, talking Tiger at least partially led to Tony Kornheiser's suspension from "Pardon the Interruption." Without Tiger last week, it's not likely Kornheiser would've been watching ESPN midday -- and thereby not watching Hannah Storm at work. Nor would he have been commenting about her clothing selections on that day.

He was doing both, though, and his critique of Storm's attire was ruled ESPN-on-ESPN crime by officials at the all-sports network, who removed him from his TV gig for two weeks starting earlier this week. He remains on radio on Washington, D.C., though. And the suspension does seem a little overboard.

Best Show on Radio Celebrates 10th Anniversary

Today marks the 10th anniversary for "Mike and Mike in the Morning" on ESPN Radio, and it is a show worth celebrating.

Because of the diverse experiences and talent (former Notre Dame and NFL defensive lineman Mike Golic and former Northwestern student and solid sports journalist Mike Greenberg), and because of ESPN's platform and power, "Mike and Mike" make an impact each and every day on the air.

Like any other show, they're usually topical. Unlike other shows, though, ESPN allows them access to solid experts and guest.

Like any other show hosts, they have things to say. Unlike other show hosts, though, they play almost perfectly of off each other, expressing opinions and insights without sounding pompous or preachy.

It's just a good show, and it has remained strong -- even improved -- during four hours every morning because the on- and off-air team continually adapt and update. While Mike and Mike remain as the consistent building blocks, certain guests, segments and special events change. So the show never gets tiresome or stale. It's familiar and fun.

At the same time, other standards remain, including the upcoming "Sheet of Integrity" challenge around the NCAA Tournament in which the two hosts complete separate bracket sheets for the tournament with an associated wager.

As with all good radio, the hosts bare their souls, share personal stories and come across as people whom listeners like.

Those personalities drive the show more than expertise and opinions. Plus, the production team for the program -- especially as it has diversified through the years and found a simulcast home on ESPN2 -- has only added to the success of "Mike and Mike." Whether on TV or radio, with a great variety of song parodies and skits, the behind-the-scenes team (and they're sometimes front and center, which is nice) plays an important and valuable role in the show's success.

It's one of the best examples of what sports talk radio should strive to be.

A Stern Preview for NBA All-Star Game

Few annual media tours rival that of David Stern in the week leading up to the NBA All-Star Game.

During what should be a wonderful time for the league, he somehow always manages to sound grumpy, condescending or just plain uncooperative. He does not play "what-if" games and sounds either better than the folks he's talking with or bored.

With the All-Star Game set to attrack a record crowd to Cowboys Stadium on Sunday, Stern, the league's forth commissioner, who has been in charge since Feb. 1, 1984, has been making the rounds again this week.

He has spent part of his time on ESPN Radio shows, discussing the NCAA's one-and-done rule and how it impacts his league with "Mike and Mike in the Morning," and avoiding discussion of the league's labor situation while on "The Herd with Colin Cowherd."

When Cowherd broached the labor deal, Stern corrected the host on the facts, positioned the discussion in an adversarial manner and refused to play along when Cowherd tried a more light-hearted aproach. LISTEN HERE

While the NBA has one of the better mid-season all-star events in pro sports with its dunk contest and weekend full of activities -- something that can eat up a couple nights of TV time with decent programming -- this almost reliable approach by the commissioner inevitably takes some of the lustre off the overall event.

The three days of TV coverage of All-Star Weekend activities begins Friday. As follows ...

Friday

7 p.m., All-Star Celebrity Game (ESPN)

Saturday

7 p.m., H.O.R.S.E. (TNT)

8 p.m., NBA All-Star Saturday Night (TNT)

9 p.m., T-Mobile Rookie Challenge (TNT)

Sunday

8 p.m., All-Star Game (TNT)

Significant, Small Stories: Peyton, Pro Bowl

While hundreds of media members chased stories about the Super Bowl, two stories that emerged Tuesday gave insights about the game that remains four days away and the status of pro football as a monetary and ratings giant, respectively.

First, "Mike and Mike in the Morning" on ESPN Radio talked with former Colts coach turned motivational speaker and NBC Sports analyst Tony Dungy. It was a nice phone interview with a former Super Bowl-winning coach the week of the game, but it got better when the discussion focused on Colts QB Peyton Manning.

While many respect Manning's commitment to preparation, Dungy related a story that made that point. He said the standout quarterback, one of the best players in the league, drove from Indianapolis to Columbus, Ohio, twice a week in early 2007 to work out with an unknown rookie receiver.

In an effort to better integrate then-Ohio State student Anthony Gonzalez into the Colts' offense, Manning drove nearly three hours each way to make the trip to throw passes to the team's newest receiver. No A-list pro player needs to do that -- unless he wants to maintain his spot among the sport's best and ensure his team's success.

And, as if there was any doubt, the hefty ratings for the Pro Bowl on Sunday probably ensured that game would eventually have a permanent home the week before the Super Bowl in the same stadium as the big game.

About 12.3 million viewers watched the game on ESPN, up from 8.8 million in 2009. This year's game was the most-watched Pro Bowl since 2000, and it earned good ratings opposite the Grammy Awards, which drew nearly 26 million viewers.

The sellout crowd on site also helped ensure the game's future timeslot.

Despite complaints from some analysts and players, soe others enjoyed the location in the continental United States -- and fans most certainly had a good time and responded.

Just as they do in pro baseball and basketball, fans see the game as their own. They know the hits are not hard and the game has little meaning, but they do not care. They're glad to attend in person -- and to watch on TV. That all makes the game marketable for the league, and that means it will remain on the schedule.

Planning, Location Key for ESPN Radio

The more than 55 hours of Super Bowl programming on ESPN Radio, set to originate from South Florida this week, sounds like a lot of work -- but that's only part of the story.

Planning for the numerous shows that will originate from Lummus Park on Miami Beach started months ago, when ESPN's operations team began working with the NFL regarding set location. That location makes ESPN different from most other national sports talk programming throughout Super Bowl week because those other shows typically originate from "Radio Row," table after table of sports stations from across that nation and world that often get set up in the same room of an a nearby convention center.

Even with the planning, live, on-location radio provides challenges.

It means less technology on hand and fewer staff personnel just a few steps away to solve problems. It also means potential distractions with weather (rain the early part of this week) and people watching the live radio shows.

Still, that atmosphere helps -- especially shows like "Mike and Mike in the Morning," with Mike Greenberg and Mike Golic working their 11th Super Bowl week together, and "The Herd with Colin Cowherd." Both shows have talent who can play well off an audience.

"You get a real sense of atmosphere," explained ESPN producer Amanda Gifford about on-site shows. "Colin is usually on his game with an audience. You can feed off the energy of the crowd."

For behind-the-scenes folks such as Gifford (who coordinated planning but did not make the trip to Miami for this week's Super Bowl shows), getting guests to the set on time provides a daily challenge during remote shows, and she prefers to leave nothing to chance.

"Everything is pretty calculated," she said. "I'd rather have everything planned, but I've learned that sometimes you get some great things on the fly and you have to be able to adjust."

Determining which guests are used on a program provides a show's biggest challenge during the week. With all of the activity and media attention, many former players (with guiding publicists) show up at the Super Bowl site to pitch their cause, charity or product.

While smaller shows on Radio Row might take any and all such guests, ESPN Radio shows can be a bit more selective. They have major markets to serve and less time to waste on borderline guests.

"We get a lot of A-listers through Super Bowl week, and we get pitches for a lot of people who aren't considered A-listers," Gifford said. "We make determinations by when they're available, if we're on the air at that time, and if they make sense for our biggest affiliates." For Cowherd, those affiliates are in Los Angeles, New York, Atlanta and Dallas.

Typically, ESPN's name and the talent and reputation of the hosts produce a potent combination -- with good guests wanting to appear on the shows and the on-air talent making the visits entertaining. The combination produces one of the best weeks of sports talk radio of the year.