MLB on CBS
Encyclopedia
Major League Baseball on CBS is the name of the former TV show
that televised Major League Baseball
games on the American
television network
CBS
(legally known as the Columbia Broadcasting System from 1928 to 1974). Produced by CBS Sports
, there have been several variations of the program dating back to the 1950s. The most notable version existed from 1990
to 1993
.
, WCBS-TV
in New York
(CBS' flagship station) broadcast the first baseball game on color television. It was the Brooklyn Dodgers
vs. Boston Braves
from Ebbets Field
. The Braves beat the Dodgers 8–1.
and the Game of the Week
would move from ABC
to CBS (the rights were actually set up through the Falstaff Brewing Corporation
). "CBS' stakes were higher" said Buddy Blattner
, who left Mutual
to rejoin Dean. Ron Powers wrote about the reteaming of Dean and Blattner "They wanted someone who'd known Diz, could bring him out." Bill McColgan and Bob Finnegan, previously backup game announcers for ABC, performed the same role on CBS in -57; in Finnegan began working with a variety of color men including Frank Reynolds
, a reporter for Chicago CBS affiliate WBBM-TV
(and future ABC News
anchor).
In , CBS added a Sunday Game of the Week. ABC's Edgar Scherick said "In '53
, no one wanted us. Now teams begged for "Game"'s cash." That year, the NFL
began a $
14.1 million revenue-sharing pact. By , Major League Baseball ended the big-city blackout
, got $6.5 million for exclusivity, and split the pot.
With CBS now carrying the Game of the Week, outlets in Phoenix
, Little Rock
, and Cedar Rapids
were finally receiving the Game of the Week. Bud Blattner said "America had never had TV network ball. Now you're getting two games a week [four, counting NBC, by ]."
In , Dizzy Dean ruffled the feathers of CBS Sports head Bill MacPhail
when he said "I don't know how we come off callin' this the 'Game of the Week'. There's a much better game - Dodgers
-Giants
- over on NBC." Dean also once refused a Falstaff ad because the date was Mother's Day
. When United Airlines
backed CBS' Game of the Week telecasts, Dean, who hated to fly said "If you have to, pod-nuh, Eastern is much the best."
and Frankie Frisch
did the backup games from 1959
to 1961
. They usually did games that took place in Philadelphia, New York, Washington, D.C.
, or Baltimore
. Whitaker once said in three years, he would only broadcast three innings because CBS wouldn't switch away from Dizzy Dean. However, he said that he learned a lot of baseball just sitting next to Frisch. CBS had other backup crews for games featuring the Chicago Cubs
and Chicago White Sox
, Cleveland Indians
, and Cincinnati Reds
. In these cases, Bob Finnegan would handle the play-by-play duties with various analysts depending on the city. CBS did not have Game of the Week rights from any other ballparks in those years.
Pee Wee Reese
replaced Blattner as Dean's partner in . That same year the network featured Jerry Coleman
as a pregame interviewer.
, Wrigley Field
, St. Louis
, Philadelphia
, and Baltimore
. New York got $550,000 of CBS' $895,000. Six clubs that exclusively played nationally televised games on NBC got $1.2 million. The theme music from this era was a Dixieland
styled rendition of "Take Me Out to the Ballgame."
In , the New York Yankees
, who in the year prior
played 21 Games of the Week for CBS (who had actually just purchased the Yankees), joined NBC's television package. The new package under NBC called for 28 games compared to 1960
's three-network 123.
(under the guidance of Commissioner Peter Ueberroth
, Major League Baseball's broadcast director Bryan Burns, CBS Inc. CEO
Laurence Tisch
as well as CBS Sports
executives Neal Pilson and Eddie Einhorn
) paid approximately $
1.8 billion for exclusive over-the-air television rights for over four years (beginning in 1990
). CBS paid about $265 million each year for the World Series
, League Championship Series
, All-Star Game
, and the Saturday Game of the Week
. It was one of the largest agreements (to date) between the sport of baseball and the business of broadcasting
.
The deal with CBS was also intended to pay each team (26 in and then, 28 by ) $10 million a year. They also would be paying an estimated $7.1 million per game or $790,000 per inning, and $132,000 per out.
A separate deal with cable TV would bring each team an additional $4 million. Each team could also cut its own deal with local TV. For example, the New York Yankees
signed with a cable network (MSG
) that would pay the team $41 million annually for 12 years. Radio broadcast rights can bring in additional money. Reportedly, after the huge TV contracts with CBS and ESPN
were signed, ballclubs spent their excess millions on free agent
s.
Before the previous television contract (–) with Major League Baseball was signed, CBS was at one point, interested in a pact which would have called for three interleague
games every Thursday night (only). The proposed deal with CBS involved the American League East
teams playing the National League East
and the American League West
playing the National League West
respectively.
rendition of the CBS Eye
entering a big, waving red, white, and blue bunting
and then a smaller, unfolding red, white, and blue bunting (over a white diamond) and floating blue banner (which usually featured an indicating year like "1991 World Series
" for instance) complete with dark red Old English
text
. Pat O'Brien anchored the World Series and All-Star Game telecasts while usually delivering the prologue
(normally set against the live scenery over the theme music). Though O'Brien would be joined by his co-host Andrea Joyce
during the 1993 World Series
and 1993 MLB All-Star Game
.
A recurring theme during CBS' coverage of the postseason was the usage of Michael Kamen
's "Overture" from Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves
. From start to finish, an audio montage of baseball's most memorable moments played on top, followed by a video and music only (no narration) recap of both League Championship Series
and the World Series from to . The "Training" cue from Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves was played against an all slow-motion montage of the entire series. As Tim McCarver
recapped the first six games of the 1991 World Series before Game 7, CBS used Hans Zimmer
's "Fighting 17th" from the movie Backdraft
for the soundtrack. During the 1993 All-Star Game
and postseason, highlights of past All-Star Games and postseason moments were scored using the John Williams
composed theme from the movie Jurassic Park
. Also during the commercial breaks of the 1993 All-Star Game, CBS provided a snippet of Don Henley
's "The Boys of Summer
". During the prologue for Game 1 of the 1993 World Series
, CBS used Hans Zimmer
's "The Walk Home" from the movie Cool Runnings
. During the closing credits for Game 6 of the 1993 World Series (CBS' final Major League Baseball telecast to date), they used Bob Seger
's "The Famous Final Scene" followed by Billy Joel
's "Famous Last Words
".
CBS' slogan for their regular season, Game of the Week broadcasts was "Baseball's biggest moments are on CBS!" Meanwhile, the pregame shows were called Baseball with the corresponding season tagged at the end such as Baseball '90, Baseball '91 and so forth.
to be the primary play-by-play announcer for CBS' baseball telecasts (thus, having the tasks of calling the All-Star Game
, National League Championship Series
, and World Series
), with veteran broadcaster and lead CBS Radio baseball voice Jack Buck
to serve as the secondary announcer (which would involve calling a second weekly game and the American League Championship Series
). Former ABC color man Tim McCarver
was hired by CBS to be Musburger's partner while NBC's Jim Kaat
was hired to be Buck's. However, weeks before CBS was to debut its MLB coverage, on April 1, 1990, Musburger was fired by the network over what CBS perceived to be a power grab by Musburger in taking on the assignment (at the time, Musburger was CBS' lead college basketball
announcer, host of The NFL Today
, and was the main studio host for the NBA and had felt that he had been given too many broadcasting assignments by the network).
With Musburger's firing, Buck was moved up to the primary announce team alongside McCarver. His position as backup announcer alongside Kaat was taken by CBS' lead NBA announcer, Dick Stockton
. Studio host Greg Gumbel
took over for Stockton as the number two play-by-play man in . Gumbel was in return, replaced by Andrea Joyce
, who served as a field reporter for the first three seasons of CBS' coverage. On the teaming of Buck and McCarver, Broadcasting magazine wrote "The network has exclusivity, much rides on them."
Joining the team of Buck and McCarver was Lesley Visser
(who was, incidentally, married to the aforementioned Dick Stockton), who became the first female MLB beat writer while she worked for the Boston Globe, when she covered the Boston Red Sox
. During the CBS' coverage the 1990 World Series
, Visser became the first woman to cover the World Series.
Meanwhile, Jim Kaat earned rave reviews for his role as CBS' backup analyst (which flashed a considerable "good-guy air"). Ron Bergman wrote of Kaat's performance during the 1990 ALCS
"This was a night for pitchers to excel. Dave Stewart
. Roger Clemens
. Jim Kaat [on commentary]." Despite the rave reviews, Jim Kaat admitted that he was frustrated. He felt that at that point and time, the idea of figuring out what to talk about during a three-hour broadcast had become intimidating. As a result, Kaat would bring notes into the booth, but in the process, found himself providing too much detail. He ultimately confided in his broadcasting partner, Dick Stockton, that he wanted to work without notes. So Stockton hooked Kaat up with then-lead NFL on CBS
color man, John Madden for a telephone seminar. Madden said if he brought notes into the booth he felt compelled to use them and would "force" something into a telecast. On his seminar with John Madden, Jim Kaat said "Then John told me if he did his homework it would be stored in his memory bank. And if it is important it will come out. If it doesn't, it probably wasn't that important."
A mildly notorious moment came during CBS' coverage of the 1990 All-Star Game
from Wrigley Field
in Chicago. In a game that was marred by rain delays for a combined 85 minutes (including a 68 minute monsoon
during the 7th inning), CBS annoyed many diehard fans by airing the William Shatner
hosted reality series Rescue 911
during the delay.
CBS' initially didn't want to start their 1990 coverage until after the network had aired that year's NBA Finals
(which was the last time CBS aired the Finals before the NBA's move to NBC). Therefore, only 12 regular season telecasts were scheduled The broadcasts would've been each Saturday from June 16 through August 25 and a special Sunday telecast on the weekend of August 11–12 (the New York Yankees
against the Oakland Athletics
in Oakland on both days). Ultimately, four more telecasts were added - two in April and two on the last two Saturdays of the season.
The 1990 postseason started on a Thursday, while World Series started on a Tuesday due to the brief lockout
. Major League Baseball and CBS went with some rather unconventional scheduling during the LCS round, with two consecutive scheduled off-days in the NLCS
after Game 2.
12 million to $15 million on each of the League Championship Series and World Series games not played, for a total of $36 million to $45 million) from 1990's abbreviated postseason (which ended with the Cincinnati Reds
shockingly sweeping the defending World Champion
Oakland Athletics
in the World Series
), CBS made several notable adjustments for 1991. Regular season telecasts had been reduced to a meager handful. In return, pregame shows during the League Championship Series were entirely eliminated, to minimize the ratings damage. The 1991 season was perhaps most noteworthy for CBS having the opportunity of covering of the now legendary World Series
between the Minnesota Twins and Atlanta Braves
.
Earlier in the postseason, CBS' coverage of the ALCS
meant that they could not carry the live testimony of Clarence Thomas
, whose confirmation to the United States Supreme Court was put into question because of charges of sexual harassment
from former staffer Anita Hill
. Meanwhile, ABC
, NBC
, CNN
and PBS
all carried the testimony.
As CBS' baseball coverage progressed, they dropped the 8:00 p.m. pregame coverage (in favor of sitcoms such as Evening Shade
), before finally starting their coverage at 8:30 p.m. Eastern Time. The first pitch would generally arrive at approximately 8:45 p.m. Perhaps as a result, Joe Carter
's World Series
clinching home run off Mitch Williams in 1993, occurred at 12:00 a.m. on the East Coast
.
veteran Buck, he had a hard time adjusting to the demands of a more constricting television production. CBS felt that Buck should've done more to make himself appear to be a set-up man for lead analyst Tim McCarver. Jack Buck's son Joe
tried to rationalize his father's on-air problems by saying "My dad was brought up in the golden age of radio, I think he had his hands tied somewhat, being accustomed to the freedom of radio. I'm more used to acquiescing to what the producer wants to do, what the director wants to do."
Buck himself sized up CBS' handling of the announcers by saying "CBS never got that baseball play-by-play draws word-pictures. All they knew was that football stars analysts. So they said, 'Let [analyst Tim] McCarver run the show.' In television, all they want you to do is shut up. I'm not very good at shutting up." Buck though, would add that although he knew Tim McCarver well, they never developed a good relationship with each other on the air despite high hopes to the contrary. Phil Mushnick
added insult to injury to Buck by accusing him of "Trying to predict plays, as if to prove he was still on top."
Buck also got into deep trouble with CBS executives (namely executive producer Ted Shaker) over questionable comments made towards singer Bobby Vinton
in 1990. While on air prior to Game 4 of the that year's NLCS
in Pittsburgh
, Buck criticized Vinton's off-key rendition of the "Star-Spangled Banner"
, making a comment towards Vinton that sounded like a prejudicial remark centered on Vinton's Polish heritage. Joe Buck
believed that the situation was ironic because his father was "trying to help the guy." Buck began receiving death threats from Pirate
fans and discovered a footprint on his pillow once he returned to his hotel room.
announcer Sean McDonough
. Ted Shaker called McDonough about his interests for the top announcing job, and after McDonough hung up the telephone, he claimed that he didn't want to act like a 10 year old but he jumped so high that he put a hole in his ceiling. McDonough, who was 30 years old at the time, became the youngest full-time network announcer to call a World Series when he called that year's Fall Classic alongside McCarver.
For CBS' coverage of the 1992 All-Star Game
, they introduced Basecam, a lipstick-size camera, inside first base.
Over the course of Game 2 of the 1992 ALCS
, Jim Kaat
was stricken with a bad case of laryngitis. As a result, Johnny Bench
had to come over from the CBS Radio
booth and finish the game with Dick Stockton
as a "relief analyst." There was talk that if Kaat's laryngitis did not get better, Don Drysdale
was going to replace Kaat on TV for Game 3 while Bench would continue to work on CBS Radio.
Tim McCarver ran afoul of Atlanta Braves
outfielder Deion Sanders
during the 1992 postseason, when he made comments on air criticizing Sanders for his two-sport athletic career; Sanders was playing for both the Braves and the NFL's Atlanta Falcons
at the time and participated in both the baseball postseason and the early NFL regular season for the first time in 1992 (Sanders was unable to do this in 1991
, as his NFL
contract would not allow him to). Sanders retaliated following Game 7 of the NLCS
by dumping a bucket of ice water on McCarver (who was wired for sound and feared electrocution) as retaliation for the on-air comments.
McCarver was not immune to criticism from outside sources, either, as Norman Chad
wrote a critique of him in Sports Illustrated
during the postseason. Chad said that McCarver was someone who 'when you ask him the time, will tell you how a watch works,' a reference to McCarver's perceived tendency to overanalyze things. Chad went further by saying "What's the difference between Tim McCarver and appendicitis
? Appendicitis is covered by most health plans."
McCarver was also known to make gaffes from time to time. One of his more amusing miscues came during the 1992 National League Championship Series
when he repeatedly referred to Pittsburgh Pirates
pitcher Tim Wakefield
as "Bill Wakefield." He finally explained that Bill Wakefield was one of his old minor-league teammates, and he laughed at himself because "I forgot my own name!"'
During the 1992 postseason, CBS missed covering one of the three debates
among U.S. presidential candidates
George H.W. Bush, Bill Clinton
and H. Ross Perot
. The network had planned to join other broadcast and cable networks in the telecast; however, Game 4 of the ALCS
between the Toronto Blue Jays
and Oakland Athletics
did not end until 8:30 p.m. Eastern Time, about the time the debate ended. The Blue Jays won the game 7-6 in 11 innings. The other networks reported very good ratings for the debate, part of one of the more compelling election campaigns in recent times.
The CBS telecasts of the and Series (both involving the Toronto Blue Jays
) were simulcast
on CTV
. in Canada
. During this period, CTV produced their own pregame shows rather than simply taking the United States feed from CBS. Rod Black
and Rob Faulds
hosted CTV's pregame coverage, with CBS' Tim McCarver providing some additional pregame analysis.
missed the first half of the 1993 season
because she suffered a bizarre jogging accident in New York
's Central Park
. Visser broke her hip and skidded face-first across the pavement. She required reconstructive plastic surgery on her face and more than a decade later required an artificial hip replacement. She returned to CBS Sports in July 1993 to cover the Major League Baseball All-Star Game
as a pregame analyst instead of a field reporter due to the accident. So in Visser's place, came Jim Kaat
while she recuperated. She ultimately returned to the baseball world in late August 1993.
As previously mentioned, also during the 1993 season, Andrea Joyce
replaced Greg Gumbel
(who in return, replaced Dick Stockton
as the #2 play-by-play man) as studio host. Joyce would be joined at the anchor desk by Pat O'Brien
. At the 1993 World Series
, she became the first woman to co-host the network television coverage for a World Series.
During CBS' coverage of the 1993 World Series
, umpires were upset with the overhead
replays being televised by CBS. Dave Phillips, the crew chief, said just prior to Game 2 that the umpires want "CBS to be fair with their approach." Rick Gentile, the senior vice president for production of CBS Sports, said that Richie Phillips
, the lawyer for the Major League Umpires Association, tried to call the broadcast booth during Saturday's game, but the call was not put through. Richie Phillips apparently was upset when Dave Phillips called the Philadelphia Phillies
' Ricky Jordan
out on strikes in the fourth inning, and a replay showed the pitch to be about 6 inches outside. National League
President Bill White, while using a CBS headset in the broadcast booth during Game 1, was overheard telling Gentile and the producer Bob Dekas "You guys keep using that camera the way you want. Don't let Phillips intimidate you."
, but Major League Baseball wasn't willing to do this. According to Curt Smith
's book The Voice - Mel Allen's Untold Story, one CBS executive wore a St. Louis Cardinals
cap at a 1988 Christmas party. However, by , pining to shed baseball, that same executive wore a cap styled "One More Year."
Marv Albert
, who hosted NBC's baseball pregame show
for many years said about CBS' baseball coverage "You wouldn't see a game for a month. Then you didn't know when CBS came back on." Sports Illustrated
joked that CBS stood for Covers Baseball Sporadically. USA Today
added that Jack Buck and Tim McCarver "may have to have a reunion before [their] telecast." Mike Lupica
of the New York Daily News
took it a step further by calling CBS' baseball deal "The Vietnam
of sports television."
NBC play-by-play man Bob Costas
believed that a large bulk of the regular season coverage beginning in the 1990s to cable (namely, ESPN
) because CBS
, the network that was taking over from NBC the television rights beginning in 1990 didn't really want the Saturday Game of the Week. Many fans who didn't appreciate CBS' approach to scheduling regular season baseball games believed that they were only truly after the marquee events (i.e. All-Star Game
, League Championship Series
, and the World Series) in order to sell advertising
space (especially the fall entertainment television schedule).
In 1991, it cost CBS $
4.8 million per game in venue productions alone to show the National League Championship Series
. This doesn't include studio backup operations or the satellite time needed to transmit the game to New York for broadcast on their network frequencies. The American League Championship Series
(between the Minnesota Twins and Toronto Blue Jays
) was another problem because of the tariffs and labor laws
they had to endure going into Canada. CBS averaged $1.9–$2.4 million per regular season game. In return, it was typical for the production cost to double come playoff time.
on October 23. Before Major League Baseball decided to seek the services of other networks, CBS offered $
120 million in annual rights fees over a two-year period, as well as advertising revenues in excess of $150 million a season.
In October , when it was a known fact that ABC and NBC were going to end their television deal/joint venture with Major League Baseball
, preliminary talks rose about CBS returning. It was rumored that CBS would show Thursday night games (more specifically, a package of West Coast
interleague games
scheduled for the 11:30 ET
/8:30 PT
slot) while Fox would show Saturday afternoon games. CBS and Fox were also rumored to share rights to the postseason. In the end however, CBS' involvement did not come to pass and NBC became Fox's over-the-air national television partner.
, TBS' Atlanta based Major League Baseball studio crew of Matt Winer
, Dennis Eckersley
, Cal Ripken, Jr.
and David Wells
presented a 2011 Major League Baseball
midseason report. This was followed by MLB 2011: Down the Stretch, which aired on September 24. CBS Sports and Turner Sports
have in the past, teamed up on coverage of the NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament
and the Winter Olympics
in 1992
, 1994
and 1998
.
that televised Major League Baseball
games on the American
television network
CBS
(legally known as the Columbia Broadcasting System from 1928 to 1974). Produced by CBS Sports
, there have been several variations of the program dating back to the 1950s. The most notable version existed from 1990
to 1993
.
, WCBS-TV
in New York
(CBS' flagship station) broadcast the first baseball game on color television. It was the Brooklyn Dodgers
vs. Boston Braves
from Ebbets Field
. The Braves beat the Dodgers 8–1.
and the Game of the Week
would move from ABC
to CBS (the rights were actually set up through the Falstaff Brewing Corporation
). "CBS' stakes were higher" said Buddy Blattner
, who left Mutual
to rejoin Dean. Ron Powers wrote about the reteaming of Dean and Blattner "They wanted someone who'd known Diz, could bring him out." Bill McColgan and Bob Finnegan, previously backup game announcers for ABC, performed the same role on CBS in -57; in Finnegan began working with a variety of color men including Frank Reynolds
, a reporter for Chicago CBS affiliate WBBM-TV
(and future ABC News
anchor).
In , CBS added a Sunday Game of the Week. ABC's Edgar Scherick said "In '53
, no one wanted us. Now teams begged for "Game"'s cash." That year, the NFL
began a $
14.1 million revenue-sharing pact. By , Major League Baseball ended the big-city blackout
, got $6.5 million for exclusivity, and split the pot.
With CBS now carrying the Game of the Week, outlets in Phoenix
, Little Rock
, and Cedar Rapids
were finally receiving the Game of the Week. Bud Blattner said "America had never had TV network ball. Now you're getting two games a week [four, counting NBC, by ]."
In , Dizzy Dean ruffled the feathers of CBS Sports head Bill MacPhail
when he said "I don't know how we come off callin' this the 'Game of the Week'. There's a much better game - Dodgers
-Giants
- over on NBC." Dean also once refused a Falstaff ad because the date was Mother's Day
. When United Airlines
backed CBS' Game of the Week telecasts, Dean, who hated to fly said "If you have to, pod-nuh, Eastern is much the best."
and Frankie Frisch
did the backup games from 1959
to 1961
. They usually did games that took place in Philadelphia, New York, Washington, D.C.
, or Baltimore
. Whitaker once said in three years, he would only broadcast three innings because CBS wouldn't switch away from Dizzy Dean. However, he said that he learned a lot of baseball just sitting next to Frisch. CBS had other backup crews for games featuring the Chicago Cubs
and Chicago White Sox
, Cleveland Indians
, and Cincinnati Reds
. In these cases, Bob Finnegan would handle the play-by-play duties with various analysts depending on the city. CBS did not have Game of the Week rights from any other ballparks in those years.
Pee Wee Reese
replaced Blattner as Dean's partner in . That same year the network featured Jerry Coleman
as a pregame interviewer.
, Wrigley Field
, St. Louis
, Philadelphia
, and Baltimore
. New York got $550,000 of CBS' $895,000. Six clubs that exclusively played nationally televised games on NBC got $1.2 million. The theme music from this era was a Dixieland
styled rendition of "Take Me Out to the Ballgame."
In , the New York Yankees
, who in the year prior
played 21 Games of the Week for CBS (who had actually just purchased the Yankees), joined NBC's television package. The new package under NBC called for 28 games compared to 1960
's three-network 123.
(under the guidance of Commissioner Peter Ueberroth
, Major League Baseball's broadcast director Bryan Burns, CBS Inc. CEO
Laurence Tisch
as well as CBS Sports
executives Neal Pilson and Eddie Einhorn
) paid approximately $
1.8 billion for exclusive over-the-air television rights for over four years (beginning in 1990
). CBS paid about $265 million each year for the World Series
, League Championship Series
, All-Star Game
, and the Saturday Game of the Week
. It was one of the largest agreements (to date) between the sport of baseball and the business of broadcasting
.
The deal with CBS was also intended to pay each team (26 in and then, 28 by ) $10 million a year. They also would be paying an estimated $7.1 million per game or $790,000 per inning, and $132,000 per out.
A separate deal with cable TV would bring each team an additional $4 million. Each team could also cut its own deal with local TV. For example, the New York Yankees
signed with a cable network (MSG
) that would pay the team $41 million annually for 12 years. Radio broadcast rights can bring in additional money. Reportedly, after the huge TV contracts with CBS and ESPN
were signed, ballclubs spent their excess millions on free agent
s.
Before the previous television contract (–) with Major League Baseball was signed, CBS was at one point, interested in a pact which would have called for three interleague
games every Thursday night (only). The proposed deal with CBS involved the American League East
teams playing the National League East
and the American League West
playing the National League West
respectively.
rendition of the CBS Eye
entering a big, waving red, white, and blue bunting
and then a smaller, unfolding red, white, and blue bunting (over a white diamond) and floating blue banner (which usually featured an indicating year like "1991 World Series
" for instance) complete with dark red Old English
text
. Pat O'Brien anchored the World Series and All-Star Game telecasts while usually delivering the prologue
(normally set against the live scenery over the theme music). Though O'Brien would be joined by his co-host Andrea Joyce
during the 1993 World Series
and 1993 MLB All-Star Game
.
A recurring theme during CBS' coverage of the postseason was the usage of Michael Kamen
's "Overture" from Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves
. From start to finish, an audio montage of baseball's most memorable moments played on top, followed by a video and music only (no narration) recap of both League Championship Series
and the World Series from to . The "Training" cue from Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves was played against an all slow-motion montage of the entire series. As Tim McCarver
recapped the first six games of the 1991 World Series before Game 7, CBS used Hans Zimmer
's "Fighting 17th" from the movie Backdraft
for the soundtrack. During the 1993 All-Star Game
and postseason, highlights of past All-Star Games and postseason moments were scored using the John Williams
composed theme from the movie Jurassic Park
. Also during the commercial breaks of the 1993 All-Star Game, CBS provided a snippet of Don Henley
's "The Boys of Summer
". During the prologue for Game 1 of the 1993 World Series
, CBS used Hans Zimmer
's "The Walk Home" from the movie Cool Runnings
. During the closing credits for Game 6 of the 1993 World Series (CBS' final Major League Baseball telecast to date), they used Bob Seger
's "The Famous Final Scene" followed by Billy Joel
's "Famous Last Words
".
CBS' slogan for their regular season, Game of the Week broadcasts was "Baseball's biggest moments are on CBS!" Meanwhile, the pregame shows were called Baseball with the corresponding season tagged at the end such as Baseball '90, Baseball '91 and so forth.
to be the primary play-by-play announcer for CBS' baseball telecasts (thus, having the tasks of calling the All-Star Game
, National League Championship Series
, and World Series
), with veteran broadcaster and lead CBS Radio baseball voice Jack Buck
to serve as the secondary announcer (which would involve calling a second weekly game and the American League Championship Series
). Former ABC color man Tim McCarver
was hired by CBS to be Musburger's partner while NBC's Jim Kaat
was hired to be Buck's. However, weeks before CBS was to debut its MLB coverage, on April 1, 1990, Musburger was fired by the network over what CBS perceived to be a power grab by Musburger in taking on the assignment (at the time, Musburger was CBS' lead college basketball
announcer, host of The NFL Today
, and was the main studio host for the NBA and had felt that he had been given too many broadcasting assignments by the network).
With Musburger's firing, Buck was moved up to the primary announce team alongside McCarver. His position as backup announcer alongside Kaat was taken by CBS' lead NBA announcer, Dick Stockton
. Studio host Greg Gumbel
took over for Stockton as the number two play-by-play man in . Gumbel was in return, replaced by Andrea Joyce
, who served as a field reporter for the first three seasons of CBS' coverage. On the teaming of Buck and McCarver, Broadcasting magazine wrote "The network has exclusivity, much rides on them."
Joining the team of Buck and McCarver was Lesley Visser
(who was, incidentally, married to the aforementioned Dick Stockton), who became the first female MLB beat writer while she worked for the Boston Globe, when she covered the Boston Red Sox
. During the CBS' coverage the 1990 World Series
, Visser became the first woman to cover the World Series.
Meanwhile, Jim Kaat earned rave reviews for his role as CBS' backup analyst (which flashed a considerable "good-guy air"). Ron Bergman wrote of Kaat's performance during the 1990 ALCS
"This was a night for pitchers to excel. Dave Stewart
. Roger Clemens
. Jim Kaat [on commentary]." Despite the rave reviews, Jim Kaat admitted that he was frustrated. He felt that at that point and time, the idea of figuring out what to talk about during a three-hour broadcast had become intimidating. As a result, Kaat would bring notes into the booth, but in the process, found himself providing too much detail. He ultimately confided in his broadcasting partner, Dick Stockton, that he wanted to work without notes. So Stockton hooked Kaat up with then-lead NFL on CBS
color man, John Madden for a telephone seminar. Madden said if he brought notes into the booth he felt compelled to use them and would "force" something into a telecast. On his seminar with John Madden, Jim Kaat said "Then John told me if he did his homework it would be stored in his memory bank. And if it is important it will come out. If it doesn't, it probably wasn't that important."
A mildly notorious moment came during CBS' coverage of the 1990 All-Star Game
from Wrigley Field
in Chicago. In a game that was marred by rain delays for a combined 85 minutes (including a 68 minute monsoon
during the 7th inning), CBS annoyed many diehard fans by airing the William Shatner
hosted reality series Rescue 911
during the delay.
CBS' initially didn't want to start their 1990 coverage until after the network had aired that year's NBA Finals
(which was the last time CBS aired the Finals before the NBA's move to NBC). Therefore, only 12 regular season telecasts were scheduled The broadcasts would've been each Saturday from June 16 through August 25 and a special Sunday telecast on the weekend of August 11–12 (the New York Yankees
against the Oakland Athletics
in Oakland on both days). Ultimately, four more telecasts were added - two in April and two on the last two Saturdays of the season.
The 1990 postseason started on a Thursday, while World Series started on a Tuesday due to the brief lockout
. Major League Baseball and CBS went with some rather unconventional scheduling during the LCS round, with two consecutive scheduled off-days in the NLCS
after Game 2.
12 million to $15 million on each of the League Championship Series and World Series games not played, for a total of $36 million to $45 million) from 1990's abbreviated postseason (which ended with the Cincinnati Reds
shockingly sweeping the defending World Champion
Oakland Athletics
in the World Series
), CBS made several notable adjustments for 1991. Regular season telecasts had been reduced to a meager handful. In return, pregame shows during the League Championship Series were entirely eliminated, to minimize the ratings damage. The 1991 season was perhaps most noteworthy for CBS having the opportunity of covering of the now legendary World Series
between the Minnesota Twins and Atlanta Braves
.
Earlier in the postseason, CBS' coverage of the ALCS
meant that they could not carry the live testimony of Clarence Thomas
, whose confirmation to the United States Supreme Court was put into question because of charges of sexual harassment
from former staffer Anita Hill
. Meanwhile, ABC
, NBC
, CNN
and PBS
all carried the testimony.
As CBS' baseball coverage progressed, they dropped the 8:00 p.m. pregame coverage (in favor of sitcoms such as Evening Shade
), before finally starting their coverage at 8:30 p.m. Eastern Time. The first pitch would generally arrive at approximately 8:45 p.m. Perhaps as a result, Joe Carter
's World Series
clinching home run off Mitch Williams in 1993, occurred at 12:00 a.m. on the East Coast
.
veteran Buck, he had a hard time adjusting to the demands of a more constricting television production. CBS felt that Buck should've done more to make himself appear to be a set-up man for lead analyst Tim McCarver. Jack Buck's son Joe
tried to rationalize his father's on-air problems by saying "My dad was brought up in the golden age of radio, I think he had his hands tied somewhat, being accustomed to the freedom of radio. I'm more used to acquiescing to what the producer wants to do, what the director wants to do."
Buck himself sized up CBS' handling of the announcers by saying "CBS never got that baseball play-by-play draws word-pictures. All they knew was that football stars analysts. So they said, 'Let [analyst Tim] McCarver run the show.' In television, all they want you to do is shut up. I'm not very good at shutting up." Buck though, would add that although he knew Tim McCarver well, they never developed a good relationship with each other on the air despite high hopes to the contrary. Phil Mushnick
added insult to injury to Buck by accusing him of "Trying to predict plays, as if to prove he was still on top."
Buck also got into deep trouble with CBS executives (namely executive producer Ted Shaker) over questionable comments made towards singer Bobby Vinton
in 1990. While on air prior to Game 4 of the that year's NLCS
in Pittsburgh
, Buck criticized Vinton's off-key rendition of the "Star-Spangled Banner"
, making a comment towards Vinton that sounded like a prejudicial remark centered on Vinton's Polish heritage. Joe Buck
believed that the situation was ironic because his father was "trying to help the guy." Buck began receiving death threats from Pirate
fans and discovered a footprint on his pillow once he returned to his hotel room.
announcer Sean McDonough
. Ted Shaker called McDonough about his interests for the top announcing job, and after McDonough hung up the telephone, he claimed that he didn't want to act like a 10 year old but he jumped so high that he put a hole in his ceiling. McDonough, who was 30 years old at the time, became the youngest full-time network announcer to call a World Series when he called that year's Fall Classic alongside McCarver.
For CBS' coverage of the 1992 All-Star Game
, they introduced Basecam, a lipstick-size camera, inside first base.
Over the course of Game 2 of the 1992 ALCS
, Jim Kaat
was stricken with a bad case of laryngitis. As a result, Johnny Bench
had to come over from the CBS Radio
booth and finish the game with Dick Stockton
as a "relief analyst." There was talk that if Kaat's laryngitis did not get better, Don Drysdale
was going to replace Kaat on TV for Game 3 while Bench would continue to work on CBS Radio.
Tim McCarver ran afoul of Atlanta Braves
outfielder Deion Sanders
during the 1992 postseason, when he made comments on air criticizing Sanders for his two-sport athletic career; Sanders was playing for both the Braves and the NFL's Atlanta Falcons
at the time and participated in both the baseball postseason and the early NFL regular season for the first time in 1992 (Sanders was unable to do this in 1991
, as his NFL
contract would not allow him to). Sanders retaliated following Game 7 of the NLCS
by dumping a bucket of ice water on McCarver (who was wired for sound and feared electrocution) as retaliation for the on-air comments.
McCarver was not immune to criticism from outside sources, either, as Norman Chad
wrote a critique of him in Sports Illustrated
during the postseason. Chad said that McCarver was someone who 'when you ask him the time, will tell you how a watch works,' a reference to McCarver's perceived tendency to overanalyze things. Chad went further by saying "What's the difference between Tim McCarver and appendicitis
? Appendicitis is covered by most health plans."
McCarver was also known to make gaffes from time to time. One of his more amusing miscues came during the 1992 National League Championship Series
when he repeatedly referred to Pittsburgh Pirates
pitcher Tim Wakefield
as "Bill Wakefield." He finally explained that Bill Wakefield was one of his old minor-league teammates, and he laughed at himself because "I forgot my own name!"'
During the 1992 postseason, CBS missed covering one of the three debates
among U.S. presidential candidates
George H.W. Bush, Bill Clinton
and H. Ross Perot
. The network had planned to join other broadcast and cable networks in the telecast; however, Game 4 of the ALCS
between the Toronto Blue Jays
and Oakland Athletics
did not end until 8:30 p.m. Eastern Time, about the time the debate ended. The Blue Jays won the game 7-6 in 11 innings. The other networks reported very good ratings for the debate, part of one of the more compelling election campaigns in recent times.
The CBS telecasts of the and Series (both involving the Toronto Blue Jays
) were simulcast
on CTV
. in Canada
. During this period, CTV produced their own pregame shows rather than simply taking the United States feed from CBS. Rod Black
and Rob Faulds
hosted CTV's pregame coverage, with CBS' Tim McCarver providing some additional pregame analysis.
missed the first half of the 1993 season
because she suffered a bizarre jogging accident in New York
's Central Park
. Visser broke her hip and skidded face-first across the pavement. She required reconstructive plastic surgery on her face and more than a decade later required an artificial hip replacement. She returned to CBS Sports in July 1993 to cover the Major League Baseball All-Star Game
as a pregame analyst instead of a field reporter due to the accident. So in Visser's place, came Jim Kaat
while she recuperated. She ultimately returned to the baseball world in late August 1993.
As previously mentioned, also during the 1993 season, Andrea Joyce
replaced Greg Gumbel
(who in return, replaced Dick Stockton
as the #2 play-by-play man) as studio host. Joyce would be joined at the anchor desk by Pat O'Brien
. At the 1993 World Series
, she became the first woman to co-host the network television coverage for a World Series.
During CBS' coverage of the 1993 World Series
, umpires were upset with the overhead
replays being televised by CBS. Dave Phillips, the crew chief, said just prior to Game 2 that the umpires want "CBS to be fair with their approach." Rick Gentile, the senior vice president for production of CBS Sports, said that Richie Phillips
, the lawyer for the Major League Umpires Association, tried to call the broadcast booth during Saturday's game, but the call was not put through. Richie Phillips apparently was upset when Dave Phillips called the Philadelphia Phillies
' Ricky Jordan
out on strikes in the fourth inning, and a replay showed the pitch to be about 6 inches outside. National League
President Bill White, while using a CBS headset in the broadcast booth during Game 1, was overheard telling Gentile and the producer Bob Dekas "You guys keep using that camera the way you want. Don't let Phillips intimidate you."
, but Major League Baseball wasn't willing to do this. According to Curt Smith
's book The Voice - Mel Allen's Untold Story, one CBS executive wore a St. Louis Cardinals
cap at a 1988 Christmas party. However, by , pining to shed baseball, that same executive wore a cap styled "One More Year."
Marv Albert
, who hosted NBC's baseball pregame show
for many years said about CBS' baseball coverage "You wouldn't see a game for a month. Then you didn't know when CBS came back on." Sports Illustrated
joked that CBS stood for Covers Baseball Sporadically. USA Today
added that Jack Buck and Tim McCarver "may have to have a reunion before [their] telecast." Mike Lupica
of the New York Daily News
took it a step further by calling CBS' baseball deal "The Vietnam
of sports television."
NBC play-by-play man Bob Costas
believed that a large bulk of the regular season coverage beginning in the 1990s to cable (namely, ESPN
) because CBS
, the network that was taking over from NBC the television rights beginning in 1990 didn't really want the Saturday Game of the Week. Many fans who didn't appreciate CBS' approach to scheduling regular season baseball games believed that they were only truly after the marquee events (i.e. All-Star Game
, League Championship Series
, and the World Series) in order to sell advertising
space (especially the fall entertainment television schedule).
In 1991, it cost CBS $
4.8 million per game in venue productions alone to show the National League Championship Series
. This doesn't include studio backup operations or the satellite time needed to transmit the game to New York for broadcast on their network frequencies. The American League Championship Series
(between the Minnesota Twins and Toronto Blue Jays
) was another problem because of the tariffs and labor laws
they had to endure going into Canada. CBS averaged $1.9–$2.4 million per regular season game. In return, it was typical for the production cost to double come playoff time.
on October 23. Before Major League Baseball decided to seek the services of other networks, CBS offered $
120 million in annual rights fees over a two-year period, as well as advertising revenues in excess of $150 million a season.
In October , when it was a known fact that ABC and NBC were going to end their television deal/joint venture with Major League Baseball
, preliminary talks rose about CBS returning. It was rumored that CBS would show Thursday night games (more specifically, a package of West Coast
interleague games
scheduled for the 11:30 ET
/8:30 PT
slot) while Fox would show Saturday afternoon games. CBS and Fox were also rumored to share rights to the postseason. In the end however, CBS' involvement did not come to pass and NBC became Fox's over-the-air national television partner.
, TBS' Atlanta based Major League Baseball studio crew of Matt Winer
, Dennis Eckersley
, Cal Ripken, Jr.
and David Wells
presented a 2011 Major League Baseball
midseason report. This was followed by MLB 2011: Down the Stretch, which aired on September 24. CBS Sports and Turner Sports
have in the past, teamed up on coverage of the NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament
and the Winter Olympics
in 1992
, 1994
and 1998
.
that televised Major League Baseball
games on the American
television network
CBS
(legally known as the Columbia Broadcasting System from 1928 to 1974). Produced by CBS Sports
, there have been several variations of the program dating back to the 1950s. The most notable version existed from 1990
to 1993
.
, WCBS-TV
in New York
(CBS' flagship station) broadcast the first baseball game on color television. It was the Brooklyn Dodgers
vs. Boston Braves
from Ebbets Field
. The Braves beat the Dodgers 8–1.
and the Game of the Week
would move from ABC
to CBS (the rights were actually set up through the Falstaff Brewing Corporation
). "CBS' stakes were higher" said Buddy Blattner
, who left Mutual
to rejoin Dean. Ron Powers wrote about the reteaming of Dean and Blattner "They wanted someone who'd known Diz, could bring him out." Bill McColgan and Bob Finnegan, previously backup game announcers for ABC, performed the same role on CBS in -57; in Finnegan began working with a variety of color men including Frank Reynolds
, a reporter for Chicago CBS affiliate WBBM-TV
(and future ABC News
anchor).
In , CBS added a Sunday Game of the Week. ABC's Edgar Scherick said "In '53
, no one wanted us. Now teams begged for "Game"'s cash." That year, the NFL
began a $
14.1 million revenue-sharing pact. By , Major League Baseball ended the big-city blackout
, got $6.5 million for exclusivity, and split the pot.
With CBS now carrying the Game of the Week, outlets in Phoenix
, Little Rock
, and Cedar Rapids
were finally receiving the Game of the Week. Bud Blattner said "America had never had TV network ball. Now you're getting two games a week [four, counting NBC, by ]."
In , Dizzy Dean ruffled the feathers of CBS Sports head Bill MacPhail
when he said "I don't know how we come off callin' this the 'Game of the Week'. There's a much better game - Dodgers
-Giants
- over on NBC." Dean also once refused a Falstaff ad because the date was Mother's Day
. When United Airlines
backed CBS' Game of the Week telecasts, Dean, who hated to fly said "If you have to, pod-nuh, Eastern is much the best."
and Frankie Frisch
did the backup games from 1959
to 1961
. They usually did games that took place in Philadelphia, New York, Washington, D.C.
, or Baltimore
. Whitaker once said in three years, he would only broadcast three innings because CBS wouldn't switch away from Dizzy Dean. However, he said that he learned a lot of baseball just sitting next to Frisch. CBS had other backup crews for games featuring the Chicago Cubs
and Chicago White Sox
, Cleveland Indians
, and Cincinnati Reds
. In these cases, Bob Finnegan would handle the play-by-play duties with various analysts depending on the city. CBS did not have Game of the Week rights from any other ballparks in those years.
Pee Wee Reese
replaced Blattner as Dean's partner in . That same year the network featured Jerry Coleman
as a pregame interviewer.
, Wrigley Field
, St. Louis
, Philadelphia
, and Baltimore
. New York got $550,000 of CBS' $895,000. Six clubs that exclusively played nationally televised games on NBC got $1.2 million. The theme music from this era was a Dixieland
styled rendition of "Take Me Out to the Ballgame."
In , the New York Yankees
, who in the year prior
played 21 Games of the Week for CBS (who had actually just purchased the Yankees), joined NBC's television package. The new package under NBC called for 28 games compared to 1960
's three-network 123.
(under the guidance of Commissioner Peter Ueberroth
, Major League Baseball's broadcast director Bryan Burns, CBS Inc. CEO
Laurence Tisch
as well as CBS Sports
executives Neal Pilson and Eddie Einhorn
) paid approximately $
1.8 billion for exclusive over-the-air television rights for over four years (beginning in 1990
). CBS paid about $265 million each year for the World Series
, League Championship Series
, All-Star Game
, and the Saturday Game of the Week
. It was one of the largest agreements (to date) between the sport of baseball and the business of broadcasting
.
The deal with CBS was also intended to pay each team (26 in and then, 28 by ) $10 million a year. They also would be paying an estimated $7.1 million per game or $790,000 per inning, and $132,000 per out.
A separate deal with cable TV would bring each team an additional $4 million. Each team could also cut its own deal with local TV. For example, the New York Yankees
signed with a cable network (MSG
) that would pay the team $41 million annually for 12 years. Radio broadcast rights can bring in additional money. Reportedly, after the huge TV contracts with CBS and ESPN
were signed, ballclubs spent their excess millions on free agent
s.
Before the previous television contract (–) with Major League Baseball was signed, CBS was at one point, interested in a pact which would have called for three interleague
games every Thursday night (only). The proposed deal with CBS involved the American League East
teams playing the National League East
and the American League West
playing the National League West
respectively.
rendition of the CBS Eye
entering a big, waving red, white, and blue bunting
and then a smaller, unfolding red, white, and blue bunting (over a white diamond) and floating blue banner (which usually featured an indicating year like "1991 World Series
" for instance) complete with dark red Old English
text
. Pat O'Brien anchored the World Series and All-Star Game telecasts while usually delivering the prologue
(normally set against the live scenery over the theme music). Though O'Brien would be joined by his co-host Andrea Joyce
during the 1993 World Series
and 1993 MLB All-Star Game
.
A recurring theme during CBS' coverage of the postseason was the usage of Michael Kamen
's "Overture" from Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves
. From start to finish, an audio montage of baseball's most memorable moments played on top, followed by a video and music only (no narration) recap of both League Championship Series
and the World Series from to . The "Training" cue from Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves was played against an all slow-motion montage of the entire series. As Tim McCarver
recapped the first six games of the 1991 World Series before Game 7, CBS used Hans Zimmer
's "Fighting 17th" from the movie Backdraft
for the soundtrack. During the 1993 All-Star Game
and postseason, highlights of past All-Star Games and postseason moments were scored using the John Williams
composed theme from the movie Jurassic Park
. Also during the commercial breaks of the 1993 All-Star Game, CBS provided a snippet of Don Henley
's "The Boys of Summer
". During the prologue for Game 1 of the 1993 World Series
, CBS used Hans Zimmer
's "The Walk Home" from the movie Cool Runnings
. During the closing credits for Game 6 of the 1993 World Series (CBS' final Major League Baseball telecast to date), they used Bob Seger
's "The Famous Final Scene" followed by Billy Joel
's "Famous Last Words
".
CBS' slogan for their regular season, Game of the Week broadcasts was "Baseball's biggest moments are on CBS!" Meanwhile, the pregame shows were called Baseball with the corresponding season tagged at the end such as Baseball '90, Baseball '91 and so forth.
to be the primary play-by-play announcer for CBS' baseball telecasts (thus, having the tasks of calling the All-Star Game
, National League Championship Series
, and World Series
), with veteran broadcaster and lead CBS Radio baseball voice Jack Buck
to serve as the secondary announcer (which would involve calling a second weekly game and the American League Championship Series
). Former ABC color man Tim McCarver
was hired by CBS to be Musburger's partner while NBC's Jim Kaat
was hired to be Buck's. However, weeks before CBS was to debut its MLB coverage, on April 1, 1990, Musburger was fired by the network over what CBS perceived to be a power grab by Musburger in taking on the assignment (at the time, Musburger was CBS' lead college basketball
announcer, host of The NFL Today
, and was the main studio host for the NBA and had felt that he had been given too many broadcasting assignments by the network).
With Musburger's firing, Buck was moved up to the primary announce team alongside McCarver. His position as backup announcer alongside Kaat was taken by CBS' lead NBA announcer, Dick Stockton
. Studio host Greg Gumbel
took over for Stockton as the number two play-by-play man in . Gumbel was in return, replaced by Andrea Joyce
, who served as a field reporter for the first three seasons of CBS' coverage. On the teaming of Buck and McCarver, Broadcasting magazine wrote "The network has exclusivity, much rides on them."
Joining the team of Buck and McCarver was Lesley Visser
(who was, incidentally, married to the aforementioned Dick Stockton), who became the first female MLB beat writer while she worked for the Boston Globe, when she covered the Boston Red Sox
. During the CBS' coverage the 1990 World Series
, Visser became the first woman to cover the World Series.
Meanwhile, Jim Kaat earned rave reviews for his role as CBS' backup analyst (which flashed a considerable "good-guy air"). Ron Bergman wrote of Kaat's performance during the 1990 ALCS
"This was a night for pitchers to excel. Dave Stewart
. Roger Clemens
. Jim Kaat [on commentary]." Despite the rave reviews, Jim Kaat admitted that he was frustrated. He felt that at that point and time, the idea of figuring out what to talk about during a three-hour broadcast had become intimidating. As a result, Kaat would bring notes into the booth, but in the process, found himself providing too much detail. He ultimately confided in his broadcasting partner, Dick Stockton, that he wanted to work without notes. So Stockton hooked Kaat up with then-lead NFL on CBS
color man, John Madden for a telephone seminar. Madden said if he brought notes into the booth he felt compelled to use them and would "force" something into a telecast. On his seminar with John Madden, Jim Kaat said "Then John told me if he did his homework it would be stored in his memory bank. And if it is important it will come out. If it doesn't, it probably wasn't that important."
A mildly notorious moment came during CBS' coverage of the 1990 All-Star Game
from Wrigley Field
in Chicago. In a game that was marred by rain delays for a combined 85 minutes (including a 68 minute monsoon
during the 7th inning), CBS annoyed many diehard fans by airing the William Shatner
hosted reality series Rescue 911
during the delay.
CBS' initially didn't want to start their 1990 coverage until after the network had aired that year's NBA Finals
(which was the last time CBS aired the Finals before the NBA's move to NBC). Therefore, only 12 regular season telecasts were scheduled The broadcasts would've been each Saturday from June 16 through August 25 and a special Sunday telecast on the weekend of August 11–12 (the New York Yankees
against the Oakland Athletics
in Oakland on both days). Ultimately, four more telecasts were added - two in April and two on the last two Saturdays of the season.
The 1990 postseason started on a Thursday, while World Series started on a Tuesday due to the brief lockout
. Major League Baseball and CBS went with some rather unconventional scheduling during the LCS round, with two consecutive scheduled off-days in the NLCS
after Game 2.
12 million to $15 million on each of the League Championship Series and World Series games not played, for a total of $36 million to $45 million) from 1990's abbreviated postseason (which ended with the Cincinnati Reds
shockingly sweeping the defending World Champion
Oakland Athletics
in the World Series
), CBS made several notable adjustments for 1991. Regular season telecasts had been reduced to a meager handful. In return, pregame shows during the League Championship Series were entirely eliminated, to minimize the ratings damage. The 1991 season was perhaps most noteworthy for CBS having the opportunity of covering of the now legendary World Series
between the Minnesota Twins and Atlanta Braves
.
Earlier in the postseason, CBS' coverage of the ALCS
meant that they could not carry the live testimony of Clarence Thomas
, whose confirmation to the United States Supreme Court was put into question because of charges of sexual harassment
from former staffer Anita Hill
. Meanwhile, ABC
, NBC
, CNN
and PBS
all carried the testimony.
As CBS' baseball coverage progressed, they dropped the 8:00 p.m. pregame coverage (in favor of sitcoms such as Evening Shade
), before finally starting their coverage at 8:30 p.m. Eastern Time. The first pitch would generally arrive at approximately 8:45 p.m. Perhaps as a result, Joe Carter
's World Series
clinching home run off Mitch Williams in 1993, occurred at 12:00 a.m. on the East Coast
.
veteran Buck, he had a hard time adjusting to the demands of a more constricting television production. CBS felt that Buck should've done more to make himself appear to be a set-up man for lead analyst Tim McCarver. Jack Buck's son Joe
tried to rationalize his father's on-air problems by saying "My dad was brought up in the golden age of radio, I think he had his hands tied somewhat, being accustomed to the freedom of radio. I'm more used to acquiescing to what the producer wants to do, what the director wants to do."
Buck himself sized up CBS' handling of the announcers by saying "CBS never got that baseball play-by-play draws word-pictures. All they knew was that football stars analysts. So they said, 'Let [analyst Tim] McCarver run the show.' In television, all they want you to do is shut up. I'm not very good at shutting up." Buck though, would add that although he knew Tim McCarver well, they never developed a good relationship with each other on the air despite high hopes to the contrary. Phil Mushnick
added insult to injury to Buck by accusing him of "Trying to predict plays, as if to prove he was still on top."
Buck also got into deep trouble with CBS executives (namely executive producer Ted Shaker) over questionable comments made towards singer Bobby Vinton
in 1990. While on air prior to Game 4 of the that year's NLCS
in Pittsburgh
, Buck criticized Vinton's off-key rendition of the "Star-Spangled Banner"
, making a comment towards Vinton that sounded like a prejudicial remark centered on Vinton's Polish heritage. Joe Buck
believed that the situation was ironic because his father was "trying to help the guy." Buck began receiving death threats from Pirate
fans and discovered a footprint on his pillow once he returned to his hotel room.
announcer Sean McDonough
. Ted Shaker called McDonough about his interests for the top announcing job, and after McDonough hung up the telephone, he claimed that he didn't want to act like a 10 year old but he jumped so high that he put a hole in his ceiling. McDonough, who was 30 years old at the time, became the youngest full-time network announcer to call a World Series when he called that year's Fall Classic alongside McCarver.
For CBS' coverage of the 1992 All-Star Game
, they introduced Basecam, a lipstick-size camera, inside first base.
Over the course of Game 2 of the 1992 ALCS
, Jim Kaat
was stricken with a bad case of laryngitis. As a result, Johnny Bench
had to come over from the CBS Radio
booth and finish the game with Dick Stockton
as a "relief analyst." There was talk that if Kaat's laryngitis did not get better, Don Drysdale
was going to replace Kaat on TV for Game 3 while Bench would continue to work on CBS Radio.
Tim McCarver ran afoul of Atlanta Braves
outfielder Deion Sanders
during the 1992 postseason, when he made comments on air criticizing Sanders for his two-sport athletic career; Sanders was playing for both the Braves and the NFL's Atlanta Falcons
at the time and participated in both the baseball postseason and the early NFL regular season for the first time in 1992 (Sanders was unable to do this in 1991
, as his NFL
contract would not allow him to). Sanders retaliated following Game 7 of the NLCS
by dumping a bucket of ice water on McCarver (who was wired for sound and feared electrocution) as retaliation for the on-air comments.
McCarver was not immune to criticism from outside sources, either, as Norman Chad
wrote a critique of him in Sports Illustrated
during the postseason. Chad said that McCarver was someone who 'when you ask him the time, will tell you how a watch works,' a reference to McCarver's perceived tendency to overanalyze things. Chad went further by saying "What's the difference between Tim McCarver and appendicitis
? Appendicitis is covered by most health plans."
McCarver was also known to make gaffes from time to time. One of his more amusing miscues came during the 1992 National League Championship Series
when he repeatedly referred to Pittsburgh Pirates
pitcher Tim Wakefield
as "Bill Wakefield." He finally explained that Bill Wakefield was one of his old minor-league teammates, and he laughed at himself because "I forgot my own name!"'
During the 1992 postseason, CBS missed covering one of the three debates
among U.S. presidential candidates
George H.W. Bush, Bill Clinton
and H. Ross Perot
. The network had planned to join other broadcast and cable networks in the telecast; however, Game 4 of the ALCS
between the Toronto Blue Jays
and Oakland Athletics
did not end until 8:30 p.m. Eastern Time, about the time the debate ended. The Blue Jays won the game 7-6 in 11 innings. The other networks reported very good ratings for the debate, part of one of the more compelling election campaigns in recent times.
The CBS telecasts of the and Series (both involving the Toronto Blue Jays
) were simulcast
on CTV
. in Canada
. During this period, CTV produced their own pregame shows rather than simply taking the United States feed from CBS. Rod Black
and Rob Faulds
hosted CTV's pregame coverage, with CBS' Tim McCarver providing some additional pregame analysis.
missed the first half of the 1993 season
because she suffered a bizarre jogging accident in New York
's Central Park
. Visser broke her hip and skidded face-first across the pavement. She required reconstructive plastic surgery on her face and more than a decade later required an artificial hip replacement. She returned to CBS Sports in July 1993 to cover the Major League Baseball All-Star Game
as a pregame analyst instead of a field reporter due to the accident. So in Visser's place, came Jim Kaat
while she recuperated. She ultimately returned to the baseball world in late August 1993.
As previously mentioned, also during the 1993 season, Andrea Joyce
replaced Greg Gumbel
(who in return, replaced Dick Stockton
as the #2 play-by-play man) as studio host. Joyce would be joined at the anchor desk by Pat O'Brien
. At the 1993 World Series
, she became the first woman to co-host the network television coverage for a World Series.
During CBS' coverage of the 1993 World Series
, umpires were upset with the overhead
replays being televised by CBS. Dave Phillips, the crew chief, said just prior to Game 2 that the umpires want "CBS to be fair with their approach." Rick Gentile, the senior vice president for production of CBS Sports, said that Richie Phillips
, the lawyer for the Major League Umpires Association, tried to call the broadcast booth during Saturday's game, but the call was not put through. Richie Phillips apparently was upset when Dave Phillips called the Philadelphia Phillies
' Ricky Jordan
out on strikes in the fourth inning, and a replay showed the pitch to be about 6 inches outside. National League
President Bill White, while using a CBS headset in the broadcast booth during Game 1, was overheard telling Gentile and the producer Bob Dekas "You guys keep using that camera the way you want. Don't let Phillips intimidate you."
, but Major League Baseball wasn't willing to do this. According to Curt Smith
's book The Voice - Mel Allen's Untold Story, one CBS executive wore a St. Louis Cardinals
cap at a 1988 Christmas party. However, by , pining to shed baseball, that same executive wore a cap styled "One More Year."
Marv Albert
, who hosted NBC's baseball pregame show
for many years said about CBS' baseball coverage "You wouldn't see a game for a month. Then you didn't know when CBS came back on." Sports Illustrated
joked that CBS stood for Covers Baseball Sporadically. USA Today
added that Jack Buck and Tim McCarver "may have to have a reunion before [their] telecast." Mike Lupica
of the New York Daily News
took it a step further by calling CBS' baseball deal "The Vietnam
of sports television."
NBC play-by-play man Bob Costas
believed that a large bulk of the regular season coverage beginning in the 1990s to cable (namely, ESPN
) because CBS
, the network that was taking over from NBC the television rights beginning in 1990 didn't really want the Saturday Game of the Week. Many fans who didn't appreciate CBS' approach to scheduling regular season baseball games believed that they were only truly after the marquee events (i.e. All-Star Game
, League Championship Series
, and the World Series) in order to sell advertising
space (especially the fall entertainment television schedule).
In 1991, it cost CBS $
4.8 million per game in venue productions alone to show the National League Championship Series
. This doesn't include studio backup operations or the satellite time needed to transmit the game to New York for broadcast on their network frequencies. The American League Championship Series
(between the Minnesota Twins and Toronto Blue Jays
) was another problem because of the tariffs and labor laws
they had to endure going into Canada. CBS averaged $1.9–$2.4 million per regular season game. In return, it was typical for the production cost to double come playoff time.
on October 23. Before Major League Baseball decided to seek the services of other networks, CBS offered $
120 million in annual rights fees over a two-year period, as well as advertising revenues in excess of $150 million a season.
In October , when it was a known fact that ABC and NBC were going to end their television deal/joint venture with Major League Baseball
, preliminary talks rose about CBS returning. It was rumored that CBS would show Thursday night games (more specifically, a package of West Coast
interleague games
scheduled for the 11:30 ET
/8:30 PT
slot) while Fox would show Saturday afternoon games. CBS and Fox were also rumored to share rights to the postseason. In the end however, CBS' involvement did not come to pass and NBC became Fox's over-the-air national television partner.
, TBS' Atlanta based Major League Baseball studio crew of Matt Winer
, Dennis Eckersley
, Cal Ripken, Jr.
and David Wells
presented a 2011 Major League Baseball
midseason report. This was followed by MLB 2011: Down the Stretch, which aired on September 24. CBS Sports and Turner Sports
have in the past, teamed up on coverage of the NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament
and the Winter Olympics
in 1992
, 1994
and 1998
.
Television program
A television program , also called television show, is a segment of content which is intended to be broadcast on television. It may be a one-time production or part of a periodically recurring series...
that televised Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
games on the American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
television network
Television network
A television network is a telecommunications network for distribution of television program content, whereby a central operation provides programming to many television stations or pay TV providers. Until the mid-1980s, television programming in most countries of the world was dominated by a small...
CBS
CBS
CBS Broadcasting Inc. is a major US commercial broadcasting television network, which started as a radio network. The name is derived from the initials of the network's former name, Columbia Broadcasting System. The network is sometimes referred to as the "Eye Network" in reference to the shape of...
(legally known as the Columbia Broadcasting System from 1928 to 1974). Produced by CBS Sports
CBS Sports
CBS Sports is a division of CBS Broadcasting which airs sporting events on the American television network. Its headquarters are in the CBS Building on West 52nd Street in midtown Manhattan, New York City, with programs produced out of Studio 43 at the CBS Broadcast Center on West 57th Street.CBS...
, there have been several variations of the program dating back to the 1950s. The most notable version existed from 1990
1990 in baseball
-Major League Baseball:*World Series: Cincinnati Reds over Oakland Athletics ; José Rijo, MVP*American League Championship Series MVP Dave Stewart*National League Championship Series co-MVPs: Rob Dibble and Randy Myers...
to 1993
1993 in baseball
-Major League Baseball:*World Series: Toronto Blue Jays over Philadelphia Phillies ; Paul Molitor, MVP*American League Championship Series MVP: Dave Stewart*National League Championship Series MVP: Curt Schilling...
.
August 11, 1951
On August 11, 19511951 in baseball
-Headline Event of the Year:Baseball's Shot Heard 'Round the World gives the New York Giants the National League Pennant in the third game of a best-of-three-games tiebreaker series over the Brooklyn Dodgers.-Major League Baseball:...
, WCBS-TV
WCBS-TV
WCBS-TV, channel 2, is the flagship station of the CBS television network, located in New York City. The station's studios are located within the CBS Broadcast Center and its transmitter is atop the Empire State Building, both in Midtown Manhattan....
in New York
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
(CBS' flagship station) broadcast the first baseball game on color television. It was the Brooklyn Dodgers
1951 Brooklyn Dodgers season
The Brooklyn Dodgers led the National League for much of the season, holding a 13 game lead as late as August. However, a late season swoon and a hot streak by the New York Giants led to a classic three-game playoff series...
vs. Boston Braves
1951 Boston Braves season
- Offseason :* Prior to 1951 season: Georges Maranda was signed as an amateur free agent by the Braves.- Roster :- Starters by position :Note: Pos = Position; G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in- Other batters :Note: G = Games...
from Ebbets Field
Ebbets Field
Ebbets Field was a Major League Baseball park located in the Flatbush section of Brooklyn, New York, USA, on a city block which is now considered to be part of the Crown Heights neighborhood. It was the home of the Brooklyn Dodgers of the National League. It was also a venue for professional football...
. The Braves beat the Dodgers 8–1.
1955–1958
By , Dizzy DeanDizzy Dean
Jay Hanna "Dizzy" Dean was an American Major League Baseball pitcher. He was the last National League pitcher to win 30 games in one season. Dean was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1953....
and the Game of the Week
Major League Baseball Game of the Week
The Major League Baseball Game of the Week is the de facto title for over-the-air, nationally televised coverage of regular season Major League Baseball games...
would move from ABC
American Broadcasting Company
The American Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network. Created in 1943 from the former NBC Blue radio network, ABC is owned by The Walt Disney Company and is part of Disney-ABC Television Group. Its first broadcast on television was in 1948...
to CBS (the rights were actually set up through the Falstaff Brewing Corporation
Falstaff Brewing Corporation
The Falstaff Brewing Corporation was a major American brewery located in St. Louis, Missouri. With roots in the 1838 Lemp Brewery of St. Louis, the company was renamed after the Shakespearean character of Sir John Falstaff in 1903. Production peaked in 1965 with 7,010,218 barrels brewed, and then...
). "CBS' stakes were higher" said Buddy Blattner
Buddy Blattner
Robert Garnett Blattner , commonly known as "Buddy" or "Bud" Blattner, was an American table tennis and baseball player and radio and television sportscaster.-Playing career:Blattner played table tennis in his youth, winning the world men's doubles championship in 1936...
, who left Mutual
Major League Baseball on Mutual
Major League Baseball on Mutual was the de facto title of the Mutual Broadcasting System's national radio coverage of Major League Baseball games. Mutual's coverage came about during the Golden Age of Radio in the 1930s, '40s, and '50s. During this period, television sports broadcasting was in its...
to rejoin Dean. Ron Powers wrote about the reteaming of Dean and Blattner "They wanted someone who'd known Diz, could bring him out." Bill McColgan and Bob Finnegan, previously backup game announcers for ABC, performed the same role on CBS in -57; in Finnegan began working with a variety of color men including Frank Reynolds
Frank Reynolds
Frank James Reynolds was an American television journalist for ABC and CBS News.He was a New York-based anchor of the ABC Evening News from 1968 to 1970 and later as the Washington D.C.-based co-anchor of World News Tonight from 1978 until his death in 1983...
, a reporter for Chicago CBS affiliate WBBM-TV
WBBM-TV
WBBM-TV, virtual channel 2 , is the CBS owned-and-operated television station in Chicago, Illinois. WBBM-TV's main studios and offices are located in The Loop section of Chicago, as part of the development at Block 37, and its transmitter is atop the Willis Tower.-History:WBBM-TV traces its history...
(and future ABC News
ABC News
ABC News is the news gathering and broadcasting division of American broadcast television network ABC, a subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company...
anchor).
In , CBS added a Sunday Game of the Week. ABC's Edgar Scherick said "In '53
1953 in baseball
-Major League Baseball:*World Series: New York Yankees over Brooklyn Dodgers *All-Star Game, July 14 at Crosley Field: National League, 5-1-Other champions:*Caribbean World Series: Cangrejeros de Santurce *College World Series: Michigan...
, no one wanted us. Now teams begged for "Game"'s cash." That year, the NFL
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
began a $
United States dollar
The United States dollar , also referred to as the American dollar, is the official currency of the United States of America. It is divided into 100 smaller units called cents or pennies....
14.1 million revenue-sharing pact. By , Major League Baseball ended the big-city blackout
Blackout (broadcasting)
Blackout usually relates to the broadcasting of sports events, television programming, that is prohibited in a certain media market.The purpose is theoretically to generate more revenue by obliging certain actions from fans, either by making them buy tickets or watch other games on TV...
, got $6.5 million for exclusivity, and split the pot.
With CBS now carrying the Game of the Week, outlets in Phoenix
Phoenix, Arizona
Phoenix is the capital, and largest city, of the U.S. state of Arizona, as well as the sixth most populated city in the United States. Phoenix is home to 1,445,632 people according to the official 2010 U.S. Census Bureau data...
, Little Rock
Little Rock, Arkansas
Little Rock is the capital and the largest city of the U.S. state of Arkansas. The Metropolitan Statistical Area had a population of 699,757 people in the 2010 census...
, and Cedar Rapids
Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Cedar Rapids is the second largest city in Iowa and is the county seat of Linn County. The city lies on both banks of the Cedar River, north of Iowa City and east of Des Moines, the state's capital and largest city...
were finally receiving the Game of the Week. Bud Blattner said "America had never had TV network ball. Now you're getting two games a week [four, counting NBC, by ]."
In , Dizzy Dean ruffled the feathers of CBS Sports head Bill MacPhail
Bill MacPhail
William "Bill" Curtis MacPhail was a pioneer television sports executive.-Early career:MacPhail worked his way up in the front office of several minor league teams...
when he said "I don't know how we come off callin' this the 'Game of the Week'. There's a much better game - Dodgers
1958 Los Angeles Dodgers season
The Los Angeles Dodgers took the field before 78,672 fans at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on April 18, 1958, to usher in the beginning of the team's new life in Los Angeles...
-Giants
1958 San Francisco Giants season
The San Francisco Giants season involved the 80-74 team finishing in third place in the National League standings, twelve games behind the NL Champion Milwaukee Braves in their inaugural season in The Golden Gate City.- Offseason :...
- over on NBC." Dean also once refused a Falstaff ad because the date was Mother's Day
Mother's Day
Mother's Day is a celebration honoring mothers and celebrating motherhood, maternal bonds, and the influence of mothers in society. It is celebrated on various days in many parts of the world, yet most commonly in March, April, or May...
. When United Airlines
United Airlines
United Air Lines, Inc., is the world's largest airline with 86,852 employees United Air Lines, Inc., is the world's largest airline with 86,852 employees United Air Lines, Inc., is the world's largest airline with 86,852 employees (which includes the entire holding company United Continental...
backed CBS' Game of the Week telecasts, Dean, who hated to fly said "If you have to, pod-nuh, Eastern is much the best."
1959–1963
Jack WhitakerJack Whitaker (sportscaster)
Jack Whitaker in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is an American sportscaster who worked for both CBS and ABC.-Early life and career:...
and Frankie Frisch
Frankie Frisch
Francis “Frankie” Frisch , nicknamed the "Fordham Flash" or "The Old Flash", was a German American Major League Baseball player of the early twentieth century....
did the backup games from 1959
1959 in baseball
-Major League Baseball:*World Series: Los Angeles Dodgers over Chicago White Sox ; Larry Sherry, MVP*All-Star Game , July 7 at Forbes Field: National League, 5-4*All-Star Game , August 3 at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum: American League, 5-3...
to 1961
1961 in baseball
-Major League Baseball:*World Series: New York Yankees over Cincinnati Reds ; Whitey Ford, MVP*All-Star Game , July 11 at Candlestick Park: National League, 5-4 *All-Star Game , July 31 at Fenway Park: 1–1 tie...
. They usually did games that took place in Philadelphia, New York, Washington, D.C.
Griffith Stadium
Griffith Stadium was a sports stadium that stood in Washington, D.C. from 1911 to 1965, between Georgia Avenue and 5th Street, and between W Street and Florida Avenue, NW. An earlier wooden baseball park had been built on the same site in 1891...
, or Baltimore
Memorial Stadium (Baltimore)
Memorial Stadium was a sports stadium in Baltimore, Maryland, that formerly stood on 33rd Street on an over-sized block also bounded by Ellerslie Avenue , 36th Street , and Ednor Road...
. Whitaker once said in three years, he would only broadcast three innings because CBS wouldn't switch away from Dizzy Dean. However, he said that he learned a lot of baseball just sitting next to Frisch. CBS had other backup crews for games featuring the Chicago Cubs
Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
and Chicago White Sox
Chicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...
, Cleveland Indians
Cleveland Indians
The Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , they have played in Progressive Field. The team's spring training facility is in Goodyear, Arizona...
, and Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
. In these cases, Bob Finnegan would handle the play-by-play duties with various analysts depending on the city. CBS did not have Game of the Week rights from any other ballparks in those years.
Pee Wee Reese
Pee Wee Reese
Harold Peter Henry "Pee Wee" Reese was an American professional baseball player. He played in Major League Baseball as a shortstop for the Brooklyn and Los Angeles Dodgers from to . A ten-time All Star, Reese contributed to seven National League championships for the Dodgers and, was inducted...
replaced Blattner as Dean's partner in . That same year the network featured Jerry Coleman
Jerry Coleman
Gerald Francis "Jerry" Coleman is a former Major League Baseball second baseman for the New York Yankees. Currently, he is an analyst and former play-by-play radio announcer for the San Diego Padres...
as a pregame interviewer.
1964–1966
By , CBS' Dean and Reese called games from Yankee Stadium1964 New York Yankees season
The New York Yankees season was the 62nd season for the Yankees. The team finished with a record of 99-63, winning their 29th pennant, finishing 1 game ahead of the Chicago White Sox. New York was managed by Yogi Berra. The Yankees played at Yankee Stadium. In the World Series, they were defeated...
, Wrigley Field
1964 Chicago Cubs season
The Chicago Cubs finished in eighth place in the National League, as they went 76-86, 17 games behind the NL and World Series Champion St. Louis Cardinals.- Offseason :...
, St. Louis
1964 St. Louis Cardinals season
The St. Louis Cardinals season was the team's 83rd season in St. Louis, Missouri and its 73rd season in the National League. The Cardinals went 93-69 during the season and finished first in the National League, edging the co-runner-ups Cincinnati Reds and Philadelphia Phillies by one game each on...
, Philadelphia
1964 Philadelphia Phillies season
The Philadelphia Phillies season was the 82nd season for the franchise in Philadelphia. The Phillies finished in a second-place tie in the National League with the Cincinnati Reds, while posting a record of 92-70. The teams finished one game behind the NL and World Series champion St. Louis...
, and Baltimore
1964 Baltimore Orioles season
The 1964 Baltimore Orioles season involved the Orioles finishing 3rd in the American League with a record of 97 wins and 65 losses, two games behind the AL champion New York Yankees.- Offseason :...
. New York got $550,000 of CBS' $895,000. Six clubs that exclusively played nationally televised games on NBC got $1.2 million. The theme music from this era was a Dixieland
Dixieland
Dixieland music, sometimes referred to as Hot jazz, Early Jazz or New Orleans jazz, is a style of jazz music which developed in New Orleans at the start of the 20th century, and was spread to Chicago and New York City by New Orleans bands in the 1910s.Well-known jazz standard songs from the...
styled rendition of "Take Me Out to the Ballgame."
In , the New York Yankees
1966 New York Yankees season
The New York Yankees season was the 64th season for the Yankees. The team finished with a record of 70-89, finishing 26.5 games behind the Baltimore Orioles. New York was managed by Johnny Keane and Ralph Houk. The Yankees played at Yankee Stadium...
, who in the year prior
1965 New York Yankees season
The New York Yankees season was the 63rd season for the Yankees in New York and their 65th overall. The team finished with a record of 77-85, finishing 25 games behind the Minnesota Twins. New York was managed by Johnny Keane. The Yankees played at Yankee Stadium.This season marked the beginning...
played 21 Games of the Week for CBS (who had actually just purchased the Yankees), joined NBC's television package. The new package under NBC called for 28 games compared to 1960
1960 in baseball
-Major League Baseball:*World Series: Pittsburgh Pirates over New York Yankees ; Bobby Richardson, MVP*All-Star Game , July 11 at Municipal Stadium: National League, 5-3*All-Star Game , July 13 at Yankee Stadium: National League, 6-0...
's three-network 123.
Announcers
- Bud Blattner (–)
- Jerry ColemanJerry ColemanGerald Francis "Jerry" Coleman is a former Major League Baseball second baseman for the New York Yankees. Currently, he is an analyst and former play-by-play radio announcer for the San Diego Padres...
- Coleman hosted the pregame show for CBS' Game of the Week broadcasts in 1960. A rather embarrassing incident for Coleman occurred when he was interviewing Cookie LavagettoCookie LavagettoHarry Arthur "Cookie" Lavagetto was a third baseman, manager and coach in American Major League Baseball. He is most widely known as the pinch hitter whose double ruined Bill Bevens' no-hitter in Game 4 of the 1947 World Series and gave his Brooklyn Dodgers a breathtaking victory over the New...
when the "Star-Spangled Banner" started. Coleman later said, "Believe me, when the Anthem starts, I stop, whether I'm taping, talking, or eating a banana." - Dizzy DeanDizzy DeanJay Hanna "Dizzy" Dean was an American Major League Baseball pitcher. He was the last National League pitcher to win 30 games in one season. Dean was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1953....
(–; (Yankee Baseball)) - Bob Finnegan (–)
- Frankie FrischFrankie FrischFrancis “Frankie” Frisch , nicknamed the "Fordham Flash" or "The Old Flash", was a German American Major League Baseball player of the early twentieth century....
(–) - George KellGeorge KellGeorge Clyde Kell was an American baseball third baseman who played for the Philadelphia Athletics , Detroit Tigers , Boston Red Sox , Chicago White Sox , and Baltimore Orioles in the American League, who went on to become a baseball broadcaster for 40 years.-Playing career:In college, Kell...
- Kell hosted the pregame show for CBS' Game of the Week broadcasts in 1958. One time, Kell hoped to ask guest Casey StengelCasey StengelCharles Dillon "Casey" Stengel , nicknamed "The Old Perfessor", was an American Major League Baseball outfielder and manager. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in ....
about the Yankees1958 New York Yankees seasonThe New York Yankees season was the 56th season for the team in New York, and its 58th season overall. The team finished with a record of 92-62, winning their 24th pennant, finishing 10 games ahead of the Chicago White Sox. In the World Series, they defeated the Milwaukee Braves in 7 games. New...
' batting order. When asked about how it went, Kell said, "Fine. But in our 15 minues, Casey didn't get past the leadoff batter." - Bill McColgan (–)
- Pee Wee ReesePee Wee ReeseHarold Peter Henry "Pee Wee" Reese was an American professional baseball player. He played in Major League Baseball as a shortstop for the Brooklyn and Los Angeles Dodgers from to . A ten-time All Star, Reese contributed to seven National League championships for the Dodgers and, was inducted...
(–; (Yankee Baseball)) - Jack WhitakerJack Whitaker (sportscaster)Jack Whitaker in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is an American sportscaster who worked for both CBS and ABC.-Early life and career:...
(–)
1990–1993 version
On December 14, 1988, CBSCBS
CBS Broadcasting Inc. is a major US commercial broadcasting television network, which started as a radio network. The name is derived from the initials of the network's former name, Columbia Broadcasting System. The network is sometimes referred to as the "Eye Network" in reference to the shape of...
(under the guidance of Commissioner Peter Ueberroth
Peter Ueberroth
Peter Victor Ueberroth is an American executive. He served as the sixth Commissioner of Major League Baseball from 1984 to 1989. He was recently the chairman of the United States Olympic Committee; he was replaced by Larry Probst in October 2008....
, Major League Baseball's broadcast director Bryan Burns, CBS Inc. CEO
Chief executive officer
A chief executive officer , managing director , Executive Director for non-profit organizations, or chief executive is the highest-ranking corporate officer or administrator in charge of total management of an organization...
Laurence Tisch
Laurence Tisch
Laurence Alan "Larry" Tisch was an American businessman, Wall Street investor and self-made billionaire. He was the CEO of CBS television network from 1986 to 1995...
as well as CBS Sports
CBS Sports
CBS Sports is a division of CBS Broadcasting which airs sporting events on the American television network. Its headquarters are in the CBS Building on West 52nd Street in midtown Manhattan, New York City, with programs produced out of Studio 43 at the CBS Broadcast Center on West 57th Street.CBS...
executives Neal Pilson and Eddie Einhorn
Eddie Einhorn
Eddie Einhorn is minority owner and Vice Chairman of the Chicago White Sox.Einhorn produced the nationally syndicated radio broadcast of the NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship in 1958...
) paid approximately $
United States dollar
The United States dollar , also referred to as the American dollar, is the official currency of the United States of America. It is divided into 100 smaller units called cents or pennies....
1.8 billion for exclusive over-the-air television rights for over four years (beginning in 1990
1990 in baseball
-Major League Baseball:*World Series: Cincinnati Reds over Oakland Athletics ; José Rijo, MVP*American League Championship Series MVP Dave Stewart*National League Championship Series co-MVPs: Rob Dibble and Randy Myers...
). CBS paid about $265 million each year for the World Series
World Series
The World Series is the annual championship series of Major League Baseball, played between the American League and National League champions since 1903. The winner of the World Series championship is determined through a best-of-seven playoff and awarded the Commissioner's Trophy...
, League Championship Series
League Championship Series
The League Championship Series is the official name for a round of postseason play in Major League Baseball which has been conducted since 1969...
, All-Star Game
Major League Baseball All-Star Game
The Major League Baseball All-Star Game, also known as the "Midsummer Classic", is an annual baseball game between players from the National League and the American League, currently selected by a combination of fans, players, coaches, and managers...
, and the Saturday Game of the Week
Major League Baseball Game of the Week
The Major League Baseball Game of the Week is the de facto title for over-the-air, nationally televised coverage of regular season Major League Baseball games...
. It was one of the largest agreements (to date) between the sport of baseball and the business of broadcasting
Broadcasting
Broadcasting is the distribution of audio and video content to a dispersed audience via any audio visual medium. Receiving parties may include the general public or a relatively large subset of thereof...
.
The deal with CBS was also intended to pay each team (26 in and then, 28 by ) $10 million a year. They also would be paying an estimated $7.1 million per game or $790,000 per inning, and $132,000 per out.
A separate deal with cable TV would bring each team an additional $4 million. Each team could also cut its own deal with local TV. For example, the New York Yankees
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
signed with a cable network (MSG
MSG Network
The MSG Network, now shortened to simply MSG, is a regional cable television and radio network serving the Mid-Atlantic United States. It is focused on New York City sports teams...
) that would pay the team $41 million annually for 12 years. Radio broadcast rights can bring in additional money. Reportedly, after the huge TV contracts with CBS and ESPN
ESPN Major League Baseball
ESPN Major League Baseball is a promotion of Major League Baseball on ESPN and ESPN2, with simulcasts on ESPNHD or ESPN2HD. ESPN's MLB coverage debuted on April 9, 1990 with three Opening Day telecasts. ESPN Major League Baseball is guaranteed to remain on air until 2013.The title is derived from...
were signed, ballclubs spent their excess millions on free agent
Free agent
In professional sports, a free agent is a player whose contract with a team has expired and who is thus eligible to sign with another club or franchise....
s.
Before the previous television contract (–) with Major League Baseball was signed, CBS was at one point, interested in a pact which would have called for three interleague
Interleague play
Interleague play is the term used to describe regular season Major League Baseball games played between teams in different leagues, introduced in . Before the 1997 season, teams in the American League and National League did not meet during the regular season...
games every Thursday night (only). The proposed deal with CBS involved the American League East
American League East
The American League Eastern Division is one of Major League Baseball's six divisions . This division was created before the start of the 1969 season along with the Western Division...
teams playing the National League East
National League East
The National League East Division is one of Major League Baseball's six divisions. The Atlanta Braves and the Philadelphia Phillies are tied for the most National League East Division titles . All of Atlanta's NL East titles came during a record stretch of 14 consecutive division titles...
and the American League West
American League West
The American League West is one of three divisions in Major League Baseball's American League. The division currently has four teams, but it has had as many as seven teams before the 1994 realignment. Although its teams currently only reside along the west coast and in Texas, historically the...
playing the National League West
National League West
The National League Western Division, or NL West, is one of the three divisions of Major League Baseball's National League. It was created in 1969 when the previously undivided National League expanded its membership to twelve teams, positioning half of them in an Eastern division and the other...
respectively.
Trademarks
A trademark of CBS' baseball coverage was its majestic, uplifting, and harmonious theme music (which was composed by Bob Christianson and Tony Smythe). Besides the prologues (with the play-by-play man previewing the upcoming match up) for the Saturday Game of the Week, the music was usually set to the opening graphic of an opaqueOpacity (optics)
Opacity is the measure of impenetrability to electromagnetic or other kinds of radiation, especially visible light. In radiative transfer, it describes the absorption and scattering of radiation in a medium, such as a plasma, dielectric, shielding material, glass, etc...
rendition of the CBS Eye
CBS
CBS Broadcasting Inc. is a major US commercial broadcasting television network, which started as a radio network. The name is derived from the initials of the network's former name, Columbia Broadcasting System. The network is sometimes referred to as the "Eye Network" in reference to the shape of...
entering a big, waving red, white, and blue bunting
Bunting (textile)
Bunting was originally a specific type of lightweight worsted wool fabric generically known as tammy, manufactured from the turn of the 17th century, and used for making ribbons. and flags, including signal flags for the Royal Navy...
and then a smaller, unfolding red, white, and blue bunting (over a white diamond) and floating blue banner (which usually featured an indicating year like "1991 World Series
1991 World Series
The 1991 World Series pitted the Minnesota Twins of the American League against the Atlanta Braves of the National League. The series was played from Saturday, October 19 to Sunday, October 27....
" for instance) complete with dark red Old English
Old English language
Old English or Anglo-Saxon is an early form of the English language that was spoken and written by the Anglo-Saxons and their descendants in parts of what are now England and southeastern Scotland between at least the mid-5th century and the mid-12th century...
text
Writing
Writing is the representation of language in a textual medium through the use of a set of signs or symbols . It is distinguished from illustration, such as cave drawing and painting, and non-symbolic preservation of language via non-textual media, such as magnetic tape audio.Writing most likely...
. Pat O'Brien anchored the World Series and All-Star Game telecasts while usually delivering the prologue
Prologue
A prologue is an opening to a story that establishes the setting and gives background details, often some earlier story that ties into the main one, and other miscellaneous information. The Greek prologos included the modern meaning of prologue, but was of wider significance...
(normally set against the live scenery over the theme music). Though O'Brien would be joined by his co-host Andrea Joyce
Andrea Joyce
Andrea Joyce is an American sportscaster who works for NBC Sports after working 10 years with CBS Sports.-Education and early career:...
during the 1993 World Series
1993 World Series
-Game 1:Saturday, October 16, 1993 at SkyDome in Toronto, OntarioThe Series' first game sent two staff aces—Curt Schilling for Philadelphia and Juan Guzman for Toronto—against one another. The result was less than a pitcher's duel, however, as both teams scored early and often.The deciding plays...
and 1993 MLB All-Star Game
1993 Major League Baseball All-Star Game
The 1993 Major League Baseball All-Star Game was the 64th playing of the midsummer classic between the all-stars of the American League and National League , the two leagues comprising Major League Baseball. The game was held on July 13, 1993 at Oriole Park at Camden Yards in Baltimore, Maryland,...
.
A recurring theme during CBS' coverage of the postseason was the usage of Michael Kamen
Michael Kamen
Michael Arnold Kamen was an American composer , orchestral arranger, orchestral conductor, song writer, and session musician.-Background:...
's "Overture" from Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves
Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves
Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves is a 1991 American adventure film directed by Kevin Reynolds. Kevin Costner heads the cast list as Robin Hood...
. From start to finish, an audio montage of baseball's most memorable moments played on top, followed by a video and music only (no narration) recap of both League Championship Series
League Championship Series
The League Championship Series is the official name for a round of postseason play in Major League Baseball which has been conducted since 1969...
and the World Series from to . The "Training" cue from Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves was played against an all slow-motion montage of the entire series. As Tim McCarver
Tim McCarver
James Timothy "Tim" McCarver is an American former Major League Baseball catcher, and a current sportscaster in residence for Fox Sports.-Playing career:...
recapped the first six games of the 1991 World Series before Game 7, CBS used Hans Zimmer
Hans Zimmer
Hans Florian Zimmer is a German film composer and music producer. He has composed music for over 100 films, including critically acclaimed film scores for The Lion King , Crimson Tide , The Thin Red Line , Gladiator , The Dark Knight and Inception .Zimmer spent the early part of his career in the...
's "Fighting 17th" from the movie Backdraft
Backdraft (film)
Backdraft is a 1991 action thriller film directed by Ron Howard and written by Gregory Widen. The film stars Kurt Russell, William Baldwin, Scott Glenn, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Rebecca De Mornay, Donald Sutherland, and Robert De Niro. Jason Gedrick and J. T. Walsh co-star in the film...
for the soundtrack. During the 1993 All-Star Game
1993 Major League Baseball All-Star Game
The 1993 Major League Baseball All-Star Game was the 64th playing of the midsummer classic between the all-stars of the American League and National League , the two leagues comprising Major League Baseball. The game was held on July 13, 1993 at Oriole Park at Camden Yards in Baltimore, Maryland,...
and postseason, highlights of past All-Star Games and postseason moments were scored using the John Williams
John Williams
John Towner Williams is an American composer, conductor, and pianist. In a career spanning almost six decades, he has composed some of the most recognizable film scores in the history of motion pictures, including the Star Wars saga, Jaws, Superman, the Indiana Jones films, E.T...
composed theme from the movie Jurassic Park
Jurassic Park (film)
Jurassic Park is a 1993 American science fiction adventure film directed by Steven Spielberg. The film is based on the novel of the same name by Michael Crichton. It stars Sam Neill, Laura Dern, Jeff Goldblum, Richard Attenborough, Martin Ferrero, and Bob Peck...
. Also during the commercial breaks of the 1993 All-Star Game, CBS provided a snippet of Don Henley
Don Henley
Donald Hugh "Don" Henley is an American singer, songwriter and drummer, best known as a founding member of the Eagles before launching a successful solo career. Henley was the drummer and lead vocalist for the Eagles from 1971–1980, when the band broke up...
's "The Boys of Summer
The Boys of Summer (song)
"The Boys of Summer" is a song by Don Henley, with lyrics written by Henley and music composed by Henley and Mike Campbell, longtime guitarist for Tom Petty. It is the lead track and first single from Henley's 1984 album Building the Perfect Beast. The song's music video won many awards...
". During the prologue for Game 1 of the 1993 World Series
1993 World Series
-Game 1:Saturday, October 16, 1993 at SkyDome in Toronto, OntarioThe Series' first game sent two staff aces—Curt Schilling for Philadelphia and Juan Guzman for Toronto—against one another. The result was less than a pitcher's duel, however, as both teams scored early and often.The deciding plays...
, CBS used Hans Zimmer
Hans Zimmer
Hans Florian Zimmer is a German film composer and music producer. He has composed music for over 100 films, including critically acclaimed film scores for The Lion King , Crimson Tide , The Thin Red Line , Gladiator , The Dark Knight and Inception .Zimmer spent the early part of his career in the...
's "The Walk Home" from the movie Cool Runnings
Cool Runnings
Cool Runnings is a 1993 comedy film directed by Jon Turteltaub. It is loosely based on the true story of the Jamaica national bobsled team's debut in the bobsleigh competition of the 1988 Winter Olympics in Calgary, Alberta. It stars Leon Robinson, Doug E. Doug, Malik Yoba, and Rawle D...
. During the closing credits for Game 6 of the 1993 World Series (CBS' final Major League Baseball telecast to date), they used Bob Seger
Bob Seger
Robert Clark "Bob" Seger is an American rock and roll singer-songwriter, guitarist and pianist.As a locally successful Detroit-area artist, he performed and recorded as Bob Seger and the Last Heard and Bob Seger System throughout the 1960s...
's "The Famous Final Scene" followed by Billy Joel
Billy Joel
William Martin "Billy" Joel is an American musician and pianist, singer-songwriter, and classical composer. Since releasing his first hit song, "Piano Man", in 1973, Joel has become the sixth best-selling recording artist and the third best-selling solo artist in the United States, according to...
's "Famous Last Words
River of Dreams
River of Dreams is the 12th studio album by Billy Joel, released in 1993. This is the last pop album made by Joel, and presented a much more serious tone as a whole, dealing with issues such as trust and long-lasting love; it was rumored that the themes of trust and betrayal, particularly certain...
".
CBS' slogan for their regular season, Game of the Week broadcasts was "Baseball's biggest moments are on CBS!" Meanwhile, the pregame shows were called Baseball with the corresponding season tagged at the end such as Baseball '90, Baseball '91 and so forth.
Year-by-year
CBS for the most part, bypassed the division and pennant races. Instead, their scheduled games focused on games featuring major-market teams, regardless of their record.1990
Major League Baseball's four-season tenure with CBS (–) was marred by turmoil and shortcomings throughout. The original plan was for Brent MusburgerBrent Musburger
Brent Woody Musburger is an American sportscaster for the ESPN and ABC television networks. Formerly with CBS Sports and one of the original members of their legendary program The NFL Today, Musburger has covered NASCAR, NBA, MLB, NCAA football and basketball games. Musburger has also served as a...
to be the primary play-by-play announcer for CBS' baseball telecasts (thus, having the tasks of calling the All-Star Game
Major League Baseball All-Star Game
The Major League Baseball All-Star Game, also known as the "Midsummer Classic", is an annual baseball game between players from the National League and the American League, currently selected by a combination of fans, players, coaches, and managers...
, National League Championship Series
National League Championship Series
In Major League Baseball, the National League Championship Series is a round in the postseason that determines who wins the National League pennant and advances to Major League Baseball's championship, the World Series, facing the winner of the American League Championship Series. The reigning...
, and World Series
World Series
The World Series is the annual championship series of Major League Baseball, played between the American League and National League champions since 1903. The winner of the World Series championship is determined through a best-of-seven playoff and awarded the Commissioner's Trophy...
), with veteran broadcaster and lead CBS Radio baseball voice Jack Buck
Jack Buck
John Francis "Jack" Buck was an American sportscaster, best known for his work announcing Major League Baseball games of the St. Louis Cardinals. Buck received the Ford C. Frick Award from the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1987, and is honored with a star on the St. Louis Walk of Fame...
to serve as the secondary announcer (which would involve calling a second weekly game and the American League Championship Series
American League Championship Series
In Major League Baseball, the American League Championship Series , played in October, is a round in the postseason that determines the winner of the American League pennant...
). Former ABC color man Tim McCarver
Tim McCarver
James Timothy "Tim" McCarver is an American former Major League Baseball catcher, and a current sportscaster in residence for Fox Sports.-Playing career:...
was hired by CBS to be Musburger's partner while NBC's Jim Kaat
Jim Kaat
James Lee "Jim" Kaat , nicknamed "Kitty", is a former pitcher in Major League Baseball for the Washington Senators/Minnesota Twins , Chicago White Sox , Philadelphia Phillies , New York Yankees , and St...
was hired to be Buck's. However, weeks before CBS was to debut its MLB coverage, on April 1, 1990, Musburger was fired by the network over what CBS perceived to be a power grab by Musburger in taking on the assignment (at the time, Musburger was CBS' lead college basketball
College Basketball on CBS
College Basketball on CBS presented by State Farm is a presentation of men's NCAA Division I basketball games on CBS...
announcer, host of The NFL Today
The NFL Today
The NFL Today is an American sports series that precedes the American football program The NFL on CBS on CBS Sports. The program usually airs at noon on Sundays of the National Football League regular season...
, and was the main studio host for the NBA and had felt that he had been given too many broadcasting assignments by the network).
With Musburger's firing, Buck was moved up to the primary announce team alongside McCarver. His position as backup announcer alongside Kaat was taken by CBS' lead NBA announcer, Dick Stockton
Dick Stockton
Dick Stockton is an American sportscaster. He is currently employed by Fox Sports and Turner Sports as a football, baseball, and basketball play-by-play announcer.-Early life and career:...
. Studio host Greg Gumbel
Greg Gumbel
Greg Gumbel is an American television sportscaster. He is best known for his various assignments on the CBS network...
took over for Stockton as the number two play-by-play man in . Gumbel was in return, replaced by Andrea Joyce
Andrea Joyce
Andrea Joyce is an American sportscaster who works for NBC Sports after working 10 years with CBS Sports.-Education and early career:...
, who served as a field reporter for the first three seasons of CBS' coverage. On the teaming of Buck and McCarver, Broadcasting magazine wrote "The network has exclusivity, much rides on them."
Joining the team of Buck and McCarver was Lesley Visser
Lesley Visser
Lesley Candace Visser is an American sportscaster, radio personality, and sportswriter. Visser is the first female NFL analyst on TV, and the only sportscaster in history, male or female, who has worked on Final Four, NBA Finals, World Series, Triple Crown, Monday Night Football, the Olympics, the...
(who was, incidentally, married to the aforementioned Dick Stockton), who became the first female MLB beat writer while she worked for the Boston Globe, when she covered the Boston Red Sox
Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
. During the CBS' coverage the 1990 World Series
1990 World Series
- Game 1 :Tuesday, October 16, 1990 at Riverfront Stadium in Cincinnati, OhioUntil , this was the last World Series to be scheduled to begin play on a Tuesday, and the first since . The schedule called for the seven-game series to be held Tue–Wed, Fri–Sat–Sun, Tue–Wed. Games 5, 6, and 7, however...
, Visser became the first woman to cover the World Series.
Meanwhile, Jim Kaat earned rave reviews for his role as CBS' backup analyst (which flashed a considerable "good-guy air"). Ron Bergman wrote of Kaat's performance during the 1990 ALCS
1990 American League Championship Series
-Game 1:Saturday, October 6, 1990 at Fenway Park in Boston, MassachusettsThe opening game of the series saw a battle of aces, as Oakland sent Dave Stewart to the hill against Boston's Roger Clemens. The game was a scoreless pitchers duel until the bottom of the fourth, when Red Sox third baseman...
"This was a night for pitchers to excel. Dave Stewart
Dave Stewart (baseball player)
David Keith Stewart is a former right-handed starting pitcher in Major League Baseball during the late 1980s and early 1990s. A 20-game winner for 4 consecutive years, he was known for his post-season performance and for staring down batters when pitching to them...
. Roger Clemens
Roger Clemens
William Roger Clemens , nicknamed "Rocket", is a former Major League Baseball pitcher who broke into the league with the Boston Red Sox, whose pitching staff he would help anchor for 12 years. Clemens won seven Cy Young Awards, more than any other pitcher. He played for four different teams over...
. Jim Kaat [on commentary]." Despite the rave reviews, Jim Kaat admitted that he was frustrated. He felt that at that point and time, the idea of figuring out what to talk about during a three-hour broadcast had become intimidating. As a result, Kaat would bring notes into the booth, but in the process, found himself providing too much detail. He ultimately confided in his broadcasting partner, Dick Stockton, that he wanted to work without notes. So Stockton hooked Kaat up with then-lead NFL on CBS
NFL on CBS
The NFL on CBS is the brand name of the CBS television network's coverage of the National Football League's American Football Conference games, produced by CBS Sports.-Market coverage and television policies:...
color man, John Madden for a telephone seminar. Madden said if he brought notes into the booth he felt compelled to use them and would "force" something into a telecast. On his seminar with John Madden, Jim Kaat said "Then John told me if he did his homework it would be stored in his memory bank. And if it is important it will come out. If it doesn't, it probably wasn't that important."
A mildly notorious moment came during CBS' coverage of the 1990 All-Star Game
1990 Major League Baseball All-Star Game
The 1990 Major League Baseball All-Star Game was the 61st playing of the midsummer classic between the all-stars of the American League and National League , the two leagues comprising Major League Baseball. The game was held on July 10, 1990 at Wrigley Field in Chicago, Illinois, the home of the...
from Wrigley Field
Wrigley Field
Wrigley Field is a baseball stadium in Chicago, Illinois, United States that has served as the home ballpark of the Chicago Cubs since 1916. It was built in 1914 as Weeghman Park for the Chicago Federal League baseball team, the Chicago Whales...
in Chicago. In a game that was marred by rain delays for a combined 85 minutes (including a 68 minute monsoon
Monsoon
Monsoon is traditionally defined as a seasonal reversing wind accompanied by corresponding changes in precipitation, but is now used to describe seasonal changes in atmospheric circulation and precipitation associated with the asymmetric heating of land and sea...
during the 7th inning), CBS annoyed many diehard fans by airing the William Shatner
William Shatner
William Alan Shatner is a Canadian actor, musician, recording artist, and author. He gained worldwide fame and became a cultural icon for his portrayal of James T...
hosted reality series Rescue 911
Rescue 911
Rescue 911 is an informational reality-based television series, hosted by William Shatner. Originally intended to be only a set of three TV specials, Rescue 911 was picked up by CBS for the 1989 fall season after two specials aired on April 18, 1989 and May 9, 1989...
during the delay.
CBS' initially didn't want to start their 1990 coverage until after the network had aired that year's NBA Finals
1990 NBA Finals
The 1990 NBA Finals was the championship round of the 1989-90 NBA season. The series pitted the Detroit Pistons against the Portland Trail Blazers...
(which was the last time CBS aired the Finals before the NBA's move to NBC). Therefore, only 12 regular season telecasts were scheduled The broadcasts would've been each Saturday from June 16 through August 25 and a special Sunday telecast on the weekend of August 11–12 (the New York Yankees
1990 New York Yankees season
The New York Yankees' 1990 season was the 88th season for the Yankees. The team finished in seventh place in the American League East with a record of 67-95, finishing 21 games behind the Boston Red Sox. It was the Yankees' first last-place finish in 24 years, and the first in the two-division era....
against the Oakland Athletics
1990 Oakland Athletics season
The Oakland Athletics' 1990 season saw the A's win their third consecutive American League West title, with a record of 103 wins and 59 losses, nine games ahead of the Chicago White Sox. It was the third consecutive year in which Oakland finished with the best record in all of MLB...
in Oakland on both days). Ultimately, four more telecasts were added - two in April and two on the last two Saturdays of the season.
The 1990 postseason started on a Thursday, while World Series started on a Tuesday due to the brief lockout
1990 Major League Baseball lockout
The 1990 Major League Baseball lockout was the seventh work stoppage in baseball since 1972. Beginning in February, it lasted 32 days and as a result, virtually wiped out all of spring training. Also because of the lockout, Opening Day was moved back a week to April 9...
. Major League Baseball and CBS went with some rather unconventional scheduling during the LCS round, with two consecutive scheduled off-days in the NLCS
1990 National League Championship Series
-Game 1:Thursday, October 4, 1990 at Riverfront Stadium in Cincinnati, OhioBob Walk was the starting pitcher for Pittsburgh and José Rijo was on the mound for the Reds. The Reds had two doubles in the bottom half of the first inning and scored three runs. This would prove to be the only runs they...
after Game 2.
Schedule
| Date | Teams | Announcers |
| April 14, 1990 | Chicago Cubs 1990 Chicago Cubs season -Offseason:* December 7, 1989: Paul Kilgus was traded by the Cubs to the Toronto Blue Jays for José Núñez.* January 2, 1990: Vance Law was released by the Cubs.-Regular season:... @ Pittsburgh 1990 Pittsburgh Pirates season The Pittsburgh Pirates had 95 wins and 67 losses to win the National League East Division Title.-Offseason:* December 4, 1989: Gordon Dillard was drafted by the Pirates from the Philadelphia Phillies in the 1989 rule 5 draft.... Los Angeles 1990 Los Angeles Dodgers season The Dodgers finished in second place to the Cincinnati Reds in the 1990 National League Western Division race, as the teams pitching staff led the majors with 29 complete games... @ Houston 1990 Houston Astros season The Houston Astros' 1990 season was a season in American baseball. It involved the Houston Astros attempting to win the National League West.-Offseason:* December 6, 1989: Bill Gullickson was signed as a free agent by the Astros.... |
Jack Buck Jack Buck John Francis "Jack" Buck was an American sportscaster, best known for his work announcing Major League Baseball games of the St. Louis Cardinals. Buck received the Ford C. Frick Award from the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1987, and is honored with a star on the St. Louis Walk of Fame... and Tim McCarver Tim McCarver James Timothy "Tim" McCarver is an American former Major League Baseball catcher, and a current sportscaster in residence for Fox Sports.-Playing career:... Dick Stockton Dick Stockton Dick Stockton is an American sportscaster. He is currently employed by Fox Sports and Turner Sports as a football, baseball, and basketball play-by-play announcer.-Early life and career:... and Jim Kaat Jim Kaat James Lee "Jim" Kaat , nicknamed "Kitty", is a former pitcher in Major League Baseball for the Washington Senators/Minnesota Twins , Chicago White Sox , Philadelphia Phillies , New York Yankees , and St... |
| April 21, 1990 | Montreal 1990 Montreal Expos season -Offseason:*October 26, 1989: Yamil Benitez was signed by the Montreal Expos as an amateur free agent. *December 7, 1989: Oil Can Boyd signed as a Free Agent with the Montreal Expos.... @ New York Mets 1990 New York Mets season The 1990 New York Mets season was the 29th regular season for the Mets. They went 91-71 and finished second in the National League East. They were managed by Davey Johnson and Bud Harrelson... California 1990 California Angels season The California Angels season involved the Angels finishing 4th in the American League west with a record of 80 wins and 82 losses.-Offseason:*October 6, 1989: Jim Eppard was released by the California Angels.... @ Minnesota |
Jack Buck Jack Buck John Francis "Jack" Buck was an American sportscaster, best known for his work announcing Major League Baseball games of the St. Louis Cardinals. Buck received the Ford C. Frick Award from the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1987, and is honored with a star on the St. Louis Walk of Fame... and Tim McCarver Tim McCarver James Timothy "Tim" McCarver is an American former Major League Baseball catcher, and a current sportscaster in residence for Fox Sports.-Playing career:... Dick Stockton Dick Stockton Dick Stockton is an American sportscaster. He is currently employed by Fox Sports and Turner Sports as a football, baseball, and basketball play-by-play announcer.-Early life and career:... and Jim Kaat Jim Kaat James Lee "Jim" Kaat , nicknamed "Kitty", is a former pitcher in Major League Baseball for the Washington Senators/Minnesota Twins , Chicago White Sox , Philadelphia Phillies , New York Yankees , and St... |
| June 16, 1990 | Boston 1990 Boston Red Sox season The Boston Red Sox season was a season in American baseball. It involved the Red Sox finishing first in the American League East with a record of 88 wins and 74 losses. It was the second AL East division championship in three years for the Red Sox... @ Baltimore 1990 Baltimore Orioles season The Baltimore Orioles season was a season in American baseball. It involved the Orioles finishing 5th in the American League East with a record of 76 wins and 85 losses.-Offseason:* October 3, 1989: Mark Huismann was released by the Orioles.... San Diego 1990 San Diego Padres season -Offseason:* November 16, 1989: Don Schulze was released by the Padres.* December 6, 1989: Fred Lynn was signed as a free agent by the Padres.* December 6, 1989: Sandy Alomar, Jr., Carlos Baerga and Chris James were traded by the Padres to the Cleveland Indians for Joe Carter.* December 12, 1989:... @ Los Angeles 1990 Los Angeles Dodgers season The Dodgers finished in second place to the Cincinnati Reds in the 1990 National League Western Division race, as the teams pitching staff led the majors with 29 complete games... |
Jack Buck Jack Buck John Francis "Jack" Buck was an American sportscaster, best known for his work announcing Major League Baseball games of the St. Louis Cardinals. Buck received the Ford C. Frick Award from the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1987, and is honored with a star on the St. Louis Walk of Fame... and Tim McCarver Tim McCarver James Timothy "Tim" McCarver is an American former Major League Baseball catcher, and a current sportscaster in residence for Fox Sports.-Playing career:... Dick Stockton Dick Stockton Dick Stockton is an American sportscaster. He is currently employed by Fox Sports and Turner Sports as a football, baseball, and basketball play-by-play announcer.-Early life and career:... and Jim Kaat Jim Kaat James Lee "Jim" Kaat , nicknamed "Kitty", is a former pitcher in Major League Baseball for the Washington Senators/Minnesota Twins , Chicago White Sox , Philadelphia Phillies , New York Yankees , and St... |
| June 23, 1990 | St. Louis 1990 St. Louis Cardinals season The 1990 St. Louis Cardinals season was the team's 109th season in St. Louis, Missouri and its 99th season in the National League. The Cardinals went 70-92 during the season and finished 6th in the National League East division.-Offseason:... @ Chicago Cubs 1990 Chicago Cubs season -Offseason:* December 7, 1989: Paul Kilgus was traded by the Cubs to the Toronto Blue Jays for José Núñez.* January 2, 1990: Vance Law was released by the Cubs.-Regular season:... San Francisco 1990 San Francisco Giants season -Offseason:* December 3, 1990: Willie McGee was signed as a free agent by the Giants.* January 19, 1990: Gary Carter was signed as a free agent by the Giants.-Regular season:... @ Houston 1990 Houston Astros season The Houston Astros' 1990 season was a season in American baseball. It involved the Houston Astros attempting to win the National League West.-Offseason:* December 6, 1989: Bill Gullickson was signed as a free agent by the Astros.... |
Jack Buck Jack Buck John Francis "Jack" Buck was an American sportscaster, best known for his work announcing Major League Baseball games of the St. Louis Cardinals. Buck received the Ford C. Frick Award from the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1987, and is honored with a star on the St. Louis Walk of Fame... and Tim McCarver Tim McCarver James Timothy "Tim" McCarver is an American former Major League Baseball catcher, and a current sportscaster in residence for Fox Sports.-Playing career:... Dick Stockton Dick Stockton Dick Stockton is an American sportscaster. He is currently employed by Fox Sports and Turner Sports as a football, baseball, and basketball play-by-play announcer.-Early life and career:... and Jim Kaat Jim Kaat James Lee "Jim" Kaat , nicknamed "Kitty", is a former pitcher in Major League Baseball for the Washington Senators/Minnesota Twins , Chicago White Sox , Philadelphia Phillies , New York Yankees , and St... |
| June 30, 1990 | Oakland 1990 Oakland Athletics season The Oakland Athletics' 1990 season saw the A's win their third consecutive American League West title, with a record of 103 wins and 59 losses, nine games ahead of the Chicago White Sox. It was the third consecutive year in which Oakland finished with the best record in all of MLB... @ Toronto 1990 Toronto Blue Jays season The Toronto Blue Jays season was a season in American baseball. It involved the Blue Jays finishing second in the American League East with a record of 86 wins and 76 losses. It was their first full season in the Skydome. The Blue Jays led the division by 1½ games over the Boston Red Sox with one... |
|
| July 7, 1990 | Chicago Cubs 1990 Chicago Cubs season -Offseason:* December 7, 1989: Paul Kilgus was traded by the Cubs to the Toronto Blue Jays for José Núñez.* January 2, 1990: Vance Law was released by the Cubs.-Regular season:... @ San Francisco 1990 San Francisco Giants season -Offseason:* December 3, 1990: Willie McGee was signed as a free agent by the Giants.* January 19, 1990: Gary Carter was signed as a free agent by the Giants.-Regular season:... Minnesota @ New York Yankees 1990 New York Yankees season The New York Yankees' 1990 season was the 88th season for the Yankees. The team finished in seventh place in the American League East with a record of 67-95, finishing 21 games behind the Boston Red Sox. It was the Yankees' first last-place finish in 24 years, and the first in the two-division era.... |
|
| July 10, 1990 | All-Star Game 1990 Major League Baseball All-Star Game The 1990 Major League Baseball All-Star Game was the 61st playing of the midsummer classic between the all-stars of the American League and National League , the two leagues comprising Major League Baseball. The game was held on July 10, 1990 at Wrigley Field in Chicago, Illinois, the home of the... (Wrigley Field Wrigley Field Wrigley Field is a baseball stadium in Chicago, Illinois, United States that has served as the home ballpark of the Chicago Cubs since 1916. It was built in 1914 as Weeghman Park for the Chicago Federal League baseball team, the Chicago Whales... , Chicago Chicago Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles... ) |
Jack Buck Jack Buck John Francis "Jack" Buck was an American sportscaster, best known for his work announcing Major League Baseball games of the St. Louis Cardinals. Buck received the Ford C. Frick Award from the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1987, and is honored with a star on the St. Louis Walk of Fame... and Tim McCarver Tim McCarver James Timothy "Tim" McCarver is an American former Major League Baseball catcher, and a current sportscaster in residence for Fox Sports.-Playing career:... |
| July 14, 1990 | Kansas City 1990 Kansas City Royals season The Kansas City Royals season was a season in American baseball. It involved the Royals finishing 6th in the American League West with a record of 75 wins and 86 losses.-Offseason:* December 5, 1989: Richard Dotson was signed as a free agent by the Royals.... @ Boston 1990 Boston Red Sox season The Boston Red Sox season was a season in American baseball. It involved the Red Sox finishing first in the American League East with a record of 88 wins and 74 losses. It was the second AL East division championship in three years for the Red Sox... San Diego 1990 San Diego Padres season -Offseason:* November 16, 1989: Don Schulze was released by the Padres.* December 6, 1989: Fred Lynn was signed as a free agent by the Padres.* December 6, 1989: Sandy Alomar, Jr., Carlos Baerga and Chris James were traded by the Padres to the Cleveland Indians for Joe Carter.* December 12, 1989:... @ Pittsburgh 1990 Pittsburgh Pirates season The Pittsburgh Pirates had 95 wins and 67 losses to win the National League East Division Title.-Offseason:* December 4, 1989: Gordon Dillard was drafted by the Pirates from the Philadelphia Phillies in the 1989 rule 5 draft.... |
|
| July 21, 1990 | San Francisco 1990 San Francisco Giants season -Offseason:* December 3, 1990: Willie McGee was signed as a free agent by the Giants.* January 19, 1990: Gary Carter was signed as a free agent by the Giants.-Regular season:... @ Chicago Cubs 1990 Chicago Cubs season -Offseason:* December 7, 1989: Paul Kilgus was traded by the Cubs to the Toronto Blue Jays for José Núñez.* January 2, 1990: Vance Law was released by the Cubs.-Regular season:... Philadelphia 1990 Philadelphia Phillies season -Offseason:* October 11, 1989: Steve Stanicek was released by the Phillies.* December 4, 1989: Rule 5 draft**Sil Campusano was drafted by the Phillies from the Toronto Blue Jays in the .**Gordon Dillard was drafted from the Phillies by the Pittsburgh Pirates.... @ Cincinnati 1990 Cincinnati Reds season The Cincinnati Reds' 1990 season was a season in American baseball. It consisted of the Reds winning the National League West, as well as the National League Championship Series in six games over the Pittsburgh Pirates, and the World Series in a four-game sweep over the overwhelming favorite... |
|
| July 28, 1990 | St. Louis 1990 St. Louis Cardinals season The 1990 St. Louis Cardinals season was the team's 109th season in St. Louis, Missouri and its 99th season in the National League. The Cardinals went 70-92 during the season and finished 6th in the National League East division.-Offseason:... @ New York Mets 1990 New York Mets season The 1990 New York Mets season was the 29th regular season for the Mets. They went 91-71 and finished second in the National League East. They were managed by Davey Johnson and Bud Harrelson... Baltimore 1990 Baltimore Orioles season The Baltimore Orioles season was a season in American baseball. It involved the Orioles finishing 5th in the American League East with a record of 76 wins and 85 losses.-Offseason:* October 3, 1989: Mark Huismann was released by the Orioles.... @ Kansas City 1990 Kansas City Royals season The Kansas City Royals season was a season in American baseball. It involved the Royals finishing 6th in the American League West with a record of 75 wins and 86 losses.-Offseason:* December 5, 1989: Richard Dotson was signed as a free agent by the Royals.... |
|
| August 4, 1990 | Los Angeles 1990 Los Angeles Dodgers season The Dodgers finished in second place to the Cincinnati Reds in the 1990 National League Western Division race, as the teams pitching staff led the majors with 29 complete games... @ San Francisco 1990 San Francisco Giants season -Offseason:* December 3, 1990: Willie McGee was signed as a free agent by the Giants.* January 19, 1990: Gary Carter was signed as a free agent by the Giants.-Regular season:... New York Mets 1990 New York Mets season The 1990 New York Mets season was the 29th regular season for the Mets. They went 91-71 and finished second in the National League East. They were managed by Davey Johnson and Bud Harrelson... @ St. Louis 1990 St. Louis Cardinals season The 1990 St. Louis Cardinals season was the team's 109th season in St. Louis, Missouri and its 99th season in the National League. The Cardinals went 70-92 during the season and finished 6th in the National League East division.-Offseason:... |
|
| August 11, 1990 | New York Yankees 1990 New York Yankees season The New York Yankees' 1990 season was the 88th season for the Yankees. The team finished in seventh place in the American League East with a record of 67-95, finishing 21 games behind the Boston Red Sox. It was the Yankees' first last-place finish in 24 years, and the first in the two-division era.... @ Oakland 1990 Oakland Athletics season The Oakland Athletics' 1990 season saw the A's win their third consecutive American League West title, with a record of 103 wins and 59 losses, nine games ahead of the Chicago White Sox. It was the third consecutive year in which Oakland finished with the best record in all of MLB... Texas 1990 Texas Rangers season The Texas Rangers 1990 season involved the Rangers finishing 3rd in the American League west with a record of 83 wins and 79 losses.-Regular season:* June 11, 1990: Nolan Ryan threw his sixth no-hitter against the Oakland Athletics.... @ Chicago White Sox 1990 Chicago White Sox season The 1990 Chicago White Sox season was the White Sox's 91st season. They finished with a record 94-68, good enough for 2nd place in the American League West, 9 games behind of the 1st place Oakland Athletics, as the White Sox played their final season at Comiskey Park before moving to the new... |
|
| August 12, 1990 | New York Yankees 1990 New York Yankees season The New York Yankees' 1990 season was the 88th season for the Yankees. The team finished in seventh place in the American League East with a record of 67-95, finishing 21 games behind the Boston Red Sox. It was the Yankees' first last-place finish in 24 years, and the first in the two-division era.... @ Oakland 1990 Oakland Athletics season The Oakland Athletics' 1990 season saw the A's win their third consecutive American League West title, with a record of 103 wins and 59 losses, nine games ahead of the Chicago White Sox. It was the third consecutive year in which Oakland finished with the best record in all of MLB... |
|
| August 18, 1990 | California 1990 California Angels season The California Angels season involved the Angels finishing 4th in the American League west with a record of 80 wins and 82 losses.-Offseason:*October 6, 1989: Jim Eppard was released by the California Angels.... @ Boston 1990 Boston Red Sox season The Boston Red Sox season was a season in American baseball. It involved the Red Sox finishing first in the American League East with a record of 88 wins and 74 losses. It was the second AL East division championship in three years for the Red Sox... Pittsburgh 1990 Pittsburgh Pirates season The Pittsburgh Pirates had 95 wins and 67 losses to win the National League East Division Title.-Offseason:* December 4, 1989: Gordon Dillard was drafted by the Pirates from the Philadelphia Phillies in the 1989 rule 5 draft.... @ Cincinnati 1990 Cincinnati Reds season The Cincinnati Reds' 1990 season was a season in American baseball. It consisted of the Reds winning the National League West, as well as the National League Championship Series in six games over the Pittsburgh Pirates, and the World Series in a four-game sweep over the overwhelming favorite... |
Dick Stockton Dick Stockton Dick Stockton is an American sportscaster. He is currently employed by Fox Sports and Turner Sports as a football, baseball, and basketball play-by-play announcer.-Early life and career:... and Jim Kaat Jim Kaat James Lee "Jim" Kaat , nicknamed "Kitty", is a former pitcher in Major League Baseball for the Washington Senators/Minnesota Twins , Chicago White Sox , Philadelphia Phillies , New York Yankees , and St... Jack Buck Jack Buck John Francis "Jack" Buck was an American sportscaster, best known for his work announcing Major League Baseball games of the St. Louis Cardinals. Buck received the Ford C. Frick Award from the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1987, and is honored with a star on the St. Louis Walk of Fame... and Tim McCarver Tim McCarver James Timothy "Tim" McCarver is an American former Major League Baseball catcher, and a current sportscaster in residence for Fox Sports.-Playing career:... |
| August 25, 1990 | New York Mets 1990 New York Mets season The 1990 New York Mets season was the 29th regular season for the Mets. They went 91-71 and finished second in the National League East. They were managed by Davey Johnson and Bud Harrelson... @ Los Angeles 1990 Los Angeles Dodgers season The Dodgers finished in second place to the Cincinnati Reds in the 1990 National League Western Division race, as the teams pitching staff led the majors with 29 complete games... Boston 1990 Boston Red Sox season The Boston Red Sox season was a season in American baseball. It involved the Red Sox finishing first in the American League East with a record of 88 wins and 74 losses. It was the second AL East division championship in three years for the Red Sox... @ Toronto 1990 Toronto Blue Jays season The Toronto Blue Jays season was a season in American baseball. It involved the Blue Jays finishing second in the American League East with a record of 86 wins and 76 losses. It was their first full season in the Skydome. The Blue Jays led the division by 1½ games over the Boston Red Sox with one... |
Jack Buck Jack Buck John Francis "Jack" Buck was an American sportscaster, best known for his work announcing Major League Baseball games of the St. Louis Cardinals. Buck received the Ford C. Frick Award from the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1987, and is honored with a star on the St. Louis Walk of Fame... and Tim McCarver Tim McCarver James Timothy "Tim" McCarver is an American former Major League Baseball catcher, and a current sportscaster in residence for Fox Sports.-Playing career:... Dick Stockton Dick Stockton Dick Stockton is an American sportscaster. He is currently employed by Fox Sports and Turner Sports as a football, baseball, and basketball play-by-play announcer.-Early life and career:... and Jim Kaat Jim Kaat James Lee "Jim" Kaat , nicknamed "Kitty", is a former pitcher in Major League Baseball for the Washington Senators/Minnesota Twins , Chicago White Sox , Philadelphia Phillies , New York Yankees , and St... |
| September 22, 1990 | St. Louis 1990 St. Louis Cardinals season The 1990 St. Louis Cardinals season was the team's 109th season in St. Louis, Missouri and its 99th season in the National League. The Cardinals went 70-92 during the season and finished 6th in the National League East division.-Offseason:... @ Pittsburgh 1990 Pittsburgh Pirates season The Pittsburgh Pirates had 95 wins and 67 losses to win the National League East Division Title.-Offseason:* December 4, 1989: Gordon Dillard was drafted by the Pirates from the Philadelphia Phillies in the 1989 rule 5 draft.... Boston Red Sox @ New York Yankees |
Jack Buck Jack Buck John Francis "Jack" Buck was an American sportscaster, best known for his work announcing Major League Baseball games of the St. Louis Cardinals. Buck received the Ford C. Frick Award from the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1987, and is honored with a star on the St. Louis Walk of Fame... and Tim McCarver Tim McCarver James Timothy "Tim" McCarver is an American former Major League Baseball catcher, and a current sportscaster in residence for Fox Sports.-Playing career:... Dick Stockton Dick Stockton Dick Stockton is an American sportscaster. He is currently employed by Fox Sports and Turner Sports as a football, baseball, and basketball play-by-play announcer.-Early life and career:... and Jim Kaat Jim Kaat James Lee "Jim" Kaat , nicknamed "Kitty", is a former pitcher in Major League Baseball for the Washington Senators/Minnesota Twins , Chicago White Sox , Philadelphia Phillies , New York Yankees , and St... |
| September 29, 1990 | Boston Red Sox 1990 Boston Red Sox season The Boston Red Sox season was a season in American baseball. It involved the Red Sox finishing first in the American League East with a record of 88 wins and 74 losses. It was the second AL East division championship in three years for the Red Sox... @ Toronto Blue Jays 1990 Toronto Blue Jays season The Toronto Blue Jays season was a season in American baseball. It involved the Blue Jays finishing second in the American League East with a record of 86 wins and 76 losses. It was their first full season in the Skydome. The Blue Jays led the division by 1½ games over the Boston Red Sox with one... |
Dick Stockton Dick Stockton Dick Stockton is an American sportscaster. He is currently employed by Fox Sports and Turner Sports as a football, baseball, and basketball play-by-play announcer.-Early life and career:... and Jim Kaat Jim Kaat James Lee "Jim" Kaat , nicknamed "Kitty", is a former pitcher in Major League Baseball for the Washington Senators/Minnesota Twins , Chicago White Sox , Philadelphia Phillies , New York Yankees , and St... |
1991
After sustaining huge losses (CBS lost $United States dollar
The United States dollar , also referred to as the American dollar, is the official currency of the United States of America. It is divided into 100 smaller units called cents or pennies....
12 million to $15 million on each of the League Championship Series and World Series games not played, for a total of $36 million to $45 million) from 1990's abbreviated postseason (which ended with the Cincinnati Reds
1990 Cincinnati Reds season
The Cincinnati Reds' 1990 season was a season in American baseball. It consisted of the Reds winning the National League West, as well as the National League Championship Series in six games over the Pittsburgh Pirates, and the World Series in a four-game sweep over the overwhelming favorite...
shockingly sweeping the defending World Champion
World Series Trophy
The Commissioner's Trophy is presented each year by the Commissioner of Baseball to the Major League Baseball team that wins the World Series. Recent trophy designs contain flags representing each team in North America's top two leagues, the National League and the American League...
Oakland Athletics
1990 Oakland Athletics season
The Oakland Athletics' 1990 season saw the A's win their third consecutive American League West title, with a record of 103 wins and 59 losses, nine games ahead of the Chicago White Sox. It was the third consecutive year in which Oakland finished with the best record in all of MLB...
in the World Series
1990 World Series
- Game 1 :Tuesday, October 16, 1990 at Riverfront Stadium in Cincinnati, OhioUntil , this was the last World Series to be scheduled to begin play on a Tuesday, and the first since . The schedule called for the seven-game series to be held Tue–Wed, Fri–Sat–Sun, Tue–Wed. Games 5, 6, and 7, however...
), CBS made several notable adjustments for 1991. Regular season telecasts had been reduced to a meager handful. In return, pregame shows during the League Championship Series were entirely eliminated, to minimize the ratings damage. The 1991 season was perhaps most noteworthy for CBS having the opportunity of covering of the now legendary World Series
1991 World Series
The 1991 World Series pitted the Minnesota Twins of the American League against the Atlanta Braves of the National League. The series was played from Saturday, October 19 to Sunday, October 27....
between the Minnesota Twins and Atlanta Braves
1991 Atlanta Braves season
In 1991, the Atlanta Braves became the first team in the National League to go from last place one year to first place the next. This feat was also accomplished by the 1991 Minnesota Twins...
.
Earlier in the postseason, CBS' coverage of the ALCS
1991 American League Championship Series
-Game 1:Tuesday, October 8, 1991 at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome in Minneapolis, MinnesotaGame 1 saw a surprise starter for Toronto as Blue Jays manager Cito Gaston chose knuckleballer Tom Candiotti to face the Twins over his new young gun Juan Guzmán and his left-handed ace Jimmy Key. Twins...
meant that they could not carry the live testimony of Clarence Thomas
Clarence Thomas
Clarence Thomas is an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States. Succeeding Thurgood Marshall, Thomas is the second African American to serve on the Court....
, whose confirmation to the United States Supreme Court was put into question because of charges of sexual harassment
Sexual harassment
Sexual harassment, is intimidation, bullying or coercion of a sexual nature, or the unwelcome or inappropriate promise of rewards in exchange for sexual favors. In some contexts or circumstances, sexual harassment is illegal. It includes a range of behavior from seemingly mild transgressions and...
from former staffer Anita Hill
Anita Hill
Anita Faye Hill is an American attorney and academic—presently a professor of social policy, law and women's studies at Brandeis University's Heller School for Social Policy and Management. She became a national figure in 1991 when she alleged that U.S. Supreme Court nominee Clarence Thomas had...
. Meanwhile, ABC
ABC News
ABC News is the news gathering and broadcasting division of American broadcast television network ABC, a subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company...
, NBC
NBC News
NBC News is the news division of American television network NBC. It first started broadcasting in February 21, 1940. NBC Nightly News has aired from Studio 3B, located on floors 3 of the NBC Studios is the headquarters of the GE Building forms the centerpiece of 30th Rockefeller Center it is...
, CNN
CNN
Cable News Network is a U.S. cable news channel founded in 1980 by Ted Turner. Upon its launch, CNN was the first channel to provide 24-hour television news coverage, and the first all-news television channel in the United States...
and PBS
Public Broadcasting Service
The Public Broadcasting Service is an American non-profit public broadcasting television network with 354 member TV stations in the United States which hold collective ownership. Its headquarters is in Arlington, Virginia....
all carried the testimony.
As CBS' baseball coverage progressed, they dropped the 8:00 p.m. pregame coverage (in favor of sitcoms such as Evening Shade
Evening Shade
Evening Shade was an American sitcom television series that aired on CBS from 1990 to 1994. The series starred Burt Reynolds as Wood Newton, an ex-professional football player for the Pittsburgh Steelers, who returns to rural Evening Shade, Arkansas to coach a high school football team with a long...
), before finally starting their coverage at 8:30 p.m. Eastern Time. The first pitch would generally arrive at approximately 8:45 p.m. Perhaps as a result, Joe Carter
Joe Carter
Joseph Christopher Carter is a former right fielder in Major League Baseball who played from to . Carter is most famous for hitting a walk-off home run to win the 1993 World Series for the Toronto Blue Jays....
's World Series
1993 World Series
-Game 1:Saturday, October 16, 1993 at SkyDome in Toronto, OntarioThe Series' first game sent two staff aces—Curt Schilling for Philadelphia and Juan Guzman for Toronto—against one another. The result was less than a pitcher's duel, however, as both teams scored early and often.The deciding plays...
clinching home run off Mitch Williams in 1993, occurred at 12:00 a.m. on the East Coast
East Coast of the United States
The East Coast of the United States, also known as the Eastern Seaboard, refers to the easternmost coastal states in the United States, which touch the Atlantic Ocean and stretch up to Canada. The term includes the U.S...
.
Schedule
| Date | Teams | Announcers |
| April 20, 1991 | New York Mets 1991 New York Mets season The 1991 New York Mets season was the 30th regular season for the Mets. They went 77-84 and finished fifth in the National League East. They were managed by Bud Harrelson and Mike Cubbage... @ Montreal 1991 Montreal Expos season After several winning seasons, the Expos faltered in 1991, winning only 20 of its first 49 games. Manager Buck Rodgers was replaced as manager by Tom Runnells.-Offseason:* November 15, 1990: Scott Service was signed as a free agent by the Expos.... Detroit 1991 Detroit Tigers season The Detroit Tigers finished in second place in the American League East with a record of 83-79 . They outscored their opponents 817 to 794... @ Chicago White Sox 1991 Chicago White Sox season The 1991 Chicago White Sox season was the White Sox's 93rd season. They finished with a record 87-75, good enough for 2nd place in the American League West, 8 games behind of the 1st place Minnesota Twins, as the club opened the new Comiskey Park on April 18.... |
|
| April 27, 1991 | Chicago Cubs 1991 Chicago Cubs season The 1991 Chicago Cubs season saw the Cubs finish in fourth place in the National League East with a record of 77 wins and 83 losses.-Offseason:* December 6, 1990: George Bell was signed as a free agent by the Cubs.... @ Cincinnati 1991 Cincinnati Reds season The Cincinnati Reds' 1991 season was a season in American baseball. It consisted of the Cincinnati Reds attempting to win the National League West.-Offseason:* January 29, 1990: Skeeter Barnes was signed as a free agent by the Reds.... Seattle 1991 Seattle Mariners season The Seattle Mariners 1991 season was their 15th since the franchise creation, and ended the season finishing 5th in the American League West, finishing with a record of 83-79. It was the first above-.500 season in franchise history.-Regular season:... @ Minnesota |
|
| May 5, 1991 | Boston 1991 Boston Red Sox season The Boston Red Sox season was a season in American baseball. It involved the Red Sox finishing 2nd in the American League East with a record of 84 wins and 78 losses.-Notable Transactions:... @ Chicago White Sox 1991 Chicago White Sox season The 1991 Chicago White Sox season was the White Sox's 93rd season. They finished with a record 87-75, good enough for 2nd place in the American League West, 8 games behind of the 1st place Minnesota Twins, as the club opened the new Comiskey Park on April 18.... Cleveland 1991 Cleveland Indians season -Offseason:* December 3, 1990: Mike Huff was drafted by the Indians from the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 1990 rule 5 draft.* December 4, 1990: Cory Snyder and Lindsay Foster were traded by the Indians to the Chicago White Sox for Shawn Hillegas and Eric King.* January 11, 1991: Luis Lopez was... @ Oakland 1991 Oakland Athletics season The Oakland Athletics' 1991 season involved the A's finishing 4th in the American League West with a record of 84 wins and 78 losses.-Offseason:* December 3, 1990: Willie Wilson was signed as a free agent by the Athletics.... |
|
| May 18, 1991 | New York Mets 1991 New York Mets season The 1991 New York Mets season was the 30th regular season for the Mets. They went 77-84 and finished fifth in the National League East. They were managed by Bud Harrelson and Mike Cubbage... @ Los Angeles 1991 Los Angeles Dodgers season The 1991 season featured an exciting National League Western Division race between the Dodgers and the Atlanta Braves. The Braves edged out the Dodgers to win the division by one game... |
|
| May 25, 1991 | Los Angeles 1991 Los Angeles Dodgers season The 1991 season featured an exciting National League Western Division race between the Dodgers and the Atlanta Braves. The Braves edged out the Dodgers to win the division by one game... @ Cincinnati 1991 Cincinnati Reds season The Cincinnati Reds' 1991 season was a season in American baseball. It consisted of the Cincinnati Reds attempting to win the National League West.-Offseason:* January 29, 1990: Skeeter Barnes was signed as a free agent by the Reds.... Cleveland 1991 Cleveland Indians season -Offseason:* December 3, 1990: Mike Huff was drafted by the Indians from the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 1990 rule 5 draft.* December 4, 1990: Cory Snyder and Lindsay Foster were traded by the Indians to the Chicago White Sox for Shawn Hillegas and Eric King.* January 11, 1991: Luis Lopez was... @ Milwaukee 1991 Milwaukee Brewers season The 1991 Milwaukee Brewers season involved the Brewers' finishing 4th in the American League East with a record of 83 wins and 79 losses.-Offseason:* March 14, 1991: Dave Parker was traded by the Brewers to the California Angels for Dante Bichette.... |
|
| June 15, 1991 | Chicago Cubs 1991 Chicago Cubs season The 1991 Chicago Cubs season saw the Cubs finish in fourth place in the National League East with a record of 77 wins and 83 losses.-Offseason:* December 6, 1990: George Bell was signed as a free agent by the Cubs.... @ San Diego 1991 San Diego Padres season -Offseason:* December 3, 1990: Frank Seminara was drafted by the San Diego Padres from the New York Yankees in the 1990 rule 5 draft.* December 12, 1990: Mark Parent was traded by the Padres to the Texas Rangers for Scott Coolbaugh.... |
|
| June 22, 1991 | Pittsburgh 1991 Pittsburgh Pirates season The 1991 Pittsburgh Pirates season was the 110th in franchise history. For the second consecutive season, the Pirates won the National League East Division Title... @ Los Angeles 1991 Los Angeles Dodgers season The 1991 season featured an exciting National League Western Division race between the Dodgers and the Atlanta Braves. The Braves edged out the Dodgers to win the division by one game... |
|
| June 29, 1991 | St. Louis 1991 St. Louis Cardinals season The St. Louis Cardinals 1991 season was the team's 110th season in St. Louis, Missouri and the 100th season in the National League. The Cardinals went 84-78 during the season and finished 2nd in the National League East division.... @ Chicago Cubs 1991 Chicago Cubs season The 1991 Chicago Cubs season saw the Cubs finish in fourth place in the National League East with a record of 77 wins and 83 losses.-Offseason:* December 6, 1990: George Bell was signed as a free agent by the Cubs.... Boston 1991 Boston Red Sox season The Boston Red Sox season was a season in American baseball. It involved the Red Sox finishing 2nd in the American League East with a record of 84 wins and 78 losses.-Notable Transactions:... @ Baltimore 1991 Baltimore Orioles season The Baltimore Orioles season was a season in American baseball. It involved the Orioles finishing 6th in the American League East with a record of 67 wins and 95 losses. Cal Ripken. Jr. would be the first shortstop in the history of the American League to win two MVP awards in a career. This was... |
|
| July 9, 1991 | All-Star Game 1991 Major League Baseball All-Star Game The 1991 Major League Baseball All-Star Game was the 62nd playing of the midsummer classic between the all-stars of the American League and National League , the two leagues comprising Major League Baseball. The game was held on July 9, 1991 at SkyDome in Toronto, Ontario, the home of the Toronto... (SkyDome Rogers Centre Rogers Centre is a multi-purpose stadium, in Downtown Toronto, Ontario, Canada, situated next to the CN Tower, near the shores of Lake Ontario. Opened in 1989, it is home to the Toronto Blue Jays of Major League Baseball and the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League... , Toronto Toronto Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from... ) |
Jack Buck Jack Buck John Francis "Jack" Buck was an American sportscaster, best known for his work announcing Major League Baseball games of the St. Louis Cardinals. Buck received the Ford C. Frick Award from the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1987, and is honored with a star on the St. Louis Walk of Fame... and Tim McCarver Tim McCarver James Timothy "Tim" McCarver is an American former Major League Baseball catcher, and a current sportscaster in residence for Fox Sports.-Playing career:... |
| July 14, 1991 | Baltimore 1991 Baltimore Orioles season The Baltimore Orioles season was a season in American baseball. It involved the Orioles finishing 6th in the American League East with a record of 67 wins and 95 losses. Cal Ripken. Jr. would be the first shortstop in the history of the American League to win two MVP awards in a career. This was... @ Oakland 1991 Oakland Athletics season The Oakland Athletics' 1991 season involved the A's finishing 4th in the American League West with a record of 84 wins and 78 losses.-Offseason:* December 3, 1990: Willie Wilson was signed as a free agent by the Athletics.... |
|
| July 20, 1991 | Los Angeles 1991 Los Angeles Dodgers season The 1991 season featured an exciting National League Western Division race between the Dodgers and the Atlanta Braves. The Braves edged out the Dodgers to win the division by one game... @ New York Mets 1991 New York Mets season The 1991 New York Mets season was the 30th regular season for the Mets. They went 77-84 and finished fifth in the National League East. They were managed by Bud Harrelson and Mike Cubbage... Detroit 1991 Detroit Tigers season The Detroit Tigers finished in second place in the American League East with a record of 83-79 . They outscored their opponents 817 to 794... @ Kansas City 1991 Kansas City Royals season The 1991 Kansas City Royals season involved the Royals finishing 6th in the American League West with a record of 82 wins and 80 losses.-Offseason:* October 4, 1990: Chris Codiroli was released by the Royals.... |
Jack Buck Jack Buck John Francis "Jack" Buck was an American sportscaster, best known for his work announcing Major League Baseball games of the St. Louis Cardinals. Buck received the Ford C. Frick Award from the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1987, and is honored with a star on the St. Louis Walk of Fame... and Tim McCarver Tim McCarver James Timothy "Tim" McCarver is an American former Major League Baseball catcher, and a current sportscaster in residence for Fox Sports.-Playing career:... Dick Stockton Dick Stockton Dick Stockton is an American sportscaster. He is currently employed by Fox Sports and Turner Sports as a football, baseball, and basketball play-by-play announcer.-Early life and career:... and Jim Kaat Jim Kaat James Lee "Jim" Kaat , nicknamed "Kitty", is a former pitcher in Major League Baseball for the Washington Senators/Minnesota Twins , Chicago White Sox , Philadelphia Phillies , New York Yankees , and St... |
| August 3, 1991 | Toronto 1991 Toronto Blue Jays season The 1991 Toronto Blue Jays season involved the Blue Jays finishing 1st in the American League East with a record of 91 wins and 71 losses. The team's paid attendance of 4,001,527 led the American League, as the Jays became the first team in MLB history ever to draw four million fans in a season... @ Boston 1991 Boston Red Sox season The Boston Red Sox season was a season in American baseball. It involved the Red Sox finishing 2nd in the American League East with a record of 84 wins and 78 losses.-Notable Transactions:... Pittsburgh 1991 Pittsburgh Steelers season -Staff:- Schedule :- Week 1 : vs. San Diego Chargers :at Three Rivers Stadium, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania* Game time: 4:00 PM EDT* Game weather: 80°F * Game attendance: 55,848... @ St. Louis 1991 St. Louis Cardinals season The St. Louis Cardinals 1991 season was the team's 110th season in St. Louis, Missouri and the 100th season in the National League. The Cardinals went 84-78 during the season and finished 2nd in the National League East division.... |
|
| August 24, 1991 | Cincinnati 1991 Cincinnati Reds season The Cincinnati Reds' 1991 season was a season in American baseball. It consisted of the Cincinnati Reds attempting to win the National League West.-Offseason:* January 29, 1990: Skeeter Barnes was signed as a free agent by the Reds.... @ New York Mets 1991 New York Mets season The 1991 New York Mets season was the 30th regular season for the Mets. They went 77-84 and finished fifth in the National League East. They were managed by Bud Harrelson and Mike Cubbage... Minnesota @ Baltimore 1991 Baltimore Orioles season The Baltimore Orioles season was a season in American baseball. It involved the Orioles finishing 6th in the American League East with a record of 67 wins and 95 losses. Cal Ripken. Jr. would be the first shortstop in the history of the American League to win two MVP awards in a career. This was... |
|
| September 14, 1991 | Chicago White Sox 1991 Chicago White Sox season The 1991 Chicago White Sox season was the White Sox's 93rd season. They finished with a record 87-75, good enough for 2nd place in the American League West, 8 games behind of the 1st place Minnesota Twins, as the club opened the new Comiskey Park on April 18.... @ California 1991 California Angels season The California Angels 1991 season involved the Angels finishing 7th in the American League west with a record of 81 wins and 81 losses.-Offseason:... (dropped) Los Angeles 1991 Los Angeles Dodgers season The 1991 season featured an exciting National League Western Division race between the Dodgers and the Atlanta Braves. The Braves edged out the Dodgers to win the division by one game... @ Atlanta 1991 Atlanta Braves season In 1991, the Atlanta Braves became the first team in the National League to go from last place one year to first place the next. This feat was also accomplished by the 1991 Minnesota Twins... Oakland 1991 Oakland Athletics season The Oakland Athletics' 1991 season involved the A's finishing 4th in the American League West with a record of 84 wins and 78 losses.-Offseason:* December 3, 1990: Willie Wilson was signed as a free agent by the Athletics.... @ Toronto 1991 Toronto Blue Jays season The 1991 Toronto Blue Jays season involved the Blue Jays finishing 1st in the American League East with a record of 91 wins and 71 losses. The team's paid attendance of 4,001,527 led the American League, as the Jays became the first team in MLB history ever to draw four million fans in a season... |
|
| September 21, 1991 | San Francisco 1991 San Francisco Giants season -Offseason:* November 9, 1990: Bud Black signed as a Free Agent with the San Francisco Giants.* December 4, 1990: Dave Righetti signed as a Free Agent with the San Francisco Giants.... @ San Diego 1991 San Diego Padres season -Offseason:* December 3, 1990: Frank Seminara was drafted by the San Diego Padres from the New York Yankees in the 1990 rule 5 draft.* December 12, 1990: Mark Parent was traded by the Padres to the Texas Rangers for Scott Coolbaugh.... New York Yankees 1991 New York Yankees season The New York Yankees' 1991 season was the 89th season for the Yankees. The team finished with a record of 71-91 finishing 20 games behind of the Toronto Blue Jays. New York was managed by Stump Merrill... @ Boston 1991 Boston Red Sox season The Boston Red Sox season was a season in American baseball. It involved the Red Sox finishing 2nd in the American League East with a record of 84 wins and 78 losses.-Notable Transactions:... |
|
| September 28, 1991 | ||
| October 5, 1991 | Houston 1991 Houston Astros season The Houston Astros' 1991 season was a season in American baseball. It involved the Houston Astros attempting to win the National League West.The Astros finished 65-97, tying the 1965 and 1975 clubs for the most losses in franchise history... @ Atlanta 1991 Atlanta Braves season In 1991, the Atlanta Braves became the first team in the National League to go from last place one year to first place the next. This feat was also accomplished by the 1991 Minnesota Twins... Los Angeles 1991 Los Angeles Dodgers season The 1991 season featured an exciting National League Western Division race between the Dodgers and the Atlanta Braves. The Braves edged out the Dodgers to win the division by one game... @ San Francisco 1991 San Francisco Giants season -Offseason:* November 9, 1990: Bud Black signed as a Free Agent with the San Francisco Giants.* December 4, 1990: Dave Righetti signed as a Free Agent with the San Francisco Giants.... |
Dick Stockton Dick Stockton Dick Stockton is an American sportscaster. He is currently employed by Fox Sports and Turner Sports as a football, baseball, and basketball play-by-play announcer.-Early life and career:... and Jim Kaat Jim Kaat James Lee "Jim" Kaat , nicknamed "Kitty", is a former pitcher in Major League Baseball for the Washington Senators/Minnesota Twins , Chicago White Sox , Philadelphia Phillies , New York Yankees , and St... Jack Buck Jack Buck John Francis "Jack" Buck was an American sportscaster, best known for his work announcing Major League Baseball games of the St. Louis Cardinals. Buck received the Ford C. Frick Award from the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1987, and is honored with a star on the St. Louis Walk of Fame... and Tim McCarver Tim McCarver James Timothy "Tim" McCarver is an American former Major League Baseball catcher, and a current sportscaster in residence for Fox Sports.-Playing career:... |
Sean McDonough replaces Jack Buck
After two years of calling baseball telecasts for CBS, Jack Buck was dismissed in December 1991. According to the radioKMOX (AM)
KMOX is a radio station broadcasting from St. Louis, Missouri. It is a 50,000-watt clear channel radio station, which permits its nighttime signal to be heard in most of the continental U.S. KMOX operates as "NewsRadio 1120" and refers to itself as "The Voice of St...
veteran Buck, he had a hard time adjusting to the demands of a more constricting television production. CBS felt that Buck should've done more to make himself appear to be a set-up man for lead analyst Tim McCarver. Jack Buck's son Joe
Joe Buck
Joseph Francis "Joe" Buck is an American sportscaster and the son of legendary sportscaster Jack Buck. He has won numerous Sports Emmy Awards for his play-by-play work with Fox Sports.-Education:...
tried to rationalize his father's on-air problems by saying "My dad was brought up in the golden age of radio, I think he had his hands tied somewhat, being accustomed to the freedom of radio. I'm more used to acquiescing to what the producer wants to do, what the director wants to do."
Buck himself sized up CBS' handling of the announcers by saying "CBS never got that baseball play-by-play draws word-pictures. All they knew was that football stars analysts. So they said, 'Let [analyst Tim] McCarver run the show.' In television, all they want you to do is shut up. I'm not very good at shutting up." Buck though, would add that although he knew Tim McCarver well, they never developed a good relationship with each other on the air despite high hopes to the contrary. Phil Mushnick
Phil Mushnick
Phil Mushnick is a sports writer who works for the New York Post. His column "Equal Time" concentrates on the sports media and appears three times a week on Sundays, Mondays and Fridays. He also provides a weekly column on the media in general on Sundays for the entertainment section of the paper...
added insult to injury to Buck by accusing him of "Trying to predict plays, as if to prove he was still on top."
Buck also got into deep trouble with CBS executives (namely executive producer Ted Shaker) over questionable comments made towards singer Bobby Vinton
Bobby Vinton
Bobby Vinton is an American pop music singer of Polish origin. In pop music circles, he became known as "The Polish Prince".-Early life:...
in 1990. While on air prior to Game 4 of the that year's NLCS
1990 National League Championship Series
-Game 1:Thursday, October 4, 1990 at Riverfront Stadium in Cincinnati, OhioBob Walk was the starting pitcher for Pittsburgh and José Rijo was on the mound for the Reds. The Reds had two doubles in the bottom half of the first inning and scored three runs. This would prove to be the only runs they...
in Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Pittsburgh is the second-largest city in the US Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the county seat of Allegheny County. Regionally, it anchors the largest urban area of Appalachia and the Ohio River Valley, and nationally, it is the 22nd-largest urban area in the United States...
, Buck criticized Vinton's off-key rendition of the "Star-Spangled Banner"
The Star-Spangled Banner
"The Star-Spangled Banner" is the national anthem of the United States of America. The lyrics come from "Defence of Fort McHenry", a poem written in 1814 by the 35-year-old lawyer and amateur poet, Francis Scott Key, after witnessing the bombardment of Fort McHenry by the British Royal Navy ships...
, making a comment towards Vinton that sounded like a prejudicial remark centered on Vinton's Polish heritage. Joe Buck
Joe Buck
Joseph Francis "Joe" Buck is an American sportscaster and the son of legendary sportscaster Jack Buck. He has won numerous Sports Emmy Awards for his play-by-play work with Fox Sports.-Education:...
believed that the situation was ironic because his father was "trying to help the guy." Buck began receiving death threats from Pirate
1990 Pittsburgh Pirates season
The Pittsburgh Pirates had 95 wins and 67 losses to win the National League East Division Title.-Offseason:* December 4, 1989: Gordon Dillard was drafted by the Pirates from the Philadelphia Phillies in the 1989 rule 5 draft....
fans and discovered a footprint on his pillow once he returned to his hotel room.
1992
Buck's replacement was Boston Red SoxBoston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
announcer Sean McDonough
Sean McDonough
Sean McDonough is an American sportscaster, currently employed by ESPN.-Early life and career:The son of Boston Globe sportswriter Will McDonough, Sean graduated from Syracuse University in 1984. It was in Syracuse where McDonough began his broadcasting career in 1982 as the play-by-play announcer...
. Ted Shaker called McDonough about his interests for the top announcing job, and after McDonough hung up the telephone, he claimed that he didn't want to act like a 10 year old but he jumped so high that he put a hole in his ceiling. McDonough, who was 30 years old at the time, became the youngest full-time network announcer to call a World Series when he called that year's Fall Classic alongside McCarver.
For CBS' coverage of the 1992 All-Star Game
1992 Major League Baseball All-Star Game
The 1992 Major League Baseball All-Star Game was the 63rd playing of the midsummer classic between the all-stars of the American League and National League , the two leagues comprising Major League Baseball. The game was held on July 14, 1992 at Jack Murphy Stadium in San Diego, California, the...
, they introduced Basecam, a lipstick-size camera, inside first base.
Over the course of Game 2 of the 1992 ALCS
1992 American League Championship Series
-Game 1:Wednesday, October 7, 1992 at SkyDome in Toronto, OntarioThe first game of the series had Oakland's Dave Stewart face off against Toronto's Jack Morris. The A's put up a three-spot against Morris in the second inning, as Mark McGwire and Terry Steinbach hit back-to-back home runs...
, Jim Kaat
Jim Kaat
James Lee "Jim" Kaat , nicknamed "Kitty", is a former pitcher in Major League Baseball for the Washington Senators/Minnesota Twins , Chicago White Sox , Philadelphia Phillies , New York Yankees , and St...
was stricken with a bad case of laryngitis. As a result, Johnny Bench
Johnny Bench
Johnny Lee Bench is a former professional baseball catcher who played in the Major Leagues for the Cincinnati Reds from 1967 to 1983 and is a member of the National Baseball Hall of Fame...
had to come over from the CBS Radio
Major League Baseball on CBS Radio
Major League Baseball on CBS Radio was the de facto title for the CBS Radio Network's coverage of Major League Baseball. Produced by CBS Radio Sports , the program was the official national radio broadcaster for the All-Star Game and the postseason from 1976 to 1997.-Contracts:CBS first covered...
booth and finish the game with Dick Stockton
Dick Stockton
Dick Stockton is an American sportscaster. He is currently employed by Fox Sports and Turner Sports as a football, baseball, and basketball play-by-play announcer.-Early life and career:...
as a "relief analyst." There was talk that if Kaat's laryngitis did not get better, Don Drysdale
Don Drysdale
Donald Scott "Don" Drysdale was a Major League Baseball player and Hall of Fame right-handed pitcher with the Los Angeles Dodgers. He was one of the dominant starting pitchers of the 1960s, and became a radio and television broadcaster following his playing career...
was going to replace Kaat on TV for Game 3 while Bench would continue to work on CBS Radio.
Tim McCarver ran afoul of Atlanta Braves
1992 Atlanta Braves season
The 1992 Atlanta Braves season was a season in American baseball. It involved the Braves finishing first in the National League West with a record of 98 wins and 64 losses, clinching their second straight division title....
outfielder Deion Sanders
Deion Sanders
Deion Luwynn Sanders , nicknamed "Prime Time" and "Neon Deion", is a former National Football League cornerback and Major League Baseball outfielder who currently works as an NFL Network analyst...
during the 1992 postseason, when he made comments on air criticizing Sanders for his two-sport athletic career; Sanders was playing for both the Braves and the NFL's Atlanta Falcons
1992 Atlanta Falcons season
-Roster:-Schedule:-References:...
at the time and participated in both the baseball postseason and the early NFL regular season for the first time in 1992 (Sanders was unable to do this in 1991
1991 Atlanta Braves season
In 1991, the Atlanta Braves became the first team in the National League to go from last place one year to first place the next. This feat was also accomplished by the 1991 Minnesota Twins...
, as his NFL
1991 Atlanta Braves season
In 1991, the Atlanta Braves became the first team in the National League to go from last place one year to first place the next. This feat was also accomplished by the 1991 Minnesota Twins...
contract would not allow him to). Sanders retaliated following Game 7 of the NLCS
1992 National League Championship Series
-Game 1:Tuesday, October 6, 1992 at Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium in Atlanta, GeorgiaA rather uneventful opening to what would prove to be a memorable series, Game 1 was an easy win for the Braves. Atlanta scored four early runs, highlighted by Jeff Blauser's fifth-inning homer, and coasted to...
by dumping a bucket of ice water on McCarver (who was wired for sound and feared electrocution) as retaliation for the on-air comments.
McCarver was not immune to criticism from outside sources, either, as Norman Chad
Norman Chad
Norman Chad is an American sportswriter and syndicated columnist who is seen on the sports channel ESPN. He also was an occasional guest host on the ESPN show Pardon the Interruption and has appeared as both host and movie critic on the ESPN Classic series Reel Classics.He writes a weekly...
wrote a critique of him in Sports Illustrated
Sports Illustrated
Sports Illustrated is an American sports media company owned by media conglomerate Time Warner. Its self titled magazine has over 3.5 million subscribers and is read by 23 million adults each week, including over 18 million men. It was the first magazine with circulation over one million to win the...
during the postseason. Chad said that McCarver was someone who 'when you ask him the time, will tell you how a watch works,' a reference to McCarver's perceived tendency to overanalyze things. Chad went further by saying "What's the difference between Tim McCarver and appendicitis
Appendicitis
Appendicitis is a condition characterized by inflammation of the appendix. It is classified as a medical emergency and many cases require removal of the inflamed appendix, either by laparotomy or laparoscopy. Untreated, mortality is high, mainly because of the risk of rupture leading to...
? Appendicitis is covered by most health plans."
McCarver was also known to make gaffes from time to time. One of his more amusing miscues came during the 1992 National League Championship Series
1992 National League Championship Series
-Game 1:Tuesday, October 6, 1992 at Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium in Atlanta, GeorgiaA rather uneventful opening to what would prove to be a memorable series, Game 1 was an easy win for the Braves. Atlanta scored four early runs, highlighted by Jeff Blauser's fifth-inning homer, and coasted to...
when he repeatedly referred to Pittsburgh Pirates
1992 Pittsburgh Pirates season
The 1992 Pittsburgh Pirates season saw the Pirates finish first in the National League East with a record of 96 wins and 66 losses. It was the third consecutive division title for the team. The Pirates once again fell short in the postseason, losing a riveting seven-game National League...
pitcher Tim Wakefield
Tim Wakefield
Timothy Stephen Wakefield is an American professional baseball pitcher. Wakefield began pitching with the Red Sox in 1995, making him the longest-serving player currently on the team. Wakefield is also the oldest current active player in the majors, and one of two active knuckleballers, the other...
as "Bill Wakefield." He finally explained that Bill Wakefield was one of his old minor-league teammates, and he laughed at himself because "I forgot my own name!"'
During the 1992 postseason, CBS missed covering one of the three debates
United States presidential election, 1992
The United States presidential election of 1992 had three major candidates: Incumbent Republican President George Bush; Democratic Arkansas Governor Bill Clinton, and independent Texas businessman Ross Perot....
among U.S. presidential candidates
President of the United States
The President of the United States of America is the head of state and head of government of the United States. The president leads the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the United States Armed Forces....
George H.W. Bush, Bill Clinton
Bill Clinton
William Jefferson "Bill" Clinton is an American politician who served as the 42nd President of the United States from 1993 to 2001. Inaugurated at age 46, he was the third-youngest president. He took office at the end of the Cold War, and was the first president of the baby boomer generation...
and H. Ross Perot
Ross Perot
Henry Ross Perot is a U.S. businessman best known for running for President of the United States in 1992 and 1996. Perot founded Electronic Data Systems in 1962, sold the company to General Motors in 1984, and founded Perot Systems in 1988...
. The network had planned to join other broadcast and cable networks in the telecast; however, Game 4 of the ALCS
1992 American League Championship Series
-Game 1:Wednesday, October 7, 1992 at SkyDome in Toronto, OntarioThe first game of the series had Oakland's Dave Stewart face off against Toronto's Jack Morris. The A's put up a three-spot against Morris in the second inning, as Mark McGwire and Terry Steinbach hit back-to-back home runs...
between the Toronto Blue Jays
1992 Toronto Blue Jays season
The Toronto Blue Jays played their 16th season in Major League Baseball. Toronto finished first in the American League East for the 4th time with a record of 96 wins and 66 losses, closing the season with an attendance record of 4,028,318...
and Oakland Athletics
1992 Oakland Athletics season
The Oakland Athletics' 1992 season involved the A's finishing first in the American League West with a record of 96 wins and 66 losses. They lost the ALCS in six games to the eventual world champion Toronto Blue Jays.-Offseason:...
did not end until 8:30 p.m. Eastern Time, about the time the debate ended. The Blue Jays won the game 7-6 in 11 innings. The other networks reported very good ratings for the debate, part of one of the more compelling election campaigns in recent times.
The CBS telecasts of the and Series (both involving the Toronto Blue Jays
Toronto Blue Jays
The Toronto Blue Jays are a professional baseball team located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Blue Jays are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball 's American League ....
) were simulcast
Simulcast
Simulcast, shorthand for "simultaneous broadcast", refers to programs or events broadcast across more than one medium, or more than one service on the same medium, at the same time. For example, Absolute Radio is simulcast on both AM and on satellite radio, and the BBC's Prom concerts are often...
on CTV
CTV television network
CTV Television Network is a Canadian English language television network and is owned by Bell Media. It is Canada's largest privately-owned network, and has consistently placed as Canada's top-rated network in total viewers and in key demographics since 2002, after several years trailing the rival...
. in Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
. During this period, CTV produced their own pregame shows rather than simply taking the United States feed from CBS. Rod Black
Rod Black
Rod Black is a Canadian sports announcer for TSN and CTV Sports. He calls games for the CFL, occasionally for the The NHL on TSN, and used to call games for the Toronto Blue Jays, ending in 2009. He also calls Canadian golf tournaments for the PGA, on occasion bowling tournaments, curling, boxing ...
and Rob Faulds
Rob Faulds
Rob Faulds is a Canadian sports analyst on Rogers Sportsnet and host of Sportsnetnews. Faulds also does play-by-play for National Lacrosse League games...
hosted CTV's pregame coverage, with CBS' Tim McCarver providing some additional pregame analysis.
Schedule
| Date | Teams | Announcers |
| April 18, 1992 | Chicago Cubs @ St. Louis Detroit 1992 Detroit Tigers season The Detroit Tigers' 1992 season was a season in American baseball. It involved the Detroit Tigers attempting to win the American League East.-Offseason:* December 20, 1991: Dan Gladden was signed as a free agent by the Tigers.... @ Baltimore 1992 Baltimore Orioles season The Baltimore Orioles season was a season in American baseball. It involved the Orioles finishing third in the American League East with a record of 89 wins and 73 losses.... Oakland 1992 Oakland Athletics season The Oakland Athletics' 1992 season involved the A's finishing first in the American League West with a record of 96 wins and 66 losses. They lost the ALCS in six games to the eventual world champion Toronto Blue Jays.-Offseason:... @ Texas 1992 Texas Rangers season The 1992 Texas Rangers season saw the Rangers finishing fourth in the American League West with a record of 77 wins and 85 losses.-Offseason:* October 28, 1991: Steve Fireovid was signed as a free agent by the Rangers.... (1 PM) |
|
| April 25, 1992 | Oakland 1992 Oakland Athletics season The Oakland Athletics' 1992 season involved the A's finishing first in the American League West with a record of 96 wins and 66 losses. They lost the ALCS in six games to the eventual world champion Toronto Blue Jays.-Offseason:... @ Minnesota (1 PM) |
|
| May 2, 1992 | New York Mets @ Atlanta Texas 1992 Texas Rangers season The 1992 Texas Rangers season saw the Rangers finishing fourth in the American League West with a record of 77 wins and 85 losses.-Offseason:* October 28, 1991: Steve Fireovid was signed as a free agent by the Rangers.... @ Chicago White Sox 1992 Chicago White Sox season The 1992 Chicago White Sox season was the White Sox's 94th season. They finished with a record 86-76, good enough for 3rd place in the American League West, 10 games behind the 1st place Oakland Athletics.-Offseason:... (1 PM) |
|
| June 13, 1992 | Boston 1992 Boston Red Sox season The Boston Red Sox season involved the Red Sox finishing seventh in the American League East with a record of 73 wins and 89 losses.-Opening Day Line Up:-Roster:-Notable transactions:... @ Toronto 1992 Toronto Blue Jays season The Toronto Blue Jays played their 16th season in Major League Baseball. Toronto finished first in the American League East for the 4th time with a record of 96 wins and 66 losses, closing the season with an attendance record of 4,028,318... Los Angeles 1992 Los Angeles Dodgers season The 1992 Los Angeles Dodgers season was a poor one for the team as it finished last in the Western Division of the National League with a record of 63 wins and 99 losses. Injuries to key players and slumps from others contributed to the franchise's worst season since moving to Los Angeles... @ Cincinnati 1992 Cincinnati Reds season The 1992 Cincinnati Reds season saw the Reds finish in second place in the National League West with a record of 92 wins and 70 losses.-Offseason:*November 12, 1991: Jacob Brumfield was signed as a Free Agent with the Cincinnati Reds.... Chicago White Sox 1992 Chicago Cubs season -Offseason:* March 30, 1992: George Bell was traded by the Cubs to the Chicago White Sox for Sammy Sosa and Ken Patterson.-Notable transactions:* July 7, 1992: Ced Landrum was traded by the Cubs to the Milwaukee Brewers for Jeff Kunkel.-Roster:... @ Minnesota (1 PM) |
Sean McDonough Sean McDonough Sean McDonough is an American sportscaster, currently employed by ESPN.-Early life and career:The son of Boston Globe sportswriter Will McDonough, Sean graduated from Syracuse University in 1984. It was in Syracuse where McDonough began his broadcasting career in 1982 as the play-by-play announcer... and Tim McCarver Tim McCarver James Timothy "Tim" McCarver is an American former Major League Baseball catcher, and a current sportscaster in residence for Fox Sports.-Playing career:... |
| June 20, 1992 | Oakland 1992 Oakland Athletics season The Oakland Athletics' 1992 season involved the A's finishing first in the American League West with a record of 96 wins and 66 losses. They lost the ALCS in six games to the eventual world champion Toronto Blue Jays.-Offseason:... @ California 1992 California Angels season The California Angels 1992 season involved the Angels finishing 5th in the American League West with a record of 72 wins and 90 losses.-Offseason:*December 8, 1991: Ruben Amaro Jr... Los Angeles 1992 Los Angeles Dodgers season The 1992 Los Angeles Dodgers season was a poor one for the team as it finished last in the Western Division of the National League with a record of 63 wins and 99 losses. Injuries to key players and slumps from others contributed to the franchise's worst season since moving to Los Angeles... @ Houston 1992 Houston Astros season The Houston Astros' 1992 season was a season in American baseball. It involved the Astros finishing fourth in the National League West with a record of 81 wins and 81 losses.... San Diego 1992 San Diego Padres season The 1992 San Diego Padres season saw the team finish in third place in the National League West with a record of 82 wins and 80 losses.-Offseason:* November 20, 1991: Derek Lilliquist was selected off waivers from the Padres by the Cleveland Indians.... @ San Francisco 1992 San Francisco Giants season The 1992 San Francisco Giants season saw the Giants finish in fifth place in the National League West with a record of 72 wins and 90 losses.... (3 PM) |
|
| June 27, 1992 | New York Mets 1992 New York Mets season The New York Mets' 1992 season was the 31st regular season for the Mets. They went 72-90 and finished 5th in the NL East. They were managed by Jeff Torborg... @ St. Louis 1992 St. Louis Cardinals season The 1992 St. Louis Cardinals season was the team's 111th season in St. Louis, Missouri and its 101st season in the National League. The Cardinals went 83-79 during the season and finished third in the National League East division.-Offseason:... Atlanta 1992 Atlanta Braves season The 1992 Atlanta Braves season was a season in American baseball. It involved the Braves finishing first in the National League West with a record of 98 wins and 64 losses, clinching their second straight division title.... @ Cincinnati 1992 Cincinnati Reds season The 1992 Cincinnati Reds season saw the Reds finish in second place in the National League West with a record of 92 wins and 70 losses.-Offseason:*November 12, 1991: Jacob Brumfield was signed as a Free Agent with the Cincinnati Reds.... Milwaukee 1992 Milwaukee Brewers season The Milwaukee Brewers season featured the team finishing in second place in the American League East with a record of 92 wins and 70 losses.-Offseason:* October 15, 1991: George Canale was traded by the Brewers to the Montreal Expos for Alex Diaz.... @ Boston 1992 Boston Red Sox season The Boston Red Sox season involved the Red Sox finishing seventh in the American League East with a record of 73 wins and 89 losses.-Opening Day Line Up:-Roster:-Notable transactions:... (1 PM) |
|
| July 4, 1992 | Chicago Cubs 1992 Chicago Cubs season -Offseason:* March 30, 1992: George Bell was traded by the Cubs to the Chicago White Sox for Sammy Sosa and Ken Patterson.-Notable transactions:* July 7, 1992: Ced Landrum was traded by the Cubs to the Milwaukee Brewers for Jeff Kunkel.-Roster:... @ Atlanta 1992 Atlanta Braves season The 1992 Atlanta Braves season was a season in American baseball. It involved the Braves finishing first in the National League West with a record of 98 wins and 64 losses, clinching their second straight division title.... Cincinnati 1992 Cincinnati Reds season The 1992 Cincinnati Reds season saw the Reds finish in second place in the National League West with a record of 92 wins and 70 losses.-Offseason:*November 12, 1991: Jacob Brumfield was signed as a Free Agent with the Cincinnati Reds.... @ Pittsburgh 1992 Pittsburgh Pirates season The 1992 Pittsburgh Pirates season saw the Pirates finish first in the National League East with a record of 96 wins and 66 losses. It was the third consecutive division title for the team. The Pirates once again fell short in the postseason, losing a riveting seven-game National League... Milwaukee 1992 Milwaukee Brewers season The Milwaukee Brewers season featured the team finishing in second place in the American League East with a record of 92 wins and 70 losses.-Offseason:* October 15, 1991: George Canale was traded by the Brewers to the Montreal Expos for Alex Diaz.... @ Kansas City 1992 Kansas City Royals season The Kansas City Royals season was a season in American baseball. It involved the Royals finishing 5th in the American League West with a record of 72 wins and 90 losses.-Offseason:... (1 PM) |
|
| July 11, 1992 | St. Louis 1992 St. Louis Cardinals season The 1992 St. Louis Cardinals season was the team's 111th season in St. Louis, Missouri and its 101st season in the National League. The Cardinals went 83-79 during the season and finished third in the National League East division.-Offseason:... @ Los Angeles 1992 Los Angeles Dodgers season The 1992 Los Angeles Dodgers season was a poor one for the team as it finished last in the Western Division of the National League with a record of 63 wins and 99 losses. Injuries to key players and slumps from others contributed to the franchise's worst season since moving to Los Angeles... Philadelphia 1992 Philadelphia Phillies season The 1992 Philadelphia Phillies season was a season in Major League Baseball. The Phillies finished sixth in the National League East with a record of 70 wins and 92 losses.-Offseason:... @ San Diego 1992 San Diego Padres season The 1992 San Diego Padres season saw the team finish in third place in the National League West with a record of 82 wins and 80 losses.-Offseason:* November 20, 1991: Derek Lilliquist was selected off waivers from the Padres by the Cleveland Indians.... Montreal 1992 Montreal Expos season -Offseason:* November 15, 1991: Gary Carter was selected off waivers by the Expos from the Los Angeles Dodgers.* November 18, 1991: Kenny Williams was released by the Expos.* November 25, 1991: Andrés Galarraga was traded by the Expos to the St... @ San Francisco 1992 San Francisco Giants season The 1992 San Francisco Giants season saw the Giants finish in fifth place in the National League West with a record of 72 wins and 90 losses.... (3 PM) |
|
| July 14 | All-Star Game 1992 Major League Baseball All-Star Game The 1992 Major League Baseball All-Star Game was the 63rd playing of the midsummer classic between the all-stars of the American League and National League , the two leagues comprising Major League Baseball. The game was held on July 14, 1992 at Jack Murphy Stadium in San Diego, California, the... (Jack Murphy Stadium Qualcomm Stadium Qualcomm Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium, in San Diego, California, in the Mission Valley area.... , San Diego) (8 PM) |
Sean McDonough Sean McDonough Sean McDonough is an American sportscaster, currently employed by ESPN.-Early life and career:The son of Boston Globe sportswriter Will McDonough, Sean graduated from Syracuse University in 1984. It was in Syracuse where McDonough began his broadcasting career in 1982 as the play-by-play announcer... and Tim McCarver Tim McCarver James Timothy "Tim" McCarver is an American former Major League Baseball catcher, and a current sportscaster in residence for Fox Sports.-Playing career:... |
| July 18, 1992 | Boston 1992 Boston Red Sox season The Boston Red Sox season involved the Red Sox finishing seventh in the American League East with a record of 73 wins and 89 losses.-Opening Day Line Up:-Roster:-Notable transactions:... @ Minnesota (dropped) Atlanta 1992 Atlanta Braves season The 1992 Atlanta Braves season was a season in American baseball. It involved the Braves finishing first in the National League West with a record of 98 wins and 64 losses, clinching their second straight division title.... @ Houston 1992 Houston Astros season The Houston Astros' 1992 season was a season in American baseball. It involved the Astros finishing fourth in the National League West with a record of 81 wins and 81 losses.... (dropped) Texas 1992 Texas Rangers season The 1992 Texas Rangers season saw the Rangers finishing fourth in the American League West with a record of 77 wins and 85 losses.-Offseason:* October 28, 1991: Steve Fireovid was signed as a free agent by the Rangers.... @ Baltimore 1992 Baltimore Orioles season The Baltimore Orioles season was a season in American baseball. It involved the Orioles finishing third in the American League East with a record of 89 wins and 73 losses.... (1 PM) |
Sean McDonough Sean McDonough Sean McDonough is an American sportscaster, currently employed by ESPN.-Early life and career:The son of Boston Globe sportswriter Will McDonough, Sean graduated from Syracuse University in 1984. It was in Syracuse where McDonough began his broadcasting career in 1982 as the play-by-play announcer... and Tim McCarver Tim McCarver James Timothy "Tim" McCarver is an American former Major League Baseball catcher, and a current sportscaster in residence for Fox Sports.-Playing career:... |
| July 25, 1992 | Minnesota @ Boston 1992 Boston Red Sox season The Boston Red Sox season involved the Red Sox finishing seventh in the American League East with a record of 73 wins and 89 losses.-Opening Day Line Up:-Roster:-Notable transactions:... Texas 1992 Texas Rangers season The 1992 Texas Rangers season saw the Rangers finishing fourth in the American League West with a record of 77 wins and 85 losses.-Offseason:* October 28, 1991: Steve Fireovid was signed as a free agent by the Rangers.... @ Baltimore 1992 Baltimore Orioles season The Baltimore Orioles season was a season in American baseball. It involved the Orioles finishing third in the American League East with a record of 89 wins and 73 losses.... Detroit 1992 Detroit Tigers season The Detroit Tigers' 1992 season was a season in American baseball. It involved the Detroit Tigers attempting to win the American League East.-Offseason:* December 20, 1991: Dan Gladden was signed as a free agent by the Tigers.... @ California 1992 California Angels season The California Angels 1992 season involved the Angels finishing 5th in the American League West with a record of 72 wins and 90 losses.-Offseason:*December 8, 1991: Ruben Amaro Jr... (3 PM) |
|
| August 1, 1992 | New York Yankees 1992 New York Yankees season The New York Yankees' 1992 season was the 90th season for the Yankees. The team finished with a record of 76-86 finishing 20 games behind the Toronto Blue Jays. New York was managed by Buck Showalter. The Yankees played at Yankee Stadium... @ Toronto 1992 Toronto Blue Jays season The Toronto Blue Jays played their 16th season in Major League Baseball. Toronto finished first in the American League East for the 4th time with a record of 96 wins and 66 losses, closing the season with an attendance record of 4,028,318... St. Louis 1992 St. Louis Cardinals season The 1992 St. Louis Cardinals season was the team's 111th season in St. Louis, Missouri and its 101st season in the National League. The Cardinals went 83-79 during the season and finished third in the National League East division.-Offseason:... @ Pittsburgh 1992 Pittsburgh Pirates season The 1992 Pittsburgh Pirates season saw the Pirates finish first in the National League East with a record of 96 wins and 66 losses. It was the third consecutive division title for the team. The Pirates once again fell short in the postseason, losing a riveting seven-game National League... Oakland 1992 Oakland Athletics season The Oakland Athletics' 1992 season involved the A's finishing first in the American League West with a record of 96 wins and 66 losses. They lost the ALCS in six games to the eventual world champion Toronto Blue Jays.-Offseason:... @ Kansas City 1992 Kansas City Royals season The Kansas City Royals season was a season in American baseball. It involved the Royals finishing 5th in the American League West with a record of 72 wins and 90 losses.-Offseason:... (1 PM) |
|
| August 8, 1992 | Los Angeles 1992 Los Angeles Dodgers season The 1992 Los Angeles Dodgers season was a poor one for the team as it finished last in the Western Division of the National League with a record of 63 wins and 99 losses. Injuries to key players and slumps from others contributed to the franchise's worst season since moving to Los Angeles... @ Atlanta 1992 Atlanta Braves season The 1992 Atlanta Braves season was a season in American baseball. It involved the Braves finishing first in the National League West with a record of 98 wins and 64 losses, clinching their second straight division title.... New York Mets 1992 New York Mets season The New York Mets' 1992 season was the 31st regular season for the Mets. They went 72-90 and finished 5th in the NL East. They were managed by Jeff Torborg... @ Chicago Cubs 1992 Chicago Cubs season -Offseason:* March 30, 1992: George Bell was traded by the Cubs to the Chicago White Sox for Sammy Sosa and Ken Patterson.-Notable transactions:* July 7, 1992: Ced Landrum was traded by the Cubs to the Milwaukee Brewers for Jeff Kunkel.-Roster:... (1 PM) |
|
| August 29, 1992 | Cincinnati 1992 Cincinnati Reds season The 1992 Cincinnati Reds season saw the Reds finish in second place in the National League West with a record of 92 wins and 70 losses.-Offseason:*November 12, 1991: Jacob Brumfield was signed as a Free Agent with the Cincinnati Reds.... @ New York Mets 1992 New York Mets season The New York Mets' 1992 season was the 31st regular season for the Mets. They went 72-90 and finished 5th in the NL East. They were managed by Jeff Torborg... San Francisco 1992 San Francisco Giants season The 1992 San Francisco Giants season saw the Giants finish in fifth place in the National League West with a record of 72 wins and 90 losses.... @ Chicago Cubs 1992 Chicago Cubs season -Offseason:* March 30, 1992: George Bell was traded by the Cubs to the Chicago White Sox for Sammy Sosa and Ken Patterson.-Notable transactions:* July 7, 1992: Ced Landrum was traded by the Cubs to the Milwaukee Brewers for Jeff Kunkel.-Roster:... (dropped) Kansas City 1992 Kansas City Royals season The Kansas City Royals season was a season in American baseball. It involved the Royals finishing 5th in the American League West with a record of 72 wins and 90 losses.-Offseason:... @ Detroit 1992 Detroit Tigers season The Detroit Tigers' 1992 season was a season in American baseball. It involved the Detroit Tigers attempting to win the American League East.-Offseason:* December 20, 1991: Dan Gladden was signed as a free agent by the Tigers.... (dropped) Milwaukee @ Toronto 1992 Toronto Blue Jays season The Toronto Blue Jays played their 16th season in Major League Baseball. Toronto finished first in the American League East for the 4th time with a record of 96 wins and 66 losses, closing the season with an attendance record of 4,028,318... (1 PM) |
|
| September 19, 1992 | Boston 1992 Boston Red Sox season The Boston Red Sox season involved the Red Sox finishing seventh in the American League East with a record of 73 wins and 89 losses.-Opening Day Line Up:-Roster:-Notable transactions:... @ Detroit 1992 Detroit Tigers season The Detroit Tigers' 1992 season was a season in American baseball. It involved the Detroit Tigers attempting to win the American League East.-Offseason:* December 20, 1991: Dan Gladden was signed as a free agent by the Tigers.... Los Angeles 1992 Los Angeles Dodgers season The 1992 Los Angeles Dodgers season was a poor one for the team as it finished last in the Western Division of the National League with a record of 63 wins and 99 losses. Injuries to key players and slumps from others contributed to the franchise's worst season since moving to Los Angeles... @ San Francisco 1992 San Francisco Giants season The 1992 San Francisco Giants season saw the Giants finish in fifth place in the National League West with a record of 72 wins and 90 losses.... St. Louis 1992 St. Louis Cardinals season The 1992 St. Louis Cardinals season was the team's 111th season in St. Louis, Missouri and its 101st season in the National League. The Cardinals went 83-79 during the season and finished third in the National League East division.-Offseason:... @ Chicago Cubs 1992 Chicago Cubs season -Offseason:* March 30, 1992: George Bell was traded by the Cubs to the Chicago White Sox for Sammy Sosa and Ken Patterson.-Notable transactions:* July 7, 1992: Ced Landrum was traded by the Cubs to the Milwaukee Brewers for Jeff Kunkel.-Roster:... (3 PM) |
|
| September 26, 1992 | Oakland Athletics 1992 Oakland Athletics season The Oakland Athletics' 1992 season involved the A's finishing first in the American League West with a record of 96 wins and 66 losses. They lost the ALCS in six games to the eventual world champion Toronto Blue Jays.-Offseason:... @ Milwaukee 1992 Milwaukee Brewers season The Milwaukee Brewers season featured the team finishing in second place in the American League East with a record of 92 wins and 70 losses.-Offseason:* October 15, 1991: George Canale was traded by the Brewers to the Montreal Expos for Alex Diaz.... |
|
| October 3, 1992 | Detroit Tigers 1992 Detroit Tigers season The Detroit Tigers' 1992 season was a season in American baseball. It involved the Detroit Tigers attempting to win the American League East.-Offseason:* December 20, 1991: Dan Gladden was signed as a free agent by the Tigers.... @ Toronto Blue Jays 1992 Toronto Blue Jays season The Toronto Blue Jays played their 16th season in Major League Baseball. Toronto finished first in the American League East for the 4th time with a record of 96 wins and 66 losses, closing the season with an attendance record of 4,028,318... |
- Note: All times eastern
1993
Lesley VisserLesley Visser
Lesley Candace Visser is an American sportscaster, radio personality, and sportswriter. Visser is the first female NFL analyst on TV, and the only sportscaster in history, male or female, who has worked on Final Four, NBA Finals, World Series, Triple Crown, Monday Night Football, the Olympics, the...
missed the first half of the 1993 season
1993 in baseball
-Major League Baseball:*World Series: Toronto Blue Jays over Philadelphia Phillies ; Paul Molitor, MVP*American League Championship Series MVP: Dave Stewart*National League Championship Series MVP: Curt Schilling...
because she suffered a bizarre jogging accident in New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
's Central Park
Central Park
Central Park is a public park in the center of Manhattan in New York City, United States. The park initially opened in 1857, on of city-owned land. In 1858, Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux won a design competition to improve and expand the park with a plan they entitled the Greensward Plan...
. Visser broke her hip and skidded face-first across the pavement. She required reconstructive plastic surgery on her face and more than a decade later required an artificial hip replacement. She returned to CBS Sports in July 1993 to cover the Major League Baseball All-Star Game
1993 Major League Baseball All-Star Game
The 1993 Major League Baseball All-Star Game was the 64th playing of the midsummer classic between the all-stars of the American League and National League , the two leagues comprising Major League Baseball. The game was held on July 13, 1993 at Oriole Park at Camden Yards in Baltimore, Maryland,...
as a pregame analyst instead of a field reporter due to the accident. So in Visser's place, came Jim Kaat
Jim Kaat
James Lee "Jim" Kaat , nicknamed "Kitty", is a former pitcher in Major League Baseball for the Washington Senators/Minnesota Twins , Chicago White Sox , Philadelphia Phillies , New York Yankees , and St...
while she recuperated. She ultimately returned to the baseball world in late August 1993.
As previously mentioned, also during the 1993 season, Andrea Joyce
Andrea Joyce
Andrea Joyce is an American sportscaster who works for NBC Sports after working 10 years with CBS Sports.-Education and early career:...
replaced Greg Gumbel
Greg Gumbel
Greg Gumbel is an American television sportscaster. He is best known for his various assignments on the CBS network...
(who in return, replaced Dick Stockton
Dick Stockton
Dick Stockton is an American sportscaster. He is currently employed by Fox Sports and Turner Sports as a football, baseball, and basketball play-by-play announcer.-Early life and career:...
as the #2 play-by-play man) as studio host. Joyce would be joined at the anchor desk by Pat O'Brien
Pat O'Brien (television)
Pat O'Brien is currently a radio host with Fox Sports Radio as well as an author. He is best known for his time as a sportscaster with CBS Sports and as anchor/host of Access Hollywood and The Insider .O'Brien covered five Olympic Games, two for CBS...
. At the 1993 World Series
1993 World Series
-Game 1:Saturday, October 16, 1993 at SkyDome in Toronto, OntarioThe Series' first game sent two staff aces—Curt Schilling for Philadelphia and Juan Guzman for Toronto—against one another. The result was less than a pitcher's duel, however, as both teams scored early and often.The deciding plays...
, she became the first woman to co-host the network television coverage for a World Series.
During CBS' coverage of the 1993 World Series
1993 World Series
-Game 1:Saturday, October 16, 1993 at SkyDome in Toronto, OntarioThe Series' first game sent two staff aces—Curt Schilling for Philadelphia and Juan Guzman for Toronto—against one another. The result was less than a pitcher's duel, however, as both teams scored early and often.The deciding plays...
, umpires were upset with the overhead
Skycam
Skycam is the trademarked brandname of a patented, computer-controlled, stabilized, cable-suspended camera system. The system, similar to Steadicam, but maneuvered through three dimensions in the open space over a playing area of a stadium or arena by computer-controlled cable-drive system, is...
replays being televised by CBS. Dave Phillips, the crew chief, said just prior to Game 2 that the umpires want "CBS to be fair with their approach." Rick Gentile, the senior vice president for production of CBS Sports, said that Richie Phillips
Richie Phillips
Richard G. Phillips is the former general counsel and executive director of the 52-member Major League Umpires Association , having held those positions from 1978 to 2000. He is most notable for recommending that the union baseball umpires resign en masse effective September 2, 1999 to leverage...
, the lawyer for the Major League Umpires Association, tried to call the broadcast booth during Saturday's game, but the call was not put through. Richie Phillips apparently was upset when Dave Phillips called the Philadelphia Phillies
1993 Philadelphia Phillies season
The 1993 Philadelphia Phillies season saw the Phillies capture the National League East championship. The Phillies defeated the Atlanta Braves in the 1993 National League Championship Series in six games, before losing the World Series to the Toronto Blue Jays.-Regular season:After finishing in...
' Ricky Jordan
Ricky Jordan
Paul Scott "Ricky" Jordan is a former first baseman in Major League Baseball who played from to for the Philadelphia Phillies and Seattle Mariners. His first game in Major League Baseball came on July 17, 1988. During his first at-bat that game, he hit a home run. Jordan was noted for being a...
out on strikes in the fourth inning, and a replay showed the pitch to be about 6 inches outside. National League
National League
The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the National League , is the older of two leagues constituting Major League Baseball, and the world's oldest extant professional team sports league. Founded on February 2, 1876, to replace the National Association of Professional...
President Bill White, while using a CBS headset in the broadcast booth during Game 1, was overheard telling Gentile and the producer Bob Dekas "You guys keep using that camera the way you want. Don't let Phillips intimidate you."
Schedule
| Date | Teams | Announcers |
| April 17, 1993 | New York Mets 1993 New York Mets season The New York Mets' 1993 season was the 32nd regular season for the Mets. They went 59-103 and finished 7th in the NL East. They were managed by Jeff Torborg and Dallas Green. They played home games at Shea Stadium.-Offseason:... @ Cincinnati 1993 Cincinnati Reds season The 1993 Cincinnati Reds season was a season in American baseball. It consisted of the Cincinnati Reds attempting to win the National League West.-Offseason:... |
|
| April 24, 1993 | Florida 1993 Florida Marlins season The 1993 Florida Marlins season was the inaugural year for the team, part of the 1993 Major League Baseball expansion. Their manager was Rene Lachemann. They played home games at Joe Robbie Stadium... @ Colorado 1993 Colorado Rockies season The Colorado Rockies' 1993 season was the first for the Rockies. They played in the National League West. Don Baylor was their manager. They played home games at Mile High Stadium... Cincinnati Reds 1993 Cincinnati Reds season The 1993 Cincinnati Reds season was a season in American baseball. It consisted of the Cincinnati Reds attempting to win the National League West.-Offseason:... @ Chicago Cubs 1993 Chicago Cubs season -Offseason:*December 2, 1992: Steve Lake was signed as a Free Agent with the Chicago Cubs. *December 8, 1992: Dan Plesac was signed as a Free Agent with the Chicago Cubs. *December 9, 1992: Randy Myers signed as a Free Agent with the Chicago Cubs.... |
Sean McDonough Sean McDonough Sean McDonough is an American sportscaster, currently employed by ESPN.-Early life and career:The son of Boston Globe sportswriter Will McDonough, Sean graduated from Syracuse University in 1984. It was in Syracuse where McDonough began his broadcasting career in 1982 as the play-by-play announcer... and Tim McCarver Tim McCarver James Timothy "Tim" McCarver is an American former Major League Baseball catcher, and a current sportscaster in residence for Fox Sports.-Playing career:... Greg Gumbel Greg Gumbel Greg Gumbel is an American television sportscaster. He is best known for his various assignments on the CBS network... and Jim Kaat Jim Kaat James Lee "Jim" Kaat , nicknamed "Kitty", is a former pitcher in Major League Baseball for the Washington Senators/Minnesota Twins , Chicago White Sox , Philadelphia Phillies , New York Yankees , and St... |
| May 1, 1993 | St. Louis 1993 St. Louis Cardinals season The St. Louis Cardinals 1993 season was the team's 112th season in St. Louis, Missouri and the 102nd season in the National League. The Cardinals went 87-75 during the season and finished 3rd in the National League East division. This was the final season in the NL East for the... @ Atlanta 1993 Atlanta Braves season The 1993 Atlanta Braves season saw the Braves finish in first place in the National League West with a record of 104 wins and 58 losses. In the waning weeks of the season, they engaged in a dramatic and exciting battle for the division title against the San Francisco Giants, who finished in second... |
|
| May 8, 1993 | Baltimore 1993 Baltimore Orioles season The Baltimore Orioles season was the 93rd baseball season in Orioles history. It involved the Orioles finishing 3rd in the American League East with a record of 85 wins and 77 losses.-Offseason:... @ Toronto 1993 Toronto Blue Jays season The Toronto Blue Jays season involved the Blue Jays finishing first in the American League East with a record of 95 wins and 67 losses. They were shut out only once in 162 regular-season games. The Blue Jays would repeat as World Champions and become the first back-to-back champions since the New... |
|
| May 15, 1993 | Los Angeles 1993 Los Angeles Dodgers season The 1993 Dodgers improved on the dismal 1992 season finishing fourth in the Western Division of the National League. This was in part thanks to this years Rookie of the Year winner, catcher Mike Piazza. Piazza set rookie records with 35 home runs and 112 RBI... @ Houston 1993 Houston Astros season The Houston Astros' 1993 season was a season in American baseball. It involved the Houston Astros attempting to win the National League West.-Offseason:* October 5, 1992: Denny Walling was released by the Astros.... |
|
| May 22, 1993 | New York Yankees 1993 New York Yankees season The New York Yankees' 1993 season was the 91st season for the Yankees. The team finished with a record of 88-74 finishing 7 games behind the Toronto Blue Jays. New York was managed by Buck Showalter. The Yankees played at Yankee Stadium... @ Boston 1993 Boston Red Sox season The Boston Red Sox season was a season in American baseball. It involved the Red Sox finishing fifth in the American League East with a record of 80 wins and 82 losses.-Offseason:... California 1993 California Angels season The California Angels 1993 season involved the Angels finishing 5th in the American League west with a record of 71 wins and 91 losses.-Offseason:*November 19, 1992: Torey Lovullo was signed as a Free Agent with the California Angels.... @ Texas 1993 Texas Rangers season The Texas Rangers 1993 season involved the Rangers finishing 2nd in the American League west with a record of 86 wins and 76 losses. Before the 1993 season, Nolan Ryan announced his retirement, effective at the end of that season.-Offseason:... |
Sean McDonough Sean McDonough Sean McDonough is an American sportscaster, currently employed by ESPN.-Early life and career:The son of Boston Globe sportswriter Will McDonough, Sean graduated from Syracuse University in 1984. It was in Syracuse where McDonough began his broadcasting career in 1982 as the play-by-play announcer... and Tim McCarver Tim McCarver James Timothy "Tim" McCarver is an American former Major League Baseball catcher, and a current sportscaster in residence for Fox Sports.-Playing career:... Greg Gumbel Greg Gumbel Greg Gumbel is an American television sportscaster. He is best known for his various assignments on the CBS network... and Jim Kaat Jim Kaat James Lee "Jim" Kaat , nicknamed "Kitty", is a former pitcher in Major League Baseball for the Washington Senators/Minnesota Twins , Chicago White Sox , Philadelphia Phillies , New York Yankees , and St... |
| May 29, 1993 | San Francisco 1993 San Francisco Giants season The 1993 Giants season was their 111th in Major League Baseball and their 36th in San Francisco. In the offseason, Barry Bonds left the Pirates to sign a lucrative free agent contract worth a then-record $43.75 million over 6 years with the Giants, with whom his father spent the first 7 years of... @ Atlanta 1993 Atlanta Braves season The 1993 Atlanta Braves season saw the Braves finish in first place in the National League West with a record of 104 wins and 58 losses. In the waning weeks of the season, they engaged in a dramatic and exciting battle for the division title against the San Francisco Giants, who finished in second... |
|
| July 10, 1993 | San Francisco 1993 San Francisco Giants season The 1993 Giants season was their 111th in Major League Baseball and their 36th in San Francisco. In the offseason, Barry Bonds left the Pirates to sign a lucrative free agent contract worth a then-record $43.75 million over 6 years with the Giants, with whom his father spent the first 7 years of... @ Philadelphia 1993 Philadelphia Phillies season The 1993 Philadelphia Phillies season saw the Phillies capture the National League East championship. The Phillies defeated the Atlanta Braves in the 1993 National League Championship Series in six games, before losing the World Series to the Toronto Blue Jays.-Regular season:After finishing in... |
|
| July 13, 1993 | All-Star Game 1993 Major League Baseball All-Star Game The 1993 Major League Baseball All-Star Game was the 64th playing of the midsummer classic between the all-stars of the American League and National League , the two leagues comprising Major League Baseball. The game was held on July 13, 1993 at Oriole Park at Camden Yards in Baltimore, Maryland,... (Oriole Park at Camden Yards Oriole Park at Camden Yards Oriole Park at Camden Yards is a Major League Baseball ballpark located in Baltimore, Maryland. Home field of the Baltimore Orioles, it is the first of the "retro" major league ballparks constructed during the 1990s and early 2000s, and remains one of the most highly praised. The park was... , Baltimore Baltimore Baltimore is the largest independent city in the United States and the largest city and cultural center of the US state of Maryland. The city is located in central Maryland along the tidal portion of the Patapsco River, an arm of the Chesapeake Bay. Baltimore is sometimes referred to as Baltimore... ) |
Sean McDonough Sean McDonough Sean McDonough is an American sportscaster, currently employed by ESPN.-Early life and career:The son of Boston Globe sportswriter Will McDonough, Sean graduated from Syracuse University in 1984. It was in Syracuse where McDonough began his broadcasting career in 1982 as the play-by-play announcer... and Tim McCarver Tim McCarver James Timothy "Tim" McCarver is an American former Major League Baseball catcher, and a current sportscaster in residence for Fox Sports.-Playing career:... |
| July 17, 1993 | Oakland 1993 Oakland Athletics season The Oakland Athletics' 1993 season involved the A's finishing 7th in the American League West with a record of 68 wins and 94 losses.-Offseason:* October 27, 1992: Jamie Quirk was released by the Athletics.... @ New York Yankees 1993 New York Yankees season The New York Yankees' 1993 season was the 91st season for the Yankees. The team finished with a record of 88-74 finishing 7 games behind the Toronto Blue Jays. New York was managed by Buck Showalter. The Yankees played at Yankee Stadium... |
|
| July 24, 1993 | Philadelphia 1993 Philadelphia Phillies season The 1993 Philadelphia Phillies season saw the Phillies capture the National League East championship. The Phillies defeated the Atlanta Braves in the 1993 National League Championship Series in six games, before losing the World Series to the Toronto Blue Jays.-Regular season:After finishing in... @ San Francisco 1993 San Francisco Giants season The 1993 Giants season was their 111th in Major League Baseball and their 36th in San Francisco. In the offseason, Barry Bonds left the Pirates to sign a lucrative free agent contract worth a then-record $43.75 million over 6 years with the Giants, with whom his father spent the first 7 years of... |
|
| July 31, 1993 | Detroit 1993 Detroit Tigers season The Detroit Tigers' 1993 season was a season in American baseball. It involved the Detroit Tigers attempting to win the American League East.-Offseason:* December 7, 1992: Bill Gullickson was signed as a free agent by the Tigers.... @ Toronto 1993 Toronto Blue Jays season The Toronto Blue Jays season involved the Blue Jays finishing first in the American League East with a record of 95 wins and 67 losses. They were shut out only once in 162 regular-season games. The Blue Jays would repeat as World Champions and become the first back-to-back champions since the New... |
|
| August 7, 1993 | Boston 1993 Boston Red Sox season The Boston Red Sox season was a season in American baseball. It involved the Red Sox finishing fifth in the American League East with a record of 80 wins and 82 losses.-Offseason:... @ Detroit 1993 Detroit Tigers season The Detroit Tigers' 1993 season was a season in American baseball. It involved the Detroit Tigers attempting to win the American League East.-Offseason:* December 7, 1992: Bill Gullickson was signed as a free agent by the Tigers.... |
|
| August 28, 1993 | Chicago Cubs 1993 Chicago Cubs season -Offseason:*December 2, 1992: Steve Lake was signed as a Free Agent with the Chicago Cubs. *December 8, 1992: Dan Plesac was signed as a Free Agent with the Chicago Cubs. *December 9, 1992: Randy Myers signed as a Free Agent with the Chicago Cubs.... @ Atlanta 1993 Atlanta Braves season The 1993 Atlanta Braves season saw the Braves finish in first place in the National League West with a record of 104 wins and 58 losses. In the waning weeks of the season, they engaged in a dramatic and exciting battle for the division title against the San Francisco Giants, who finished in second... |
|
| September 18 | Boston 1993 Boston Red Sox season The Boston Red Sox season was a season in American baseball. It involved the Red Sox finishing fifth in the American League East with a record of 80 wins and 82 losses.-Offseason:... @ New York Yankees 1993 New York Yankees season The New York Yankees' 1993 season was the 91st season for the Yankees. The team finished with a record of 88-74 finishing 7 games behind the Toronto Blue Jays. New York was managed by Buck Showalter. The Yankees played at Yankee Stadium... New York Mets 1993 New York Mets season The New York Mets' 1993 season was the 32nd regular season for the Mets. They went 59-103 and finished 7th in the NL East. They were managed by Jeff Torborg and Dallas Green. They played home games at Shea Stadium.-Offseason:... @ Atlanta 1993 Atlanta Braves season The 1993 Atlanta Braves season saw the Braves finish in first place in the National League West with a record of 104 wins and 58 losses. In the waning weeks of the season, they engaged in a dramatic and exciting battle for the division title against the San Francisco Giants, who finished in second... |
|
| September 25 | Atlanta 1993 Atlanta Braves season The 1993 Atlanta Braves season saw the Braves finish in first place in the National League West with a record of 104 wins and 58 losses. In the waning weeks of the season, they engaged in a dramatic and exciting battle for the division title against the San Francisco Giants, who finished in second... @ Philadelphia 1993 Philadelphia Phillies season The 1993 Philadelphia Phillies season saw the Phillies capture the National League East championship. The Phillies defeated the Atlanta Braves in the 1993 National League Championship Series in six games, before losing the World Series to the Toronto Blue Jays.-Regular season:After finishing in... |
|
| October 2, 1993 | San Francisco 1993 San Francisco Giants season The 1993 Giants season was their 111th in Major League Baseball and their 36th in San Francisco. In the offseason, Barry Bonds left the Pirates to sign a lucrative free agent contract worth a then-record $43.75 million over 6 years with the Giants, with whom his father spent the first 7 years of... @ Los Angeles 1993 Los Angeles Dodgers season The 1993 Dodgers improved on the dismal 1992 season finishing fourth in the Western Division of the National League. This was in part thanks to this years Rookie of the Year winner, catcher Mike Piazza. Piazza set rookie records with 35 home runs and 112 RBI... |
Reasons for CBS losing so much money may include
In the end, CBS wound up losing approximately half a billion dollars from their television contract with Major League Baseball. CBS repeatedly asked Major League Baseball for a rebateRebate (marketing)
A rebate is an amount paid by way of reduction, return, or refund on what has already been paid or contributed. It is a type of sales promotion marketers use primarily as incentives or supplements to product sales. The mail-in rebate is the most common...
, but Major League Baseball wasn't willing to do this. According to Curt Smith
Curt Smith (author)
Curt Smith is an American author, media host and columnist.Smith is a 1973 graduate of SUNY at Geneseo. He worked as a Gannett Company reporter, a speechwriter to former Texas Governor John Connolly, and an editor at the Saturday Evening Post. In 1989 he joined the George H.W...
's book The Voice - Mel Allen's Untold Story, one CBS executive wore a St. Louis Cardinals
St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
cap at a 1988 Christmas party. However, by , pining to shed baseball, that same executive wore a cap styled "One More Year."
- CBS alienated and confused fans with their sporadic treatment of regular season telecasts. With a sense of true continuity destroyed, fans eventually figured that they couldn't count on CBS to satisfy their needs (thus poor ratings were a result). CBS televised about 16 regular season Saturday afternoon games (not counting back-up telecasts) which was 14 less than what NBC televised during the previous contract. According to Commissioner Peter UeberrothPeter UeberrothPeter Victor Ueberroth is an American executive. He served as the sixth Commissioner of Major League Baseball from 1984 to 1989. He was recently the chairman of the United States Olympic Committee; he was replaced by Larry Probst in October 2008....
, the reason for the cut back in regular season telecasts was in order for teams to sell them locally in order to make a direct profit. CBS used the strategy of broadcasting only a select amount of games in order to build a demand in response to supposedly sagging ratings. In response to this, NBC SportsNBC SportsNBC Sports is the sports division of the NBC television network. Formerly "a service of NBC News," it broadcasts a diverse array of programs, including the Olympic Games, the NFL, the NHL, MLS, Notre Dame football, the PGA Tour, the Triple Crown, and the French Open, among others...
chairman Dick EbersolDick EbersolDuncan "Dick" Ebersol is an American television executive and a senior adviser for . He had previously been the chairman of NBC Sports, producing large scale television events such as the Olympic Games and National Football League broadcasts....
grinned "I assume [its] baseball strategy has to be a big disappointment." Counting the All-Star Game, both League Championship Series, and the World Series, CBS would've televised just 38 games. This comes on the account of both League Championship Series and the World Series going to a full seven games. In their first year in 19901990 in baseball-Major League Baseball:*World Series: Cincinnati Reds over Oakland Athletics ; José Rijo, MVP*American League Championship Series MVP Dave Stewart*National League Championship Series co-MVPs: Rob Dibble and Randy Myers...
, CBS Sports had a pretty loaded schedule (much came at the expense of the regular season baseball coverage): the NBA Playoffs1990 NBA PlayoffsThe 1990 NBA Playoffs was the postseason tournament of the National Basketball Association's 1989-1990 season. The tournament concluded with the Eastern Conference champion Detroit Pistons successfully defending their championship by beating the Western Conference champion Portland Trail Blazers...
(the 1989–90 season1989-90 NBA season-Statistics leaders:-NBA awards:*Most Valuable Player: Magic Johnson, Los Angeles Lakers*Rookie of the Year: David Robinson, San Antonio Spurs*Defensive Player of the Year: Dennis Rodman, Detroit Pistons...
marked CBS' final year with the NBA before the over-the-air package moved over to NBC), College World Series1990 College World SeriesThe 1990 College World Series was played at Johnny Rosenblatt Stadium in Omaha, NE from June 1 to June 9. The forty-fourth tournament's champion was the University of Georgia, coached by Steve Webber...
, and college footballSEC on CBSThe SEC on CBS is a presentation of the college football television package owned by CBS Sports...
(like the NBA, CBS would lose the CFACollege Football AssociationThe College Football Association is the name of a now-defunct body through which American college football schools negotiated TV contracts with networks. The CFA was an alliance of 64 schools from the major conferences and selected independents....
package soon after winning the Major League Baseball contract). CBS never scheduled baseball on Masters weekend, and seldom on other weekends when they had a PGA TourPGA Tour on CBSPGA Tour on CBS is a television program produced by CBS Sports that broadcasts the main professional golf tours in the United States.-Coverage overview:In January 2006, the PGA Tour announced a new set of television deals covering 2007 to 2012...
event. It was around this time that CBS started expanding their weekend coverage from two hours to three on weekends when there was no baseball, generally from 3 to 6 p.m. ET. Most of their baseball dates landed on weeks when other networks covered golf.
Marv Albert
Marv Albert
Marv Albert is an American television and radio sportscaster. Honored for his work as a member of the Basketball Hall of Fame, he is commonly referred to as "the voice of basketball." From 1967–2004, he was also known as "the voice of the New York Knicks."Including Super Bowl XLII, Marv has called...
, who hosted NBC's baseball pregame show
Major League Baseball: An Inside Look
Major League Baseball: An Inside Look was a pregame show for NBC's Game of the Week telecasts. It featured one-on-one interviews with the players, and other on-going news and notes relating to Major League Baseball...
for many years said about CBS' baseball coverage "You wouldn't see a game for a month. Then you didn't know when CBS came back on." Sports Illustrated
Sports Illustrated
Sports Illustrated is an American sports media company owned by media conglomerate Time Warner. Its self titled magazine has over 3.5 million subscribers and is read by 23 million adults each week, including over 18 million men. It was the first magazine with circulation over one million to win the...
joked that CBS stood for Covers Baseball Sporadically. USA Today
USA Today
USA Today is a national American daily newspaper published by the Gannett Company. It was founded by Al Neuharth. The newspaper vies with The Wall Street Journal for the position of having the widest circulation of any newspaper in the United States, something it previously held since 2003...
added that Jack Buck and Tim McCarver "may have to have a reunion before [their] telecast." Mike Lupica
Mike Lupica
Michael Lupica is an American newspaper columnist, best known for his provocative commentary on sports in the New York Daily News and his appearances on ESPN.-Biography:...
of the New York Daily News
New York Daily News
The Daily News of New York City is the fourth most widely circulated daily newspaper in the United States with a daily circulation of 605,677, as of November 1, 2011....
took it a step further by calling CBS' baseball deal "The Vietnam
Vietnam
Vietnam – sometimes spelled Viet Nam , officially the Socialist Republic of Vietnam – is the easternmost country on the Indochina Peninsula in Southeast Asia. It is bordered by China to the north, Laos to the northwest, Cambodia to the southwest, and the South China Sea –...
of sports television."
NBC play-by-play man Bob Costas
Bob Costas
Robert Quinlan "Bob" Costas is an American sportscaster, on the air for the NBC network since the early 1980s.-Early life:...
believed that a large bulk of the regular season coverage beginning in the 1990s to cable (namely, ESPN
ESPN Major League Baseball
ESPN Major League Baseball is a promotion of Major League Baseball on ESPN and ESPN2, with simulcasts on ESPNHD or ESPN2HD. ESPN's MLB coverage debuted on April 9, 1990 with three Opening Day telecasts. ESPN Major League Baseball is guaranteed to remain on air until 2013.The title is derived from...
) because CBS
CBS
CBS Broadcasting Inc. is a major US commercial broadcasting television network, which started as a radio network. The name is derived from the initials of the network's former name, Columbia Broadcasting System. The network is sometimes referred to as the "Eye Network" in reference to the shape of...
, the network that was taking over from NBC the television rights beginning in 1990 didn't really want the Saturday Game of the Week. Many fans who didn't appreciate CBS' approach to scheduling regular season baseball games believed that they were only truly after the marquee events (i.e. All-Star Game
Major League Baseball All-Star Game
The Major League Baseball All-Star Game, also known as the "Midsummer Classic", is an annual baseball game between players from the National League and the American League, currently selected by a combination of fans, players, coaches, and managers...
, League Championship Series
League Championship Series
The League Championship Series is the official name for a round of postseason play in Major League Baseball which has been conducted since 1969...
, and the World Series) in order to sell advertising
Advertising
Advertising is a form of communication used to persuade an audience to take some action with respect to products, ideas, or services. Most commonly, the desired result is to drive consumer behavior with respect to a commercial offering, although political and ideological advertising is also common...
space (especially the fall entertainment television schedule).
- The Toronto Blue JaysToronto Blue JaysThe Toronto Blue Jays are a professional baseball team located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Blue Jays are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball 's American League ....
were in back-to-back World Series in their championship seasons of and , as well as the 1991 ALCS1991 American League Championship Series-Game 1:Tuesday, October 8, 1991 at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome in Minneapolis, MinnesotaGame 1 saw a surprise starter for Toronto as Blue Jays manager Cito Gaston chose knuckleballer Tom Candiotti to face the Twins over his new young gun Juan Guzmán and his left-handed ace Jimmy Key. Twins...
. All of CBS' post-season telecasts were simulcast on CTVCTV television networkCTV Television Network is a Canadian English language television network and is owned by Bell Media. It is Canada's largest privately-owned network, and has consistently placed as Canada's top-rated network in total viewers and in key demographics since 2002, after several years trailing the rival...
in Canada, and got very high ratings north of the border when the Jays were involved. Unfortunately, CanadaCanadaCanada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
does not factor in the Nielsen ratingsNielsen RatingsNielsen ratings are the audience measurement systems developed by Nielsen Media Research, in an effort to determine the audience size and composition of television programming in the United States...
so as a consequence, CBS got the lowest ratings in over 20 years for a World Series (not counting the earthquake interrupted 1989 World Series1989 World Series†: Game 3 was originally slated for October 17 at 5:35 pm; however, it was postponed when an earthquake occurred at 5:04 pm.-Game 1:Saturday, October 14, 1989 at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum in Oakland, California...
that was televised by ABC). In any other World Series, viewership would be higher since two American teams would be involved, to say nothing of spikes to off-the-chart ratings shares in the two competing cities (especially in when CBS was fortunate to cover the riveting, ultra intense, seven-game battle between the Minnesota Twins and Atlanta Braves1991 Atlanta Braves seasonIn 1991, the Atlanta Braves became the first team in the National League to go from last place one year to first place the next. This feat was also accomplished by the 1991 Minnesota Twins...
). Another reasoning behind the poor ratings likely has to do with the gradual attrition of the audience for almost all network programming.
- The country at the time was going through a recessionLate 1980s recessionThe recession of the early 1990s describes the period of economic downturn affecting much of the world in the late 1980s and early 1990s.-Causes:...
.
- CBS couldn't properly maximize the deal because the Division SeriesDivision SeriesIn baseball, the Division Series is the official name for the first round of the Major League Baseball playoffs. Currently, a total of four series are played in this opening round, two each for both the American League and the National League.-1981 season:...
wasn't created yet (thus automatically giving CBS more games to carry) and they didn't have a cable outlet like Fox's Fox Sports NetFox Sports NetThe Fox Sports Regional Networks, or simply Fox Sports Net , are a collection of cable TV regional sports networks in the United States owned and operated by News Corporation.- Beginnings :...
. In reality, they were competing with ESPN and local broadcasts outside of CBS' broadcast window. More postseason games could've increased the advertising inventory. It should be noted that both ABC and NBC lost money on their in-season games the last three years they carried baseball (–).
- CBS simply made way too high of a bid (especially for a network that wound up frustrating fans with its lack of regular season coverage) and substained a shortfall in advertisingAdvertisingAdvertising is a form of communication used to persuade an audience to take some action with respect to products, ideas, or services. Most commonly, the desired result is to drive consumer behavior with respect to a commercial offering, although political and ideological advertising is also common...
revenue. Perhaps it is somewhat ironic that back in , CBS Sports president Neal Pilson said of ABC's then ongoing contract with Major League Baseball "Three years ago, we believed ABC's package was overpriced by $175 million. We still believe it's overpriced by $175 million."
In 1991, it cost CBS $
United States dollar
The United States dollar , also referred to as the American dollar, is the official currency of the United States of America. It is divided into 100 smaller units called cents or pennies....
4.8 million per game in venue productions alone to show the National League Championship Series
1991 National League Championship Series
-Game 1:Wednesday, October 9, 1991 at Three Rivers Stadium in Pittsburgh, PennsylvaniaThe Pirates proved they would be tough to eliminate early when they stifled the Braves offense behind 1990 Cy Young Award winner Doug Drabek and won the first game 5–1...
. This doesn't include studio backup operations or the satellite time needed to transmit the game to New York for broadcast on their network frequencies. The American League Championship Series
1991 American League Championship Series
-Game 1:Tuesday, October 8, 1991 at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome in Minneapolis, MinnesotaGame 1 saw a surprise starter for Toronto as Blue Jays manager Cito Gaston chose knuckleballer Tom Candiotti to face the Twins over his new young gun Juan Guzmán and his left-handed ace Jimmy Key. Twins...
(between the Minnesota Twins and Toronto Blue Jays
1991 Toronto Blue Jays season
The 1991 Toronto Blue Jays season involved the Blue Jays finishing 1st in the American League East with a record of 91 wins and 71 losses. The team's paid attendance of 4,001,527 led the American League, as the Jays became the first team in MLB history ever to draw four million fans in a season...
) was another problem because of the tariffs and labor laws
Canadian labour and employment law
Canadian labour law is that body of law which regulates the rights, restrictions obligations of trade unions, workers and employers in Canada. Canadian employment law is that body of law which regulates the rights, restrictions obligations of non-unioned workers and employers in...
they had to endure going into Canada. CBS averaged $1.9–$2.4 million per regular season game. In return, it was typical for the production cost to double come playoff time.
The end of Major League Baseball on CBS
The final Major League Baseball game that CBS has televised to date, was Game 6 of the 1993 World Series1993 World Series
-Game 1:Saturday, October 16, 1993 at SkyDome in Toronto, OntarioThe Series' first game sent two staff aces—Curt Schilling for Philadelphia and Juan Guzman for Toronto—against one another. The result was less than a pitcher's duel, however, as both teams scored early and often.The deciding plays...
on October 23. Before Major League Baseball decided to seek the services of other networks, CBS offered $
United States dollar
The United States dollar , also referred to as the American dollar, is the official currency of the United States of America. It is divided into 100 smaller units called cents or pennies....
120 million in annual rights fees over a two-year period, as well as advertising revenues in excess of $150 million a season.
In October , when it was a known fact that ABC and NBC were going to end their television deal/joint venture with Major League Baseball
The Baseball Network
The Baseball Network was a short-lived television broadcasting joint venture between ABC, NBC, and Major League Baseball. Under the arrangement, beginning in the 1994 season, the league produced its own in-house telecasts of games, which were then brokered to air on ABC and NBC...
, preliminary talks rose about CBS returning. It was rumored that CBS would show Thursday night games (more specifically, a package of West Coast
West Coast of the United States
West Coast or Pacific Coast are terms for the westernmost coastal states of the United States. The term most often refers to the states of California, Oregon, and Washington. Although not part of the contiguous United States, Alaska and Hawaii do border the Pacific Ocean but can't be included in...
interleague games
Interleague play
Interleague play is the term used to describe regular season Major League Baseball games played between teams in different leagues, introduced in . Before the 1997 season, teams in the American League and National League did not meet during the regular season...
scheduled for the 11:30 ET
Eastern Time Zone
The Eastern Time Zone of the United States and Canada is a time zone that falls mostly along the east coast of North America. Its UTC time offset is −5 hrs during standard time and −4 hrs during daylight saving time...
/8:30 PT
Pacific Time Zone
The Pacific Time Zone observes standard time by subtracting eight hours from Coordinated Universal Time . The clock time in this zone is based on the mean solar time of the 120th meridian west of the Greenwich Observatory. During daylight saving time, its time offset is UTC-7.In the United States...
slot) while Fox would show Saturday afternoon games. CBS and Fox were also rumored to share rights to the postseason. In the end however, CBS' involvement did not come to pass and NBC became Fox's over-the-air national television partner.
Miscellaneous quotes
Association with Major League Baseball on TBS
On the July 2, 2011 edition of The CBS Sports SpectacularCBS Sports Spectacular
CBS Sports Spectacular is a sports anthology program produced by CBS Sports. The series began on January 3, 1960 as The CBS Sports Spectacular, and has been known under many different names, including CBS Sports Saturday, CBS Sports Sunday, Eye on Sports and The CBS Sports Show.The program...
, TBS' Atlanta based Major League Baseball studio crew of Matt Winer
Matt Winer
Matthew Ward Winer is an American television personality for Turner Sports and formerly with ESPN.-Career:Turner Sports signed Winer in 2010 to contribute to coverage of sports across its networks. He became the primary studio host for Major League Baseball on TBS, replacing Ernie Johnson Jr., who...
, Dennis Eckersley
Dennis Eckersley
Dennis Lee Eckersley , nicknamed "Eck", is a former American Major League Baseball pitcher. Eckersley had success as a starter, but gained his greatest fame as a closer, becoming the first of only two pitchers in Major League history to have both a 20-win season and a 50-save season in a career .He...
, Cal Ripken, Jr.
Cal Ripken, Jr.
Calvin Edwin "Cal" Ripken, Jr. , nicknamed "Iron Man", is a former Major League Baseball shortstop and third baseman. He played his entire 21-year baseball career for the Baltimore Orioles ....
and David Wells
David Wells
David Lee Wells , nicknamed "Boomer", is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. Wells was considered to be one of the game's better left-handed pitchers, especially during his years with the New York Yankees and the Toronto Blue Jays. He pitched the fifteenth perfect game in baseball history...
presented a 2011 Major League Baseball
2011 Major League Baseball season
The 2011 Major League Baseball season began on Thursday, March 31, and ended on Wednesday, September 28. This marked the first time a season began on a Thursday since , and the first time a regular season ended on a Wednesday since...
midseason report. This was followed by MLB 2011: Down the Stretch, which aired on September 24. CBS Sports and Turner Sports
Turner Sports
Turner Sports is the division of Turner Broadcasting System responsible for sports broadcasts on Turner channels including TBS, TNT, and TruTV, and for operating the interactive properties , , , and...
have in the past, teamed up on coverage of the NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament
NCAA March Madness (CBS/Turner)
NCAA March Madness is the title of the coverage of the NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament jointly produced by CBS Sports and Turner Sports, with coverage airing on CBS, TBS, TNT and truTV, beginning with the 2011 tournament.Initially, CBS will continue to have coverage during most rounds,...
and the Winter Olympics
Olympics on TNT
The Olympics on TNT was the branding for Winter Olympic Games coverage produced by CBS for their cable partner, Turner Network Television. The last airing of the telecast was for the 1998 Winter Games in Nagano.-History:...
in 1992
1992 Winter Olympics
The 1992 Winter Olympics, officially known as the XVI Olympic Winter Games, were a winter multi-sport event celebrated from 8 to 23 February 1992 in Albertville, France. They were the last Winter Olympics to be held the same year as the Summer Olympics, and the first where the Winter Paralympics...
, 1994
1994 Winter Olympics
The 1994 Winter Olympics, officially known as the XVII Olympic Winter Games, was a winter multi-sport event celebrated from 12 to 27 February 1994 in and around Lillehammer, Norway. Lillehammer failed to win the bid for the 1992 event. Lillehammer was awarded the games in 1988, after having beat...
and 1998
1998 Winter Olympics
The 1998 Winter Olympics, officially the XVIII Olympic Winter Games, was a winter multi-sport event celebrated from 7 to 22 February 1998 in Nagano, Japan. Seventy-two nations and 2,176 participans contested in seven sports and 72 events at 15 venues. The games saw the introduction of Women's ice...
.
Memorable calls
External links
Major League Baseball on CBS is the name of the former TV showTelevision program
A television program , also called television show, is a segment of content which is intended to be broadcast on television. It may be a one-time production or part of a periodically recurring series...
that televised Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
games on the American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
television network
Television network
A television network is a telecommunications network for distribution of television program content, whereby a central operation provides programming to many television stations or pay TV providers. Until the mid-1980s, television programming in most countries of the world was dominated by a small...
CBS
CBS
CBS Broadcasting Inc. is a major US commercial broadcasting television network, which started as a radio network. The name is derived from the initials of the network's former name, Columbia Broadcasting System. The network is sometimes referred to as the "Eye Network" in reference to the shape of...
(legally known as the Columbia Broadcasting System from 1928 to 1974). Produced by CBS Sports
CBS Sports
CBS Sports is a division of CBS Broadcasting which airs sporting events on the American television network. Its headquarters are in the CBS Building on West 52nd Street in midtown Manhattan, New York City, with programs produced out of Studio 43 at the CBS Broadcast Center on West 57th Street.CBS...
, there have been several variations of the program dating back to the 1950s. The most notable version existed from 1990
1990 in baseball
-Major League Baseball:*World Series: Cincinnati Reds over Oakland Athletics ; José Rijo, MVP*American League Championship Series MVP Dave Stewart*National League Championship Series co-MVPs: Rob Dibble and Randy Myers...
to 1993
1993 in baseball
-Major League Baseball:*World Series: Toronto Blue Jays over Philadelphia Phillies ; Paul Molitor, MVP*American League Championship Series MVP: Dave Stewart*National League Championship Series MVP: Curt Schilling...
.
August 11, 1951
On August 11, 19511951 in baseball
-Headline Event of the Year:Baseball's Shot Heard 'Round the World gives the New York Giants the National League Pennant in the third game of a best-of-three-games tiebreaker series over the Brooklyn Dodgers.-Major League Baseball:...
, WCBS-TV
WCBS-TV
WCBS-TV, channel 2, is the flagship station of the CBS television network, located in New York City. The station's studios are located within the CBS Broadcast Center and its transmitter is atop the Empire State Building, both in Midtown Manhattan....
in New York
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
(CBS' flagship station) broadcast the first baseball game on color television. It was the Brooklyn Dodgers
1951 Brooklyn Dodgers season
The Brooklyn Dodgers led the National League for much of the season, holding a 13 game lead as late as August. However, a late season swoon and a hot streak by the New York Giants led to a classic three-game playoff series...
vs. Boston Braves
1951 Boston Braves season
- Offseason :* Prior to 1951 season: Georges Maranda was signed as an amateur free agent by the Braves.- Roster :- Starters by position :Note: Pos = Position; G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in- Other batters :Note: G = Games...
from Ebbets Field
Ebbets Field
Ebbets Field was a Major League Baseball park located in the Flatbush section of Brooklyn, New York, USA, on a city block which is now considered to be part of the Crown Heights neighborhood. It was the home of the Brooklyn Dodgers of the National League. It was also a venue for professional football...
. The Braves beat the Dodgers 8–1.
1955–1958
By , Dizzy DeanDizzy Dean
Jay Hanna "Dizzy" Dean was an American Major League Baseball pitcher. He was the last National League pitcher to win 30 games in one season. Dean was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1953....
and the Game of the Week
Major League Baseball Game of the Week
The Major League Baseball Game of the Week is the de facto title for over-the-air, nationally televised coverage of regular season Major League Baseball games...
would move from ABC
American Broadcasting Company
The American Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network. Created in 1943 from the former NBC Blue radio network, ABC is owned by The Walt Disney Company and is part of Disney-ABC Television Group. Its first broadcast on television was in 1948...
to CBS (the rights were actually set up through the Falstaff Brewing Corporation
Falstaff Brewing Corporation
The Falstaff Brewing Corporation was a major American brewery located in St. Louis, Missouri. With roots in the 1838 Lemp Brewery of St. Louis, the company was renamed after the Shakespearean character of Sir John Falstaff in 1903. Production peaked in 1965 with 7,010,218 barrels brewed, and then...
). "CBS' stakes were higher" said Buddy Blattner
Buddy Blattner
Robert Garnett Blattner , commonly known as "Buddy" or "Bud" Blattner, was an American table tennis and baseball player and radio and television sportscaster.-Playing career:Blattner played table tennis in his youth, winning the world men's doubles championship in 1936...
, who left Mutual
Major League Baseball on Mutual
Major League Baseball on Mutual was the de facto title of the Mutual Broadcasting System's national radio coverage of Major League Baseball games. Mutual's coverage came about during the Golden Age of Radio in the 1930s, '40s, and '50s. During this period, television sports broadcasting was in its...
to rejoin Dean. Ron Powers wrote about the reteaming of Dean and Blattner "They wanted someone who'd known Diz, could bring him out." Bill McColgan and Bob Finnegan, previously backup game announcers for ABC, performed the same role on CBS in -57; in Finnegan began working with a variety of color men including Frank Reynolds
Frank Reynolds
Frank James Reynolds was an American television journalist for ABC and CBS News.He was a New York-based anchor of the ABC Evening News from 1968 to 1970 and later as the Washington D.C.-based co-anchor of World News Tonight from 1978 until his death in 1983...
, a reporter for Chicago CBS affiliate WBBM-TV
WBBM-TV
WBBM-TV, virtual channel 2 , is the CBS owned-and-operated television station in Chicago, Illinois. WBBM-TV's main studios and offices are located in The Loop section of Chicago, as part of the development at Block 37, and its transmitter is atop the Willis Tower.-History:WBBM-TV traces its history...
(and future ABC News
ABC News
ABC News is the news gathering and broadcasting division of American broadcast television network ABC, a subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company...
anchor).
In , CBS added a Sunday Game of the Week. ABC's Edgar Scherick said "In '53
1953 in baseball
-Major League Baseball:*World Series: New York Yankees over Brooklyn Dodgers *All-Star Game, July 14 at Crosley Field: National League, 5-1-Other champions:*Caribbean World Series: Cangrejeros de Santurce *College World Series: Michigan...
, no one wanted us. Now teams begged for "Game"'s cash." That year, the NFL
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
began a $
United States dollar
The United States dollar , also referred to as the American dollar, is the official currency of the United States of America. It is divided into 100 smaller units called cents or pennies....
14.1 million revenue-sharing pact. By , Major League Baseball ended the big-city blackout
Blackout (broadcasting)
Blackout usually relates to the broadcasting of sports events, television programming, that is prohibited in a certain media market.The purpose is theoretically to generate more revenue by obliging certain actions from fans, either by making them buy tickets or watch other games on TV...
, got $6.5 million for exclusivity, and split the pot.
With CBS now carrying the Game of the Week, outlets in Phoenix
Phoenix, Arizona
Phoenix is the capital, and largest city, of the U.S. state of Arizona, as well as the sixth most populated city in the United States. Phoenix is home to 1,445,632 people according to the official 2010 U.S. Census Bureau data...
, Little Rock
Little Rock, Arkansas
Little Rock is the capital and the largest city of the U.S. state of Arkansas. The Metropolitan Statistical Area had a population of 699,757 people in the 2010 census...
, and Cedar Rapids
Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Cedar Rapids is the second largest city in Iowa and is the county seat of Linn County. The city lies on both banks of the Cedar River, north of Iowa City and east of Des Moines, the state's capital and largest city...
were finally receiving the Game of the Week. Bud Blattner said "America had never had TV network ball. Now you're getting two games a week [four, counting NBC, by ]."
In , Dizzy Dean ruffled the feathers of CBS Sports head Bill MacPhail
Bill MacPhail
William "Bill" Curtis MacPhail was a pioneer television sports executive.-Early career:MacPhail worked his way up in the front office of several minor league teams...
when he said "I don't know how we come off callin' this the 'Game of the Week'. There's a much better game - Dodgers
1958 Los Angeles Dodgers season
The Los Angeles Dodgers took the field before 78,672 fans at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on April 18, 1958, to usher in the beginning of the team's new life in Los Angeles...
-Giants
1958 San Francisco Giants season
The San Francisco Giants season involved the 80-74 team finishing in third place in the National League standings, twelve games behind the NL Champion Milwaukee Braves in their inaugural season in The Golden Gate City.- Offseason :...
- over on NBC." Dean also once refused a Falstaff ad because the date was Mother's Day
Mother's Day
Mother's Day is a celebration honoring mothers and celebrating motherhood, maternal bonds, and the influence of mothers in society. It is celebrated on various days in many parts of the world, yet most commonly in March, April, or May...
. When United Airlines
United Airlines
United Air Lines, Inc., is the world's largest airline with 86,852 employees United Air Lines, Inc., is the world's largest airline with 86,852 employees United Air Lines, Inc., is the world's largest airline with 86,852 employees (which includes the entire holding company United Continental...
backed CBS' Game of the Week telecasts, Dean, who hated to fly said "If you have to, pod-nuh, Eastern is much the best."
1959–1963
Jack WhitakerJack Whitaker (sportscaster)
Jack Whitaker in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is an American sportscaster who worked for both CBS and ABC.-Early life and career:...
and Frankie Frisch
Frankie Frisch
Francis “Frankie” Frisch , nicknamed the "Fordham Flash" or "The Old Flash", was a German American Major League Baseball player of the early twentieth century....
did the backup games from 1959
1959 in baseball
-Major League Baseball:*World Series: Los Angeles Dodgers over Chicago White Sox ; Larry Sherry, MVP*All-Star Game , July 7 at Forbes Field: National League, 5-4*All-Star Game , August 3 at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum: American League, 5-3...
to 1961
1961 in baseball
-Major League Baseball:*World Series: New York Yankees over Cincinnati Reds ; Whitey Ford, MVP*All-Star Game , July 11 at Candlestick Park: National League, 5-4 *All-Star Game , July 31 at Fenway Park: 1–1 tie...
. They usually did games that took place in Philadelphia, New York, Washington, D.C.
Griffith Stadium
Griffith Stadium was a sports stadium that stood in Washington, D.C. from 1911 to 1965, between Georgia Avenue and 5th Street, and between W Street and Florida Avenue, NW. An earlier wooden baseball park had been built on the same site in 1891...
, or Baltimore
Memorial Stadium (Baltimore)
Memorial Stadium was a sports stadium in Baltimore, Maryland, that formerly stood on 33rd Street on an over-sized block also bounded by Ellerslie Avenue , 36th Street , and Ednor Road...
. Whitaker once said in three years, he would only broadcast three innings because CBS wouldn't switch away from Dizzy Dean. However, he said that he learned a lot of baseball just sitting next to Frisch. CBS had other backup crews for games featuring the Chicago Cubs
Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
and Chicago White Sox
Chicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...
, Cleveland Indians
Cleveland Indians
The Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , they have played in Progressive Field. The team's spring training facility is in Goodyear, Arizona...
, and Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
. In these cases, Bob Finnegan would handle the play-by-play duties with various analysts depending on the city. CBS did not have Game of the Week rights from any other ballparks in those years.
Pee Wee Reese
Pee Wee Reese
Harold Peter Henry "Pee Wee" Reese was an American professional baseball player. He played in Major League Baseball as a shortstop for the Brooklyn and Los Angeles Dodgers from to . A ten-time All Star, Reese contributed to seven National League championships for the Dodgers and, was inducted...
replaced Blattner as Dean's partner in . That same year the network featured Jerry Coleman
Jerry Coleman
Gerald Francis "Jerry" Coleman is a former Major League Baseball second baseman for the New York Yankees. Currently, he is an analyst and former play-by-play radio announcer for the San Diego Padres...
as a pregame interviewer.
1964–1966
By , CBS' Dean and Reese called games from Yankee Stadium1964 New York Yankees season
The New York Yankees season was the 62nd season for the Yankees. The team finished with a record of 99-63, winning their 29th pennant, finishing 1 game ahead of the Chicago White Sox. New York was managed by Yogi Berra. The Yankees played at Yankee Stadium. In the World Series, they were defeated...
, Wrigley Field
1964 Chicago Cubs season
The Chicago Cubs finished in eighth place in the National League, as they went 76-86, 17 games behind the NL and World Series Champion St. Louis Cardinals.- Offseason :...
, St. Louis
1964 St. Louis Cardinals season
The St. Louis Cardinals season was the team's 83rd season in St. Louis, Missouri and its 73rd season in the National League. The Cardinals went 93-69 during the season and finished first in the National League, edging the co-runner-ups Cincinnati Reds and Philadelphia Phillies by one game each on...
, Philadelphia
1964 Philadelphia Phillies season
The Philadelphia Phillies season was the 82nd season for the franchise in Philadelphia. The Phillies finished in a second-place tie in the National League with the Cincinnati Reds, while posting a record of 92-70. The teams finished one game behind the NL and World Series champion St. Louis...
, and Baltimore
1964 Baltimore Orioles season
The 1964 Baltimore Orioles season involved the Orioles finishing 3rd in the American League with a record of 97 wins and 65 losses, two games behind the AL champion New York Yankees.- Offseason :...
. New York got $550,000 of CBS' $895,000. Six clubs that exclusively played nationally televised games on NBC got $1.2 million. The theme music from this era was a Dixieland
Dixieland
Dixieland music, sometimes referred to as Hot jazz, Early Jazz or New Orleans jazz, is a style of jazz music which developed in New Orleans at the start of the 20th century, and was spread to Chicago and New York City by New Orleans bands in the 1910s.Well-known jazz standard songs from the...
styled rendition of "Take Me Out to the Ballgame."
In , the New York Yankees
1966 New York Yankees season
The New York Yankees season was the 64th season for the Yankees. The team finished with a record of 70-89, finishing 26.5 games behind the Baltimore Orioles. New York was managed by Johnny Keane and Ralph Houk. The Yankees played at Yankee Stadium...
, who in the year prior
1965 New York Yankees season
The New York Yankees season was the 63rd season for the Yankees in New York and their 65th overall. The team finished with a record of 77-85, finishing 25 games behind the Minnesota Twins. New York was managed by Johnny Keane. The Yankees played at Yankee Stadium.This season marked the beginning...
played 21 Games of the Week for CBS (who had actually just purchased the Yankees), joined NBC's television package. The new package under NBC called for 28 games compared to 1960
1960 in baseball
-Major League Baseball:*World Series: Pittsburgh Pirates over New York Yankees ; Bobby Richardson, MVP*All-Star Game , July 11 at Municipal Stadium: National League, 5-3*All-Star Game , July 13 at Yankee Stadium: National League, 6-0...
's three-network 123.
Announcers
- Bud Blattner (–)
- Jerry ColemanJerry ColemanGerald Francis "Jerry" Coleman is a former Major League Baseball second baseman for the New York Yankees. Currently, he is an analyst and former play-by-play radio announcer for the San Diego Padres...
- Coleman hosted the pregame show for CBS' Game of the Week broadcasts in 1960. A rather embarrassing incident for Coleman occurred when he was interviewing Cookie LavagettoCookie LavagettoHarry Arthur "Cookie" Lavagetto was a third baseman, manager and coach in American Major League Baseball. He is most widely known as the pinch hitter whose double ruined Bill Bevens' no-hitter in Game 4 of the 1947 World Series and gave his Brooklyn Dodgers a breathtaking victory over the New...
when the "Star-Spangled Banner" started. Coleman later said, "Believe me, when the Anthem starts, I stop, whether I'm taping, talking, or eating a banana." - Dizzy DeanDizzy DeanJay Hanna "Dizzy" Dean was an American Major League Baseball pitcher. He was the last National League pitcher to win 30 games in one season. Dean was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1953....
(–; (Yankee Baseball)) - Bob Finnegan (–)
- Frankie FrischFrankie FrischFrancis “Frankie” Frisch , nicknamed the "Fordham Flash" or "The Old Flash", was a German American Major League Baseball player of the early twentieth century....
(–) - George KellGeorge KellGeorge Clyde Kell was an American baseball third baseman who played for the Philadelphia Athletics , Detroit Tigers , Boston Red Sox , Chicago White Sox , and Baltimore Orioles in the American League, who went on to become a baseball broadcaster for 40 years.-Playing career:In college, Kell...
- Kell hosted the pregame show for CBS' Game of the Week broadcasts in 1958. One time, Kell hoped to ask guest Casey StengelCasey StengelCharles Dillon "Casey" Stengel , nicknamed "The Old Perfessor", was an American Major League Baseball outfielder and manager. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in ....
about the Yankees1958 New York Yankees seasonThe New York Yankees season was the 56th season for the team in New York, and its 58th season overall. The team finished with a record of 92-62, winning their 24th pennant, finishing 10 games ahead of the Chicago White Sox. In the World Series, they defeated the Milwaukee Braves in 7 games. New...
' batting order. When asked about how it went, Kell said, "Fine. But in our 15 minues, Casey didn't get past the leadoff batter." - Bill McColgan (–)
- Pee Wee ReesePee Wee ReeseHarold Peter Henry "Pee Wee" Reese was an American professional baseball player. He played in Major League Baseball as a shortstop for the Brooklyn and Los Angeles Dodgers from to . A ten-time All Star, Reese contributed to seven National League championships for the Dodgers and, was inducted...
(–; (Yankee Baseball)) - Jack WhitakerJack Whitaker (sportscaster)Jack Whitaker in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is an American sportscaster who worked for both CBS and ABC.-Early life and career:...
(–)
1990–1993 version
On December 14, 1988, CBSCBS
CBS Broadcasting Inc. is a major US commercial broadcasting television network, which started as a radio network. The name is derived from the initials of the network's former name, Columbia Broadcasting System. The network is sometimes referred to as the "Eye Network" in reference to the shape of...
(under the guidance of Commissioner Peter Ueberroth
Peter Ueberroth
Peter Victor Ueberroth is an American executive. He served as the sixth Commissioner of Major League Baseball from 1984 to 1989. He was recently the chairman of the United States Olympic Committee; he was replaced by Larry Probst in October 2008....
, Major League Baseball's broadcast director Bryan Burns, CBS Inc. CEO
Chief executive officer
A chief executive officer , managing director , Executive Director for non-profit organizations, or chief executive is the highest-ranking corporate officer or administrator in charge of total management of an organization...
Laurence Tisch
Laurence Tisch
Laurence Alan "Larry" Tisch was an American businessman, Wall Street investor and self-made billionaire. He was the CEO of CBS television network from 1986 to 1995...
as well as CBS Sports
CBS Sports
CBS Sports is a division of CBS Broadcasting which airs sporting events on the American television network. Its headquarters are in the CBS Building on West 52nd Street in midtown Manhattan, New York City, with programs produced out of Studio 43 at the CBS Broadcast Center on West 57th Street.CBS...
executives Neal Pilson and Eddie Einhorn
Eddie Einhorn
Eddie Einhorn is minority owner and Vice Chairman of the Chicago White Sox.Einhorn produced the nationally syndicated radio broadcast of the NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship in 1958...
) paid approximately $
United States dollar
The United States dollar , also referred to as the American dollar, is the official currency of the United States of America. It is divided into 100 smaller units called cents or pennies....
1.8 billion for exclusive over-the-air television rights for over four years (beginning in 1990
1990 in baseball
-Major League Baseball:*World Series: Cincinnati Reds over Oakland Athletics ; José Rijo, MVP*American League Championship Series MVP Dave Stewart*National League Championship Series co-MVPs: Rob Dibble and Randy Myers...
). CBS paid about $265 million each year for the World Series
World Series
The World Series is the annual championship series of Major League Baseball, played between the American League and National League champions since 1903. The winner of the World Series championship is determined through a best-of-seven playoff and awarded the Commissioner's Trophy...
, League Championship Series
League Championship Series
The League Championship Series is the official name for a round of postseason play in Major League Baseball which has been conducted since 1969...
, All-Star Game
Major League Baseball All-Star Game
The Major League Baseball All-Star Game, also known as the "Midsummer Classic", is an annual baseball game between players from the National League and the American League, currently selected by a combination of fans, players, coaches, and managers...
, and the Saturday Game of the Week
Major League Baseball Game of the Week
The Major League Baseball Game of the Week is the de facto title for over-the-air, nationally televised coverage of regular season Major League Baseball games...
. It was one of the largest agreements (to date) between the sport of baseball and the business of broadcasting
Broadcasting
Broadcasting is the distribution of audio and video content to a dispersed audience via any audio visual medium. Receiving parties may include the general public or a relatively large subset of thereof...
.
The deal with CBS was also intended to pay each team (26 in and then, 28 by ) $10 million a year. They also would be paying an estimated $7.1 million per game or $790,000 per inning, and $132,000 per out.
A separate deal with cable TV would bring each team an additional $4 million. Each team could also cut its own deal with local TV. For example, the New York Yankees
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
signed with a cable network (MSG
MSG Network
The MSG Network, now shortened to simply MSG, is a regional cable television and radio network serving the Mid-Atlantic United States. It is focused on New York City sports teams...
) that would pay the team $41 million annually for 12 years. Radio broadcast rights can bring in additional money. Reportedly, after the huge TV contracts with CBS and ESPN
ESPN Major League Baseball
ESPN Major League Baseball is a promotion of Major League Baseball on ESPN and ESPN2, with simulcasts on ESPNHD or ESPN2HD. ESPN's MLB coverage debuted on April 9, 1990 with three Opening Day telecasts. ESPN Major League Baseball is guaranteed to remain on air until 2013.The title is derived from...
were signed, ballclubs spent their excess millions on free agent
Free agent
In professional sports, a free agent is a player whose contract with a team has expired and who is thus eligible to sign with another club or franchise....
s.
Before the previous television contract (–) with Major League Baseball was signed, CBS was at one point, interested in a pact which would have called for three interleague
Interleague play
Interleague play is the term used to describe regular season Major League Baseball games played between teams in different leagues, introduced in . Before the 1997 season, teams in the American League and National League did not meet during the regular season...
games every Thursday night (only). The proposed deal with CBS involved the American League East
American League East
The American League Eastern Division is one of Major League Baseball's six divisions . This division was created before the start of the 1969 season along with the Western Division...
teams playing the National League East
National League East
The National League East Division is one of Major League Baseball's six divisions. The Atlanta Braves and the Philadelphia Phillies are tied for the most National League East Division titles . All of Atlanta's NL East titles came during a record stretch of 14 consecutive division titles...
and the American League West
American League West
The American League West is one of three divisions in Major League Baseball's American League. The division currently has four teams, but it has had as many as seven teams before the 1994 realignment. Although its teams currently only reside along the west coast and in Texas, historically the...
playing the National League West
National League West
The National League Western Division, or NL West, is one of the three divisions of Major League Baseball's National League. It was created in 1969 when the previously undivided National League expanded its membership to twelve teams, positioning half of them in an Eastern division and the other...
respectively.
Trademarks
A trademark of CBS' baseball coverage was its majestic, uplifting, and harmonious theme music (which was composed by Bob Christianson and Tony Smythe). Besides the prologues (with the play-by-play man previewing the upcoming match up) for the Saturday Game of the Week, the music was usually set to the opening graphic of an opaqueOpacity (optics)
Opacity is the measure of impenetrability to electromagnetic or other kinds of radiation, especially visible light. In radiative transfer, it describes the absorption and scattering of radiation in a medium, such as a plasma, dielectric, shielding material, glass, etc...
rendition of the CBS Eye
CBS
CBS Broadcasting Inc. is a major US commercial broadcasting television network, which started as a radio network. The name is derived from the initials of the network's former name, Columbia Broadcasting System. The network is sometimes referred to as the "Eye Network" in reference to the shape of...
entering a big, waving red, white, and blue bunting
Bunting (textile)
Bunting was originally a specific type of lightweight worsted wool fabric generically known as tammy, manufactured from the turn of the 17th century, and used for making ribbons. and flags, including signal flags for the Royal Navy...
and then a smaller, unfolding red, white, and blue bunting (over a white diamond) and floating blue banner (which usually featured an indicating year like "1991 World Series
1991 World Series
The 1991 World Series pitted the Minnesota Twins of the American League against the Atlanta Braves of the National League. The series was played from Saturday, October 19 to Sunday, October 27....
" for instance) complete with dark red Old English
Old English language
Old English or Anglo-Saxon is an early form of the English language that was spoken and written by the Anglo-Saxons and their descendants in parts of what are now England and southeastern Scotland between at least the mid-5th century and the mid-12th century...
text
Writing
Writing is the representation of language in a textual medium through the use of a set of signs or symbols . It is distinguished from illustration, such as cave drawing and painting, and non-symbolic preservation of language via non-textual media, such as magnetic tape audio.Writing most likely...
. Pat O'Brien anchored the World Series and All-Star Game telecasts while usually delivering the prologue
Prologue
A prologue is an opening to a story that establishes the setting and gives background details, often some earlier story that ties into the main one, and other miscellaneous information. The Greek prologos included the modern meaning of prologue, but was of wider significance...
(normally set against the live scenery over the theme music). Though O'Brien would be joined by his co-host Andrea Joyce
Andrea Joyce
Andrea Joyce is an American sportscaster who works for NBC Sports after working 10 years with CBS Sports.-Education and early career:...
during the 1993 World Series
1993 World Series
-Game 1:Saturday, October 16, 1993 at SkyDome in Toronto, OntarioThe Series' first game sent two staff aces—Curt Schilling for Philadelphia and Juan Guzman for Toronto—against one another. The result was less than a pitcher's duel, however, as both teams scored early and often.The deciding plays...
and 1993 MLB All-Star Game
1993 Major League Baseball All-Star Game
The 1993 Major League Baseball All-Star Game was the 64th playing of the midsummer classic between the all-stars of the American League and National League , the two leagues comprising Major League Baseball. The game was held on July 13, 1993 at Oriole Park at Camden Yards in Baltimore, Maryland,...
.
A recurring theme during CBS' coverage of the postseason was the usage of Michael Kamen
Michael Kamen
Michael Arnold Kamen was an American composer , orchestral arranger, orchestral conductor, song writer, and session musician.-Background:...
's "Overture" from Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves
Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves
Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves is a 1991 American adventure film directed by Kevin Reynolds. Kevin Costner heads the cast list as Robin Hood...
. From start to finish, an audio montage of baseball's most memorable moments played on top, followed by a video and music only (no narration) recap of both League Championship Series
League Championship Series
The League Championship Series is the official name for a round of postseason play in Major League Baseball which has been conducted since 1969...
and the World Series from to . The "Training" cue from Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves was played against an all slow-motion montage of the entire series. As Tim McCarver
Tim McCarver
James Timothy "Tim" McCarver is an American former Major League Baseball catcher, and a current sportscaster in residence for Fox Sports.-Playing career:...
recapped the first six games of the 1991 World Series before Game 7, CBS used Hans Zimmer
Hans Zimmer
Hans Florian Zimmer is a German film composer and music producer. He has composed music for over 100 films, including critically acclaimed film scores for The Lion King , Crimson Tide , The Thin Red Line , Gladiator , The Dark Knight and Inception .Zimmer spent the early part of his career in the...
's "Fighting 17th" from the movie Backdraft
Backdraft (film)
Backdraft is a 1991 action thriller film directed by Ron Howard and written by Gregory Widen. The film stars Kurt Russell, William Baldwin, Scott Glenn, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Rebecca De Mornay, Donald Sutherland, and Robert De Niro. Jason Gedrick and J. T. Walsh co-star in the film...
for the soundtrack. During the 1993 All-Star Game
1993 Major League Baseball All-Star Game
The 1993 Major League Baseball All-Star Game was the 64th playing of the midsummer classic between the all-stars of the American League and National League , the two leagues comprising Major League Baseball. The game was held on July 13, 1993 at Oriole Park at Camden Yards in Baltimore, Maryland,...
and postseason, highlights of past All-Star Games and postseason moments were scored using the John Williams
John Williams
John Towner Williams is an American composer, conductor, and pianist. In a career spanning almost six decades, he has composed some of the most recognizable film scores in the history of motion pictures, including the Star Wars saga, Jaws, Superman, the Indiana Jones films, E.T...
composed theme from the movie Jurassic Park
Jurassic Park (film)
Jurassic Park is a 1993 American science fiction adventure film directed by Steven Spielberg. The film is based on the novel of the same name by Michael Crichton. It stars Sam Neill, Laura Dern, Jeff Goldblum, Richard Attenborough, Martin Ferrero, and Bob Peck...
. Also during the commercial breaks of the 1993 All-Star Game, CBS provided a snippet of Don Henley
Don Henley
Donald Hugh "Don" Henley is an American singer, songwriter and drummer, best known as a founding member of the Eagles before launching a successful solo career. Henley was the drummer and lead vocalist for the Eagles from 1971–1980, when the band broke up...
's "The Boys of Summer
The Boys of Summer (song)
"The Boys of Summer" is a song by Don Henley, with lyrics written by Henley and music composed by Henley and Mike Campbell, longtime guitarist for Tom Petty. It is the lead track and first single from Henley's 1984 album Building the Perfect Beast. The song's music video won many awards...
". During the prologue for Game 1 of the 1993 World Series
1993 World Series
-Game 1:Saturday, October 16, 1993 at SkyDome in Toronto, OntarioThe Series' first game sent two staff aces—Curt Schilling for Philadelphia and Juan Guzman for Toronto—against one another. The result was less than a pitcher's duel, however, as both teams scored early and often.The deciding plays...
, CBS used Hans Zimmer
Hans Zimmer
Hans Florian Zimmer is a German film composer and music producer. He has composed music for over 100 films, including critically acclaimed film scores for The Lion King , Crimson Tide , The Thin Red Line , Gladiator , The Dark Knight and Inception .Zimmer spent the early part of his career in the...
's "The Walk Home" from the movie Cool Runnings
Cool Runnings
Cool Runnings is a 1993 comedy film directed by Jon Turteltaub. It is loosely based on the true story of the Jamaica national bobsled team's debut in the bobsleigh competition of the 1988 Winter Olympics in Calgary, Alberta. It stars Leon Robinson, Doug E. Doug, Malik Yoba, and Rawle D...
. During the closing credits for Game 6 of the 1993 World Series (CBS' final Major League Baseball telecast to date), they used Bob Seger
Bob Seger
Robert Clark "Bob" Seger is an American rock and roll singer-songwriter, guitarist and pianist.As a locally successful Detroit-area artist, he performed and recorded as Bob Seger and the Last Heard and Bob Seger System throughout the 1960s...
's "The Famous Final Scene" followed by Billy Joel
Billy Joel
William Martin "Billy" Joel is an American musician and pianist, singer-songwriter, and classical composer. Since releasing his first hit song, "Piano Man", in 1973, Joel has become the sixth best-selling recording artist and the third best-selling solo artist in the United States, according to...
's "Famous Last Words
River of Dreams
River of Dreams is the 12th studio album by Billy Joel, released in 1993. This is the last pop album made by Joel, and presented a much more serious tone as a whole, dealing with issues such as trust and long-lasting love; it was rumored that the themes of trust and betrayal, particularly certain...
".
CBS' slogan for their regular season, Game of the Week broadcasts was "Baseball's biggest moments are on CBS!" Meanwhile, the pregame shows were called Baseball with the corresponding season tagged at the end such as Baseball '90, Baseball '91 and so forth.
Year-by-year
CBS for the most part, bypassed the division and pennant races. Instead, their scheduled games focused on games featuring major-market teams, regardless of their record.1990
Major League Baseball's four-season tenure with CBS (–) was marred by turmoil and shortcomings throughout. The original plan was for Brent MusburgerBrent Musburger
Brent Woody Musburger is an American sportscaster for the ESPN and ABC television networks. Formerly with CBS Sports and one of the original members of their legendary program The NFL Today, Musburger has covered NASCAR, NBA, MLB, NCAA football and basketball games. Musburger has also served as a...
to be the primary play-by-play announcer for CBS' baseball telecasts (thus, having the tasks of calling the All-Star Game
Major League Baseball All-Star Game
The Major League Baseball All-Star Game, also known as the "Midsummer Classic", is an annual baseball game between players from the National League and the American League, currently selected by a combination of fans, players, coaches, and managers...
, National League Championship Series
National League Championship Series
In Major League Baseball, the National League Championship Series is a round in the postseason that determines who wins the National League pennant and advances to Major League Baseball's championship, the World Series, facing the winner of the American League Championship Series. The reigning...
, and World Series
World Series
The World Series is the annual championship series of Major League Baseball, played between the American League and National League champions since 1903. The winner of the World Series championship is determined through a best-of-seven playoff and awarded the Commissioner's Trophy...
), with veteran broadcaster and lead CBS Radio baseball voice Jack Buck
Jack Buck
John Francis "Jack" Buck was an American sportscaster, best known for his work announcing Major League Baseball games of the St. Louis Cardinals. Buck received the Ford C. Frick Award from the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1987, and is honored with a star on the St. Louis Walk of Fame...
to serve as the secondary announcer (which would involve calling a second weekly game and the American League Championship Series
American League Championship Series
In Major League Baseball, the American League Championship Series , played in October, is a round in the postseason that determines the winner of the American League pennant...
). Former ABC color man Tim McCarver
Tim McCarver
James Timothy "Tim" McCarver is an American former Major League Baseball catcher, and a current sportscaster in residence for Fox Sports.-Playing career:...
was hired by CBS to be Musburger's partner while NBC's Jim Kaat
Jim Kaat
James Lee "Jim" Kaat , nicknamed "Kitty", is a former pitcher in Major League Baseball for the Washington Senators/Minnesota Twins , Chicago White Sox , Philadelphia Phillies , New York Yankees , and St...
was hired to be Buck's. However, weeks before CBS was to debut its MLB coverage, on April 1, 1990, Musburger was fired by the network over what CBS perceived to be a power grab by Musburger in taking on the assignment (at the time, Musburger was CBS' lead college basketball
College Basketball on CBS
College Basketball on CBS presented by State Farm is a presentation of men's NCAA Division I basketball games on CBS...
announcer, host of The NFL Today
The NFL Today
The NFL Today is an American sports series that precedes the American football program The NFL on CBS on CBS Sports. The program usually airs at noon on Sundays of the National Football League regular season...
, and was the main studio host for the NBA and had felt that he had been given too many broadcasting assignments by the network).
With Musburger's firing, Buck was moved up to the primary announce team alongside McCarver. His position as backup announcer alongside Kaat was taken by CBS' lead NBA announcer, Dick Stockton
Dick Stockton
Dick Stockton is an American sportscaster. He is currently employed by Fox Sports and Turner Sports as a football, baseball, and basketball play-by-play announcer.-Early life and career:...
. Studio host Greg Gumbel
Greg Gumbel
Greg Gumbel is an American television sportscaster. He is best known for his various assignments on the CBS network...
took over for Stockton as the number two play-by-play man in . Gumbel was in return, replaced by Andrea Joyce
Andrea Joyce
Andrea Joyce is an American sportscaster who works for NBC Sports after working 10 years with CBS Sports.-Education and early career:...
, who served as a field reporter for the first three seasons of CBS' coverage. On the teaming of Buck and McCarver, Broadcasting magazine wrote "The network has exclusivity, much rides on them."
Joining the team of Buck and McCarver was Lesley Visser
Lesley Visser
Lesley Candace Visser is an American sportscaster, radio personality, and sportswriter. Visser is the first female NFL analyst on TV, and the only sportscaster in history, male or female, who has worked on Final Four, NBA Finals, World Series, Triple Crown, Monday Night Football, the Olympics, the...
(who was, incidentally, married to the aforementioned Dick Stockton), who became the first female MLB beat writer while she worked for the Boston Globe, when she covered the Boston Red Sox
Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
. During the CBS' coverage the 1990 World Series
1990 World Series
- Game 1 :Tuesday, October 16, 1990 at Riverfront Stadium in Cincinnati, OhioUntil , this was the last World Series to be scheduled to begin play on a Tuesday, and the first since . The schedule called for the seven-game series to be held Tue–Wed, Fri–Sat–Sun, Tue–Wed. Games 5, 6, and 7, however...
, Visser became the first woman to cover the World Series.
Meanwhile, Jim Kaat earned rave reviews for his role as CBS' backup analyst (which flashed a considerable "good-guy air"). Ron Bergman wrote of Kaat's performance during the 1990 ALCS
1990 American League Championship Series
-Game 1:Saturday, October 6, 1990 at Fenway Park in Boston, MassachusettsThe opening game of the series saw a battle of aces, as Oakland sent Dave Stewart to the hill against Boston's Roger Clemens. The game was a scoreless pitchers duel until the bottom of the fourth, when Red Sox third baseman...
"This was a night for pitchers to excel. Dave Stewart
Dave Stewart (baseball player)
David Keith Stewart is a former right-handed starting pitcher in Major League Baseball during the late 1980s and early 1990s. A 20-game winner for 4 consecutive years, he was known for his post-season performance and for staring down batters when pitching to them...
. Roger Clemens
Roger Clemens
William Roger Clemens , nicknamed "Rocket", is a former Major League Baseball pitcher who broke into the league with the Boston Red Sox, whose pitching staff he would help anchor for 12 years. Clemens won seven Cy Young Awards, more than any other pitcher. He played for four different teams over...
. Jim Kaat [on commentary]." Despite the rave reviews, Jim Kaat admitted that he was frustrated. He felt that at that point and time, the idea of figuring out what to talk about during a three-hour broadcast had become intimidating. As a result, Kaat would bring notes into the booth, but in the process, found himself providing too much detail. He ultimately confided in his broadcasting partner, Dick Stockton, that he wanted to work without notes. So Stockton hooked Kaat up with then-lead NFL on CBS
NFL on CBS
The NFL on CBS is the brand name of the CBS television network's coverage of the National Football League's American Football Conference games, produced by CBS Sports.-Market coverage and television policies:...
color man, John Madden for a telephone seminar. Madden said if he brought notes into the booth he felt compelled to use them and would "force" something into a telecast. On his seminar with John Madden, Jim Kaat said "Then John told me if he did his homework it would be stored in his memory bank. And if it is important it will come out. If it doesn't, it probably wasn't that important."
A mildly notorious moment came during CBS' coverage of the 1990 All-Star Game
1990 Major League Baseball All-Star Game
The 1990 Major League Baseball All-Star Game was the 61st playing of the midsummer classic between the all-stars of the American League and National League , the two leagues comprising Major League Baseball. The game was held on July 10, 1990 at Wrigley Field in Chicago, Illinois, the home of the...
from Wrigley Field
Wrigley Field
Wrigley Field is a baseball stadium in Chicago, Illinois, United States that has served as the home ballpark of the Chicago Cubs since 1916. It was built in 1914 as Weeghman Park for the Chicago Federal League baseball team, the Chicago Whales...
in Chicago. In a game that was marred by rain delays for a combined 85 minutes (including a 68 minute monsoon
Monsoon
Monsoon is traditionally defined as a seasonal reversing wind accompanied by corresponding changes in precipitation, but is now used to describe seasonal changes in atmospheric circulation and precipitation associated with the asymmetric heating of land and sea...
during the 7th inning), CBS annoyed many diehard fans by airing the William Shatner
William Shatner
William Alan Shatner is a Canadian actor, musician, recording artist, and author. He gained worldwide fame and became a cultural icon for his portrayal of James T...
hosted reality series Rescue 911
Rescue 911
Rescue 911 is an informational reality-based television series, hosted by William Shatner. Originally intended to be only a set of three TV specials, Rescue 911 was picked up by CBS for the 1989 fall season after two specials aired on April 18, 1989 and May 9, 1989...
during the delay.
CBS' initially didn't want to start their 1990 coverage until after the network had aired that year's NBA Finals
1990 NBA Finals
The 1990 NBA Finals was the championship round of the 1989-90 NBA season. The series pitted the Detroit Pistons against the Portland Trail Blazers...
(which was the last time CBS aired the Finals before the NBA's move to NBC). Therefore, only 12 regular season telecasts were scheduled The broadcasts would've been each Saturday from June 16 through August 25 and a special Sunday telecast on the weekend of August 11–12 (the New York Yankees
1990 New York Yankees season
The New York Yankees' 1990 season was the 88th season for the Yankees. The team finished in seventh place in the American League East with a record of 67-95, finishing 21 games behind the Boston Red Sox. It was the Yankees' first last-place finish in 24 years, and the first in the two-division era....
against the Oakland Athletics
1990 Oakland Athletics season
The Oakland Athletics' 1990 season saw the A's win their third consecutive American League West title, with a record of 103 wins and 59 losses, nine games ahead of the Chicago White Sox. It was the third consecutive year in which Oakland finished with the best record in all of MLB...
in Oakland on both days). Ultimately, four more telecasts were added - two in April and two on the last two Saturdays of the season.
The 1990 postseason started on a Thursday, while World Series started on a Tuesday due to the brief lockout
1990 Major League Baseball lockout
The 1990 Major League Baseball lockout was the seventh work stoppage in baseball since 1972. Beginning in February, it lasted 32 days and as a result, virtually wiped out all of spring training. Also because of the lockout, Opening Day was moved back a week to April 9...
. Major League Baseball and CBS went with some rather unconventional scheduling during the LCS round, with two consecutive scheduled off-days in the NLCS
1990 National League Championship Series
-Game 1:Thursday, October 4, 1990 at Riverfront Stadium in Cincinnati, OhioBob Walk was the starting pitcher for Pittsburgh and José Rijo was on the mound for the Reds. The Reds had two doubles in the bottom half of the first inning and scored three runs. This would prove to be the only runs they...
after Game 2.
Schedule
| Date | Teams | Announcers |
| April 14, 1990 | Chicago Cubs 1990 Chicago Cubs season -Offseason:* December 7, 1989: Paul Kilgus was traded by the Cubs to the Toronto Blue Jays for José Núñez.* January 2, 1990: Vance Law was released by the Cubs.-Regular season:... @ Pittsburgh 1990 Pittsburgh Pirates season The Pittsburgh Pirates had 95 wins and 67 losses to win the National League East Division Title.-Offseason:* December 4, 1989: Gordon Dillard was drafted by the Pirates from the Philadelphia Phillies in the 1989 rule 5 draft.... Los Angeles 1990 Los Angeles Dodgers season The Dodgers finished in second place to the Cincinnati Reds in the 1990 National League Western Division race, as the teams pitching staff led the majors with 29 complete games... @ Houston 1990 Houston Astros season The Houston Astros' 1990 season was a season in American baseball. It involved the Houston Astros attempting to win the National League West.-Offseason:* December 6, 1989: Bill Gullickson was signed as a free agent by the Astros.... |
Jack Buck Jack Buck John Francis "Jack" Buck was an American sportscaster, best known for his work announcing Major League Baseball games of the St. Louis Cardinals. Buck received the Ford C. Frick Award from the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1987, and is honored with a star on the St. Louis Walk of Fame... and Tim McCarver Tim McCarver James Timothy "Tim" McCarver is an American former Major League Baseball catcher, and a current sportscaster in residence for Fox Sports.-Playing career:... Dick Stockton Dick Stockton Dick Stockton is an American sportscaster. He is currently employed by Fox Sports and Turner Sports as a football, baseball, and basketball play-by-play announcer.-Early life and career:... and Jim Kaat Jim Kaat James Lee "Jim" Kaat , nicknamed "Kitty", is a former pitcher in Major League Baseball for the Washington Senators/Minnesota Twins , Chicago White Sox , Philadelphia Phillies , New York Yankees , and St... |
| April 21, 1990 | Montreal 1990 Montreal Expos season -Offseason:*October 26, 1989: Yamil Benitez was signed by the Montreal Expos as an amateur free agent. *December 7, 1989: Oil Can Boyd signed as a Free Agent with the Montreal Expos.... @ New York Mets 1990 New York Mets season The 1990 New York Mets season was the 29th regular season for the Mets. They went 91-71 and finished second in the National League East. They were managed by Davey Johnson and Bud Harrelson... California 1990 California Angels season The California Angels season involved the Angels finishing 4th in the American League west with a record of 80 wins and 82 losses.-Offseason:*October 6, 1989: Jim Eppard was released by the California Angels.... @ Minnesota |
Jack Buck Jack Buck John Francis "Jack" Buck was an American sportscaster, best known for his work announcing Major League Baseball games of the St. Louis Cardinals. Buck received the Ford C. Frick Award from the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1987, and is honored with a star on the St. Louis Walk of Fame... and Tim McCarver Tim McCarver James Timothy "Tim" McCarver is an American former Major League Baseball catcher, and a current sportscaster in residence for Fox Sports.-Playing career:... Dick Stockton Dick Stockton Dick Stockton is an American sportscaster. He is currently employed by Fox Sports and Turner Sports as a football, baseball, and basketball play-by-play announcer.-Early life and career:... and Jim Kaat Jim Kaat James Lee "Jim" Kaat , nicknamed "Kitty", is a former pitcher in Major League Baseball for the Washington Senators/Minnesota Twins , Chicago White Sox , Philadelphia Phillies , New York Yankees , and St... |
| June 16, 1990 | Boston 1990 Boston Red Sox season The Boston Red Sox season was a season in American baseball. It involved the Red Sox finishing first in the American League East with a record of 88 wins and 74 losses. It was the second AL East division championship in three years for the Red Sox... @ Baltimore 1990 Baltimore Orioles season The Baltimore Orioles season was a season in American baseball. It involved the Orioles finishing 5th in the American League East with a record of 76 wins and 85 losses.-Offseason:* October 3, 1989: Mark Huismann was released by the Orioles.... San Diego 1990 San Diego Padres season -Offseason:* November 16, 1989: Don Schulze was released by the Padres.* December 6, 1989: Fred Lynn was signed as a free agent by the Padres.* December 6, 1989: Sandy Alomar, Jr., Carlos Baerga and Chris James were traded by the Padres to the Cleveland Indians for Joe Carter.* December 12, 1989:... @ Los Angeles 1990 Los Angeles Dodgers season The Dodgers finished in second place to the Cincinnati Reds in the 1990 National League Western Division race, as the teams pitching staff led the majors with 29 complete games... |
Jack Buck Jack Buck John Francis "Jack" Buck was an American sportscaster, best known for his work announcing Major League Baseball games of the St. Louis Cardinals. Buck received the Ford C. Frick Award from the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1987, and is honored with a star on the St. Louis Walk of Fame... and Tim McCarver Tim McCarver James Timothy "Tim" McCarver is an American former Major League Baseball catcher, and a current sportscaster in residence for Fox Sports.-Playing career:... Dick Stockton Dick Stockton Dick Stockton is an American sportscaster. He is currently employed by Fox Sports and Turner Sports as a football, baseball, and basketball play-by-play announcer.-Early life and career:... and Jim Kaat Jim Kaat James Lee "Jim" Kaat , nicknamed "Kitty", is a former pitcher in Major League Baseball for the Washington Senators/Minnesota Twins , Chicago White Sox , Philadelphia Phillies , New York Yankees , and St... |
| June 23, 1990 | St. Louis 1990 St. Louis Cardinals season The 1990 St. Louis Cardinals season was the team's 109th season in St. Louis, Missouri and its 99th season in the National League. The Cardinals went 70-92 during the season and finished 6th in the National League East division.-Offseason:... @ Chicago Cubs 1990 Chicago Cubs season -Offseason:* December 7, 1989: Paul Kilgus was traded by the Cubs to the Toronto Blue Jays for José Núñez.* January 2, 1990: Vance Law was released by the Cubs.-Regular season:... San Francisco 1990 San Francisco Giants season -Offseason:* December 3, 1990: Willie McGee was signed as a free agent by the Giants.* January 19, 1990: Gary Carter was signed as a free agent by the Giants.-Regular season:... @ Houston 1990 Houston Astros season The Houston Astros' 1990 season was a season in American baseball. It involved the Houston Astros attempting to win the National League West.-Offseason:* December 6, 1989: Bill Gullickson was signed as a free agent by the Astros.... |
Jack Buck Jack Buck John Francis "Jack" Buck was an American sportscaster, best known for his work announcing Major League Baseball games of the St. Louis Cardinals. Buck received the Ford C. Frick Award from the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1987, and is honored with a star on the St. Louis Walk of Fame... and Tim McCarver Tim McCarver James Timothy "Tim" McCarver is an American former Major League Baseball catcher, and a current sportscaster in residence for Fox Sports.-Playing career:... Dick Stockton Dick Stockton Dick Stockton is an American sportscaster. He is currently employed by Fox Sports and Turner Sports as a football, baseball, and basketball play-by-play announcer.-Early life and career:... and Jim Kaat Jim Kaat James Lee "Jim" Kaat , nicknamed "Kitty", is a former pitcher in Major League Baseball for the Washington Senators/Minnesota Twins , Chicago White Sox , Philadelphia Phillies , New York Yankees , and St... |
| June 30, 1990 | Oakland 1990 Oakland Athletics season The Oakland Athletics' 1990 season saw the A's win their third consecutive American League West title, with a record of 103 wins and 59 losses, nine games ahead of the Chicago White Sox. It was the third consecutive year in which Oakland finished with the best record in all of MLB... @ Toronto 1990 Toronto Blue Jays season The Toronto Blue Jays season was a season in American baseball. It involved the Blue Jays finishing second in the American League East with a record of 86 wins and 76 losses. It was their first full season in the Skydome. The Blue Jays led the division by 1½ games over the Boston Red Sox with one... |
|
| July 7, 1990 | Chicago Cubs 1990 Chicago Cubs season -Offseason:* December 7, 1989: Paul Kilgus was traded by the Cubs to the Toronto Blue Jays for José Núñez.* January 2, 1990: Vance Law was released by the Cubs.-Regular season:... @ San Francisco 1990 San Francisco Giants season -Offseason:* December 3, 1990: Willie McGee was signed as a free agent by the Giants.* January 19, 1990: Gary Carter was signed as a free agent by the Giants.-Regular season:... Minnesota @ New York Yankees 1990 New York Yankees season The New York Yankees' 1990 season was the 88th season for the Yankees. The team finished in seventh place in the American League East with a record of 67-95, finishing 21 games behind the Boston Red Sox. It was the Yankees' first last-place finish in 24 years, and the first in the two-division era.... |
|
| July 10, 1990 | All-Star Game 1990 Major League Baseball All-Star Game The 1990 Major League Baseball All-Star Game was the 61st playing of the midsummer classic between the all-stars of the American League and National League , the two leagues comprising Major League Baseball. The game was held on July 10, 1990 at Wrigley Field in Chicago, Illinois, the home of the... (Wrigley Field Wrigley Field Wrigley Field is a baseball stadium in Chicago, Illinois, United States that has served as the home ballpark of the Chicago Cubs since 1916. It was built in 1914 as Weeghman Park for the Chicago Federal League baseball team, the Chicago Whales... , Chicago Chicago Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles... ) |
Jack Buck Jack Buck John Francis "Jack" Buck was an American sportscaster, best known for his work announcing Major League Baseball games of the St. Louis Cardinals. Buck received the Ford C. Frick Award from the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1987, and is honored with a star on the St. Louis Walk of Fame... and Tim McCarver Tim McCarver James Timothy "Tim" McCarver is an American former Major League Baseball catcher, and a current sportscaster in residence for Fox Sports.-Playing career:... |
| July 14, 1990 | Kansas City 1990 Kansas City Royals season The Kansas City Royals season was a season in American baseball. It involved the Royals finishing 6th in the American League West with a record of 75 wins and 86 losses.-Offseason:* December 5, 1989: Richard Dotson was signed as a free agent by the Royals.... @ Boston 1990 Boston Red Sox season The Boston Red Sox season was a season in American baseball. It involved the Red Sox finishing first in the American League East with a record of 88 wins and 74 losses. It was the second AL East division championship in three years for the Red Sox... San Diego 1990 San Diego Padres season -Offseason:* November 16, 1989: Don Schulze was released by the Padres.* December 6, 1989: Fred Lynn was signed as a free agent by the Padres.* December 6, 1989: Sandy Alomar, Jr., Carlos Baerga and Chris James were traded by the Padres to the Cleveland Indians for Joe Carter.* December 12, 1989:... @ Pittsburgh 1990 Pittsburgh Pirates season The Pittsburgh Pirates had 95 wins and 67 losses to win the National League East Division Title.-Offseason:* December 4, 1989: Gordon Dillard was drafted by the Pirates from the Philadelphia Phillies in the 1989 rule 5 draft.... |
|
| July 21, 1990 | San Francisco 1990 San Francisco Giants season -Offseason:* December 3, 1990: Willie McGee was signed as a free agent by the Giants.* January 19, 1990: Gary Carter was signed as a free agent by the Giants.-Regular season:... @ Chicago Cubs 1990 Chicago Cubs season -Offseason:* December 7, 1989: Paul Kilgus was traded by the Cubs to the Toronto Blue Jays for José Núñez.* January 2, 1990: Vance Law was released by the Cubs.-Regular season:... Philadelphia 1990 Philadelphia Phillies season -Offseason:* October 11, 1989: Steve Stanicek was released by the Phillies.* December 4, 1989: Rule 5 draft**Sil Campusano was drafted by the Phillies from the Toronto Blue Jays in the .**Gordon Dillard was drafted from the Phillies by the Pittsburgh Pirates.... @ Cincinnati 1990 Cincinnati Reds season The Cincinnati Reds' 1990 season was a season in American baseball. It consisted of the Reds winning the National League West, as well as the National League Championship Series in six games over the Pittsburgh Pirates, and the World Series in a four-game sweep over the overwhelming favorite... |
|
| July 28, 1990 | St. Louis 1990 St. Louis Cardinals season The 1990 St. Louis Cardinals season was the team's 109th season in St. Louis, Missouri and its 99th season in the National League. The Cardinals went 70-92 during the season and finished 6th in the National League East division.-Offseason:... @ New York Mets 1990 New York Mets season The 1990 New York Mets season was the 29th regular season for the Mets. They went 91-71 and finished second in the National League East. They were managed by Davey Johnson and Bud Harrelson... Baltimore 1990 Baltimore Orioles season The Baltimore Orioles season was a season in American baseball. It involved the Orioles finishing 5th in the American League East with a record of 76 wins and 85 losses.-Offseason:* October 3, 1989: Mark Huismann was released by the Orioles.... @ Kansas City 1990 Kansas City Royals season The Kansas City Royals season was a season in American baseball. It involved the Royals finishing 6th in the American League West with a record of 75 wins and 86 losses.-Offseason:* December 5, 1989: Richard Dotson was signed as a free agent by the Royals.... |
|
| August 4, 1990 | Los Angeles 1990 Los Angeles Dodgers season The Dodgers finished in second place to the Cincinnati Reds in the 1990 National League Western Division race, as the teams pitching staff led the majors with 29 complete games... @ San Francisco 1990 San Francisco Giants season -Offseason:* December 3, 1990: Willie McGee was signed as a free agent by the Giants.* January 19, 1990: Gary Carter was signed as a free agent by the Giants.-Regular season:... New York Mets 1990 New York Mets season The 1990 New York Mets season was the 29th regular season for the Mets. They went 91-71 and finished second in the National League East. They were managed by Davey Johnson and Bud Harrelson... @ St. Louis 1990 St. Louis Cardinals season The 1990 St. Louis Cardinals season was the team's 109th season in St. Louis, Missouri and its 99th season in the National League. The Cardinals went 70-92 during the season and finished 6th in the National League East division.-Offseason:... |
|
| August 11, 1990 | New York Yankees 1990 New York Yankees season The New York Yankees' 1990 season was the 88th season for the Yankees. The team finished in seventh place in the American League East with a record of 67-95, finishing 21 games behind the Boston Red Sox. It was the Yankees' first last-place finish in 24 years, and the first in the two-division era.... @ Oakland 1990 Oakland Athletics season The Oakland Athletics' 1990 season saw the A's win their third consecutive American League West title, with a record of 103 wins and 59 losses, nine games ahead of the Chicago White Sox. It was the third consecutive year in which Oakland finished with the best record in all of MLB... Texas 1990 Texas Rangers season The Texas Rangers 1990 season involved the Rangers finishing 3rd in the American League west with a record of 83 wins and 79 losses.-Regular season:* June 11, 1990: Nolan Ryan threw his sixth no-hitter against the Oakland Athletics.... @ Chicago White Sox 1990 Chicago White Sox season The 1990 Chicago White Sox season was the White Sox's 91st season. They finished with a record 94-68, good enough for 2nd place in the American League West, 9 games behind of the 1st place Oakland Athletics, as the White Sox played their final season at Comiskey Park before moving to the new... |
|
| August 12, 1990 | New York Yankees 1990 New York Yankees season The New York Yankees' 1990 season was the 88th season for the Yankees. The team finished in seventh place in the American League East with a record of 67-95, finishing 21 games behind the Boston Red Sox. It was the Yankees' first last-place finish in 24 years, and the first in the two-division era.... @ Oakland 1990 Oakland Athletics season The Oakland Athletics' 1990 season saw the A's win their third consecutive American League West title, with a record of 103 wins and 59 losses, nine games ahead of the Chicago White Sox. It was the third consecutive year in which Oakland finished with the best record in all of MLB... |
|
| August 18, 1990 | California 1990 California Angels season The California Angels season involved the Angels finishing 4th in the American League west with a record of 80 wins and 82 losses.-Offseason:*October 6, 1989: Jim Eppard was released by the California Angels.... @ Boston 1990 Boston Red Sox season The Boston Red Sox season was a season in American baseball. It involved the Red Sox finishing first in the American League East with a record of 88 wins and 74 losses. It was the second AL East division championship in three years for the Red Sox... Pittsburgh 1990 Pittsburgh Pirates season The Pittsburgh Pirates had 95 wins and 67 losses to win the National League East Division Title.-Offseason:* December 4, 1989: Gordon Dillard was drafted by the Pirates from the Philadelphia Phillies in the 1989 rule 5 draft.... @ Cincinnati 1990 Cincinnati Reds season The Cincinnati Reds' 1990 season was a season in American baseball. It consisted of the Reds winning the National League West, as well as the National League Championship Series in six games over the Pittsburgh Pirates, and the World Series in a four-game sweep over the overwhelming favorite... |
Dick Stockton Dick Stockton Dick Stockton is an American sportscaster. He is currently employed by Fox Sports and Turner Sports as a football, baseball, and basketball play-by-play announcer.-Early life and career:... and Jim Kaat Jim Kaat James Lee "Jim" Kaat , nicknamed "Kitty", is a former pitcher in Major League Baseball for the Washington Senators/Minnesota Twins , Chicago White Sox , Philadelphia Phillies , New York Yankees , and St... Jack Buck Jack Buck John Francis "Jack" Buck was an American sportscaster, best known for his work announcing Major League Baseball games of the St. Louis Cardinals. Buck received the Ford C. Frick Award from the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1987, and is honored with a star on the St. Louis Walk of Fame... and Tim McCarver Tim McCarver James Timothy "Tim" McCarver is an American former Major League Baseball catcher, and a current sportscaster in residence for Fox Sports.-Playing career:... |
| August 25, 1990 | New York Mets 1990 New York Mets season The 1990 New York Mets season was the 29th regular season for the Mets. They went 91-71 and finished second in the National League East. They were managed by Davey Johnson and Bud Harrelson... @ Los Angeles 1990 Los Angeles Dodgers season The Dodgers finished in second place to the Cincinnati Reds in the 1990 National League Western Division race, as the teams pitching staff led the majors with 29 complete games... Boston 1990 Boston Red Sox season The Boston Red Sox season was a season in American baseball. It involved the Red Sox finishing first in the American League East with a record of 88 wins and 74 losses. It was the second AL East division championship in three years for the Red Sox... @ Toronto 1990 Toronto Blue Jays season The Toronto Blue Jays season was a season in American baseball. It involved the Blue Jays finishing second in the American League East with a record of 86 wins and 76 losses. It was their first full season in the Skydome. The Blue Jays led the division by 1½ games over the Boston Red Sox with one... |
Jack Buck Jack Buck John Francis "Jack" Buck was an American sportscaster, best known for his work announcing Major League Baseball games of the St. Louis Cardinals. Buck received the Ford C. Frick Award from the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1987, and is honored with a star on the St. Louis Walk of Fame... and Tim McCarver Tim McCarver James Timothy "Tim" McCarver is an American former Major League Baseball catcher, and a current sportscaster in residence for Fox Sports.-Playing career:... Dick Stockton Dick Stockton Dick Stockton is an American sportscaster. He is currently employed by Fox Sports and Turner Sports as a football, baseball, and basketball play-by-play announcer.-Early life and career:... and Jim Kaat Jim Kaat James Lee "Jim" Kaat , nicknamed "Kitty", is a former pitcher in Major League Baseball for the Washington Senators/Minnesota Twins , Chicago White Sox , Philadelphia Phillies , New York Yankees , and St... |
| September 22, 1990 | St. Louis 1990 St. Louis Cardinals season The 1990 St. Louis Cardinals season was the team's 109th season in St. Louis, Missouri and its 99th season in the National League. The Cardinals went 70-92 during the season and finished 6th in the National League East division.-Offseason:... @ Pittsburgh 1990 Pittsburgh Pirates season The Pittsburgh Pirates had 95 wins and 67 losses to win the National League East Division Title.-Offseason:* December 4, 1989: Gordon Dillard was drafted by the Pirates from the Philadelphia Phillies in the 1989 rule 5 draft.... Boston Red Sox @ New York Yankees |
Jack Buck Jack Buck John Francis "Jack" Buck was an American sportscaster, best known for his work announcing Major League Baseball games of the St. Louis Cardinals. Buck received the Ford C. Frick Award from the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1987, and is honored with a star on the St. Louis Walk of Fame... and Tim McCarver Tim McCarver James Timothy "Tim" McCarver is an American former Major League Baseball catcher, and a current sportscaster in residence for Fox Sports.-Playing career:... Dick Stockton Dick Stockton Dick Stockton is an American sportscaster. He is currently employed by Fox Sports and Turner Sports as a football, baseball, and basketball play-by-play announcer.-Early life and career:... and Jim Kaat Jim Kaat James Lee "Jim" Kaat , nicknamed "Kitty", is a former pitcher in Major League Baseball for the Washington Senators/Minnesota Twins , Chicago White Sox , Philadelphia Phillies , New York Yankees , and St... |
| September 29, 1990 | Boston Red Sox 1990 Boston Red Sox season The Boston Red Sox season was a season in American baseball. It involved the Red Sox finishing first in the American League East with a record of 88 wins and 74 losses. It was the second AL East division championship in three years for the Red Sox... @ Toronto Blue Jays 1990 Toronto Blue Jays season The Toronto Blue Jays season was a season in American baseball. It involved the Blue Jays finishing second in the American League East with a record of 86 wins and 76 losses. It was their first full season in the Skydome. The Blue Jays led the division by 1½ games over the Boston Red Sox with one... |
Dick Stockton Dick Stockton Dick Stockton is an American sportscaster. He is currently employed by Fox Sports and Turner Sports as a football, baseball, and basketball play-by-play announcer.-Early life and career:... and Jim Kaat Jim Kaat James Lee "Jim" Kaat , nicknamed "Kitty", is a former pitcher in Major League Baseball for the Washington Senators/Minnesota Twins , Chicago White Sox , Philadelphia Phillies , New York Yankees , and St... |
1991
After sustaining huge losses (CBS lost $United States dollar
The United States dollar , also referred to as the American dollar, is the official currency of the United States of America. It is divided into 100 smaller units called cents or pennies....
12 million to $15 million on each of the League Championship Series and World Series games not played, for a total of $36 million to $45 million) from 1990's abbreviated postseason (which ended with the Cincinnati Reds
1990 Cincinnati Reds season
The Cincinnati Reds' 1990 season was a season in American baseball. It consisted of the Reds winning the National League West, as well as the National League Championship Series in six games over the Pittsburgh Pirates, and the World Series in a four-game sweep over the overwhelming favorite...
shockingly sweeping the defending World Champion
World Series Trophy
The Commissioner's Trophy is presented each year by the Commissioner of Baseball to the Major League Baseball team that wins the World Series. Recent trophy designs contain flags representing each team in North America's top two leagues, the National League and the American League...
Oakland Athletics
1990 Oakland Athletics season
The Oakland Athletics' 1990 season saw the A's win their third consecutive American League West title, with a record of 103 wins and 59 losses, nine games ahead of the Chicago White Sox. It was the third consecutive year in which Oakland finished with the best record in all of MLB...
in the World Series
1990 World Series
- Game 1 :Tuesday, October 16, 1990 at Riverfront Stadium in Cincinnati, OhioUntil , this was the last World Series to be scheduled to begin play on a Tuesday, and the first since . The schedule called for the seven-game series to be held Tue–Wed, Fri–Sat–Sun, Tue–Wed. Games 5, 6, and 7, however...
), CBS made several notable adjustments for 1991. Regular season telecasts had been reduced to a meager handful. In return, pregame shows during the League Championship Series were entirely eliminated, to minimize the ratings damage. The 1991 season was perhaps most noteworthy for CBS having the opportunity of covering of the now legendary World Series
1991 World Series
The 1991 World Series pitted the Minnesota Twins of the American League against the Atlanta Braves of the National League. The series was played from Saturday, October 19 to Sunday, October 27....
between the Minnesota Twins and Atlanta Braves
1991 Atlanta Braves season
In 1991, the Atlanta Braves became the first team in the National League to go from last place one year to first place the next. This feat was also accomplished by the 1991 Minnesota Twins...
.
Earlier in the postseason, CBS' coverage of the ALCS
1991 American League Championship Series
-Game 1:Tuesday, October 8, 1991 at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome in Minneapolis, MinnesotaGame 1 saw a surprise starter for Toronto as Blue Jays manager Cito Gaston chose knuckleballer Tom Candiotti to face the Twins over his new young gun Juan Guzmán and his left-handed ace Jimmy Key. Twins...
meant that they could not carry the live testimony of Clarence Thomas
Clarence Thomas
Clarence Thomas is an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States. Succeeding Thurgood Marshall, Thomas is the second African American to serve on the Court....
, whose confirmation to the United States Supreme Court was put into question because of charges of sexual harassment
Sexual harassment
Sexual harassment, is intimidation, bullying or coercion of a sexual nature, or the unwelcome or inappropriate promise of rewards in exchange for sexual favors. In some contexts or circumstances, sexual harassment is illegal. It includes a range of behavior from seemingly mild transgressions and...
from former staffer Anita Hill
Anita Hill
Anita Faye Hill is an American attorney and academic—presently a professor of social policy, law and women's studies at Brandeis University's Heller School for Social Policy and Management. She became a national figure in 1991 when she alleged that U.S. Supreme Court nominee Clarence Thomas had...
. Meanwhile, ABC
ABC News
ABC News is the news gathering and broadcasting division of American broadcast television network ABC, a subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company...
, NBC
NBC News
NBC News is the news division of American television network NBC. It first started broadcasting in February 21, 1940. NBC Nightly News has aired from Studio 3B, located on floors 3 of the NBC Studios is the headquarters of the GE Building forms the centerpiece of 30th Rockefeller Center it is...
, CNN
CNN
Cable News Network is a U.S. cable news channel founded in 1980 by Ted Turner. Upon its launch, CNN was the first channel to provide 24-hour television news coverage, and the first all-news television channel in the United States...
and PBS
Public Broadcasting Service
The Public Broadcasting Service is an American non-profit public broadcasting television network with 354 member TV stations in the United States which hold collective ownership. Its headquarters is in Arlington, Virginia....
all carried the testimony.
As CBS' baseball coverage progressed, they dropped the 8:00 p.m. pregame coverage (in favor of sitcoms such as Evening Shade
Evening Shade
Evening Shade was an American sitcom television series that aired on CBS from 1990 to 1994. The series starred Burt Reynolds as Wood Newton, an ex-professional football player for the Pittsburgh Steelers, who returns to rural Evening Shade, Arkansas to coach a high school football team with a long...
), before finally starting their coverage at 8:30 p.m. Eastern Time. The first pitch would generally arrive at approximately 8:45 p.m. Perhaps as a result, Joe Carter
Joe Carter
Joseph Christopher Carter is a former right fielder in Major League Baseball who played from to . Carter is most famous for hitting a walk-off home run to win the 1993 World Series for the Toronto Blue Jays....
's World Series
1993 World Series
-Game 1:Saturday, October 16, 1993 at SkyDome in Toronto, OntarioThe Series' first game sent two staff aces—Curt Schilling for Philadelphia and Juan Guzman for Toronto—against one another. The result was less than a pitcher's duel, however, as both teams scored early and often.The deciding plays...
clinching home run off Mitch Williams in 1993, occurred at 12:00 a.m. on the East Coast
East Coast of the United States
The East Coast of the United States, also known as the Eastern Seaboard, refers to the easternmost coastal states in the United States, which touch the Atlantic Ocean and stretch up to Canada. The term includes the U.S...
.
Schedule
| Date | Teams | Announcers |
| April 20, 1991 | New York Mets 1991 New York Mets season The 1991 New York Mets season was the 30th regular season for the Mets. They went 77-84 and finished fifth in the National League East. They were managed by Bud Harrelson and Mike Cubbage... @ Montreal 1991 Montreal Expos season After several winning seasons, the Expos faltered in 1991, winning only 20 of its first 49 games. Manager Buck Rodgers was replaced as manager by Tom Runnells.-Offseason:* November 15, 1990: Scott Service was signed as a free agent by the Expos.... Detroit 1991 Detroit Tigers season The Detroit Tigers finished in second place in the American League East with a record of 83-79 . They outscored their opponents 817 to 794... @ Chicago White Sox 1991 Chicago White Sox season The 1991 Chicago White Sox season was the White Sox's 93rd season. They finished with a record 87-75, good enough for 2nd place in the American League West, 8 games behind of the 1st place Minnesota Twins, as the club opened the new Comiskey Park on April 18.... |
|
| April 27, 1991 | Chicago Cubs 1991 Chicago Cubs season The 1991 Chicago Cubs season saw the Cubs finish in fourth place in the National League East with a record of 77 wins and 83 losses.-Offseason:* December 6, 1990: George Bell was signed as a free agent by the Cubs.... @ Cincinnati 1991 Cincinnati Reds season The Cincinnati Reds' 1991 season was a season in American baseball. It consisted of the Cincinnati Reds attempting to win the National League West.-Offseason:* January 29, 1990: Skeeter Barnes was signed as a free agent by the Reds.... Seattle 1991 Seattle Mariners season The Seattle Mariners 1991 season was their 15th since the franchise creation, and ended the season finishing 5th in the American League West, finishing with a record of 83-79. It was the first above-.500 season in franchise history.-Regular season:... @ Minnesota |
|
| May 5, 1991 | Boston 1991 Boston Red Sox season The Boston Red Sox season was a season in American baseball. It involved the Red Sox finishing 2nd in the American League East with a record of 84 wins and 78 losses.-Notable Transactions:... @ Chicago White Sox 1991 Chicago White Sox season The 1991 Chicago White Sox season was the White Sox's 93rd season. They finished with a record 87-75, good enough for 2nd place in the American League West, 8 games behind of the 1st place Minnesota Twins, as the club opened the new Comiskey Park on April 18.... Cleveland 1991 Cleveland Indians season -Offseason:* December 3, 1990: Mike Huff was drafted by the Indians from the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 1990 rule 5 draft.* December 4, 1990: Cory Snyder and Lindsay Foster were traded by the Indians to the Chicago White Sox for Shawn Hillegas and Eric King.* January 11, 1991: Luis Lopez was... @ Oakland 1991 Oakland Athletics season The Oakland Athletics' 1991 season involved the A's finishing 4th in the American League West with a record of 84 wins and 78 losses.-Offseason:* December 3, 1990: Willie Wilson was signed as a free agent by the Athletics.... |
|
| May 18, 1991 | New York Mets 1991 New York Mets season The 1991 New York Mets season was the 30th regular season for the Mets. They went 77-84 and finished fifth in the National League East. They were managed by Bud Harrelson and Mike Cubbage... @ Los Angeles 1991 Los Angeles Dodgers season The 1991 season featured an exciting National League Western Division race between the Dodgers and the Atlanta Braves. The Braves edged out the Dodgers to win the division by one game... |
|
| May 25, 1991 | Los Angeles 1991 Los Angeles Dodgers season The 1991 season featured an exciting National League Western Division race between the Dodgers and the Atlanta Braves. The Braves edged out the Dodgers to win the division by one game... @ Cincinnati 1991 Cincinnati Reds season The Cincinnati Reds' 1991 season was a season in American baseball. It consisted of the Cincinnati Reds attempting to win the National League West.-Offseason:* January 29, 1990: Skeeter Barnes was signed as a free agent by the Reds.... Cleveland 1991 Cleveland Indians season -Offseason:* December 3, 1990: Mike Huff was drafted by the Indians from the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 1990 rule 5 draft.* December 4, 1990: Cory Snyder and Lindsay Foster were traded by the Indians to the Chicago White Sox for Shawn Hillegas and Eric King.* January 11, 1991: Luis Lopez was... @ Milwaukee 1991 Milwaukee Brewers season The 1991 Milwaukee Brewers season involved the Brewers' finishing 4th in the American League East with a record of 83 wins and 79 losses.-Offseason:* March 14, 1991: Dave Parker was traded by the Brewers to the California Angels for Dante Bichette.... |
|
| June 15, 1991 | Chicago Cubs 1991 Chicago Cubs season The 1991 Chicago Cubs season saw the Cubs finish in fourth place in the National League East with a record of 77 wins and 83 losses.-Offseason:* December 6, 1990: George Bell was signed as a free agent by the Cubs.... @ San Diego 1991 San Diego Padres season -Offseason:* December 3, 1990: Frank Seminara was drafted by the San Diego Padres from the New York Yankees in the 1990 rule 5 draft.* December 12, 1990: Mark Parent was traded by the Padres to the Texas Rangers for Scott Coolbaugh.... |
|
| June 22, 1991 | Pittsburgh 1991 Pittsburgh Pirates season The 1991 Pittsburgh Pirates season was the 110th in franchise history. For the second consecutive season, the Pirates won the National League East Division Title... @ Los Angeles 1991 Los Angeles Dodgers season The 1991 season featured an exciting National League Western Division race between the Dodgers and the Atlanta Braves. The Braves edged out the Dodgers to win the division by one game... |
|
| June 29, 1991 | St. Louis 1991 St. Louis Cardinals season The St. Louis Cardinals 1991 season was the team's 110th season in St. Louis, Missouri and the 100th season in the National League. The Cardinals went 84-78 during the season and finished 2nd in the National League East division.... @ Chicago Cubs 1991 Chicago Cubs season The 1991 Chicago Cubs season saw the Cubs finish in fourth place in the National League East with a record of 77 wins and 83 losses.-Offseason:* December 6, 1990: George Bell was signed as a free agent by the Cubs.... Boston 1991 Boston Red Sox season The Boston Red Sox season was a season in American baseball. It involved the Red Sox finishing 2nd in the American League East with a record of 84 wins and 78 losses.-Notable Transactions:... @ Baltimore 1991 Baltimore Orioles season The Baltimore Orioles season was a season in American baseball. It involved the Orioles finishing 6th in the American League East with a record of 67 wins and 95 losses. Cal Ripken. Jr. would be the first shortstop in the history of the American League to win two MVP awards in a career. This was... |
|
| July 9, 1991 | All-Star Game 1991 Major League Baseball All-Star Game The 1991 Major League Baseball All-Star Game was the 62nd playing of the midsummer classic between the all-stars of the American League and National League , the two leagues comprising Major League Baseball. The game was held on July 9, 1991 at SkyDome in Toronto, Ontario, the home of the Toronto... (SkyDome Rogers Centre Rogers Centre is a multi-purpose stadium, in Downtown Toronto, Ontario, Canada, situated next to the CN Tower, near the shores of Lake Ontario. Opened in 1989, it is home to the Toronto Blue Jays of Major League Baseball and the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League... , Toronto Toronto Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from... ) |
Jack Buck Jack Buck John Francis "Jack" Buck was an American sportscaster, best known for his work announcing Major League Baseball games of the St. Louis Cardinals. Buck received the Ford C. Frick Award from the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1987, and is honored with a star on the St. Louis Walk of Fame... and Tim McCarver Tim McCarver James Timothy "Tim" McCarver is an American former Major League Baseball catcher, and a current sportscaster in residence for Fox Sports.-Playing career:... |
| July 14, 1991 | Baltimore 1991 Baltimore Orioles season The Baltimore Orioles season was a season in American baseball. It involved the Orioles finishing 6th in the American League East with a record of 67 wins and 95 losses. Cal Ripken. Jr. would be the first shortstop in the history of the American League to win two MVP awards in a career. This was... @ Oakland 1991 Oakland Athletics season The Oakland Athletics' 1991 season involved the A's finishing 4th in the American League West with a record of 84 wins and 78 losses.-Offseason:* December 3, 1990: Willie Wilson was signed as a free agent by the Athletics.... |
|
| July 20, 1991 | Los Angeles 1991 Los Angeles Dodgers season The 1991 season featured an exciting National League Western Division race between the Dodgers and the Atlanta Braves. The Braves edged out the Dodgers to win the division by one game... @ New York Mets 1991 New York Mets season The 1991 New York Mets season was the 30th regular season for the Mets. They went 77-84 and finished fifth in the National League East. They were managed by Bud Harrelson and Mike Cubbage... Detroit 1991 Detroit Tigers season The Detroit Tigers finished in second place in the American League East with a record of 83-79 . They outscored their opponents 817 to 794... @ Kansas City 1991 Kansas City Royals season The 1991 Kansas City Royals season involved the Royals finishing 6th in the American League West with a record of 82 wins and 80 losses.-Offseason:* October 4, 1990: Chris Codiroli was released by the Royals.... |
Jack Buck Jack Buck John Francis "Jack" Buck was an American sportscaster, best known for his work announcing Major League Baseball games of the St. Louis Cardinals. Buck received the Ford C. Frick Award from the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1987, and is honored with a star on the St. Louis Walk of Fame... and Tim McCarver Tim McCarver James Timothy "Tim" McCarver is an American former Major League Baseball catcher, and a current sportscaster in residence for Fox Sports.-Playing career:... Dick Stockton Dick Stockton Dick Stockton is an American sportscaster. He is currently employed by Fox Sports and Turner Sports as a football, baseball, and basketball play-by-play announcer.-Early life and career:... and Jim Kaat Jim Kaat James Lee "Jim" Kaat , nicknamed "Kitty", is a former pitcher in Major League Baseball for the Washington Senators/Minnesota Twins , Chicago White Sox , Philadelphia Phillies , New York Yankees , and St... |
| August 3, 1991 | Toronto 1991 Toronto Blue Jays season The 1991 Toronto Blue Jays season involved the Blue Jays finishing 1st in the American League East with a record of 91 wins and 71 losses. The team's paid attendance of 4,001,527 led the American League, as the Jays became the first team in MLB history ever to draw four million fans in a season... @ Boston 1991 Boston Red Sox season The Boston Red Sox season was a season in American baseball. It involved the Red Sox finishing 2nd in the American League East with a record of 84 wins and 78 losses.-Notable Transactions:... Pittsburgh 1991 Pittsburgh Steelers season -Staff:- Schedule :- Week 1 : vs. San Diego Chargers :at Three Rivers Stadium, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania* Game time: 4:00 PM EDT* Game weather: 80°F * Game attendance: 55,848... @ St. Louis 1991 St. Louis Cardinals season The St. Louis Cardinals 1991 season was the team's 110th season in St. Louis, Missouri and the 100th season in the National League. The Cardinals went 84-78 during the season and finished 2nd in the National League East division.... |
|
| August 24, 1991 | Cincinnati 1991 Cincinnati Reds season The Cincinnati Reds' 1991 season was a season in American baseball. It consisted of the Cincinnati Reds attempting to win the National League West.-Offseason:* January 29, 1990: Skeeter Barnes was signed as a free agent by the Reds.... @ New York Mets 1991 New York Mets season The 1991 New York Mets season was the 30th regular season for the Mets. They went 77-84 and finished fifth in the National League East. They were managed by Bud Harrelson and Mike Cubbage... Minnesota @ Baltimore 1991 Baltimore Orioles season The Baltimore Orioles season was a season in American baseball. It involved the Orioles finishing 6th in the American League East with a record of 67 wins and 95 losses. Cal Ripken. Jr. would be the first shortstop in the history of the American League to win two MVP awards in a career. This was... |
|
| September 14, 1991 | Chicago White Sox 1991 Chicago White Sox season The 1991 Chicago White Sox season was the White Sox's 93rd season. They finished with a record 87-75, good enough for 2nd place in the American League West, 8 games behind of the 1st place Minnesota Twins, as the club opened the new Comiskey Park on April 18.... @ California 1991 California Angels season The California Angels 1991 season involved the Angels finishing 7th in the American League west with a record of 81 wins and 81 losses.-Offseason:... (dropped) Los Angeles 1991 Los Angeles Dodgers season The 1991 season featured an exciting National League Western Division race between the Dodgers and the Atlanta Braves. The Braves edged out the Dodgers to win the division by one game... @ Atlanta 1991 Atlanta Braves season In 1991, the Atlanta Braves became the first team in the National League to go from last place one year to first place the next. This feat was also accomplished by the 1991 Minnesota Twins... Oakland 1991 Oakland Athletics season The Oakland Athletics' 1991 season involved the A's finishing 4th in the American League West with a record of 84 wins and 78 losses.-Offseason:* December 3, 1990: Willie Wilson was signed as a free agent by the Athletics.... @ Toronto 1991 Toronto Blue Jays season The 1991 Toronto Blue Jays season involved the Blue Jays finishing 1st in the American League East with a record of 91 wins and 71 losses. The team's paid attendance of 4,001,527 led the American League, as the Jays became the first team in MLB history ever to draw four million fans in a season... |
|
| September 21, 1991 | San Francisco 1991 San Francisco Giants season -Offseason:* November 9, 1990: Bud Black signed as a Free Agent with the San Francisco Giants.* December 4, 1990: Dave Righetti signed as a Free Agent with the San Francisco Giants.... @ San Diego 1991 San Diego Padres season -Offseason:* December 3, 1990: Frank Seminara was drafted by the San Diego Padres from the New York Yankees in the 1990 rule 5 draft.* December 12, 1990: Mark Parent was traded by the Padres to the Texas Rangers for Scott Coolbaugh.... New York Yankees 1991 New York Yankees season The New York Yankees' 1991 season was the 89th season for the Yankees. The team finished with a record of 71-91 finishing 20 games behind of the Toronto Blue Jays. New York was managed by Stump Merrill... @ Boston 1991 Boston Red Sox season The Boston Red Sox season was a season in American baseball. It involved the Red Sox finishing 2nd in the American League East with a record of 84 wins and 78 losses.-Notable Transactions:... |
|
| September 28, 1991 | ||
| October 5, 1991 | Houston 1991 Houston Astros season The Houston Astros' 1991 season was a season in American baseball. It involved the Houston Astros attempting to win the National League West.The Astros finished 65-97, tying the 1965 and 1975 clubs for the most losses in franchise history... @ Atlanta 1991 Atlanta Braves season In 1991, the Atlanta Braves became the first team in the National League to go from last place one year to first place the next. This feat was also accomplished by the 1991 Minnesota Twins... Los Angeles 1991 Los Angeles Dodgers season The 1991 season featured an exciting National League Western Division race between the Dodgers and the Atlanta Braves. The Braves edged out the Dodgers to win the division by one game... @ San Francisco 1991 San Francisco Giants season -Offseason:* November 9, 1990: Bud Black signed as a Free Agent with the San Francisco Giants.* December 4, 1990: Dave Righetti signed as a Free Agent with the San Francisco Giants.... |
Dick Stockton Dick Stockton Dick Stockton is an American sportscaster. He is currently employed by Fox Sports and Turner Sports as a football, baseball, and basketball play-by-play announcer.-Early life and career:... and Jim Kaat Jim Kaat James Lee "Jim" Kaat , nicknamed "Kitty", is a former pitcher in Major League Baseball for the Washington Senators/Minnesota Twins , Chicago White Sox , Philadelphia Phillies , New York Yankees , and St... Jack Buck Jack Buck John Francis "Jack" Buck was an American sportscaster, best known for his work announcing Major League Baseball games of the St. Louis Cardinals. Buck received the Ford C. Frick Award from the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1987, and is honored with a star on the St. Louis Walk of Fame... and Tim McCarver Tim McCarver James Timothy "Tim" McCarver is an American former Major League Baseball catcher, and a current sportscaster in residence for Fox Sports.-Playing career:... |
Sean McDonough replaces Jack Buck
After two years of calling baseball telecasts for CBS, Jack Buck was dismissed in December 1991. According to the radioKMOX (AM)
KMOX is a radio station broadcasting from St. Louis, Missouri. It is a 50,000-watt clear channel radio station, which permits its nighttime signal to be heard in most of the continental U.S. KMOX operates as "NewsRadio 1120" and refers to itself as "The Voice of St...
veteran Buck, he had a hard time adjusting to the demands of a more constricting television production. CBS felt that Buck should've done more to make himself appear to be a set-up man for lead analyst Tim McCarver. Jack Buck's son Joe
Joe Buck
Joseph Francis "Joe" Buck is an American sportscaster and the son of legendary sportscaster Jack Buck. He has won numerous Sports Emmy Awards for his play-by-play work with Fox Sports.-Education:...
tried to rationalize his father's on-air problems by saying "My dad was brought up in the golden age of radio, I think he had his hands tied somewhat, being accustomed to the freedom of radio. I'm more used to acquiescing to what the producer wants to do, what the director wants to do."
Buck himself sized up CBS' handling of the announcers by saying "CBS never got that baseball play-by-play draws word-pictures. All they knew was that football stars analysts. So they said, 'Let [analyst Tim] McCarver run the show.' In television, all they want you to do is shut up. I'm not very good at shutting up." Buck though, would add that although he knew Tim McCarver well, they never developed a good relationship with each other on the air despite high hopes to the contrary. Phil Mushnick
Phil Mushnick
Phil Mushnick is a sports writer who works for the New York Post. His column "Equal Time" concentrates on the sports media and appears three times a week on Sundays, Mondays and Fridays. He also provides a weekly column on the media in general on Sundays for the entertainment section of the paper...
added insult to injury to Buck by accusing him of "Trying to predict plays, as if to prove he was still on top."
Buck also got into deep trouble with CBS executives (namely executive producer Ted Shaker) over questionable comments made towards singer Bobby Vinton
Bobby Vinton
Bobby Vinton is an American pop music singer of Polish origin. In pop music circles, he became known as "The Polish Prince".-Early life:...
in 1990. While on air prior to Game 4 of the that year's NLCS
1990 National League Championship Series
-Game 1:Thursday, October 4, 1990 at Riverfront Stadium in Cincinnati, OhioBob Walk was the starting pitcher for Pittsburgh and José Rijo was on the mound for the Reds. The Reds had two doubles in the bottom half of the first inning and scored three runs. This would prove to be the only runs they...
in Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Pittsburgh is the second-largest city in the US Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the county seat of Allegheny County. Regionally, it anchors the largest urban area of Appalachia and the Ohio River Valley, and nationally, it is the 22nd-largest urban area in the United States...
, Buck criticized Vinton's off-key rendition of the "Star-Spangled Banner"
The Star-Spangled Banner
"The Star-Spangled Banner" is the national anthem of the United States of America. The lyrics come from "Defence of Fort McHenry", a poem written in 1814 by the 35-year-old lawyer and amateur poet, Francis Scott Key, after witnessing the bombardment of Fort McHenry by the British Royal Navy ships...
, making a comment towards Vinton that sounded like a prejudicial remark centered on Vinton's Polish heritage. Joe Buck
Joe Buck
Joseph Francis "Joe" Buck is an American sportscaster and the son of legendary sportscaster Jack Buck. He has won numerous Sports Emmy Awards for his play-by-play work with Fox Sports.-Education:...
believed that the situation was ironic because his father was "trying to help the guy." Buck began receiving death threats from Pirate
1990 Pittsburgh Pirates season
The Pittsburgh Pirates had 95 wins and 67 losses to win the National League East Division Title.-Offseason:* December 4, 1989: Gordon Dillard was drafted by the Pirates from the Philadelphia Phillies in the 1989 rule 5 draft....
fans and discovered a footprint on his pillow once he returned to his hotel room.
1992
Buck's replacement was Boston Red SoxBoston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
announcer Sean McDonough
Sean McDonough
Sean McDonough is an American sportscaster, currently employed by ESPN.-Early life and career:The son of Boston Globe sportswriter Will McDonough, Sean graduated from Syracuse University in 1984. It was in Syracuse where McDonough began his broadcasting career in 1982 as the play-by-play announcer...
. Ted Shaker called McDonough about his interests for the top announcing job, and after McDonough hung up the telephone, he claimed that he didn't want to act like a 10 year old but he jumped so high that he put a hole in his ceiling. McDonough, who was 30 years old at the time, became the youngest full-time network announcer to call a World Series when he called that year's Fall Classic alongside McCarver.
For CBS' coverage of the 1992 All-Star Game
1992 Major League Baseball All-Star Game
The 1992 Major League Baseball All-Star Game was the 63rd playing of the midsummer classic between the all-stars of the American League and National League , the two leagues comprising Major League Baseball. The game was held on July 14, 1992 at Jack Murphy Stadium in San Diego, California, the...
, they introduced Basecam, a lipstick-size camera, inside first base.
Over the course of Game 2 of the 1992 ALCS
1992 American League Championship Series
-Game 1:Wednesday, October 7, 1992 at SkyDome in Toronto, OntarioThe first game of the series had Oakland's Dave Stewart face off against Toronto's Jack Morris. The A's put up a three-spot against Morris in the second inning, as Mark McGwire and Terry Steinbach hit back-to-back home runs...
, Jim Kaat
Jim Kaat
James Lee "Jim" Kaat , nicknamed "Kitty", is a former pitcher in Major League Baseball for the Washington Senators/Minnesota Twins , Chicago White Sox , Philadelphia Phillies , New York Yankees , and St...
was stricken with a bad case of laryngitis. As a result, Johnny Bench
Johnny Bench
Johnny Lee Bench is a former professional baseball catcher who played in the Major Leagues for the Cincinnati Reds from 1967 to 1983 and is a member of the National Baseball Hall of Fame...
had to come over from the CBS Radio
Major League Baseball on CBS Radio
Major League Baseball on CBS Radio was the de facto title for the CBS Radio Network's coverage of Major League Baseball. Produced by CBS Radio Sports , the program was the official national radio broadcaster for the All-Star Game and the postseason from 1976 to 1997.-Contracts:CBS first covered...
booth and finish the game with Dick Stockton
Dick Stockton
Dick Stockton is an American sportscaster. He is currently employed by Fox Sports and Turner Sports as a football, baseball, and basketball play-by-play announcer.-Early life and career:...
as a "relief analyst." There was talk that if Kaat's laryngitis did not get better, Don Drysdale
Don Drysdale
Donald Scott "Don" Drysdale was a Major League Baseball player and Hall of Fame right-handed pitcher with the Los Angeles Dodgers. He was one of the dominant starting pitchers of the 1960s, and became a radio and television broadcaster following his playing career...
was going to replace Kaat on TV for Game 3 while Bench would continue to work on CBS Radio.
Tim McCarver ran afoul of Atlanta Braves
1992 Atlanta Braves season
The 1992 Atlanta Braves season was a season in American baseball. It involved the Braves finishing first in the National League West with a record of 98 wins and 64 losses, clinching their second straight division title....
outfielder Deion Sanders
Deion Sanders
Deion Luwynn Sanders , nicknamed "Prime Time" and "Neon Deion", is a former National Football League cornerback and Major League Baseball outfielder who currently works as an NFL Network analyst...
during the 1992 postseason, when he made comments on air criticizing Sanders for his two-sport athletic career; Sanders was playing for both the Braves and the NFL's Atlanta Falcons
1992 Atlanta Falcons season
-Roster:-Schedule:-References:...
at the time and participated in both the baseball postseason and the early NFL regular season for the first time in 1992 (Sanders was unable to do this in 1991
1991 Atlanta Braves season
In 1991, the Atlanta Braves became the first team in the National League to go from last place one year to first place the next. This feat was also accomplished by the 1991 Minnesota Twins...
, as his NFL
1991 Atlanta Braves season
In 1991, the Atlanta Braves became the first team in the National League to go from last place one year to first place the next. This feat was also accomplished by the 1991 Minnesota Twins...
contract would not allow him to). Sanders retaliated following Game 7 of the NLCS
1992 National League Championship Series
-Game 1:Tuesday, October 6, 1992 at Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium in Atlanta, GeorgiaA rather uneventful opening to what would prove to be a memorable series, Game 1 was an easy win for the Braves. Atlanta scored four early runs, highlighted by Jeff Blauser's fifth-inning homer, and coasted to...
by dumping a bucket of ice water on McCarver (who was wired for sound and feared electrocution) as retaliation for the on-air comments.
McCarver was not immune to criticism from outside sources, either, as Norman Chad
Norman Chad
Norman Chad is an American sportswriter and syndicated columnist who is seen on the sports channel ESPN. He also was an occasional guest host on the ESPN show Pardon the Interruption and has appeared as both host and movie critic on the ESPN Classic series Reel Classics.He writes a weekly...
wrote a critique of him in Sports Illustrated
Sports Illustrated
Sports Illustrated is an American sports media company owned by media conglomerate Time Warner. Its self titled magazine has over 3.5 million subscribers and is read by 23 million adults each week, including over 18 million men. It was the first magazine with circulation over one million to win the...
during the postseason. Chad said that McCarver was someone who 'when you ask him the time, will tell you how a watch works,' a reference to McCarver's perceived tendency to overanalyze things. Chad went further by saying "What's the difference between Tim McCarver and appendicitis
Appendicitis
Appendicitis is a condition characterized by inflammation of the appendix. It is classified as a medical emergency and many cases require removal of the inflamed appendix, either by laparotomy or laparoscopy. Untreated, mortality is high, mainly because of the risk of rupture leading to...
? Appendicitis is covered by most health plans."
McCarver was also known to make gaffes from time to time. One of his more amusing miscues came during the 1992 National League Championship Series
1992 National League Championship Series
-Game 1:Tuesday, October 6, 1992 at Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium in Atlanta, GeorgiaA rather uneventful opening to what would prove to be a memorable series, Game 1 was an easy win for the Braves. Atlanta scored four early runs, highlighted by Jeff Blauser's fifth-inning homer, and coasted to...
when he repeatedly referred to Pittsburgh Pirates
1992 Pittsburgh Pirates season
The 1992 Pittsburgh Pirates season saw the Pirates finish first in the National League East with a record of 96 wins and 66 losses. It was the third consecutive division title for the team. The Pirates once again fell short in the postseason, losing a riveting seven-game National League...
pitcher Tim Wakefield
Tim Wakefield
Timothy Stephen Wakefield is an American professional baseball pitcher. Wakefield began pitching with the Red Sox in 1995, making him the longest-serving player currently on the team. Wakefield is also the oldest current active player in the majors, and one of two active knuckleballers, the other...
as "Bill Wakefield." He finally explained that Bill Wakefield was one of his old minor-league teammates, and he laughed at himself because "I forgot my own name!"'
During the 1992 postseason, CBS missed covering one of the three debates
United States presidential election, 1992
The United States presidential election of 1992 had three major candidates: Incumbent Republican President George Bush; Democratic Arkansas Governor Bill Clinton, and independent Texas businessman Ross Perot....
among U.S. presidential candidates
President of the United States
The President of the United States of America is the head of state and head of government of the United States. The president leads the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the United States Armed Forces....
George H.W. Bush, Bill Clinton
Bill Clinton
William Jefferson "Bill" Clinton is an American politician who served as the 42nd President of the United States from 1993 to 2001. Inaugurated at age 46, he was the third-youngest president. He took office at the end of the Cold War, and was the first president of the baby boomer generation...
and H. Ross Perot
Ross Perot
Henry Ross Perot is a U.S. businessman best known for running for President of the United States in 1992 and 1996. Perot founded Electronic Data Systems in 1962, sold the company to General Motors in 1984, and founded Perot Systems in 1988...
. The network had planned to join other broadcast and cable networks in the telecast; however, Game 4 of the ALCS
1992 American League Championship Series
-Game 1:Wednesday, October 7, 1992 at SkyDome in Toronto, OntarioThe first game of the series had Oakland's Dave Stewart face off against Toronto's Jack Morris. The A's put up a three-spot against Morris in the second inning, as Mark McGwire and Terry Steinbach hit back-to-back home runs...
between the Toronto Blue Jays
1992 Toronto Blue Jays season
The Toronto Blue Jays played their 16th season in Major League Baseball. Toronto finished first in the American League East for the 4th time with a record of 96 wins and 66 losses, closing the season with an attendance record of 4,028,318...
and Oakland Athletics
1992 Oakland Athletics season
The Oakland Athletics' 1992 season involved the A's finishing first in the American League West with a record of 96 wins and 66 losses. They lost the ALCS in six games to the eventual world champion Toronto Blue Jays.-Offseason:...
did not end until 8:30 p.m. Eastern Time, about the time the debate ended. The Blue Jays won the game 7-6 in 11 innings. The other networks reported very good ratings for the debate, part of one of the more compelling election campaigns in recent times.
The CBS telecasts of the and Series (both involving the Toronto Blue Jays
Toronto Blue Jays
The Toronto Blue Jays are a professional baseball team located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Blue Jays are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball 's American League ....
) were simulcast
Simulcast
Simulcast, shorthand for "simultaneous broadcast", refers to programs or events broadcast across more than one medium, or more than one service on the same medium, at the same time. For example, Absolute Radio is simulcast on both AM and on satellite radio, and the BBC's Prom concerts are often...
on CTV
CTV television network
CTV Television Network is a Canadian English language television network and is owned by Bell Media. It is Canada's largest privately-owned network, and has consistently placed as Canada's top-rated network in total viewers and in key demographics since 2002, after several years trailing the rival...
. in Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
. During this period, CTV produced their own pregame shows rather than simply taking the United States feed from CBS. Rod Black
Rod Black
Rod Black is a Canadian sports announcer for TSN and CTV Sports. He calls games for the CFL, occasionally for the The NHL on TSN, and used to call games for the Toronto Blue Jays, ending in 2009. He also calls Canadian golf tournaments for the PGA, on occasion bowling tournaments, curling, boxing ...
and Rob Faulds
Rob Faulds
Rob Faulds is a Canadian sports analyst on Rogers Sportsnet and host of Sportsnetnews. Faulds also does play-by-play for National Lacrosse League games...
hosted CTV's pregame coverage, with CBS' Tim McCarver providing some additional pregame analysis.
Schedule
| Date | Teams | Announcers |
| April 18, 1992 | Chicago Cubs @ St. Louis Detroit 1992 Detroit Tigers season The Detroit Tigers' 1992 season was a season in American baseball. It involved the Detroit Tigers attempting to win the American League East.-Offseason:* December 20, 1991: Dan Gladden was signed as a free agent by the Tigers.... @ Baltimore 1992 Baltimore Orioles season The Baltimore Orioles season was a season in American baseball. It involved the Orioles finishing third in the American League East with a record of 89 wins and 73 losses.... Oakland 1992 Oakland Athletics season The Oakland Athletics' 1992 season involved the A's finishing first in the American League West with a record of 96 wins and 66 losses. They lost the ALCS in six games to the eventual world champion Toronto Blue Jays.-Offseason:... @ Texas 1992 Texas Rangers season The 1992 Texas Rangers season saw the Rangers finishing fourth in the American League West with a record of 77 wins and 85 losses.-Offseason:* October 28, 1991: Steve Fireovid was signed as a free agent by the Rangers.... (1 PM) |
|
| April 25, 1992 | Oakland 1992 Oakland Athletics season The Oakland Athletics' 1992 season involved the A's finishing first in the American League West with a record of 96 wins and 66 losses. They lost the ALCS in six games to the eventual world champion Toronto Blue Jays.-Offseason:... @ Minnesota (1 PM) |
|
| May 2, 1992 | New York Mets @ Atlanta Texas 1992 Texas Rangers season The 1992 Texas Rangers season saw the Rangers finishing fourth in the American League West with a record of 77 wins and 85 losses.-Offseason:* October 28, 1991: Steve Fireovid was signed as a free agent by the Rangers.... @ Chicago White Sox 1992 Chicago White Sox season The 1992 Chicago White Sox season was the White Sox's 94th season. They finished with a record 86-76, good enough for 3rd place in the American League West, 10 games behind the 1st place Oakland Athletics.-Offseason:... (1 PM) |
|
| June 13, 1992 | Boston 1992 Boston Red Sox season The Boston Red Sox season involved the Red Sox finishing seventh in the American League East with a record of 73 wins and 89 losses.-Opening Day Line Up:-Roster:-Notable transactions:... @ Toronto 1992 Toronto Blue Jays season The Toronto Blue Jays played their 16th season in Major League Baseball. Toronto finished first in the American League East for the 4th time with a record of 96 wins and 66 losses, closing the season with an attendance record of 4,028,318... Los Angeles 1992 Los Angeles Dodgers season The 1992 Los Angeles Dodgers season was a poor one for the team as it finished last in the Western Division of the National League with a record of 63 wins and 99 losses. Injuries to key players and slumps from others contributed to the franchise's worst season since moving to Los Angeles... @ Cincinnati 1992 Cincinnati Reds season The 1992 Cincinnati Reds season saw the Reds finish in second place in the National League West with a record of 92 wins and 70 losses.-Offseason:*November 12, 1991: Jacob Brumfield was signed as a Free Agent with the Cincinnati Reds.... Chicago White Sox 1992 Chicago Cubs season -Offseason:* March 30, 1992: George Bell was traded by the Cubs to the Chicago White Sox for Sammy Sosa and Ken Patterson.-Notable transactions:* July 7, 1992: Ced Landrum was traded by the Cubs to the Milwaukee Brewers for Jeff Kunkel.-Roster:... @ Minnesota (1 PM) |
Sean McDonough Sean McDonough Sean McDonough is an American sportscaster, currently employed by ESPN.-Early life and career:The son of Boston Globe sportswriter Will McDonough, Sean graduated from Syracuse University in 1984. It was in Syracuse where McDonough began his broadcasting career in 1982 as the play-by-play announcer... and Tim McCarver Tim McCarver James Timothy "Tim" McCarver is an American former Major League Baseball catcher, and a current sportscaster in residence for Fox Sports.-Playing career:... |
| June 20, 1992 | Oakland 1992 Oakland Athletics season The Oakland Athletics' 1992 season involved the A's finishing first in the American League West with a record of 96 wins and 66 losses. They lost the ALCS in six games to the eventual world champion Toronto Blue Jays.-Offseason:... @ California 1992 California Angels season The California Angels 1992 season involved the Angels finishing 5th in the American League West with a record of 72 wins and 90 losses.-Offseason:*December 8, 1991: Ruben Amaro Jr... Los Angeles 1992 Los Angeles Dodgers season The 1992 Los Angeles Dodgers season was a poor one for the team as it finished last in the Western Division of the National League with a record of 63 wins and 99 losses. Injuries to key players and slumps from others contributed to the franchise's worst season since moving to Los Angeles... @ Houston 1992 Houston Astros season The Houston Astros' 1992 season was a season in American baseball. It involved the Astros finishing fourth in the National League West with a record of 81 wins and 81 losses.... San Diego 1992 San Diego Padres season The 1992 San Diego Padres season saw the team finish in third place in the National League West with a record of 82 wins and 80 losses.-Offseason:* November 20, 1991: Derek Lilliquist was selected off waivers from the Padres by the Cleveland Indians.... @ San Francisco 1992 San Francisco Giants season The 1992 San Francisco Giants season saw the Giants finish in fifth place in the National League West with a record of 72 wins and 90 losses.... (3 PM) |
|
| June 27, 1992 | New York Mets 1992 New York Mets season The New York Mets' 1992 season was the 31st regular season for the Mets. They went 72-90 and finished 5th in the NL East. They were managed by Jeff Torborg... @ St. Louis 1992 St. Louis Cardinals season The 1992 St. Louis Cardinals season was the team's 111th season in St. Louis, Missouri and its 101st season in the National League. The Cardinals went 83-79 during the season and finished third in the National League East division.-Offseason:... Atlanta 1992 Atlanta Braves season The 1992 Atlanta Braves season was a season in American baseball. It involved the Braves finishing first in the National League West with a record of 98 wins and 64 losses, clinching their second straight division title.... @ Cincinnati 1992 Cincinnati Reds season The 1992 Cincinnati Reds season saw the Reds finish in second place in the National League West with a record of 92 wins and 70 losses.-Offseason:*November 12, 1991: Jacob Brumfield was signed as a Free Agent with the Cincinnati Reds.... Milwaukee 1992 Milwaukee Brewers season The Milwaukee Brewers season featured the team finishing in second place in the American League East with a record of 92 wins and 70 losses.-Offseason:* October 15, 1991: George Canale was traded by the Brewers to the Montreal Expos for Alex Diaz.... @ Boston 1992 Boston Red Sox season The Boston Red Sox season involved the Red Sox finishing seventh in the American League East with a record of 73 wins and 89 losses.-Opening Day Line Up:-Roster:-Notable transactions:... (1 PM) |
|
| July 4, 1992 | Chicago Cubs 1992 Chicago Cubs season -Offseason:* March 30, 1992: George Bell was traded by the Cubs to the Chicago White Sox for Sammy Sosa and Ken Patterson.-Notable transactions:* July 7, 1992: Ced Landrum was traded by the Cubs to the Milwaukee Brewers for Jeff Kunkel.-Roster:... @ Atlanta 1992 Atlanta Braves season The 1992 Atlanta Braves season was a season in American baseball. It involved the Braves finishing first in the National League West with a record of 98 wins and 64 losses, clinching their second straight division title.... Cincinnati 1992 Cincinnati Reds season The 1992 Cincinnati Reds season saw the Reds finish in second place in the National League West with a record of 92 wins and 70 losses.-Offseason:*November 12, 1991: Jacob Brumfield was signed as a Free Agent with the Cincinnati Reds.... @ Pittsburgh 1992 Pittsburgh Pirates season The 1992 Pittsburgh Pirates season saw the Pirates finish first in the National League East with a record of 96 wins and 66 losses. It was the third consecutive division title for the team. The Pirates once again fell short in the postseason, losing a riveting seven-game National League... Milwaukee 1992 Milwaukee Brewers season The Milwaukee Brewers season featured the team finishing in second place in the American League East with a record of 92 wins and 70 losses.-Offseason:* October 15, 1991: George Canale was traded by the Brewers to the Montreal Expos for Alex Diaz.... @ Kansas City 1992 Kansas City Royals season The Kansas City Royals season was a season in American baseball. It involved the Royals finishing 5th in the American League West with a record of 72 wins and 90 losses.-Offseason:... (1 PM) |
|
| July 11, 1992 | St. Louis 1992 St. Louis Cardinals season The 1992 St. Louis Cardinals season was the team's 111th season in St. Louis, Missouri and its 101st season in the National League. The Cardinals went 83-79 during the season and finished third in the National League East division.-Offseason:... @ Los Angeles 1992 Los Angeles Dodgers season The 1992 Los Angeles Dodgers season was a poor one for the team as it finished last in the Western Division of the National League with a record of 63 wins and 99 losses. Injuries to key players and slumps from others contributed to the franchise's worst season since moving to Los Angeles... Philadelphia 1992 Philadelphia Phillies season The 1992 Philadelphia Phillies season was a season in Major League Baseball. The Phillies finished sixth in the National League East with a record of 70 wins and 92 losses.-Offseason:... @ San Diego 1992 San Diego Padres season The 1992 San Diego Padres season saw the team finish in third place in the National League West with a record of 82 wins and 80 losses.-Offseason:* November 20, 1991: Derek Lilliquist was selected off waivers from the Padres by the Cleveland Indians.... Montreal 1992 Montreal Expos season -Offseason:* November 15, 1991: Gary Carter was selected off waivers by the Expos from the Los Angeles Dodgers.* November 18, 1991: Kenny Williams was released by the Expos.* November 25, 1991: Andrés Galarraga was traded by the Expos to the St... @ San Francisco 1992 San Francisco Giants season The 1992 San Francisco Giants season saw the Giants finish in fifth place in the National League West with a record of 72 wins and 90 losses.... (3 PM) |
|
| July 14 | All-Star Game 1992 Major League Baseball All-Star Game The 1992 Major League Baseball All-Star Game was the 63rd playing of the midsummer classic between the all-stars of the American League and National League , the two leagues comprising Major League Baseball. The game was held on July 14, 1992 at Jack Murphy Stadium in San Diego, California, the... (Jack Murphy Stadium Qualcomm Stadium Qualcomm Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium, in San Diego, California, in the Mission Valley area.... , San Diego) (8 PM) |
Sean McDonough Sean McDonough Sean McDonough is an American sportscaster, currently employed by ESPN.-Early life and career:The son of Boston Globe sportswriter Will McDonough, Sean graduated from Syracuse University in 1984. It was in Syracuse where McDonough began his broadcasting career in 1982 as the play-by-play announcer... and Tim McCarver Tim McCarver James Timothy "Tim" McCarver is an American former Major League Baseball catcher, and a current sportscaster in residence for Fox Sports.-Playing career:... |
| July 18, 1992 | Boston 1992 Boston Red Sox season The Boston Red Sox season involved the Red Sox finishing seventh in the American League East with a record of 73 wins and 89 losses.-Opening Day Line Up:-Roster:-Notable transactions:... @ Minnesota (dropped) Atlanta 1992 Atlanta Braves season The 1992 Atlanta Braves season was a season in American baseball. It involved the Braves finishing first in the National League West with a record of 98 wins and 64 losses, clinching their second straight division title.... @ Houston 1992 Houston Astros season The Houston Astros' 1992 season was a season in American baseball. It involved the Astros finishing fourth in the National League West with a record of 81 wins and 81 losses.... (dropped) Texas 1992 Texas Rangers season The 1992 Texas Rangers season saw the Rangers finishing fourth in the American League West with a record of 77 wins and 85 losses.-Offseason:* October 28, 1991: Steve Fireovid was signed as a free agent by the Rangers.... @ Baltimore 1992 Baltimore Orioles season The Baltimore Orioles season was a season in American baseball. It involved the Orioles finishing third in the American League East with a record of 89 wins and 73 losses.... (1 PM) |
Sean McDonough Sean McDonough Sean McDonough is an American sportscaster, currently employed by ESPN.-Early life and career:The son of Boston Globe sportswriter Will McDonough, Sean graduated from Syracuse University in 1984. It was in Syracuse where McDonough began his broadcasting career in 1982 as the play-by-play announcer... and Tim McCarver Tim McCarver James Timothy "Tim" McCarver is an American former Major League Baseball catcher, and a current sportscaster in residence for Fox Sports.-Playing career:... |
| July 25, 1992 | Minnesota @ Boston 1992 Boston Red Sox season The Boston Red Sox season involved the Red Sox finishing seventh in the American League East with a record of 73 wins and 89 losses.-Opening Day Line Up:-Roster:-Notable transactions:... Texas 1992 Texas Rangers season The 1992 Texas Rangers season saw the Rangers finishing fourth in the American League West with a record of 77 wins and 85 losses.-Offseason:* October 28, 1991: Steve Fireovid was signed as a free agent by the Rangers.... @ Baltimore 1992 Baltimore Orioles season The Baltimore Orioles season was a season in American baseball. It involved the Orioles finishing third in the American League East with a record of 89 wins and 73 losses.... Detroit 1992 Detroit Tigers season The Detroit Tigers' 1992 season was a season in American baseball. It involved the Detroit Tigers attempting to win the American League East.-Offseason:* December 20, 1991: Dan Gladden was signed as a free agent by the Tigers.... @ California 1992 California Angels season The California Angels 1992 season involved the Angels finishing 5th in the American League West with a record of 72 wins and 90 losses.-Offseason:*December 8, 1991: Ruben Amaro Jr... (3 PM) |
|
| August 1, 1992 | New York Yankees 1992 New York Yankees season The New York Yankees' 1992 season was the 90th season for the Yankees. The team finished with a record of 76-86 finishing 20 games behind the Toronto Blue Jays. New York was managed by Buck Showalter. The Yankees played at Yankee Stadium... @ Toronto 1992 Toronto Blue Jays season The Toronto Blue Jays played their 16th season in Major League Baseball. Toronto finished first in the American League East for the 4th time with a record of 96 wins and 66 losses, closing the season with an attendance record of 4,028,318... St. Louis 1992 St. Louis Cardinals season The 1992 St. Louis Cardinals season was the team's 111th season in St. Louis, Missouri and its 101st season in the National League. The Cardinals went 83-79 during the season and finished third in the National League East division.-Offseason:... @ Pittsburgh 1992 Pittsburgh Pirates season The 1992 Pittsburgh Pirates season saw the Pirates finish first in the National League East with a record of 96 wins and 66 losses. It was the third consecutive division title for the team. The Pirates once again fell short in the postseason, losing a riveting seven-game National League... Oakland 1992 Oakland Athletics season The Oakland Athletics' 1992 season involved the A's finishing first in the American League West with a record of 96 wins and 66 losses. They lost the ALCS in six games to the eventual world champion Toronto Blue Jays.-Offseason:... @ Kansas City 1992 Kansas City Royals season The Kansas City Royals season was a season in American baseball. It involved the Royals finishing 5th in the American League West with a record of 72 wins and 90 losses.-Offseason:... (1 PM) |
|
| August 8, 1992 | Los Angeles 1992 Los Angeles Dodgers season The 1992 Los Angeles Dodgers season was a poor one for the team as it finished last in the Western Division of the National League with a record of 63 wins and 99 losses. Injuries to key players and slumps from others contributed to the franchise's worst season since moving to Los Angeles... @ Atlanta 1992 Atlanta Braves season The 1992 Atlanta Braves season was a season in American baseball. It involved the Braves finishing first in the National League West with a record of 98 wins and 64 losses, clinching their second straight division title.... New York Mets 1992 New York Mets season The New York Mets' 1992 season was the 31st regular season for the Mets. They went 72-90 and finished 5th in the NL East. They were managed by Jeff Torborg... @ Chicago Cubs 1992 Chicago Cubs season -Offseason:* March 30, 1992: George Bell was traded by the Cubs to the Chicago White Sox for Sammy Sosa and Ken Patterson.-Notable transactions:* July 7, 1992: Ced Landrum was traded by the Cubs to the Milwaukee Brewers for Jeff Kunkel.-Roster:... (1 PM) |
|
| August 29, 1992 | Cincinnati 1992 Cincinnati Reds season The 1992 Cincinnati Reds season saw the Reds finish in second place in the National League West with a record of 92 wins and 70 losses.-Offseason:*November 12, 1991: Jacob Brumfield was signed as a Free Agent with the Cincinnati Reds.... @ New York Mets 1992 New York Mets season The New York Mets' 1992 season was the 31st regular season for the Mets. They went 72-90 and finished 5th in the NL East. They were managed by Jeff Torborg... San Francisco 1992 San Francisco Giants season The 1992 San Francisco Giants season saw the Giants finish in fifth place in the National League West with a record of 72 wins and 90 losses.... @ Chicago Cubs 1992 Chicago Cubs season -Offseason:* March 30, 1992: George Bell was traded by the Cubs to the Chicago White Sox for Sammy Sosa and Ken Patterson.-Notable transactions:* July 7, 1992: Ced Landrum was traded by the Cubs to the Milwaukee Brewers for Jeff Kunkel.-Roster:... (dropped) Kansas City 1992 Kansas City Royals season The Kansas City Royals season was a season in American baseball. It involved the Royals finishing 5th in the American League West with a record of 72 wins and 90 losses.-Offseason:... @ Detroit 1992 Detroit Tigers season The Detroit Tigers' 1992 season was a season in American baseball. It involved the Detroit Tigers attempting to win the American League East.-Offseason:* December 20, 1991: Dan Gladden was signed as a free agent by the Tigers.... (dropped) Milwaukee @ Toronto 1992 Toronto Blue Jays season The Toronto Blue Jays played their 16th season in Major League Baseball. Toronto finished first in the American League East for the 4th time with a record of 96 wins and 66 losses, closing the season with an attendance record of 4,028,318... (1 PM) |
|
| September 19, 1992 | Boston 1992 Boston Red Sox season The Boston Red Sox season involved the Red Sox finishing seventh in the American League East with a record of 73 wins and 89 losses.-Opening Day Line Up:-Roster:-Notable transactions:... @ Detroit 1992 Detroit Tigers season The Detroit Tigers' 1992 season was a season in American baseball. It involved the Detroit Tigers attempting to win the American League East.-Offseason:* December 20, 1991: Dan Gladden was signed as a free agent by the Tigers.... Los Angeles 1992 Los Angeles Dodgers season The 1992 Los Angeles Dodgers season was a poor one for the team as it finished last in the Western Division of the National League with a record of 63 wins and 99 losses. Injuries to key players and slumps from others contributed to the franchise's worst season since moving to Los Angeles... @ San Francisco 1992 San Francisco Giants season The 1992 San Francisco Giants season saw the Giants finish in fifth place in the National League West with a record of 72 wins and 90 losses.... St. Louis 1992 St. Louis Cardinals season The 1992 St. Louis Cardinals season was the team's 111th season in St. Louis, Missouri and its 101st season in the National League. The Cardinals went 83-79 during the season and finished third in the National League East division.-Offseason:... @ Chicago Cubs 1992 Chicago Cubs season -Offseason:* March 30, 1992: George Bell was traded by the Cubs to the Chicago White Sox for Sammy Sosa and Ken Patterson.-Notable transactions:* July 7, 1992: Ced Landrum was traded by the Cubs to the Milwaukee Brewers for Jeff Kunkel.-Roster:... (3 PM) |
|
| September 26, 1992 | Oakland Athletics 1992 Oakland Athletics season The Oakland Athletics' 1992 season involved the A's finishing first in the American League West with a record of 96 wins and 66 losses. They lost the ALCS in six games to the eventual world champion Toronto Blue Jays.-Offseason:... @ Milwaukee 1992 Milwaukee Brewers season The Milwaukee Brewers season featured the team finishing in second place in the American League East with a record of 92 wins and 70 losses.-Offseason:* October 15, 1991: George Canale was traded by the Brewers to the Montreal Expos for Alex Diaz.... |
|
| October 3, 1992 | Detroit Tigers 1992 Detroit Tigers season The Detroit Tigers' 1992 season was a season in American baseball. It involved the Detroit Tigers attempting to win the American League East.-Offseason:* December 20, 1991: Dan Gladden was signed as a free agent by the Tigers.... @ Toronto Blue Jays 1992 Toronto Blue Jays season The Toronto Blue Jays played their 16th season in Major League Baseball. Toronto finished first in the American League East for the 4th time with a record of 96 wins and 66 losses, closing the season with an attendance record of 4,028,318... |
- Note: All times eastern
1993
Lesley VisserLesley Visser
Lesley Candace Visser is an American sportscaster, radio personality, and sportswriter. Visser is the first female NFL analyst on TV, and the only sportscaster in history, male or female, who has worked on Final Four, NBA Finals, World Series, Triple Crown, Monday Night Football, the Olympics, the...
missed the first half of the 1993 season
1993 in baseball
-Major League Baseball:*World Series: Toronto Blue Jays over Philadelphia Phillies ; Paul Molitor, MVP*American League Championship Series MVP: Dave Stewart*National League Championship Series MVP: Curt Schilling...
because she suffered a bizarre jogging accident in New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
's Central Park
Central Park
Central Park is a public park in the center of Manhattan in New York City, United States. The park initially opened in 1857, on of city-owned land. In 1858, Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux won a design competition to improve and expand the park with a plan they entitled the Greensward Plan...
. Visser broke her hip and skidded face-first across the pavement. She required reconstructive plastic surgery on her face and more than a decade later required an artificial hip replacement. She returned to CBS Sports in July 1993 to cover the Major League Baseball All-Star Game
1993 Major League Baseball All-Star Game
The 1993 Major League Baseball All-Star Game was the 64th playing of the midsummer classic between the all-stars of the American League and National League , the two leagues comprising Major League Baseball. The game was held on July 13, 1993 at Oriole Park at Camden Yards in Baltimore, Maryland,...
as a pregame analyst instead of a field reporter due to the accident. So in Visser's place, came Jim Kaat
Jim Kaat
James Lee "Jim" Kaat , nicknamed "Kitty", is a former pitcher in Major League Baseball for the Washington Senators/Minnesota Twins , Chicago White Sox , Philadelphia Phillies , New York Yankees , and St...
while she recuperated. She ultimately returned to the baseball world in late August 1993.
As previously mentioned, also during the 1993 season, Andrea Joyce
Andrea Joyce
Andrea Joyce is an American sportscaster who works for NBC Sports after working 10 years with CBS Sports.-Education and early career:...
replaced Greg Gumbel
Greg Gumbel
Greg Gumbel is an American television sportscaster. He is best known for his various assignments on the CBS network...
(who in return, replaced Dick Stockton
Dick Stockton
Dick Stockton is an American sportscaster. He is currently employed by Fox Sports and Turner Sports as a football, baseball, and basketball play-by-play announcer.-Early life and career:...
as the #2 play-by-play man) as studio host. Joyce would be joined at the anchor desk by Pat O'Brien
Pat O'Brien (television)
Pat O'Brien is currently a radio host with Fox Sports Radio as well as an author. He is best known for his time as a sportscaster with CBS Sports and as anchor/host of Access Hollywood and The Insider .O'Brien covered five Olympic Games, two for CBS...
. At the 1993 World Series
1993 World Series
-Game 1:Saturday, October 16, 1993 at SkyDome in Toronto, OntarioThe Series' first game sent two staff aces—Curt Schilling for Philadelphia and Juan Guzman for Toronto—against one another. The result was less than a pitcher's duel, however, as both teams scored early and often.The deciding plays...
, she became the first woman to co-host the network television coverage for a World Series.
During CBS' coverage of the 1993 World Series
1993 World Series
-Game 1:Saturday, October 16, 1993 at SkyDome in Toronto, OntarioThe Series' first game sent two staff aces—Curt Schilling for Philadelphia and Juan Guzman for Toronto—against one another. The result was less than a pitcher's duel, however, as both teams scored early and often.The deciding plays...
, umpires were upset with the overhead
Skycam
Skycam is the trademarked brandname of a patented, computer-controlled, stabilized, cable-suspended camera system. The system, similar to Steadicam, but maneuvered through three dimensions in the open space over a playing area of a stadium or arena by computer-controlled cable-drive system, is...
replays being televised by CBS. Dave Phillips, the crew chief, said just prior to Game 2 that the umpires want "CBS to be fair with their approach." Rick Gentile, the senior vice president for production of CBS Sports, said that Richie Phillips
Richie Phillips
Richard G. Phillips is the former general counsel and executive director of the 52-member Major League Umpires Association , having held those positions from 1978 to 2000. He is most notable for recommending that the union baseball umpires resign en masse effective September 2, 1999 to leverage...
, the lawyer for the Major League Umpires Association, tried to call the broadcast booth during Saturday's game, but the call was not put through. Richie Phillips apparently was upset when Dave Phillips called the Philadelphia Phillies
1993 Philadelphia Phillies season
The 1993 Philadelphia Phillies season saw the Phillies capture the National League East championship. The Phillies defeated the Atlanta Braves in the 1993 National League Championship Series in six games, before losing the World Series to the Toronto Blue Jays.-Regular season:After finishing in...
' Ricky Jordan
Ricky Jordan
Paul Scott "Ricky" Jordan is a former first baseman in Major League Baseball who played from to for the Philadelphia Phillies and Seattle Mariners. His first game in Major League Baseball came on July 17, 1988. During his first at-bat that game, he hit a home run. Jordan was noted for being a...
out on strikes in the fourth inning, and a replay showed the pitch to be about 6 inches outside. National League
National League
The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the National League , is the older of two leagues constituting Major League Baseball, and the world's oldest extant professional team sports league. Founded on February 2, 1876, to replace the National Association of Professional...
President Bill White, while using a CBS headset in the broadcast booth during Game 1, was overheard telling Gentile and the producer Bob Dekas "You guys keep using that camera the way you want. Don't let Phillips intimidate you."
Schedule
| Date | Teams | Announcers |
| April 17, 1993 | New York Mets 1993 New York Mets season The New York Mets' 1993 season was the 32nd regular season for the Mets. They went 59-103 and finished 7th in the NL East. They were managed by Jeff Torborg and Dallas Green. They played home games at Shea Stadium.-Offseason:... @ Cincinnati 1993 Cincinnati Reds season The 1993 Cincinnati Reds season was a season in American baseball. It consisted of the Cincinnati Reds attempting to win the National League West.-Offseason:... |
|
| April 24, 1993 | Florida 1993 Florida Marlins season The 1993 Florida Marlins season was the inaugural year for the team, part of the 1993 Major League Baseball expansion. Their manager was Rene Lachemann. They played home games at Joe Robbie Stadium... @ Colorado 1993 Colorado Rockies season The Colorado Rockies' 1993 season was the first for the Rockies. They played in the National League West. Don Baylor was their manager. They played home games at Mile High Stadium... Cincinnati Reds 1993 Cincinnati Reds season The 1993 Cincinnati Reds season was a season in American baseball. It consisted of the Cincinnati Reds attempting to win the National League West.-Offseason:... @ Chicago Cubs 1993 Chicago Cubs season -Offseason:*December 2, 1992: Steve Lake was signed as a Free Agent with the Chicago Cubs. *December 8, 1992: Dan Plesac was signed as a Free Agent with the Chicago Cubs. *December 9, 1992: Randy Myers signed as a Free Agent with the Chicago Cubs.... |
Sean McDonough Sean McDonough Sean McDonough is an American sportscaster, currently employed by ESPN.-Early life and career:The son of Boston Globe sportswriter Will McDonough, Sean graduated from Syracuse University in 1984. It was in Syracuse where McDonough began his broadcasting career in 1982 as the play-by-play announcer... and Tim McCarver Tim McCarver James Timothy "Tim" McCarver is an American former Major League Baseball catcher, and a current sportscaster in residence for Fox Sports.-Playing career:... Greg Gumbel Greg Gumbel Greg Gumbel is an American television sportscaster. He is best known for his various assignments on the CBS network... and Jim Kaat Jim Kaat James Lee "Jim" Kaat , nicknamed "Kitty", is a former pitcher in Major League Baseball for the Washington Senators/Minnesota Twins , Chicago White Sox , Philadelphia Phillies , New York Yankees , and St... |
| May 1, 1993 | St. Louis 1993 St. Louis Cardinals season The St. Louis Cardinals 1993 season was the team's 112th season in St. Louis, Missouri and the 102nd season in the National League. The Cardinals went 87-75 during the season and finished 3rd in the National League East division. This was the final season in the NL East for the... @ Atlanta 1993 Atlanta Braves season The 1993 Atlanta Braves season saw the Braves finish in first place in the National League West with a record of 104 wins and 58 losses. In the waning weeks of the season, they engaged in a dramatic and exciting battle for the division title against the San Francisco Giants, who finished in second... |
|
| May 8, 1993 | Baltimore 1993 Baltimore Orioles season The Baltimore Orioles season was the 93rd baseball season in Orioles history. It involved the Orioles finishing 3rd in the American League East with a record of 85 wins and 77 losses.-Offseason:... @ Toronto 1993 Toronto Blue Jays season The Toronto Blue Jays season involved the Blue Jays finishing first in the American League East with a record of 95 wins and 67 losses. They were shut out only once in 162 regular-season games. The Blue Jays would repeat as World Champions and become the first back-to-back champions since the New... |
|
| May 15, 1993 | Los Angeles 1993 Los Angeles Dodgers season The 1993 Dodgers improved on the dismal 1992 season finishing fourth in the Western Division of the National League. This was in part thanks to this years Rookie of the Year winner, catcher Mike Piazza. Piazza set rookie records with 35 home runs and 112 RBI... @ Houston 1993 Houston Astros season The Houston Astros' 1993 season was a season in American baseball. It involved the Houston Astros attempting to win the National League West.-Offseason:* October 5, 1992: Denny Walling was released by the Astros.... |
|
| May 22, 1993 | New York Yankees 1993 New York Yankees season The New York Yankees' 1993 season was the 91st season for the Yankees. The team finished with a record of 88-74 finishing 7 games behind the Toronto Blue Jays. New York was managed by Buck Showalter. The Yankees played at Yankee Stadium... @ Boston 1993 Boston Red Sox season The Boston Red Sox season was a season in American baseball. It involved the Red Sox finishing fifth in the American League East with a record of 80 wins and 82 losses.-Offseason:... California 1993 California Angels season The California Angels 1993 season involved the Angels finishing 5th in the American League west with a record of 71 wins and 91 losses.-Offseason:*November 19, 1992: Torey Lovullo was signed as a Free Agent with the California Angels.... @ Texas 1993 Texas Rangers season The Texas Rangers 1993 season involved the Rangers finishing 2nd in the American League west with a record of 86 wins and 76 losses. Before the 1993 season, Nolan Ryan announced his retirement, effective at the end of that season.-Offseason:... |
Sean McDonough Sean McDonough Sean McDonough is an American sportscaster, currently employed by ESPN.-Early life and career:The son of Boston Globe sportswriter Will McDonough, Sean graduated from Syracuse University in 1984. It was in Syracuse where McDonough began his broadcasting career in 1982 as the play-by-play announcer... and Tim McCarver Tim McCarver James Timothy "Tim" McCarver is an American former Major League Baseball catcher, and a current sportscaster in residence for Fox Sports.-Playing career:... Greg Gumbel Greg Gumbel Greg Gumbel is an American television sportscaster. He is best known for his various assignments on the CBS network... and Jim Kaat Jim Kaat James Lee "Jim" Kaat , nicknamed "Kitty", is a former pitcher in Major League Baseball for the Washington Senators/Minnesota Twins , Chicago White Sox , Philadelphia Phillies , New York Yankees , and St... |
| May 29, 1993 | San Francisco 1993 San Francisco Giants season The 1993 Giants season was their 111th in Major League Baseball and their 36th in San Francisco. In the offseason, Barry Bonds left the Pirates to sign a lucrative free agent contract worth a then-record $43.75 million over 6 years with the Giants, with whom his father spent the first 7 years of... @ Atlanta 1993 Atlanta Braves season The 1993 Atlanta Braves season saw the Braves finish in first place in the National League West with a record of 104 wins and 58 losses. In the waning weeks of the season, they engaged in a dramatic and exciting battle for the division title against the San Francisco Giants, who finished in second... |
|
| July 10, 1993 | San Francisco 1993 San Francisco Giants season The 1993 Giants season was their 111th in Major League Baseball and their 36th in San Francisco. In the offseason, Barry Bonds left the Pirates to sign a lucrative free agent contract worth a then-record $43.75 million over 6 years with the Giants, with whom his father spent the first 7 years of... @ Philadelphia 1993 Philadelphia Phillies season The 1993 Philadelphia Phillies season saw the Phillies capture the National League East championship. The Phillies defeated the Atlanta Braves in the 1993 National League Championship Series in six games, before losing the World Series to the Toronto Blue Jays.-Regular season:After finishing in... |
|
| July 13, 1993 | All-Star Game 1993 Major League Baseball All-Star Game The 1993 Major League Baseball All-Star Game was the 64th playing of the midsummer classic between the all-stars of the American League and National League , the two leagues comprising Major League Baseball. The game was held on July 13, 1993 at Oriole Park at Camden Yards in Baltimore, Maryland,... (Oriole Park at Camden Yards Oriole Park at Camden Yards Oriole Park at Camden Yards is a Major League Baseball ballpark located in Baltimore, Maryland. Home field of the Baltimore Orioles, it is the first of the "retro" major league ballparks constructed during the 1990s and early 2000s, and remains one of the most highly praised. The park was... , Baltimore Baltimore Baltimore is the largest independent city in the United States and the largest city and cultural center of the US state of Maryland. The city is located in central Maryland along the tidal portion of the Patapsco River, an arm of the Chesapeake Bay. Baltimore is sometimes referred to as Baltimore... ) |
Sean McDonough Sean McDonough Sean McDonough is an American sportscaster, currently employed by ESPN.-Early life and career:The son of Boston Globe sportswriter Will McDonough, Sean graduated from Syracuse University in 1984. It was in Syracuse where McDonough began his broadcasting career in 1982 as the play-by-play announcer... and Tim McCarver Tim McCarver James Timothy "Tim" McCarver is an American former Major League Baseball catcher, and a current sportscaster in residence for Fox Sports.-Playing career:... |
| July 17, 1993 | Oakland 1993 Oakland Athletics season The Oakland Athletics' 1993 season involved the A's finishing 7th in the American League West with a record of 68 wins and 94 losses.-Offseason:* October 27, 1992: Jamie Quirk was released by the Athletics.... @ New York Yankees 1993 New York Yankees season The New York Yankees' 1993 season was the 91st season for the Yankees. The team finished with a record of 88-74 finishing 7 games behind the Toronto Blue Jays. New York was managed by Buck Showalter. The Yankees played at Yankee Stadium... |
|
| July 24, 1993 | Philadelphia 1993 Philadelphia Phillies season The 1993 Philadelphia Phillies season saw the Phillies capture the National League East championship. The Phillies defeated the Atlanta Braves in the 1993 National League Championship Series in six games, before losing the World Series to the Toronto Blue Jays.-Regular season:After finishing in... @ San Francisco 1993 San Francisco Giants season The 1993 Giants season was their 111th in Major League Baseball and their 36th in San Francisco. In the offseason, Barry Bonds left the Pirates to sign a lucrative free agent contract worth a then-record $43.75 million over 6 years with the Giants, with whom his father spent the first 7 years of... |
|
| July 31, 1993 | Detroit 1993 Detroit Tigers season The Detroit Tigers' 1993 season was a season in American baseball. It involved the Detroit Tigers attempting to win the American League East.-Offseason:* December 7, 1992: Bill Gullickson was signed as a free agent by the Tigers.... @ Toronto 1993 Toronto Blue Jays season The Toronto Blue Jays season involved the Blue Jays finishing first in the American League East with a record of 95 wins and 67 losses. They were shut out only once in 162 regular-season games. The Blue Jays would repeat as World Champions and become the first back-to-back champions since the New... |
|
| August 7, 1993 | Boston 1993 Boston Red Sox season The Boston Red Sox season was a season in American baseball. It involved the Red Sox finishing fifth in the American League East with a record of 80 wins and 82 losses.-Offseason:... @ Detroit 1993 Detroit Tigers season The Detroit Tigers' 1993 season was a season in American baseball. It involved the Detroit Tigers attempting to win the American League East.-Offseason:* December 7, 1992: Bill Gullickson was signed as a free agent by the Tigers.... |
|
| August 28, 1993 | Chicago Cubs 1993 Chicago Cubs season -Offseason:*December 2, 1992: Steve Lake was signed as a Free Agent with the Chicago Cubs. *December 8, 1992: Dan Plesac was signed as a Free Agent with the Chicago Cubs. *December 9, 1992: Randy Myers signed as a Free Agent with the Chicago Cubs.... @ Atlanta 1993 Atlanta Braves season The 1993 Atlanta Braves season saw the Braves finish in first place in the National League West with a record of 104 wins and 58 losses. In the waning weeks of the season, they engaged in a dramatic and exciting battle for the division title against the San Francisco Giants, who finished in second... |
|
| September 18 | Boston 1993 Boston Red Sox season The Boston Red Sox season was a season in American baseball. It involved the Red Sox finishing fifth in the American League East with a record of 80 wins and 82 losses.-Offseason:... @ New York Yankees 1993 New York Yankees season The New York Yankees' 1993 season was the 91st season for the Yankees. The team finished with a record of 88-74 finishing 7 games behind the Toronto Blue Jays. New York was managed by Buck Showalter. The Yankees played at Yankee Stadium... New York Mets 1993 New York Mets season The New York Mets' 1993 season was the 32nd regular season for the Mets. They went 59-103 and finished 7th in the NL East. They were managed by Jeff Torborg and Dallas Green. They played home games at Shea Stadium.-Offseason:... @ Atlanta 1993 Atlanta Braves season The 1993 Atlanta Braves season saw the Braves finish in first place in the National League West with a record of 104 wins and 58 losses. In the waning weeks of the season, they engaged in a dramatic and exciting battle for the division title against the San Francisco Giants, who finished in second... |
|
| September 25 | Atlanta 1993 Atlanta Braves season The 1993 Atlanta Braves season saw the Braves finish in first place in the National League West with a record of 104 wins and 58 losses. In the waning weeks of the season, they engaged in a dramatic and exciting battle for the division title against the San Francisco Giants, who finished in second... @ Philadelphia 1993 Philadelphia Phillies season The 1993 Philadelphia Phillies season saw the Phillies capture the National League East championship. The Phillies defeated the Atlanta Braves in the 1993 National League Championship Series in six games, before losing the World Series to the Toronto Blue Jays.-Regular season:After finishing in... |
|
| October 2, 1993 | San Francisco 1993 San Francisco Giants season The 1993 Giants season was their 111th in Major League Baseball and their 36th in San Francisco. In the offseason, Barry Bonds left the Pirates to sign a lucrative free agent contract worth a then-record $43.75 million over 6 years with the Giants, with whom his father spent the first 7 years of... @ Los Angeles 1993 Los Angeles Dodgers season The 1993 Dodgers improved on the dismal 1992 season finishing fourth in the Western Division of the National League. This was in part thanks to this years Rookie of the Year winner, catcher Mike Piazza. Piazza set rookie records with 35 home runs and 112 RBI... |
Reasons for CBS losing so much money may include
In the end, CBS wound up losing approximately half a billion dollars from their television contract with Major League Baseball. CBS repeatedly asked Major League Baseball for a rebateRebate (marketing)
A rebate is an amount paid by way of reduction, return, or refund on what has already been paid or contributed. It is a type of sales promotion marketers use primarily as incentives or supplements to product sales. The mail-in rebate is the most common...
, but Major League Baseball wasn't willing to do this. According to Curt Smith
Curt Smith (author)
Curt Smith is an American author, media host and columnist.Smith is a 1973 graduate of SUNY at Geneseo. He worked as a Gannett Company reporter, a speechwriter to former Texas Governor John Connolly, and an editor at the Saturday Evening Post. In 1989 he joined the George H.W...
's book The Voice - Mel Allen's Untold Story, one CBS executive wore a St. Louis Cardinals
St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
cap at a 1988 Christmas party. However, by , pining to shed baseball, that same executive wore a cap styled "One More Year."
- CBS alienated and confused fans with their sporadic treatment of regular season telecasts. With a sense of true continuity destroyed, fans eventually figured that they couldn't count on CBS to satisfy their needs (thus poor ratings were a result). CBS televised about 16 regular season Saturday afternoon games (not counting back-up telecasts) which was 14 less than what NBC televised during the previous contract. According to Commissioner Peter UeberrothPeter UeberrothPeter Victor Ueberroth is an American executive. He served as the sixth Commissioner of Major League Baseball from 1984 to 1989. He was recently the chairman of the United States Olympic Committee; he was replaced by Larry Probst in October 2008....
, the reason for the cut back in regular season telecasts was in order for teams to sell them locally in order to make a direct profit. CBS used the strategy of broadcasting only a select amount of games in order to build a demand in response to supposedly sagging ratings. In response to this, NBC SportsNBC SportsNBC Sports is the sports division of the NBC television network. Formerly "a service of NBC News," it broadcasts a diverse array of programs, including the Olympic Games, the NFL, the NHL, MLS, Notre Dame football, the PGA Tour, the Triple Crown, and the French Open, among others...
chairman Dick EbersolDick EbersolDuncan "Dick" Ebersol is an American television executive and a senior adviser for . He had previously been the chairman of NBC Sports, producing large scale television events such as the Olympic Games and National Football League broadcasts....
grinned "I assume [its] baseball strategy has to be a big disappointment." Counting the All-Star Game, both League Championship Series, and the World Series, CBS would've televised just 38 games. This comes on the account of both League Championship Series and the World Series going to a full seven games. In their first year in 19901990 in baseball-Major League Baseball:*World Series: Cincinnati Reds over Oakland Athletics ; José Rijo, MVP*American League Championship Series MVP Dave Stewart*National League Championship Series co-MVPs: Rob Dibble and Randy Myers...
, CBS Sports had a pretty loaded schedule (much came at the expense of the regular season baseball coverage): the NBA Playoffs1990 NBA PlayoffsThe 1990 NBA Playoffs was the postseason tournament of the National Basketball Association's 1989-1990 season. The tournament concluded with the Eastern Conference champion Detroit Pistons successfully defending their championship by beating the Western Conference champion Portland Trail Blazers...
(the 1989–90 season1989-90 NBA season-Statistics leaders:-NBA awards:*Most Valuable Player: Magic Johnson, Los Angeles Lakers*Rookie of the Year: David Robinson, San Antonio Spurs*Defensive Player of the Year: Dennis Rodman, Detroit Pistons...
marked CBS' final year with the NBA before the over-the-air package moved over to NBC), College World Series1990 College World SeriesThe 1990 College World Series was played at Johnny Rosenblatt Stadium in Omaha, NE from June 1 to June 9. The forty-fourth tournament's champion was the University of Georgia, coached by Steve Webber...
, and college footballSEC on CBSThe SEC on CBS is a presentation of the college football television package owned by CBS Sports...
(like the NBA, CBS would lose the CFACollege Football AssociationThe College Football Association is the name of a now-defunct body through which American college football schools negotiated TV contracts with networks. The CFA was an alliance of 64 schools from the major conferences and selected independents....
package soon after winning the Major League Baseball contract). CBS never scheduled baseball on Masters weekend, and seldom on other weekends when they had a PGA TourPGA Tour on CBSPGA Tour on CBS is a television program produced by CBS Sports that broadcasts the main professional golf tours in the United States.-Coverage overview:In January 2006, the PGA Tour announced a new set of television deals covering 2007 to 2012...
event. It was around this time that CBS started expanding their weekend coverage from two hours to three on weekends when there was no baseball, generally from 3 to 6 p.m. ET. Most of their baseball dates landed on weeks when other networks covered golf.
Marv Albert
Marv Albert
Marv Albert is an American television and radio sportscaster. Honored for his work as a member of the Basketball Hall of Fame, he is commonly referred to as "the voice of basketball." From 1967–2004, he was also known as "the voice of the New York Knicks."Including Super Bowl XLII, Marv has called...
, who hosted NBC's baseball pregame show
Major League Baseball: An Inside Look
Major League Baseball: An Inside Look was a pregame show for NBC's Game of the Week telecasts. It featured one-on-one interviews with the players, and other on-going news and notes relating to Major League Baseball...
for many years said about CBS' baseball coverage "You wouldn't see a game for a month. Then you didn't know when CBS came back on." Sports Illustrated
Sports Illustrated
Sports Illustrated is an American sports media company owned by media conglomerate Time Warner. Its self titled magazine has over 3.5 million subscribers and is read by 23 million adults each week, including over 18 million men. It was the first magazine with circulation over one million to win the...
joked that CBS stood for Covers Baseball Sporadically. USA Today
USA Today
USA Today is a national American daily newspaper published by the Gannett Company. It was founded by Al Neuharth. The newspaper vies with The Wall Street Journal for the position of having the widest circulation of any newspaper in the United States, something it previously held since 2003...
added that Jack Buck and Tim McCarver "may have to have a reunion before [their] telecast." Mike Lupica
Mike Lupica
Michael Lupica is an American newspaper columnist, best known for his provocative commentary on sports in the New York Daily News and his appearances on ESPN.-Biography:...
of the New York Daily News
New York Daily News
The Daily News of New York City is the fourth most widely circulated daily newspaper in the United States with a daily circulation of 605,677, as of November 1, 2011....
took it a step further by calling CBS' baseball deal "The Vietnam
Vietnam
Vietnam – sometimes spelled Viet Nam , officially the Socialist Republic of Vietnam – is the easternmost country on the Indochina Peninsula in Southeast Asia. It is bordered by China to the north, Laos to the northwest, Cambodia to the southwest, and the South China Sea –...
of sports television."
NBC play-by-play man Bob Costas
Bob Costas
Robert Quinlan "Bob" Costas is an American sportscaster, on the air for the NBC network since the early 1980s.-Early life:...
believed that a large bulk of the regular season coverage beginning in the 1990s to cable (namely, ESPN
ESPN Major League Baseball
ESPN Major League Baseball is a promotion of Major League Baseball on ESPN and ESPN2, with simulcasts on ESPNHD or ESPN2HD. ESPN's MLB coverage debuted on April 9, 1990 with three Opening Day telecasts. ESPN Major League Baseball is guaranteed to remain on air until 2013.The title is derived from...
) because CBS
CBS
CBS Broadcasting Inc. is a major US commercial broadcasting television network, which started as a radio network. The name is derived from the initials of the network's former name, Columbia Broadcasting System. The network is sometimes referred to as the "Eye Network" in reference to the shape of...
, the network that was taking over from NBC the television rights beginning in 1990 didn't really want the Saturday Game of the Week. Many fans who didn't appreciate CBS' approach to scheduling regular season baseball games believed that they were only truly after the marquee events (i.e. All-Star Game
Major League Baseball All-Star Game
The Major League Baseball All-Star Game, also known as the "Midsummer Classic", is an annual baseball game between players from the National League and the American League, currently selected by a combination of fans, players, coaches, and managers...
, League Championship Series
League Championship Series
The League Championship Series is the official name for a round of postseason play in Major League Baseball which has been conducted since 1969...
, and the World Series) in order to sell advertising
Advertising
Advertising is a form of communication used to persuade an audience to take some action with respect to products, ideas, or services. Most commonly, the desired result is to drive consumer behavior with respect to a commercial offering, although political and ideological advertising is also common...
space (especially the fall entertainment television schedule).
- The Toronto Blue JaysToronto Blue JaysThe Toronto Blue Jays are a professional baseball team located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Blue Jays are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball 's American League ....
were in back-to-back World Series in their championship seasons of and , as well as the 1991 ALCS1991 American League Championship Series-Game 1:Tuesday, October 8, 1991 at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome in Minneapolis, MinnesotaGame 1 saw a surprise starter for Toronto as Blue Jays manager Cito Gaston chose knuckleballer Tom Candiotti to face the Twins over his new young gun Juan Guzmán and his left-handed ace Jimmy Key. Twins...
. All of CBS' post-season telecasts were simulcast on CTVCTV television networkCTV Television Network is a Canadian English language television network and is owned by Bell Media. It is Canada's largest privately-owned network, and has consistently placed as Canada's top-rated network in total viewers and in key demographics since 2002, after several years trailing the rival...
in Canada, and got very high ratings north of the border when the Jays were involved. Unfortunately, CanadaCanadaCanada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
does not factor in the Nielsen ratingsNielsen RatingsNielsen ratings are the audience measurement systems developed by Nielsen Media Research, in an effort to determine the audience size and composition of television programming in the United States...
so as a consequence, CBS got the lowest ratings in over 20 years for a World Series (not counting the earthquake interrupted 1989 World Series1989 World Series†: Game 3 was originally slated for October 17 at 5:35 pm; however, it was postponed when an earthquake occurred at 5:04 pm.-Game 1:Saturday, October 14, 1989 at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum in Oakland, California...
that was televised by ABC). In any other World Series, viewership would be higher since two American teams would be involved, to say nothing of spikes to off-the-chart ratings shares in the two competing cities (especially in when CBS was fortunate to cover the riveting, ultra intense, seven-game battle between the Minnesota Twins and Atlanta Braves1991 Atlanta Braves seasonIn 1991, the Atlanta Braves became the first team in the National League to go from last place one year to first place the next. This feat was also accomplished by the 1991 Minnesota Twins...
). Another reasoning behind the poor ratings likely has to do with the gradual attrition of the audience for almost all network programming.
- The country at the time was going through a recessionLate 1980s recessionThe recession of the early 1990s describes the period of economic downturn affecting much of the world in the late 1980s and early 1990s.-Causes:...
.
- CBS couldn't properly maximize the deal because the Division SeriesDivision SeriesIn baseball, the Division Series is the official name for the first round of the Major League Baseball playoffs. Currently, a total of four series are played in this opening round, two each for both the American League and the National League.-1981 season:...
wasn't created yet (thus automatically giving CBS more games to carry) and they didn't have a cable outlet like Fox's Fox Sports NetFox Sports NetThe Fox Sports Regional Networks, or simply Fox Sports Net , are a collection of cable TV regional sports networks in the United States owned and operated by News Corporation.- Beginnings :...
. In reality, they were competing with ESPN and local broadcasts outside of CBS' broadcast window. More postseason games could've increased the advertising inventory. It should be noted that both ABC and NBC lost money on their in-season games the last three years they carried baseball (–).
- CBS simply made way too high of a bid (especially for a network that wound up frustrating fans with its lack of regular season coverage) and substained a shortfall in advertisingAdvertisingAdvertising is a form of communication used to persuade an audience to take some action with respect to products, ideas, or services. Most commonly, the desired result is to drive consumer behavior with respect to a commercial offering, although political and ideological advertising is also common...
revenue. Perhaps it is somewhat ironic that back in , CBS Sports president Neal Pilson said of ABC's then ongoing contract with Major League Baseball "Three years ago, we believed ABC's package was overpriced by $175 million. We still believe it's overpriced by $175 million."
In 1991, it cost CBS $
United States dollar
The United States dollar , also referred to as the American dollar, is the official currency of the United States of America. It is divided into 100 smaller units called cents or pennies....
4.8 million per game in venue productions alone to show the National League Championship Series
1991 National League Championship Series
-Game 1:Wednesday, October 9, 1991 at Three Rivers Stadium in Pittsburgh, PennsylvaniaThe Pirates proved they would be tough to eliminate early when they stifled the Braves offense behind 1990 Cy Young Award winner Doug Drabek and won the first game 5–1...
. This doesn't include studio backup operations or the satellite time needed to transmit the game to New York for broadcast on their network frequencies. The American League Championship Series
1991 American League Championship Series
-Game 1:Tuesday, October 8, 1991 at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome in Minneapolis, MinnesotaGame 1 saw a surprise starter for Toronto as Blue Jays manager Cito Gaston chose knuckleballer Tom Candiotti to face the Twins over his new young gun Juan Guzmán and his left-handed ace Jimmy Key. Twins...
(between the Minnesota Twins and Toronto Blue Jays
1991 Toronto Blue Jays season
The 1991 Toronto Blue Jays season involved the Blue Jays finishing 1st in the American League East with a record of 91 wins and 71 losses. The team's paid attendance of 4,001,527 led the American League, as the Jays became the first team in MLB history ever to draw four million fans in a season...
) was another problem because of the tariffs and labor laws
Canadian labour and employment law
Canadian labour law is that body of law which regulates the rights, restrictions obligations of trade unions, workers and employers in Canada. Canadian employment law is that body of law which regulates the rights, restrictions obligations of non-unioned workers and employers in...
they had to endure going into Canada. CBS averaged $1.9–$2.4 million per regular season game. In return, it was typical for the production cost to double come playoff time.
The end of Major League Baseball on CBS
The final Major League Baseball game that CBS has televised to date, was Game 6 of the 1993 World Series1993 World Series
-Game 1:Saturday, October 16, 1993 at SkyDome in Toronto, OntarioThe Series' first game sent two staff aces—Curt Schilling for Philadelphia and Juan Guzman for Toronto—against one another. The result was less than a pitcher's duel, however, as both teams scored early and often.The deciding plays...
on October 23. Before Major League Baseball decided to seek the services of other networks, CBS offered $
United States dollar
The United States dollar , also referred to as the American dollar, is the official currency of the United States of America. It is divided into 100 smaller units called cents or pennies....
120 million in annual rights fees over a two-year period, as well as advertising revenues in excess of $150 million a season.
In October , when it was a known fact that ABC and NBC were going to end their television deal/joint venture with Major League Baseball
The Baseball Network
The Baseball Network was a short-lived television broadcasting joint venture between ABC, NBC, and Major League Baseball. Under the arrangement, beginning in the 1994 season, the league produced its own in-house telecasts of games, which were then brokered to air on ABC and NBC...
, preliminary talks rose about CBS returning. It was rumored that CBS would show Thursday night games (more specifically, a package of West Coast
West Coast of the United States
West Coast or Pacific Coast are terms for the westernmost coastal states of the United States. The term most often refers to the states of California, Oregon, and Washington. Although not part of the contiguous United States, Alaska and Hawaii do border the Pacific Ocean but can't be included in...
interleague games
Interleague play
Interleague play is the term used to describe regular season Major League Baseball games played between teams in different leagues, introduced in . Before the 1997 season, teams in the American League and National League did not meet during the regular season...
scheduled for the 11:30 ET
Eastern Time Zone
The Eastern Time Zone of the United States and Canada is a time zone that falls mostly along the east coast of North America. Its UTC time offset is −5 hrs during standard time and −4 hrs during daylight saving time...
/8:30 PT
Pacific Time Zone
The Pacific Time Zone observes standard time by subtracting eight hours from Coordinated Universal Time . The clock time in this zone is based on the mean solar time of the 120th meridian west of the Greenwich Observatory. During daylight saving time, its time offset is UTC-7.In the United States...
slot) while Fox would show Saturday afternoon games. CBS and Fox were also rumored to share rights to the postseason. In the end however, CBS' involvement did not come to pass and NBC became Fox's over-the-air national television partner.
Miscellaneous quotes
Association with Major League Baseball on TBS
On the July 2, 2011 edition of The CBS Sports SpectacularCBS Sports Spectacular
CBS Sports Spectacular is a sports anthology program produced by CBS Sports. The series began on January 3, 1960 as The CBS Sports Spectacular, and has been known under many different names, including CBS Sports Saturday, CBS Sports Sunday, Eye on Sports and The CBS Sports Show.The program...
, TBS' Atlanta based Major League Baseball studio crew of Matt Winer
Matt Winer
Matthew Ward Winer is an American television personality for Turner Sports and formerly with ESPN.-Career:Turner Sports signed Winer in 2010 to contribute to coverage of sports across its networks. He became the primary studio host for Major League Baseball on TBS, replacing Ernie Johnson Jr., who...
, Dennis Eckersley
Dennis Eckersley
Dennis Lee Eckersley , nicknamed "Eck", is a former American Major League Baseball pitcher. Eckersley had success as a starter, but gained his greatest fame as a closer, becoming the first of only two pitchers in Major League history to have both a 20-win season and a 50-save season in a career .He...
, Cal Ripken, Jr.
Cal Ripken, Jr.
Calvin Edwin "Cal" Ripken, Jr. , nicknamed "Iron Man", is a former Major League Baseball shortstop and third baseman. He played his entire 21-year baseball career for the Baltimore Orioles ....
and David Wells
David Wells
David Lee Wells , nicknamed "Boomer", is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. Wells was considered to be one of the game's better left-handed pitchers, especially during his years with the New York Yankees and the Toronto Blue Jays. He pitched the fifteenth perfect game in baseball history...
presented a 2011 Major League Baseball
2011 Major League Baseball season
The 2011 Major League Baseball season began on Thursday, March 31, and ended on Wednesday, September 28. This marked the first time a season began on a Thursday since , and the first time a regular season ended on a Wednesday since...
midseason report. This was followed by MLB 2011: Down the Stretch, which aired on September 24. CBS Sports and Turner Sports
Turner Sports
Turner Sports is the division of Turner Broadcasting System responsible for sports broadcasts on Turner channels including TBS, TNT, and TruTV, and for operating the interactive properties , , , and...
have in the past, teamed up on coverage of the NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament
NCAA March Madness (CBS/Turner)
NCAA March Madness is the title of the coverage of the NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament jointly produced by CBS Sports and Turner Sports, with coverage airing on CBS, TBS, TNT and truTV, beginning with the 2011 tournament.Initially, CBS will continue to have coverage during most rounds,...
and the Winter Olympics
Olympics on TNT
The Olympics on TNT was the branding for Winter Olympic Games coverage produced by CBS for their cable partner, Turner Network Television. The last airing of the telecast was for the 1998 Winter Games in Nagano.-History:...
in 1992
1992 Winter Olympics
The 1992 Winter Olympics, officially known as the XVI Olympic Winter Games, were a winter multi-sport event celebrated from 8 to 23 February 1992 in Albertville, France. They were the last Winter Olympics to be held the same year as the Summer Olympics, and the first where the Winter Paralympics...
, 1994
1994 Winter Olympics
The 1994 Winter Olympics, officially known as the XVII Olympic Winter Games, was a winter multi-sport event celebrated from 12 to 27 February 1994 in and around Lillehammer, Norway. Lillehammer failed to win the bid for the 1992 event. Lillehammer was awarded the games in 1988, after having beat...
and 1998
1998 Winter Olympics
The 1998 Winter Olympics, officially the XVIII Olympic Winter Games, was a winter multi-sport event celebrated from 7 to 22 February 1998 in Nagano, Japan. Seventy-two nations and 2,176 participans contested in seven sports and 72 events at 15 venues. The games saw the introduction of Women's ice...
.
Memorable calls
External links
Major League Baseball on CBS is the name of the former TV showTelevision program
A television program , also called television show, is a segment of content which is intended to be broadcast on television. It may be a one-time production or part of a periodically recurring series...
that televised Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
games on the American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
television network
Television network
A television network is a telecommunications network for distribution of television program content, whereby a central operation provides programming to many television stations or pay TV providers. Until the mid-1980s, television programming in most countries of the world was dominated by a small...
CBS
CBS
CBS Broadcasting Inc. is a major US commercial broadcasting television network, which started as a radio network. The name is derived from the initials of the network's former name, Columbia Broadcasting System. The network is sometimes referred to as the "Eye Network" in reference to the shape of...
(legally known as the Columbia Broadcasting System from 1928 to 1974). Produced by CBS Sports
CBS Sports
CBS Sports is a division of CBS Broadcasting which airs sporting events on the American television network. Its headquarters are in the CBS Building on West 52nd Street in midtown Manhattan, New York City, with programs produced out of Studio 43 at the CBS Broadcast Center on West 57th Street.CBS...
, there have been several variations of the program dating back to the 1950s. The most notable version existed from 1990
1990 in baseball
-Major League Baseball:*World Series: Cincinnati Reds over Oakland Athletics ; José Rijo, MVP*American League Championship Series MVP Dave Stewart*National League Championship Series co-MVPs: Rob Dibble and Randy Myers...
to 1993
1993 in baseball
-Major League Baseball:*World Series: Toronto Blue Jays over Philadelphia Phillies ; Paul Molitor, MVP*American League Championship Series MVP: Dave Stewart*National League Championship Series MVP: Curt Schilling...
.
August 11, 1951
On August 11, 19511951 in baseball
-Headline Event of the Year:Baseball's Shot Heard 'Round the World gives the New York Giants the National League Pennant in the third game of a best-of-three-games tiebreaker series over the Brooklyn Dodgers.-Major League Baseball:...
, WCBS-TV
WCBS-TV
WCBS-TV, channel 2, is the flagship station of the CBS television network, located in New York City. The station's studios are located within the CBS Broadcast Center and its transmitter is atop the Empire State Building, both in Midtown Manhattan....
in New York
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
(CBS' flagship station) broadcast the first baseball game on color television. It was the Brooklyn Dodgers
1951 Brooklyn Dodgers season
The Brooklyn Dodgers led the National League for much of the season, holding a 13 game lead as late as August. However, a late season swoon and a hot streak by the New York Giants led to a classic three-game playoff series...
vs. Boston Braves
1951 Boston Braves season
- Offseason :* Prior to 1951 season: Georges Maranda was signed as an amateur free agent by the Braves.- Roster :- Starters by position :Note: Pos = Position; G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in- Other batters :Note: G = Games...
from Ebbets Field
Ebbets Field
Ebbets Field was a Major League Baseball park located in the Flatbush section of Brooklyn, New York, USA, on a city block which is now considered to be part of the Crown Heights neighborhood. It was the home of the Brooklyn Dodgers of the National League. It was also a venue for professional football...
. The Braves beat the Dodgers 8–1.
1955–1958
By , Dizzy DeanDizzy Dean
Jay Hanna "Dizzy" Dean was an American Major League Baseball pitcher. He was the last National League pitcher to win 30 games in one season. Dean was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1953....
and the Game of the Week
Major League Baseball Game of the Week
The Major League Baseball Game of the Week is the de facto title for over-the-air, nationally televised coverage of regular season Major League Baseball games...
would move from ABC
American Broadcasting Company
The American Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network. Created in 1943 from the former NBC Blue radio network, ABC is owned by The Walt Disney Company and is part of Disney-ABC Television Group. Its first broadcast on television was in 1948...
to CBS (the rights were actually set up through the Falstaff Brewing Corporation
Falstaff Brewing Corporation
The Falstaff Brewing Corporation was a major American brewery located in St. Louis, Missouri. With roots in the 1838 Lemp Brewery of St. Louis, the company was renamed after the Shakespearean character of Sir John Falstaff in 1903. Production peaked in 1965 with 7,010,218 barrels brewed, and then...
). "CBS' stakes were higher" said Buddy Blattner
Buddy Blattner
Robert Garnett Blattner , commonly known as "Buddy" or "Bud" Blattner, was an American table tennis and baseball player and radio and television sportscaster.-Playing career:Blattner played table tennis in his youth, winning the world men's doubles championship in 1936...
, who left Mutual
Major League Baseball on Mutual
Major League Baseball on Mutual was the de facto title of the Mutual Broadcasting System's national radio coverage of Major League Baseball games. Mutual's coverage came about during the Golden Age of Radio in the 1930s, '40s, and '50s. During this period, television sports broadcasting was in its...
to rejoin Dean. Ron Powers wrote about the reteaming of Dean and Blattner "They wanted someone who'd known Diz, could bring him out." Bill McColgan and Bob Finnegan, previously backup game announcers for ABC, performed the same role on CBS in -57; in Finnegan began working with a variety of color men including Frank Reynolds
Frank Reynolds
Frank James Reynolds was an American television journalist for ABC and CBS News.He was a New York-based anchor of the ABC Evening News from 1968 to 1970 and later as the Washington D.C.-based co-anchor of World News Tonight from 1978 until his death in 1983...
, a reporter for Chicago CBS affiliate WBBM-TV
WBBM-TV
WBBM-TV, virtual channel 2 , is the CBS owned-and-operated television station in Chicago, Illinois. WBBM-TV's main studios and offices are located in The Loop section of Chicago, as part of the development at Block 37, and its transmitter is atop the Willis Tower.-History:WBBM-TV traces its history...
(and future ABC News
ABC News
ABC News is the news gathering and broadcasting division of American broadcast television network ABC, a subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company...
anchor).
In , CBS added a Sunday Game of the Week. ABC's Edgar Scherick said "In '53
1953 in baseball
-Major League Baseball:*World Series: New York Yankees over Brooklyn Dodgers *All-Star Game, July 14 at Crosley Field: National League, 5-1-Other champions:*Caribbean World Series: Cangrejeros de Santurce *College World Series: Michigan...
, no one wanted us. Now teams begged for "Game"'s cash." That year, the NFL
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
began a $
United States dollar
The United States dollar , also referred to as the American dollar, is the official currency of the United States of America. It is divided into 100 smaller units called cents or pennies....
14.1 million revenue-sharing pact. By , Major League Baseball ended the big-city blackout
Blackout (broadcasting)
Blackout usually relates to the broadcasting of sports events, television programming, that is prohibited in a certain media market.The purpose is theoretically to generate more revenue by obliging certain actions from fans, either by making them buy tickets or watch other games on TV...
, got $6.5 million for exclusivity, and split the pot.
With CBS now carrying the Game of the Week, outlets in Phoenix
Phoenix, Arizona
Phoenix is the capital, and largest city, of the U.S. state of Arizona, as well as the sixth most populated city in the United States. Phoenix is home to 1,445,632 people according to the official 2010 U.S. Census Bureau data...
, Little Rock
Little Rock, Arkansas
Little Rock is the capital and the largest city of the U.S. state of Arkansas. The Metropolitan Statistical Area had a population of 699,757 people in the 2010 census...
, and Cedar Rapids
Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Cedar Rapids is the second largest city in Iowa and is the county seat of Linn County. The city lies on both banks of the Cedar River, north of Iowa City and east of Des Moines, the state's capital and largest city...
were finally receiving the Game of the Week. Bud Blattner said "America had never had TV network ball. Now you're getting two games a week [four, counting NBC, by ]."
In , Dizzy Dean ruffled the feathers of CBS Sports head Bill MacPhail
Bill MacPhail
William "Bill" Curtis MacPhail was a pioneer television sports executive.-Early career:MacPhail worked his way up in the front office of several minor league teams...
when he said "I don't know how we come off callin' this the 'Game of the Week'. There's a much better game - Dodgers
1958 Los Angeles Dodgers season
The Los Angeles Dodgers took the field before 78,672 fans at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on April 18, 1958, to usher in the beginning of the team's new life in Los Angeles...
-Giants
1958 San Francisco Giants season
The San Francisco Giants season involved the 80-74 team finishing in third place in the National League standings, twelve games behind the NL Champion Milwaukee Braves in their inaugural season in The Golden Gate City.- Offseason :...
- over on NBC." Dean also once refused a Falstaff ad because the date was Mother's Day
Mother's Day
Mother's Day is a celebration honoring mothers and celebrating motherhood, maternal bonds, and the influence of mothers in society. It is celebrated on various days in many parts of the world, yet most commonly in March, April, or May...
. When United Airlines
United Airlines
United Air Lines, Inc., is the world's largest airline with 86,852 employees United Air Lines, Inc., is the world's largest airline with 86,852 employees United Air Lines, Inc., is the world's largest airline with 86,852 employees (which includes the entire holding company United Continental...
backed CBS' Game of the Week telecasts, Dean, who hated to fly said "If you have to, pod-nuh, Eastern is much the best."
1959–1963
Jack WhitakerJack Whitaker (sportscaster)
Jack Whitaker in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is an American sportscaster who worked for both CBS and ABC.-Early life and career:...
and Frankie Frisch
Frankie Frisch
Francis “Frankie” Frisch , nicknamed the "Fordham Flash" or "The Old Flash", was a German American Major League Baseball player of the early twentieth century....
did the backup games from 1959
1959 in baseball
-Major League Baseball:*World Series: Los Angeles Dodgers over Chicago White Sox ; Larry Sherry, MVP*All-Star Game , July 7 at Forbes Field: National League, 5-4*All-Star Game , August 3 at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum: American League, 5-3...
to 1961
1961 in baseball
-Major League Baseball:*World Series: New York Yankees over Cincinnati Reds ; Whitey Ford, MVP*All-Star Game , July 11 at Candlestick Park: National League, 5-4 *All-Star Game , July 31 at Fenway Park: 1–1 tie...
. They usually did games that took place in Philadelphia, New York, Washington, D.C.
Griffith Stadium
Griffith Stadium was a sports stadium that stood in Washington, D.C. from 1911 to 1965, between Georgia Avenue and 5th Street, and between W Street and Florida Avenue, NW. An earlier wooden baseball park had been built on the same site in 1891...
, or Baltimore
Memorial Stadium (Baltimore)
Memorial Stadium was a sports stadium in Baltimore, Maryland, that formerly stood on 33rd Street on an over-sized block also bounded by Ellerslie Avenue , 36th Street , and Ednor Road...
. Whitaker once said in three years, he would only broadcast three innings because CBS wouldn't switch away from Dizzy Dean. However, he said that he learned a lot of baseball just sitting next to Frisch. CBS had other backup crews for games featuring the Chicago Cubs
Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
and Chicago White Sox
Chicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...
, Cleveland Indians
Cleveland Indians
The Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , they have played in Progressive Field. The team's spring training facility is in Goodyear, Arizona...
, and Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
. In these cases, Bob Finnegan would handle the play-by-play duties with various analysts depending on the city. CBS did not have Game of the Week rights from any other ballparks in those years.
Pee Wee Reese
Pee Wee Reese
Harold Peter Henry "Pee Wee" Reese was an American professional baseball player. He played in Major League Baseball as a shortstop for the Brooklyn and Los Angeles Dodgers from to . A ten-time All Star, Reese contributed to seven National League championships for the Dodgers and, was inducted...
replaced Blattner as Dean's partner in . That same year the network featured Jerry Coleman
Jerry Coleman
Gerald Francis "Jerry" Coleman is a former Major League Baseball second baseman for the New York Yankees. Currently, he is an analyst and former play-by-play radio announcer for the San Diego Padres...
as a pregame interviewer.
1964–1966
By , CBS' Dean and Reese called games from Yankee Stadium1964 New York Yankees season
The New York Yankees season was the 62nd season for the Yankees. The team finished with a record of 99-63, winning their 29th pennant, finishing 1 game ahead of the Chicago White Sox. New York was managed by Yogi Berra. The Yankees played at Yankee Stadium. In the World Series, they were defeated...
, Wrigley Field
1964 Chicago Cubs season
The Chicago Cubs finished in eighth place in the National League, as they went 76-86, 17 games behind the NL and World Series Champion St. Louis Cardinals.- Offseason :...
, St. Louis
1964 St. Louis Cardinals season
The St. Louis Cardinals season was the team's 83rd season in St. Louis, Missouri and its 73rd season in the National League. The Cardinals went 93-69 during the season and finished first in the National League, edging the co-runner-ups Cincinnati Reds and Philadelphia Phillies by one game each on...
, Philadelphia
1964 Philadelphia Phillies season
The Philadelphia Phillies season was the 82nd season for the franchise in Philadelphia. The Phillies finished in a second-place tie in the National League with the Cincinnati Reds, while posting a record of 92-70. The teams finished one game behind the NL and World Series champion St. Louis...
, and Baltimore
1964 Baltimore Orioles season
The 1964 Baltimore Orioles season involved the Orioles finishing 3rd in the American League with a record of 97 wins and 65 losses, two games behind the AL champion New York Yankees.- Offseason :...
. New York got $550,000 of CBS' $895,000. Six clubs that exclusively played nationally televised games on NBC got $1.2 million. The theme music from this era was a Dixieland
Dixieland
Dixieland music, sometimes referred to as Hot jazz, Early Jazz or New Orleans jazz, is a style of jazz music which developed in New Orleans at the start of the 20th century, and was spread to Chicago and New York City by New Orleans bands in the 1910s.Well-known jazz standard songs from the...
styled rendition of "Take Me Out to the Ballgame."
In , the New York Yankees
1966 New York Yankees season
The New York Yankees season was the 64th season for the Yankees. The team finished with a record of 70-89, finishing 26.5 games behind the Baltimore Orioles. New York was managed by Johnny Keane and Ralph Houk. The Yankees played at Yankee Stadium...
, who in the year prior
1965 New York Yankees season
The New York Yankees season was the 63rd season for the Yankees in New York and their 65th overall. The team finished with a record of 77-85, finishing 25 games behind the Minnesota Twins. New York was managed by Johnny Keane. The Yankees played at Yankee Stadium.This season marked the beginning...
played 21 Games of the Week for CBS (who had actually just purchased the Yankees), joined NBC's television package. The new package under NBC called for 28 games compared to 1960
1960 in baseball
-Major League Baseball:*World Series: Pittsburgh Pirates over New York Yankees ; Bobby Richardson, MVP*All-Star Game , July 11 at Municipal Stadium: National League, 5-3*All-Star Game , July 13 at Yankee Stadium: National League, 6-0...
's three-network 123.
Announcers
- Bud Blattner (–)
- Jerry ColemanJerry ColemanGerald Francis "Jerry" Coleman is a former Major League Baseball second baseman for the New York Yankees. Currently, he is an analyst and former play-by-play radio announcer for the San Diego Padres...
- Coleman hosted the pregame show for CBS' Game of the Week broadcasts in 1960. A rather embarrassing incident for Coleman occurred when he was interviewing Cookie LavagettoCookie LavagettoHarry Arthur "Cookie" Lavagetto was a third baseman, manager and coach in American Major League Baseball. He is most widely known as the pinch hitter whose double ruined Bill Bevens' no-hitter in Game 4 of the 1947 World Series and gave his Brooklyn Dodgers a breathtaking victory over the New...
when the "Star-Spangled Banner" started. Coleman later said, "Believe me, when the Anthem starts, I stop, whether I'm taping, talking, or eating a banana." - Dizzy DeanDizzy DeanJay Hanna "Dizzy" Dean was an American Major League Baseball pitcher. He was the last National League pitcher to win 30 games in one season. Dean was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1953....
(–; (Yankee Baseball)) - Bob Finnegan (–)
- Frankie FrischFrankie FrischFrancis “Frankie” Frisch , nicknamed the "Fordham Flash" or "The Old Flash", was a German American Major League Baseball player of the early twentieth century....
(–) - George KellGeorge KellGeorge Clyde Kell was an American baseball third baseman who played for the Philadelphia Athletics , Detroit Tigers , Boston Red Sox , Chicago White Sox , and Baltimore Orioles in the American League, who went on to become a baseball broadcaster for 40 years.-Playing career:In college, Kell...
- Kell hosted the pregame show for CBS' Game of the Week broadcasts in 1958. One time, Kell hoped to ask guest Casey StengelCasey StengelCharles Dillon "Casey" Stengel , nicknamed "The Old Perfessor", was an American Major League Baseball outfielder and manager. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in ....
about the Yankees1958 New York Yankees seasonThe New York Yankees season was the 56th season for the team in New York, and its 58th season overall. The team finished with a record of 92-62, winning their 24th pennant, finishing 10 games ahead of the Chicago White Sox. In the World Series, they defeated the Milwaukee Braves in 7 games. New...
' batting order. When asked about how it went, Kell said, "Fine. But in our 15 minues, Casey didn't get past the leadoff batter." - Bill McColgan (–)
- Pee Wee ReesePee Wee ReeseHarold Peter Henry "Pee Wee" Reese was an American professional baseball player. He played in Major League Baseball as a shortstop for the Brooklyn and Los Angeles Dodgers from to . A ten-time All Star, Reese contributed to seven National League championships for the Dodgers and, was inducted...
(–; (Yankee Baseball)) - Jack WhitakerJack Whitaker (sportscaster)Jack Whitaker in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is an American sportscaster who worked for both CBS and ABC.-Early life and career:...
(–)
1990–1993 version
On December 14, 1988, CBSCBS
CBS Broadcasting Inc. is a major US commercial broadcasting television network, which started as a radio network. The name is derived from the initials of the network's former name, Columbia Broadcasting System. The network is sometimes referred to as the "Eye Network" in reference to the shape of...
(under the guidance of Commissioner Peter Ueberroth
Peter Ueberroth
Peter Victor Ueberroth is an American executive. He served as the sixth Commissioner of Major League Baseball from 1984 to 1989. He was recently the chairman of the United States Olympic Committee; he was replaced by Larry Probst in October 2008....
, Major League Baseball's broadcast director Bryan Burns, CBS Inc. CEO
Chief executive officer
A chief executive officer , managing director , Executive Director for non-profit organizations, or chief executive is the highest-ranking corporate officer or administrator in charge of total management of an organization...
Laurence Tisch
Laurence Tisch
Laurence Alan "Larry" Tisch was an American businessman, Wall Street investor and self-made billionaire. He was the CEO of CBS television network from 1986 to 1995...
as well as CBS Sports
CBS Sports
CBS Sports is a division of CBS Broadcasting which airs sporting events on the American television network. Its headquarters are in the CBS Building on West 52nd Street in midtown Manhattan, New York City, with programs produced out of Studio 43 at the CBS Broadcast Center on West 57th Street.CBS...
executives Neal Pilson and Eddie Einhorn
Eddie Einhorn
Eddie Einhorn is minority owner and Vice Chairman of the Chicago White Sox.Einhorn produced the nationally syndicated radio broadcast of the NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship in 1958...
) paid approximately $
United States dollar
The United States dollar , also referred to as the American dollar, is the official currency of the United States of America. It is divided into 100 smaller units called cents or pennies....
1.8 billion for exclusive over-the-air television rights for over four years (beginning in 1990
1990 in baseball
-Major League Baseball:*World Series: Cincinnati Reds over Oakland Athletics ; José Rijo, MVP*American League Championship Series MVP Dave Stewart*National League Championship Series co-MVPs: Rob Dibble and Randy Myers...
). CBS paid about $265 million each year for the World Series
World Series
The World Series is the annual championship series of Major League Baseball, played between the American League and National League champions since 1903. The winner of the World Series championship is determined through a best-of-seven playoff and awarded the Commissioner's Trophy...
, League Championship Series
League Championship Series
The League Championship Series is the official name for a round of postseason play in Major League Baseball which has been conducted since 1969...
, All-Star Game
Major League Baseball All-Star Game
The Major League Baseball All-Star Game, also known as the "Midsummer Classic", is an annual baseball game between players from the National League and the American League, currently selected by a combination of fans, players, coaches, and managers...
, and the Saturday Game of the Week
Major League Baseball Game of the Week
The Major League Baseball Game of the Week is the de facto title for over-the-air, nationally televised coverage of regular season Major League Baseball games...
. It was one of the largest agreements (to date) between the sport of baseball and the business of broadcasting
Broadcasting
Broadcasting is the distribution of audio and video content to a dispersed audience via any audio visual medium. Receiving parties may include the general public or a relatively large subset of thereof...
.
The deal with CBS was also intended to pay each team (26 in and then, 28 by ) $10 million a year. They also would be paying an estimated $7.1 million per game or $790,000 per inning, and $132,000 per out.
A separate deal with cable TV would bring each team an additional $4 million. Each team could also cut its own deal with local TV. For example, the New York Yankees
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
signed with a cable network (MSG
MSG Network
The MSG Network, now shortened to simply MSG, is a regional cable television and radio network serving the Mid-Atlantic United States. It is focused on New York City sports teams...
) that would pay the team $41 million annually for 12 years. Radio broadcast rights can bring in additional money. Reportedly, after the huge TV contracts with CBS and ESPN
ESPN Major League Baseball
ESPN Major League Baseball is a promotion of Major League Baseball on ESPN and ESPN2, with simulcasts on ESPNHD or ESPN2HD. ESPN's MLB coverage debuted on April 9, 1990 with three Opening Day telecasts. ESPN Major League Baseball is guaranteed to remain on air until 2013.The title is derived from...
were signed, ballclubs spent their excess millions on free agent
Free agent
In professional sports, a free agent is a player whose contract with a team has expired and who is thus eligible to sign with another club or franchise....
s.
Before the previous television contract (–) with Major League Baseball was signed, CBS was at one point, interested in a pact which would have called for three interleague
Interleague play
Interleague play is the term used to describe regular season Major League Baseball games played between teams in different leagues, introduced in . Before the 1997 season, teams in the American League and National League did not meet during the regular season...
games every Thursday night (only). The proposed deal with CBS involved the American League East
American League East
The American League Eastern Division is one of Major League Baseball's six divisions . This division was created before the start of the 1969 season along with the Western Division...
teams playing the National League East
National League East
The National League East Division is one of Major League Baseball's six divisions. The Atlanta Braves and the Philadelphia Phillies are tied for the most National League East Division titles . All of Atlanta's NL East titles came during a record stretch of 14 consecutive division titles...
and the American League West
American League West
The American League West is one of three divisions in Major League Baseball's American League. The division currently has four teams, but it has had as many as seven teams before the 1994 realignment. Although its teams currently only reside along the west coast and in Texas, historically the...
playing the National League West
National League West
The National League Western Division, or NL West, is one of the three divisions of Major League Baseball's National League. It was created in 1969 when the previously undivided National League expanded its membership to twelve teams, positioning half of them in an Eastern division and the other...
respectively.
Trademarks
A trademark of CBS' baseball coverage was its majestic, uplifting, and harmonious theme music (which was composed by Bob Christianson and Tony Smythe). Besides the prologues (with the play-by-play man previewing the upcoming match up) for the Saturday Game of the Week, the music was usually set to the opening graphic of an opaqueOpacity (optics)
Opacity is the measure of impenetrability to electromagnetic or other kinds of radiation, especially visible light. In radiative transfer, it describes the absorption and scattering of radiation in a medium, such as a plasma, dielectric, shielding material, glass, etc...
rendition of the CBS Eye
CBS
CBS Broadcasting Inc. is a major US commercial broadcasting television network, which started as a radio network. The name is derived from the initials of the network's former name, Columbia Broadcasting System. The network is sometimes referred to as the "Eye Network" in reference to the shape of...
entering a big, waving red, white, and blue bunting
Bunting (textile)
Bunting was originally a specific type of lightweight worsted wool fabric generically known as tammy, manufactured from the turn of the 17th century, and used for making ribbons. and flags, including signal flags for the Royal Navy...
and then a smaller, unfolding red, white, and blue bunting (over a white diamond) and floating blue banner (which usually featured an indicating year like "1991 World Series
1991 World Series
The 1991 World Series pitted the Minnesota Twins of the American League against the Atlanta Braves of the National League. The series was played from Saturday, October 19 to Sunday, October 27....
" for instance) complete with dark red Old English
Old English language
Old English or Anglo-Saxon is an early form of the English language that was spoken and written by the Anglo-Saxons and their descendants in parts of what are now England and southeastern Scotland between at least the mid-5th century and the mid-12th century...
text
Writing
Writing is the representation of language in a textual medium through the use of a set of signs or symbols . It is distinguished from illustration, such as cave drawing and painting, and non-symbolic preservation of language via non-textual media, such as magnetic tape audio.Writing most likely...
. Pat O'Brien anchored the World Series and All-Star Game telecasts while usually delivering the prologue
Prologue
A prologue is an opening to a story that establishes the setting and gives background details, often some earlier story that ties into the main one, and other miscellaneous information. The Greek prologos included the modern meaning of prologue, but was of wider significance...
(normally set against the live scenery over the theme music). Though O'Brien would be joined by his co-host Andrea Joyce
Andrea Joyce
Andrea Joyce is an American sportscaster who works for NBC Sports after working 10 years with CBS Sports.-Education and early career:...
during the 1993 World Series
1993 World Series
-Game 1:Saturday, October 16, 1993 at SkyDome in Toronto, OntarioThe Series' first game sent two staff aces—Curt Schilling for Philadelphia and Juan Guzman for Toronto—against one another. The result was less than a pitcher's duel, however, as both teams scored early and often.The deciding plays...
and 1993 MLB All-Star Game
1993 Major League Baseball All-Star Game
The 1993 Major League Baseball All-Star Game was the 64th playing of the midsummer classic between the all-stars of the American League and National League , the two leagues comprising Major League Baseball. The game was held on July 13, 1993 at Oriole Park at Camden Yards in Baltimore, Maryland,...
.
A recurring theme during CBS' coverage of the postseason was the usage of Michael Kamen
Michael Kamen
Michael Arnold Kamen was an American composer , orchestral arranger, orchestral conductor, song writer, and session musician.-Background:...
's "Overture" from Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves
Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves
Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves is a 1991 American adventure film directed by Kevin Reynolds. Kevin Costner heads the cast list as Robin Hood...
. From start to finish, an audio montage of baseball's most memorable moments played on top, followed by a video and music only (no narration) recap of both League Championship Series
League Championship Series
The League Championship Series is the official name for a round of postseason play in Major League Baseball which has been conducted since 1969...
and the World Series from to . The "Training" cue from Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves was played against an all slow-motion montage of the entire series. As Tim McCarver
Tim McCarver
James Timothy "Tim" McCarver is an American former Major League Baseball catcher, and a current sportscaster in residence for Fox Sports.-Playing career:...
recapped the first six games of the 1991 World Series before Game 7, CBS used Hans Zimmer
Hans Zimmer
Hans Florian Zimmer is a German film composer and music producer. He has composed music for over 100 films, including critically acclaimed film scores for The Lion King , Crimson Tide , The Thin Red Line , Gladiator , The Dark Knight and Inception .Zimmer spent the early part of his career in the...
's "Fighting 17th" from the movie Backdraft
Backdraft (film)
Backdraft is a 1991 action thriller film directed by Ron Howard and written by Gregory Widen. The film stars Kurt Russell, William Baldwin, Scott Glenn, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Rebecca De Mornay, Donald Sutherland, and Robert De Niro. Jason Gedrick and J. T. Walsh co-star in the film...
for the soundtrack. During the 1993 All-Star Game
1993 Major League Baseball All-Star Game
The 1993 Major League Baseball All-Star Game was the 64th playing of the midsummer classic between the all-stars of the American League and National League , the two leagues comprising Major League Baseball. The game was held on July 13, 1993 at Oriole Park at Camden Yards in Baltimore, Maryland,...
and postseason, highlights of past All-Star Games and postseason moments were scored using the John Williams
John Williams
John Towner Williams is an American composer, conductor, and pianist. In a career spanning almost six decades, he has composed some of the most recognizable film scores in the history of motion pictures, including the Star Wars saga, Jaws, Superman, the Indiana Jones films, E.T...
composed theme from the movie Jurassic Park
Jurassic Park (film)
Jurassic Park is a 1993 American science fiction adventure film directed by Steven Spielberg. The film is based on the novel of the same name by Michael Crichton. It stars Sam Neill, Laura Dern, Jeff Goldblum, Richard Attenborough, Martin Ferrero, and Bob Peck...
. Also during the commercial breaks of the 1993 All-Star Game, CBS provided a snippet of Don Henley
Don Henley
Donald Hugh "Don" Henley is an American singer, songwriter and drummer, best known as a founding member of the Eagles before launching a successful solo career. Henley was the drummer and lead vocalist for the Eagles from 1971–1980, when the band broke up...
's "The Boys of Summer
The Boys of Summer (song)
"The Boys of Summer" is a song by Don Henley, with lyrics written by Henley and music composed by Henley and Mike Campbell, longtime guitarist for Tom Petty. It is the lead track and first single from Henley's 1984 album Building the Perfect Beast. The song's music video won many awards...
". During the prologue for Game 1 of the 1993 World Series
1993 World Series
-Game 1:Saturday, October 16, 1993 at SkyDome in Toronto, OntarioThe Series' first game sent two staff aces—Curt Schilling for Philadelphia and Juan Guzman for Toronto—against one another. The result was less than a pitcher's duel, however, as both teams scored early and often.The deciding plays...
, CBS used Hans Zimmer
Hans Zimmer
Hans Florian Zimmer is a German film composer and music producer. He has composed music for over 100 films, including critically acclaimed film scores for The Lion King , Crimson Tide , The Thin Red Line , Gladiator , The Dark Knight and Inception .Zimmer spent the early part of his career in the...
's "The Walk Home" from the movie Cool Runnings
Cool Runnings
Cool Runnings is a 1993 comedy film directed by Jon Turteltaub. It is loosely based on the true story of the Jamaica national bobsled team's debut in the bobsleigh competition of the 1988 Winter Olympics in Calgary, Alberta. It stars Leon Robinson, Doug E. Doug, Malik Yoba, and Rawle D...
. During the closing credits for Game 6 of the 1993 World Series (CBS' final Major League Baseball telecast to date), they used Bob Seger
Bob Seger
Robert Clark "Bob" Seger is an American rock and roll singer-songwriter, guitarist and pianist.As a locally successful Detroit-area artist, he performed and recorded as Bob Seger and the Last Heard and Bob Seger System throughout the 1960s...
's "The Famous Final Scene" followed by Billy Joel
Billy Joel
William Martin "Billy" Joel is an American musician and pianist, singer-songwriter, and classical composer. Since releasing his first hit song, "Piano Man", in 1973, Joel has become the sixth best-selling recording artist and the third best-selling solo artist in the United States, according to...
's "Famous Last Words
River of Dreams
River of Dreams is the 12th studio album by Billy Joel, released in 1993. This is the last pop album made by Joel, and presented a much more serious tone as a whole, dealing with issues such as trust and long-lasting love; it was rumored that the themes of trust and betrayal, particularly certain...
".
CBS' slogan for their regular season, Game of the Week broadcasts was "Baseball's biggest moments are on CBS!" Meanwhile, the pregame shows were called Baseball with the corresponding season tagged at the end such as Baseball '90, Baseball '91 and so forth.
Year-by-year
CBS for the most part, bypassed the division and pennant races. Instead, their scheduled games focused on games featuring major-market teams, regardless of their record.1990
Major League Baseball's four-season tenure with CBS (–) was marred by turmoil and shortcomings throughout. The original plan was for Brent MusburgerBrent Musburger
Brent Woody Musburger is an American sportscaster for the ESPN and ABC television networks. Formerly with CBS Sports and one of the original members of their legendary program The NFL Today, Musburger has covered NASCAR, NBA, MLB, NCAA football and basketball games. Musburger has also served as a...
to be the primary play-by-play announcer for CBS' baseball telecasts (thus, having the tasks of calling the All-Star Game
Major League Baseball All-Star Game
The Major League Baseball All-Star Game, also known as the "Midsummer Classic", is an annual baseball game between players from the National League and the American League, currently selected by a combination of fans, players, coaches, and managers...
, National League Championship Series
National League Championship Series
In Major League Baseball, the National League Championship Series is a round in the postseason that determines who wins the National League pennant and advances to Major League Baseball's championship, the World Series, facing the winner of the American League Championship Series. The reigning...
, and World Series
World Series
The World Series is the annual championship series of Major League Baseball, played between the American League and National League champions since 1903. The winner of the World Series championship is determined through a best-of-seven playoff and awarded the Commissioner's Trophy...
), with veteran broadcaster and lead CBS Radio baseball voice Jack Buck
Jack Buck
John Francis "Jack" Buck was an American sportscaster, best known for his work announcing Major League Baseball games of the St. Louis Cardinals. Buck received the Ford C. Frick Award from the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1987, and is honored with a star on the St. Louis Walk of Fame...
to serve as the secondary announcer (which would involve calling a second weekly game and the American League Championship Series
American League Championship Series
In Major League Baseball, the American League Championship Series , played in October, is a round in the postseason that determines the winner of the American League pennant...
). Former ABC color man Tim McCarver
Tim McCarver
James Timothy "Tim" McCarver is an American former Major League Baseball catcher, and a current sportscaster in residence for Fox Sports.-Playing career:...
was hired by CBS to be Musburger's partner while NBC's Jim Kaat
Jim Kaat
James Lee "Jim" Kaat , nicknamed "Kitty", is a former pitcher in Major League Baseball for the Washington Senators/Minnesota Twins , Chicago White Sox , Philadelphia Phillies , New York Yankees , and St...
was hired to be Buck's. However, weeks before CBS was to debut its MLB coverage, on April 1, 1990, Musburger was fired by the network over what CBS perceived to be a power grab by Musburger in taking on the assignment (at the time, Musburger was CBS' lead college basketball
College Basketball on CBS
College Basketball on CBS presented by State Farm is a presentation of men's NCAA Division I basketball games on CBS...
announcer, host of The NFL Today
The NFL Today
The NFL Today is an American sports series that precedes the American football program The NFL on CBS on CBS Sports. The program usually airs at noon on Sundays of the National Football League regular season...
, and was the main studio host for the NBA and had felt that he had been given too many broadcasting assignments by the network).
With Musburger's firing, Buck was moved up to the primary announce team alongside McCarver. His position as backup announcer alongside Kaat was taken by CBS' lead NBA announcer, Dick Stockton
Dick Stockton
Dick Stockton is an American sportscaster. He is currently employed by Fox Sports and Turner Sports as a football, baseball, and basketball play-by-play announcer.-Early life and career:...
. Studio host Greg Gumbel
Greg Gumbel
Greg Gumbel is an American television sportscaster. He is best known for his various assignments on the CBS network...
took over for Stockton as the number two play-by-play man in . Gumbel was in return, replaced by Andrea Joyce
Andrea Joyce
Andrea Joyce is an American sportscaster who works for NBC Sports after working 10 years with CBS Sports.-Education and early career:...
, who served as a field reporter for the first three seasons of CBS' coverage. On the teaming of Buck and McCarver, Broadcasting magazine wrote "The network has exclusivity, much rides on them."
Joining the team of Buck and McCarver was Lesley Visser
Lesley Visser
Lesley Candace Visser is an American sportscaster, radio personality, and sportswriter. Visser is the first female NFL analyst on TV, and the only sportscaster in history, male or female, who has worked on Final Four, NBA Finals, World Series, Triple Crown, Monday Night Football, the Olympics, the...
(who was, incidentally, married to the aforementioned Dick Stockton), who became the first female MLB beat writer while she worked for the Boston Globe, when she covered the Boston Red Sox
Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
. During the CBS' coverage the 1990 World Series
1990 World Series
- Game 1 :Tuesday, October 16, 1990 at Riverfront Stadium in Cincinnati, OhioUntil , this was the last World Series to be scheduled to begin play on a Tuesday, and the first since . The schedule called for the seven-game series to be held Tue–Wed, Fri–Sat–Sun, Tue–Wed. Games 5, 6, and 7, however...
, Visser became the first woman to cover the World Series.
Meanwhile, Jim Kaat earned rave reviews for his role as CBS' backup analyst (which flashed a considerable "good-guy air"). Ron Bergman wrote of Kaat's performance during the 1990 ALCS
1990 American League Championship Series
-Game 1:Saturday, October 6, 1990 at Fenway Park in Boston, MassachusettsThe opening game of the series saw a battle of aces, as Oakland sent Dave Stewart to the hill against Boston's Roger Clemens. The game was a scoreless pitchers duel until the bottom of the fourth, when Red Sox third baseman...
"This was a night for pitchers to excel. Dave Stewart
Dave Stewart (baseball player)
David Keith Stewart is a former right-handed starting pitcher in Major League Baseball during the late 1980s and early 1990s. A 20-game winner for 4 consecutive years, he was known for his post-season performance and for staring down batters when pitching to them...
. Roger Clemens
Roger Clemens
William Roger Clemens , nicknamed "Rocket", is a former Major League Baseball pitcher who broke into the league with the Boston Red Sox, whose pitching staff he would help anchor for 12 years. Clemens won seven Cy Young Awards, more than any other pitcher. He played for four different teams over...
. Jim Kaat [on commentary]." Despite the rave reviews, Jim Kaat admitted that he was frustrated. He felt that at that point and time, the idea of figuring out what to talk about during a three-hour broadcast had become intimidating. As a result, Kaat would bring notes into the booth, but in the process, found himself providing too much detail. He ultimately confided in his broadcasting partner, Dick Stockton, that he wanted to work without notes. So Stockton hooked Kaat up with then-lead NFL on CBS
NFL on CBS
The NFL on CBS is the brand name of the CBS television network's coverage of the National Football League's American Football Conference games, produced by CBS Sports.-Market coverage and television policies:...
color man, John Madden for a telephone seminar. Madden said if he brought notes into the booth he felt compelled to use them and would "force" something into a telecast. On his seminar with John Madden, Jim Kaat said "Then John told me if he did his homework it would be stored in his memory bank. And if it is important it will come out. If it doesn't, it probably wasn't that important."
A mildly notorious moment came during CBS' coverage of the 1990 All-Star Game
1990 Major League Baseball All-Star Game
The 1990 Major League Baseball All-Star Game was the 61st playing of the midsummer classic between the all-stars of the American League and National League , the two leagues comprising Major League Baseball. The game was held on July 10, 1990 at Wrigley Field in Chicago, Illinois, the home of the...
from Wrigley Field
Wrigley Field
Wrigley Field is a baseball stadium in Chicago, Illinois, United States that has served as the home ballpark of the Chicago Cubs since 1916. It was built in 1914 as Weeghman Park for the Chicago Federal League baseball team, the Chicago Whales...
in Chicago. In a game that was marred by rain delays for a combined 85 minutes (including a 68 minute monsoon
Monsoon
Monsoon is traditionally defined as a seasonal reversing wind accompanied by corresponding changes in precipitation, but is now used to describe seasonal changes in atmospheric circulation and precipitation associated with the asymmetric heating of land and sea...
during the 7th inning), CBS annoyed many diehard fans by airing the William Shatner
William Shatner
William Alan Shatner is a Canadian actor, musician, recording artist, and author. He gained worldwide fame and became a cultural icon for his portrayal of James T...
hosted reality series Rescue 911
Rescue 911
Rescue 911 is an informational reality-based television series, hosted by William Shatner. Originally intended to be only a set of three TV specials, Rescue 911 was picked up by CBS for the 1989 fall season after two specials aired on April 18, 1989 and May 9, 1989...
during the delay.
CBS' initially didn't want to start their 1990 coverage until after the network had aired that year's NBA Finals
1990 NBA Finals
The 1990 NBA Finals was the championship round of the 1989-90 NBA season. The series pitted the Detroit Pistons against the Portland Trail Blazers...
(which was the last time CBS aired the Finals before the NBA's move to NBC). Therefore, only 12 regular season telecasts were scheduled The broadcasts would've been each Saturday from June 16 through August 25 and a special Sunday telecast on the weekend of August 11–12 (the New York Yankees
1990 New York Yankees season
The New York Yankees' 1990 season was the 88th season for the Yankees. The team finished in seventh place in the American League East with a record of 67-95, finishing 21 games behind the Boston Red Sox. It was the Yankees' first last-place finish in 24 years, and the first in the two-division era....
against the Oakland Athletics
1990 Oakland Athletics season
The Oakland Athletics' 1990 season saw the A's win their third consecutive American League West title, with a record of 103 wins and 59 losses, nine games ahead of the Chicago White Sox. It was the third consecutive year in which Oakland finished with the best record in all of MLB...
in Oakland on both days). Ultimately, four more telecasts were added - two in April and two on the last two Saturdays of the season.
The 1990 postseason started on a Thursday, while World Series started on a Tuesday due to the brief lockout
1990 Major League Baseball lockout
The 1990 Major League Baseball lockout was the seventh work stoppage in baseball since 1972. Beginning in February, it lasted 32 days and as a result, virtually wiped out all of spring training. Also because of the lockout, Opening Day was moved back a week to April 9...
. Major League Baseball and CBS went with some rather unconventional scheduling during the LCS round, with two consecutive scheduled off-days in the NLCS
1990 National League Championship Series
-Game 1:Thursday, October 4, 1990 at Riverfront Stadium in Cincinnati, OhioBob Walk was the starting pitcher for Pittsburgh and José Rijo was on the mound for the Reds. The Reds had two doubles in the bottom half of the first inning and scored three runs. This would prove to be the only runs they...
after Game 2.
Schedule
| Date | Teams | Announcers |
| April 14, 1990 | Chicago Cubs 1990 Chicago Cubs season -Offseason:* December 7, 1989: Paul Kilgus was traded by the Cubs to the Toronto Blue Jays for José Núñez.* January 2, 1990: Vance Law was released by the Cubs.-Regular season:... @ Pittsburgh 1990 Pittsburgh Pirates season The Pittsburgh Pirates had 95 wins and 67 losses to win the National League East Division Title.-Offseason:* December 4, 1989: Gordon Dillard was drafted by the Pirates from the Philadelphia Phillies in the 1989 rule 5 draft.... Los Angeles 1990 Los Angeles Dodgers season The Dodgers finished in second place to the Cincinnati Reds in the 1990 National League Western Division race, as the teams pitching staff led the majors with 29 complete games... @ Houston 1990 Houston Astros season The Houston Astros' 1990 season was a season in American baseball. It involved the Houston Astros attempting to win the National League West.-Offseason:* December 6, 1989: Bill Gullickson was signed as a free agent by the Astros.... |
Jack Buck Jack Buck John Francis "Jack" Buck was an American sportscaster, best known for his work announcing Major League Baseball games of the St. Louis Cardinals. Buck received the Ford C. Frick Award from the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1987, and is honored with a star on the St. Louis Walk of Fame... and Tim McCarver Tim McCarver James Timothy "Tim" McCarver is an American former Major League Baseball catcher, and a current sportscaster in residence for Fox Sports.-Playing career:... Dick Stockton Dick Stockton Dick Stockton is an American sportscaster. He is currently employed by Fox Sports and Turner Sports as a football, baseball, and basketball play-by-play announcer.-Early life and career:... and Jim Kaat Jim Kaat James Lee "Jim" Kaat , nicknamed "Kitty", is a former pitcher in Major League Baseball for the Washington Senators/Minnesota Twins , Chicago White Sox , Philadelphia Phillies , New York Yankees , and St... |
| April 21, 1990 | Montreal 1990 Montreal Expos season -Offseason:*October 26, 1989: Yamil Benitez was signed by the Montreal Expos as an amateur free agent. *December 7, 1989: Oil Can Boyd signed as a Free Agent with the Montreal Expos.... @ New York Mets 1990 New York Mets season The 1990 New York Mets season was the 29th regular season for the Mets. They went 91-71 and finished second in the National League East. They were managed by Davey Johnson and Bud Harrelson... California 1990 California Angels season The California Angels season involved the Angels finishing 4th in the American League west with a record of 80 wins and 82 losses.-Offseason:*October 6, 1989: Jim Eppard was released by the California Angels.... @ Minnesota |
Jack Buck Jack Buck John Francis "Jack" Buck was an American sportscaster, best known for his work announcing Major League Baseball games of the St. Louis Cardinals. Buck received the Ford C. Frick Award from the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1987, and is honored with a star on the St. Louis Walk of Fame... and Tim McCarver Tim McCarver James Timothy "Tim" McCarver is an American former Major League Baseball catcher, and a current sportscaster in residence for Fox Sports.-Playing career:... Dick Stockton Dick Stockton Dick Stockton is an American sportscaster. He is currently employed by Fox Sports and Turner Sports as a football, baseball, and basketball play-by-play announcer.-Early life and career:... and Jim Kaat Jim Kaat James Lee "Jim" Kaat , nicknamed "Kitty", is a former pitcher in Major League Baseball for the Washington Senators/Minnesota Twins , Chicago White Sox , Philadelphia Phillies , New York Yankees , and St... |
| June 16, 1990 | Boston 1990 Boston Red Sox season The Boston Red Sox season was a season in American baseball. It involved the Red Sox finishing first in the American League East with a record of 88 wins and 74 losses. It was the second AL East division championship in three years for the Red Sox... @ Baltimore 1990 Baltimore Orioles season The Baltimore Orioles season was a season in American baseball. It involved the Orioles finishing 5th in the American League East with a record of 76 wins and 85 losses.-Offseason:* October 3, 1989: Mark Huismann was released by the Orioles.... San Diego 1990 San Diego Padres season -Offseason:* November 16, 1989: Don Schulze was released by the Padres.* December 6, 1989: Fred Lynn was signed as a free agent by the Padres.* December 6, 1989: Sandy Alomar, Jr., Carlos Baerga and Chris James were traded by the Padres to the Cleveland Indians for Joe Carter.* December 12, 1989:... @ Los Angeles 1990 Los Angeles Dodgers season The Dodgers finished in second place to the Cincinnati Reds in the 1990 National League Western Division race, as the teams pitching staff led the majors with 29 complete games... |
Jack Buck Jack Buck John Francis "Jack" Buck was an American sportscaster, best known for his work announcing Major League Baseball games of the St. Louis Cardinals. Buck received the Ford C. Frick Award from the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1987, and is honored with a star on the St. Louis Walk of Fame... and Tim McCarver Tim McCarver James Timothy "Tim" McCarver is an American former Major League Baseball catcher, and a current sportscaster in residence for Fox Sports.-Playing career:... Dick Stockton Dick Stockton Dick Stockton is an American sportscaster. He is currently employed by Fox Sports and Turner Sports as a football, baseball, and basketball play-by-play announcer.-Early life and career:... and Jim Kaat Jim Kaat James Lee "Jim" Kaat , nicknamed "Kitty", is a former pitcher in Major League Baseball for the Washington Senators/Minnesota Twins , Chicago White Sox , Philadelphia Phillies , New York Yankees , and St... |
| June 23, 1990 | St. Louis 1990 St. Louis Cardinals season The 1990 St. Louis Cardinals season was the team's 109th season in St. Louis, Missouri and its 99th season in the National League. The Cardinals went 70-92 during the season and finished 6th in the National League East division.-Offseason:... @ Chicago Cubs 1990 Chicago Cubs season -Offseason:* December 7, 1989: Paul Kilgus was traded by the Cubs to the Toronto Blue Jays for José Núñez.* January 2, 1990: Vance Law was released by the Cubs.-Regular season:... San Francisco 1990 San Francisco Giants season -Offseason:* December 3, 1990: Willie McGee was signed as a free agent by the Giants.* January 19, 1990: Gary Carter was signed as a free agent by the Giants.-Regular season:... @ Houston 1990 Houston Astros season The Houston Astros' 1990 season was a season in American baseball. It involved the Houston Astros attempting to win the National League West.-Offseason:* December 6, 1989: Bill Gullickson was signed as a free agent by the Astros.... |
Jack Buck Jack Buck John Francis "Jack" Buck was an American sportscaster, best known for his work announcing Major League Baseball games of the St. Louis Cardinals. Buck received the Ford C. Frick Award from the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1987, and is honored with a star on the St. Louis Walk of Fame... and Tim McCarver Tim McCarver James Timothy "Tim" McCarver is an American former Major League Baseball catcher, and a current sportscaster in residence for Fox Sports.-Playing career:... Dick Stockton Dick Stockton Dick Stockton is an American sportscaster. He is currently employed by Fox Sports and Turner Sports as a football, baseball, and basketball play-by-play announcer.-Early life and career:... and Jim Kaat Jim Kaat James Lee "Jim" Kaat , nicknamed "Kitty", is a former pitcher in Major League Baseball for the Washington Senators/Minnesota Twins , Chicago White Sox , Philadelphia Phillies , New York Yankees , and St... |
| June 30, 1990 | Oakland 1990 Oakland Athletics season The Oakland Athletics' 1990 season saw the A's win their third consecutive American League West title, with a record of 103 wins and 59 losses, nine games ahead of the Chicago White Sox. It was the third consecutive year in which Oakland finished with the best record in all of MLB... @ Toronto 1990 Toronto Blue Jays season The Toronto Blue Jays season was a season in American baseball. It involved the Blue Jays finishing second in the American League East with a record of 86 wins and 76 losses. It was their first full season in the Skydome. The Blue Jays led the division by 1½ games over the Boston Red Sox with one... |
|
| July 7, 1990 | Chicago Cubs 1990 Chicago Cubs season -Offseason:* December 7, 1989: Paul Kilgus was traded by the Cubs to the Toronto Blue Jays for José Núñez.* January 2, 1990: Vance Law was released by the Cubs.-Regular season:... @ San Francisco 1990 San Francisco Giants season -Offseason:* December 3, 1990: Willie McGee was signed as a free agent by the Giants.* January 19, 1990: Gary Carter was signed as a free agent by the Giants.-Regular season:... Minnesota @ New York Yankees 1990 New York Yankees season The New York Yankees' 1990 season was the 88th season for the Yankees. The team finished in seventh place in the American League East with a record of 67-95, finishing 21 games behind the Boston Red Sox. It was the Yankees' first last-place finish in 24 years, and the first in the two-division era.... |
|
| July 10, 1990 | All-Star Game 1990 Major League Baseball All-Star Game The 1990 Major League Baseball All-Star Game was the 61st playing of the midsummer classic between the all-stars of the American League and National League , the two leagues comprising Major League Baseball. The game was held on July 10, 1990 at Wrigley Field in Chicago, Illinois, the home of the... (Wrigley Field Wrigley Field Wrigley Field is a baseball stadium in Chicago, Illinois, United States that has served as the home ballpark of the Chicago Cubs since 1916. It was built in 1914 as Weeghman Park for the Chicago Federal League baseball team, the Chicago Whales... , Chicago Chicago Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles... ) |
Jack Buck Jack Buck John Francis "Jack" Buck was an American sportscaster, best known for his work announcing Major League Baseball games of the St. Louis Cardinals. Buck received the Ford C. Frick Award from the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1987, and is honored with a star on the St. Louis Walk of Fame... and Tim McCarver Tim McCarver James Timothy "Tim" McCarver is an American former Major League Baseball catcher, and a current sportscaster in residence for Fox Sports.-Playing career:... |
| July 14, 1990 | Kansas City 1990 Kansas City Royals season The Kansas City Royals season was a season in American baseball. It involved the Royals finishing 6th in the American League West with a record of 75 wins and 86 losses.-Offseason:* December 5, 1989: Richard Dotson was signed as a free agent by the Royals.... @ Boston 1990 Boston Red Sox season The Boston Red Sox season was a season in American baseball. It involved the Red Sox finishing first in the American League East with a record of 88 wins and 74 losses. It was the second AL East division championship in three years for the Red Sox... San Diego 1990 San Diego Padres season -Offseason:* November 16, 1989: Don Schulze was released by the Padres.* December 6, 1989: Fred Lynn was signed as a free agent by the Padres.* December 6, 1989: Sandy Alomar, Jr., Carlos Baerga and Chris James were traded by the Padres to the Cleveland Indians for Joe Carter.* December 12, 1989:... @ Pittsburgh 1990 Pittsburgh Pirates season The Pittsburgh Pirates had 95 wins and 67 losses to win the National League East Division Title.-Offseason:* December 4, 1989: Gordon Dillard was drafted by the Pirates from the Philadelphia Phillies in the 1989 rule 5 draft.... |
|
| July 21, 1990 | San Francisco 1990 San Francisco Giants season -Offseason:* December 3, 1990: Willie McGee was signed as a free agent by the Giants.* January 19, 1990: Gary Carter was signed as a free agent by the Giants.-Regular season:... @ Chicago Cubs 1990 Chicago Cubs season -Offseason:* December 7, 1989: Paul Kilgus was traded by the Cubs to the Toronto Blue Jays for José Núñez.* January 2, 1990: Vance Law was released by the Cubs.-Regular season:... Philadelphia 1990 Philadelphia Phillies season -Offseason:* October 11, 1989: Steve Stanicek was released by the Phillies.* December 4, 1989: Rule 5 draft**Sil Campusano was drafted by the Phillies from the Toronto Blue Jays in the .**Gordon Dillard was drafted from the Phillies by the Pittsburgh Pirates.... @ Cincinnati 1990 Cincinnati Reds season The Cincinnati Reds' 1990 season was a season in American baseball. It consisted of the Reds winning the National League West, as well as the National League Championship Series in six games over the Pittsburgh Pirates, and the World Series in a four-game sweep over the overwhelming favorite... |
|
| July 28, 1990 | St. Louis 1990 St. Louis Cardinals season The 1990 St. Louis Cardinals season was the team's 109th season in St. Louis, Missouri and its 99th season in the National League. The Cardinals went 70-92 during the season and finished 6th in the National League East division.-Offseason:... @ New York Mets 1990 New York Mets season The 1990 New York Mets season was the 29th regular season for the Mets. They went 91-71 and finished second in the National League East. They were managed by Davey Johnson and Bud Harrelson... Baltimore 1990 Baltimore Orioles season The Baltimore Orioles season was a season in American baseball. It involved the Orioles finishing 5th in the American League East with a record of 76 wins and 85 losses.-Offseason:* October 3, 1989: Mark Huismann was released by the Orioles.... @ Kansas City 1990 Kansas City Royals season The Kansas City Royals season was a season in American baseball. It involved the Royals finishing 6th in the American League West with a record of 75 wins and 86 losses.-Offseason:* December 5, 1989: Richard Dotson was signed as a free agent by the Royals.... |
|
| August 4, 1990 | Los Angeles 1990 Los Angeles Dodgers season The Dodgers finished in second place to the Cincinnati Reds in the 1990 National League Western Division race, as the teams pitching staff led the majors with 29 complete games... @ San Francisco 1990 San Francisco Giants season -Offseason:* December 3, 1990: Willie McGee was signed as a free agent by the Giants.* January 19, 1990: Gary Carter was signed as a free agent by the Giants.-Regular season:... New York Mets 1990 New York Mets season The 1990 New York Mets season was the 29th regular season for the Mets. They went 91-71 and finished second in the National League East. They were managed by Davey Johnson and Bud Harrelson... @ St. Louis 1990 St. Louis Cardinals season The 1990 St. Louis Cardinals season was the team's 109th season in St. Louis, Missouri and its 99th season in the National League. The Cardinals went 70-92 during the season and finished 6th in the National League East division.-Offseason:... |
|
| August 11, 1990 | New York Yankees 1990 New York Yankees season The New York Yankees' 1990 season was the 88th season for the Yankees. The team finished in seventh place in the American League East with a record of 67-95, finishing 21 games behind the Boston Red Sox. It was the Yankees' first last-place finish in 24 years, and the first in the two-division era.... @ Oakland 1990 Oakland Athletics season The Oakland Athletics' 1990 season saw the A's win their third consecutive American League West title, with a record of 103 wins and 59 losses, nine games ahead of the Chicago White Sox. It was the third consecutive year in which Oakland finished with the best record in all of MLB... Texas 1990 Texas Rangers season The Texas Rangers 1990 season involved the Rangers finishing 3rd in the American League west with a record of 83 wins and 79 losses.-Regular season:* June 11, 1990: Nolan Ryan threw his sixth no-hitter against the Oakland Athletics.... @ Chicago White Sox 1990 Chicago White Sox season The 1990 Chicago White Sox season was the White Sox's 91st season. They finished with a record 94-68, good enough for 2nd place in the American League West, 9 games behind of the 1st place Oakland Athletics, as the White Sox played their final season at Comiskey Park before moving to the new... |
|
| August 12, 1990 | New York Yankees 1990 New York Yankees season The New York Yankees' 1990 season was the 88th season for the Yankees. The team finished in seventh place in the American League East with a record of 67-95, finishing 21 games behind the Boston Red Sox. It was the Yankees' first last-place finish in 24 years, and the first in the two-division era.... @ Oakland 1990 Oakland Athletics season The Oakland Athletics' 1990 season saw the A's win their third consecutive American League West title, with a record of 103 wins and 59 losses, nine games ahead of the Chicago White Sox. It was the third consecutive year in which Oakland finished with the best record in all of MLB... |
|
| August 18, 1990 | California 1990 California Angels season The California Angels season involved the Angels finishing 4th in the American League west with a record of 80 wins and 82 losses.-Offseason:*October 6, 1989: Jim Eppard was released by the California Angels.... @ Boston 1990 Boston Red Sox season The Boston Red Sox season was a season in American baseball. It involved the Red Sox finishing first in the American League East with a record of 88 wins and 74 losses. It was the second AL East division championship in three years for the Red Sox... Pittsburgh 1990 Pittsburgh Pirates season The Pittsburgh Pirates had 95 wins and 67 losses to win the National League East Division Title.-Offseason:* December 4, 1989: Gordon Dillard was drafted by the Pirates from the Philadelphia Phillies in the 1989 rule 5 draft.... @ Cincinnati 1990 Cincinnati Reds season The Cincinnati Reds' 1990 season was a season in American baseball. It consisted of the Reds winning the National League West, as well as the National League Championship Series in six games over the Pittsburgh Pirates, and the World Series in a four-game sweep over the overwhelming favorite... |
Dick Stockton Dick Stockton Dick Stockton is an American sportscaster. He is currently employed by Fox Sports and Turner Sports as a football, baseball, and basketball play-by-play announcer.-Early life and career:... and Jim Kaat Jim Kaat James Lee "Jim" Kaat , nicknamed "Kitty", is a former pitcher in Major League Baseball for the Washington Senators/Minnesota Twins , Chicago White Sox , Philadelphia Phillies , New York Yankees , and St... Jack Buck Jack Buck John Francis "Jack" Buck was an American sportscaster, best known for his work announcing Major League Baseball games of the St. Louis Cardinals. Buck received the Ford C. Frick Award from the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1987, and is honored with a star on the St. Louis Walk of Fame... and Tim McCarver Tim McCarver James Timothy "Tim" McCarver is an American former Major League Baseball catcher, and a current sportscaster in residence for Fox Sports.-Playing career:... |
| August 25, 1990 | New York Mets 1990 New York Mets season The 1990 New York Mets season was the 29th regular season for the Mets. They went 91-71 and finished second in the National League East. They were managed by Davey Johnson and Bud Harrelson... @ Los Angeles 1990 Los Angeles Dodgers season The Dodgers finished in second place to the Cincinnati Reds in the 1990 National League Western Division race, as the teams pitching staff led the majors with 29 complete games... Boston 1990 Boston Red Sox season The Boston Red Sox season was a season in American baseball. It involved the Red Sox finishing first in the American League East with a record of 88 wins and 74 losses. It was the second AL East division championship in three years for the Red Sox... @ Toronto 1990 Toronto Blue Jays season The Toronto Blue Jays season was a season in American baseball. It involved the Blue Jays finishing second in the American League East with a record of 86 wins and 76 losses. It was their first full season in the Skydome. The Blue Jays led the division by 1½ games over the Boston Red Sox with one... |
Jack Buck Jack Buck John Francis "Jack" Buck was an American sportscaster, best known for his work announcing Major League Baseball games of the St. Louis Cardinals. Buck received the Ford C. Frick Award from the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1987, and is honored with a star on the St. Louis Walk of Fame... and Tim McCarver Tim McCarver James Timothy "Tim" McCarver is an American former Major League Baseball catcher, and a current sportscaster in residence for Fox Sports.-Playing career:... Dick Stockton Dick Stockton Dick Stockton is an American sportscaster. He is currently employed by Fox Sports and Turner Sports as a football, baseball, and basketball play-by-play announcer.-Early life and career:... and Jim Kaat Jim Kaat James Lee "Jim" Kaat , nicknamed "Kitty", is a former pitcher in Major League Baseball for the Washington Senators/Minnesota Twins , Chicago White Sox , Philadelphia Phillies , New York Yankees , and St... |
| September 22, 1990 | St. Louis 1990 St. Louis Cardinals season The 1990 St. Louis Cardinals season was the team's 109th season in St. Louis, Missouri and its 99th season in the National League. The Cardinals went 70-92 during the season and finished 6th in the National League East division.-Offseason:... @ Pittsburgh 1990 Pittsburgh Pirates season The Pittsburgh Pirates had 95 wins and 67 losses to win the National League East Division Title.-Offseason:* December 4, 1989: Gordon Dillard was drafted by the Pirates from the Philadelphia Phillies in the 1989 rule 5 draft.... Boston Red Sox @ New York Yankees |
Jack Buck Jack Buck John Francis "Jack" Buck was an American sportscaster, best known for his work announcing Major League Baseball games of the St. Louis Cardinals. Buck received the Ford C. Frick Award from the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1987, and is honored with a star on the St. Louis Walk of Fame... and Tim McCarver Tim McCarver James Timothy "Tim" McCarver is an American former Major League Baseball catcher, and a current sportscaster in residence for Fox Sports.-Playing career:... Dick Stockton Dick Stockton Dick Stockton is an American sportscaster. He is currently employed by Fox Sports and Turner Sports as a football, baseball, and basketball play-by-play announcer.-Early life and career:... and Jim Kaat Jim Kaat James Lee "Jim" Kaat , nicknamed "Kitty", is a former pitcher in Major League Baseball for the Washington Senators/Minnesota Twins , Chicago White Sox , Philadelphia Phillies , New York Yankees , and St... |
| September 29, 1990 | Boston Red Sox 1990 Boston Red Sox season The Boston Red Sox season was a season in American baseball. It involved the Red Sox finishing first in the American League East with a record of 88 wins and 74 losses. It was the second AL East division championship in three years for the Red Sox... @ Toronto Blue Jays 1990 Toronto Blue Jays season The Toronto Blue Jays season was a season in American baseball. It involved the Blue Jays finishing second in the American League East with a record of 86 wins and 76 losses. It was their first full season in the Skydome. The Blue Jays led the division by 1½ games over the Boston Red Sox with one... |
Dick Stockton Dick Stockton Dick Stockton is an American sportscaster. He is currently employed by Fox Sports and Turner Sports as a football, baseball, and basketball play-by-play announcer.-Early life and career:... and Jim Kaat Jim Kaat James Lee "Jim" Kaat , nicknamed "Kitty", is a former pitcher in Major League Baseball for the Washington Senators/Minnesota Twins , Chicago White Sox , Philadelphia Phillies , New York Yankees , and St... |
1991
After sustaining huge losses (CBS lost $United States dollar
The United States dollar , also referred to as the American dollar, is the official currency of the United States of America. It is divided into 100 smaller units called cents or pennies....
12 million to $15 million on each of the League Championship Series and World Series games not played, for a total of $36 million to $45 million) from 1990's abbreviated postseason (which ended with the Cincinnati Reds
1990 Cincinnati Reds season
The Cincinnati Reds' 1990 season was a season in American baseball. It consisted of the Reds winning the National League West, as well as the National League Championship Series in six games over the Pittsburgh Pirates, and the World Series in a four-game sweep over the overwhelming favorite...
shockingly sweeping the defending World Champion
World Series Trophy
The Commissioner's Trophy is presented each year by the Commissioner of Baseball to the Major League Baseball team that wins the World Series. Recent trophy designs contain flags representing each team in North America's top two leagues, the National League and the American League...
Oakland Athletics
1990 Oakland Athletics season
The Oakland Athletics' 1990 season saw the A's win their third consecutive American League West title, with a record of 103 wins and 59 losses, nine games ahead of the Chicago White Sox. It was the third consecutive year in which Oakland finished with the best record in all of MLB...
in the World Series
1990 World Series
- Game 1 :Tuesday, October 16, 1990 at Riverfront Stadium in Cincinnati, OhioUntil , this was the last World Series to be scheduled to begin play on a Tuesday, and the first since . The schedule called for the seven-game series to be held Tue–Wed, Fri–Sat–Sun, Tue–Wed. Games 5, 6, and 7, however...
), CBS made several notable adjustments for 1991. Regular season telecasts had been reduced to a meager handful. In return, pregame shows during the League Championship Series were entirely eliminated, to minimize the ratings damage. The 1991 season was perhaps most noteworthy for CBS having the opportunity of covering of the now legendary World Series
1991 World Series
The 1991 World Series pitted the Minnesota Twins of the American League against the Atlanta Braves of the National League. The series was played from Saturday, October 19 to Sunday, October 27....
between the Minnesota Twins and Atlanta Braves
1991 Atlanta Braves season
In 1991, the Atlanta Braves became the first team in the National League to go from last place one year to first place the next. This feat was also accomplished by the 1991 Minnesota Twins...
.
Earlier in the postseason, CBS' coverage of the ALCS
1991 American League Championship Series
-Game 1:Tuesday, October 8, 1991 at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome in Minneapolis, MinnesotaGame 1 saw a surprise starter for Toronto as Blue Jays manager Cito Gaston chose knuckleballer Tom Candiotti to face the Twins over his new young gun Juan Guzmán and his left-handed ace Jimmy Key. Twins...
meant that they could not carry the live testimony of Clarence Thomas
Clarence Thomas
Clarence Thomas is an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States. Succeeding Thurgood Marshall, Thomas is the second African American to serve on the Court....
, whose confirmation to the United States Supreme Court was put into question because of charges of sexual harassment
Sexual harassment
Sexual harassment, is intimidation, bullying or coercion of a sexual nature, or the unwelcome or inappropriate promise of rewards in exchange for sexual favors. In some contexts or circumstances, sexual harassment is illegal. It includes a range of behavior from seemingly mild transgressions and...
from former staffer Anita Hill
Anita Hill
Anita Faye Hill is an American attorney and academic—presently a professor of social policy, law and women's studies at Brandeis University's Heller School for Social Policy and Management. She became a national figure in 1991 when she alleged that U.S. Supreme Court nominee Clarence Thomas had...
. Meanwhile, ABC
ABC News
ABC News is the news gathering and broadcasting division of American broadcast television network ABC, a subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company...
, NBC
NBC News
NBC News is the news division of American television network NBC. It first started broadcasting in February 21, 1940. NBC Nightly News has aired from Studio 3B, located on floors 3 of the NBC Studios is the headquarters of the GE Building forms the centerpiece of 30th Rockefeller Center it is...
, CNN
CNN
Cable News Network is a U.S. cable news channel founded in 1980 by Ted Turner. Upon its launch, CNN was the first channel to provide 24-hour television news coverage, and the first all-news television channel in the United States...
and PBS
Public Broadcasting Service
The Public Broadcasting Service is an American non-profit public broadcasting television network with 354 member TV stations in the United States which hold collective ownership. Its headquarters is in Arlington, Virginia....
all carried the testimony.
As CBS' baseball coverage progressed, they dropped the 8:00 p.m. pregame coverage (in favor of sitcoms such as Evening Shade
Evening Shade
Evening Shade was an American sitcom television series that aired on CBS from 1990 to 1994. The series starred Burt Reynolds as Wood Newton, an ex-professional football player for the Pittsburgh Steelers, who returns to rural Evening Shade, Arkansas to coach a high school football team with a long...
), before finally starting their coverage at 8:30 p.m. Eastern Time. The first pitch would generally arrive at approximately 8:45 p.m. Perhaps as a result, Joe Carter
Joe Carter
Joseph Christopher Carter is a former right fielder in Major League Baseball who played from to . Carter is most famous for hitting a walk-off home run to win the 1993 World Series for the Toronto Blue Jays....
's World Series
1993 World Series
-Game 1:Saturday, October 16, 1993 at SkyDome in Toronto, OntarioThe Series' first game sent two staff aces—Curt Schilling for Philadelphia and Juan Guzman for Toronto—against one another. The result was less than a pitcher's duel, however, as both teams scored early and often.The deciding plays...
clinching home run off Mitch Williams in 1993, occurred at 12:00 a.m. on the East Coast
East Coast of the United States
The East Coast of the United States, also known as the Eastern Seaboard, refers to the easternmost coastal states in the United States, which touch the Atlantic Ocean and stretch up to Canada. The term includes the U.S...
.
Schedule
| Date | Teams | Announcers |
| April 20, 1991 | New York Mets 1991 New York Mets season The 1991 New York Mets season was the 30th regular season for the Mets. They went 77-84 and finished fifth in the National League East. They were managed by Bud Harrelson and Mike Cubbage... @ Montreal 1991 Montreal Expos season After several winning seasons, the Expos faltered in 1991, winning only 20 of its first 49 games. Manager Buck Rodgers was replaced as manager by Tom Runnells.-Offseason:* November 15, 1990: Scott Service was signed as a free agent by the Expos.... Detroit 1991 Detroit Tigers season The Detroit Tigers finished in second place in the American League East with a record of 83-79 . They outscored their opponents 817 to 794... @ Chicago White Sox 1991 Chicago White Sox season The 1991 Chicago White Sox season was the White Sox's 93rd season. They finished with a record 87-75, good enough for 2nd place in the American League West, 8 games behind of the 1st place Minnesota Twins, as the club opened the new Comiskey Park on April 18.... |
|
| April 27, 1991 | Chicago Cubs 1991 Chicago Cubs season The 1991 Chicago Cubs season saw the Cubs finish in fourth place in the National League East with a record of 77 wins and 83 losses.-Offseason:* December 6, 1990: George Bell was signed as a free agent by the Cubs.... @ Cincinnati 1991 Cincinnati Reds season The Cincinnati Reds' 1991 season was a season in American baseball. It consisted of the Cincinnati Reds attempting to win the National League West.-Offseason:* January 29, 1990: Skeeter Barnes was signed as a free agent by the Reds.... Seattle 1991 Seattle Mariners season The Seattle Mariners 1991 season was their 15th since the franchise creation, and ended the season finishing 5th in the American League West, finishing with a record of 83-79. It was the first above-.500 season in franchise history.-Regular season:... @ Minnesota |
|
| May 5, 1991 | Boston 1991 Boston Red Sox season The Boston Red Sox season was a season in American baseball. It involved the Red Sox finishing 2nd in the American League East with a record of 84 wins and 78 losses.-Notable Transactions:... @ Chicago White Sox 1991 Chicago White Sox season The 1991 Chicago White Sox season was the White Sox's 93rd season. They finished with a record 87-75, good enough for 2nd place in the American League West, 8 games behind of the 1st place Minnesota Twins, as the club opened the new Comiskey Park on April 18.... Cleveland 1991 Cleveland Indians season -Offseason:* December 3, 1990: Mike Huff was drafted by the Indians from the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 1990 rule 5 draft.* December 4, 1990: Cory Snyder and Lindsay Foster were traded by the Indians to the Chicago White Sox for Shawn Hillegas and Eric King.* January 11, 1991: Luis Lopez was... @ Oakland 1991 Oakland Athletics season The Oakland Athletics' 1991 season involved the A's finishing 4th in the American League West with a record of 84 wins and 78 losses.-Offseason:* December 3, 1990: Willie Wilson was signed as a free agent by the Athletics.... |
|
| May 18, 1991 | New York Mets 1991 New York Mets season The 1991 New York Mets season was the 30th regular season for the Mets. They went 77-84 and finished fifth in the National League East. They were managed by Bud Harrelson and Mike Cubbage... @ Los Angeles 1991 Los Angeles Dodgers season The 1991 season featured an exciting National League Western Division race between the Dodgers and the Atlanta Braves. The Braves edged out the Dodgers to win the division by one game... |
|
| May 25, 1991 | Los Angeles 1991 Los Angeles Dodgers season The 1991 season featured an exciting National League Western Division race between the Dodgers and the Atlanta Braves. The Braves edged out the Dodgers to win the division by one game... @ Cincinnati 1991 Cincinnati Reds season The Cincinnati Reds' 1991 season was a season in American baseball. It consisted of the Cincinnati Reds attempting to win the National League West.-Offseason:* January 29, 1990: Skeeter Barnes was signed as a free agent by the Reds.... Cleveland 1991 Cleveland Indians season -Offseason:* December 3, 1990: Mike Huff was drafted by the Indians from the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 1990 rule 5 draft.* December 4, 1990: Cory Snyder and Lindsay Foster were traded by the Indians to the Chicago White Sox for Shawn Hillegas and Eric King.* January 11, 1991: Luis Lopez was... @ Milwaukee 1991 Milwaukee Brewers season The 1991 Milwaukee Brewers season involved the Brewers' finishing 4th in the American League East with a record of 83 wins and 79 losses.-Offseason:* March 14, 1991: Dave Parker was traded by the Brewers to the California Angels for Dante Bichette.... |
|
| June 15, 1991 | Chicago Cubs 1991 Chicago Cubs season The 1991 Chicago Cubs season saw the Cubs finish in fourth place in the National League East with a record of 77 wins and 83 losses.-Offseason:* December 6, 1990: George Bell was signed as a free agent by the Cubs.... @ San Diego 1991 San Diego Padres season -Offseason:* December 3, 1990: Frank Seminara was drafted by the San Diego Padres from the New York Yankees in the 1990 rule 5 draft.* December 12, 1990: Mark Parent was traded by the Padres to the Texas Rangers for Scott Coolbaugh.... |
|
| June 22, 1991 | Pittsburgh 1991 Pittsburgh Pirates season The 1991 Pittsburgh Pirates season was the 110th in franchise history. For the second consecutive season, the Pirates won the National League East Division Title... @ Los Angeles 1991 Los Angeles Dodgers season The 1991 season featured an exciting National League Western Division race between the Dodgers and the Atlanta Braves. The Braves edged out the Dodgers to win the division by one game... |
|
| June 29, 1991 | St. Louis 1991 St. Louis Cardinals season The St. Louis Cardinals 1991 season was the team's 110th season in St. Louis, Missouri and the 100th season in the National League. The Cardinals went 84-78 during the season and finished 2nd in the National League East division.... @ Chicago Cubs 1991 Chicago Cubs season The 1991 Chicago Cubs season saw the Cubs finish in fourth place in the National League East with a record of 77 wins and 83 losses.-Offseason:* December 6, 1990: George Bell was signed as a free agent by the Cubs.... Boston 1991 Boston Red Sox season The Boston Red Sox season was a season in American baseball. It involved the Red Sox finishing 2nd in the American League East with a record of 84 wins and 78 losses.-Notable Transactions:... @ Baltimore 1991 Baltimore Orioles season The Baltimore Orioles season was a season in American baseball. It involved the Orioles finishing 6th in the American League East with a record of 67 wins and 95 losses. Cal Ripken. Jr. would be the first shortstop in the history of the American League to win two MVP awards in a career. This was... |
|
| July 9, 1991 | All-Star Game 1991 Major League Baseball All-Star Game The 1991 Major League Baseball All-Star Game was the 62nd playing of the midsummer classic between the all-stars of the American League and National League , the two leagues comprising Major League Baseball. The game was held on July 9, 1991 at SkyDome in Toronto, Ontario, the home of the Toronto... (SkyDome Rogers Centre Rogers Centre is a multi-purpose stadium, in Downtown Toronto, Ontario, Canada, situated next to the CN Tower, near the shores of Lake Ontario. Opened in 1989, it is home to the Toronto Blue Jays of Major League Baseball and the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League... , Toronto Toronto Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from... ) |
Jack Buck Jack Buck John Francis "Jack" Buck was an American sportscaster, best known for his work announcing Major League Baseball games of the St. Louis Cardinals. Buck received the Ford C. Frick Award from the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1987, and is honored with a star on the St. Louis Walk of Fame... and Tim McCarver Tim McCarver James Timothy "Tim" McCarver is an American former Major League Baseball catcher, and a current sportscaster in residence for Fox Sports.-Playing career:... |
| July 14, 1991 | Baltimore 1991 Baltimore Orioles season The Baltimore Orioles season was a season in American baseball. It involved the Orioles finishing 6th in the American League East with a record of 67 wins and 95 losses. Cal Ripken. Jr. would be the first shortstop in the history of the American League to win two MVP awards in a career. This was... @ Oakland 1991 Oakland Athletics season The Oakland Athletics' 1991 season involved the A's finishing 4th in the American League West with a record of 84 wins and 78 losses.-Offseason:* December 3, 1990: Willie Wilson was signed as a free agent by the Athletics.... |
|
| July 20, 1991 | Los Angeles 1991 Los Angeles Dodgers season The 1991 season featured an exciting National League Western Division race between the Dodgers and the Atlanta Braves. The Braves edged out the Dodgers to win the division by one game... @ New York Mets 1991 New York Mets season The 1991 New York Mets season was the 30th regular season for the Mets. They went 77-84 and finished fifth in the National League East. They were managed by Bud Harrelson and Mike Cubbage... Detroit 1991 Detroit Tigers season The Detroit Tigers finished in second place in the American League East with a record of 83-79 . They outscored their opponents 817 to 794... @ Kansas City 1991 Kansas City Royals season The 1991 Kansas City Royals season involved the Royals finishing 6th in the American League West with a record of 82 wins and 80 losses.-Offseason:* October 4, 1990: Chris Codiroli was released by the Royals.... |
Jack Buck Jack Buck John Francis "Jack" Buck was an American sportscaster, best known for his work announcing Major League Baseball games of the St. Louis Cardinals. Buck received the Ford C. Frick Award from the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1987, and is honored with a star on the St. Louis Walk of Fame... and Tim McCarver Tim McCarver James Timothy "Tim" McCarver is an American former Major League Baseball catcher, and a current sportscaster in residence for Fox Sports.-Playing career:... Dick Stockton Dick Stockton Dick Stockton is an American sportscaster. He is currently employed by Fox Sports and Turner Sports as a football, baseball, and basketball play-by-play announcer.-Early life and career:... and Jim Kaat Jim Kaat James Lee "Jim" Kaat , nicknamed "Kitty", is a former pitcher in Major League Baseball for the Washington Senators/Minnesota Twins , Chicago White Sox , Philadelphia Phillies , New York Yankees , and St... |
| August 3, 1991 | Toronto 1991 Toronto Blue Jays season The 1991 Toronto Blue Jays season involved the Blue Jays finishing 1st in the American League East with a record of 91 wins and 71 losses. The team's paid attendance of 4,001,527 led the American League, as the Jays became the first team in MLB history ever to draw four million fans in a season... @ Boston 1991 Boston Red Sox season The Boston Red Sox season was a season in American baseball. It involved the Red Sox finishing 2nd in the American League East with a record of 84 wins and 78 losses.-Notable Transactions:... Pittsburgh 1991 Pittsburgh Steelers season -Staff:- Schedule :- Week 1 : vs. San Diego Chargers :at Three Rivers Stadium, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania* Game time: 4:00 PM EDT* Game weather: 80°F * Game attendance: 55,848... @ St. Louis 1991 St. Louis Cardinals season The St. Louis Cardinals 1991 season was the team's 110th season in St. Louis, Missouri and the 100th season in the National League. The Cardinals went 84-78 during the season and finished 2nd in the National League East division.... |
|
| August 24, 1991 | Cincinnati 1991 Cincinnati Reds season The Cincinnati Reds' 1991 season was a season in American baseball. It consisted of the Cincinnati Reds attempting to win the National League West.-Offseason:* January 29, 1990: Skeeter Barnes was signed as a free agent by the Reds.... @ New York Mets 1991 New York Mets season The 1991 New York Mets season was the 30th regular season for the Mets. They went 77-84 and finished fifth in the National League East. They were managed by Bud Harrelson and Mike Cubbage... Minnesota @ Baltimore 1991 Baltimore Orioles season The Baltimore Orioles season was a season in American baseball. It involved the Orioles finishing 6th in the American League East with a record of 67 wins and 95 losses. Cal Ripken. Jr. would be the first shortstop in the history of the American League to win two MVP awards in a career. This was... |
|
| September 14, 1991 | Chicago White Sox 1991 Chicago White Sox season The 1991 Chicago White Sox season was the White Sox's 93rd season. They finished with a record 87-75, good enough for 2nd place in the American League West, 8 games behind of the 1st place Minnesota Twins, as the club opened the new Comiskey Park on April 18.... @ California 1991 California Angels season The California Angels 1991 season involved the Angels finishing 7th in the American League west with a record of 81 wins and 81 losses.-Offseason:... (dropped) Los Angeles 1991 Los Angeles Dodgers season The 1991 season featured an exciting National League Western Division race between the Dodgers and the Atlanta Braves. The Braves edged out the Dodgers to win the division by one game... @ Atlanta 1991 Atlanta Braves season In 1991, the Atlanta Braves became the first team in the National League to go from last place one year to first place the next. This feat was also accomplished by the 1991 Minnesota Twins... Oakland 1991 Oakland Athletics season The Oakland Athletics' 1991 season involved the A's finishing 4th in the American League West with a record of 84 wins and 78 losses.-Offseason:* December 3, 1990: Willie Wilson was signed as a free agent by the Athletics.... @ Toronto 1991 Toronto Blue Jays season The 1991 Toronto Blue Jays season involved the Blue Jays finishing 1st in the American League East with a record of 91 wins and 71 losses. The team's paid attendance of 4,001,527 led the American League, as the Jays became the first team in MLB history ever to draw four million fans in a season... |
|
| September 21, 1991 | San Francisco 1991 San Francisco Giants season -Offseason:* November 9, 1990: Bud Black signed as a Free Agent with the San Francisco Giants.* December 4, 1990: Dave Righetti signed as a Free Agent with the San Francisco Giants.... @ San Diego 1991 San Diego Padres season -Offseason:* December 3, 1990: Frank Seminara was drafted by the San Diego Padres from the New York Yankees in the 1990 rule 5 draft.* December 12, 1990: Mark Parent was traded by the Padres to the Texas Rangers for Scott Coolbaugh.... New York Yankees 1991 New York Yankees season The New York Yankees' 1991 season was the 89th season for the Yankees. The team finished with a record of 71-91 finishing 20 games behind of the Toronto Blue Jays. New York was managed by Stump Merrill... @ Boston 1991 Boston Red Sox season The Boston Red Sox season was a season in American baseball. It involved the Red Sox finishing 2nd in the American League East with a record of 84 wins and 78 losses.-Notable Transactions:... |
|
| September 28, 1991 | ||
| October 5, 1991 | Houston 1991 Houston Astros season The Houston Astros' 1991 season was a season in American baseball. It involved the Houston Astros attempting to win the National League West.The Astros finished 65-97, tying the 1965 and 1975 clubs for the most losses in franchise history... @ Atlanta 1991 Atlanta Braves season In 1991, the Atlanta Braves became the first team in the National League to go from last place one year to first place the next. This feat was also accomplished by the 1991 Minnesota Twins... Los Angeles 1991 Los Angeles Dodgers season The 1991 season featured an exciting National League Western Division race between the Dodgers and the Atlanta Braves. The Braves edged out the Dodgers to win the division by one game... @ San Francisco 1991 San Francisco Giants season -Offseason:* November 9, 1990: Bud Black signed as a Free Agent with the San Francisco Giants.* December 4, 1990: Dave Righetti signed as a Free Agent with the San Francisco Giants.... |
Dick Stockton Dick Stockton Dick Stockton is an American sportscaster. He is currently employed by Fox Sports and Turner Sports as a football, baseball, and basketball play-by-play announcer.-Early life and career:... and Jim Kaat Jim Kaat James Lee "Jim" Kaat , nicknamed "Kitty", is a former pitcher in Major League Baseball for the Washington Senators/Minnesota Twins , Chicago White Sox , Philadelphia Phillies , New York Yankees , and St... Jack Buck Jack Buck John Francis "Jack" Buck was an American sportscaster, best known for his work announcing Major League Baseball games of the St. Louis Cardinals. Buck received the Ford C. Frick Award from the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1987, and is honored with a star on the St. Louis Walk of Fame... and Tim McCarver Tim McCarver James Timothy "Tim" McCarver is an American former Major League Baseball catcher, and a current sportscaster in residence for Fox Sports.-Playing career:... |
Sean McDonough replaces Jack Buck
After two years of calling baseball telecasts for CBS, Jack Buck was dismissed in December 1991. According to the radioKMOX (AM)
KMOX is a radio station broadcasting from St. Louis, Missouri. It is a 50,000-watt clear channel radio station, which permits its nighttime signal to be heard in most of the continental U.S. KMOX operates as "NewsRadio 1120" and refers to itself as "The Voice of St...
veteran Buck, he had a hard time adjusting to the demands of a more constricting television production. CBS felt that Buck should've done more to make himself appear to be a set-up man for lead analyst Tim McCarver. Jack Buck's son Joe
Joe Buck
Joseph Francis "Joe" Buck is an American sportscaster and the son of legendary sportscaster Jack Buck. He has won numerous Sports Emmy Awards for his play-by-play work with Fox Sports.-Education:...
tried to rationalize his father's on-air problems by saying "My dad was brought up in the golden age of radio, I think he had his hands tied somewhat, being accustomed to the freedom of radio. I'm more used to acquiescing to what the producer wants to do, what the director wants to do."
Buck himself sized up CBS' handling of the announcers by saying "CBS never got that baseball play-by-play draws word-pictures. All they knew was that football stars analysts. So they said, 'Let [analyst Tim] McCarver run the show.' In television, all they want you to do is shut up. I'm not very good at shutting up." Buck though, would add that although he knew Tim McCarver well, they never developed a good relationship with each other on the air despite high hopes to the contrary. Phil Mushnick
Phil Mushnick
Phil Mushnick is a sports writer who works for the New York Post. His column "Equal Time" concentrates on the sports media and appears three times a week on Sundays, Mondays and Fridays. He also provides a weekly column on the media in general on Sundays for the entertainment section of the paper...
added insult to injury to Buck by accusing him of "Trying to predict plays, as if to prove he was still on top."
Buck also got into deep trouble with CBS executives (namely executive producer Ted Shaker) over questionable comments made towards singer Bobby Vinton
Bobby Vinton
Bobby Vinton is an American pop music singer of Polish origin. In pop music circles, he became known as "The Polish Prince".-Early life:...
in 1990. While on air prior to Game 4 of the that year's NLCS
1990 National League Championship Series
-Game 1:Thursday, October 4, 1990 at Riverfront Stadium in Cincinnati, OhioBob Walk was the starting pitcher for Pittsburgh and José Rijo was on the mound for the Reds. The Reds had two doubles in the bottom half of the first inning and scored three runs. This would prove to be the only runs they...
in Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Pittsburgh is the second-largest city in the US Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the county seat of Allegheny County. Regionally, it anchors the largest urban area of Appalachia and the Ohio River Valley, and nationally, it is the 22nd-largest urban area in the United States...
, Buck criticized Vinton's off-key rendition of the "Star-Spangled Banner"
The Star-Spangled Banner
"The Star-Spangled Banner" is the national anthem of the United States of America. The lyrics come from "Defence of Fort McHenry", a poem written in 1814 by the 35-year-old lawyer and amateur poet, Francis Scott Key, after witnessing the bombardment of Fort McHenry by the British Royal Navy ships...
, making a comment towards Vinton that sounded like a prejudicial remark centered on Vinton's Polish heritage. Joe Buck
Joe Buck
Joseph Francis "Joe" Buck is an American sportscaster and the son of legendary sportscaster Jack Buck. He has won numerous Sports Emmy Awards for his play-by-play work with Fox Sports.-Education:...
believed that the situation was ironic because his father was "trying to help the guy." Buck began receiving death threats from Pirate
1990 Pittsburgh Pirates season
The Pittsburgh Pirates had 95 wins and 67 losses to win the National League East Division Title.-Offseason:* December 4, 1989: Gordon Dillard was drafted by the Pirates from the Philadelphia Phillies in the 1989 rule 5 draft....
fans and discovered a footprint on his pillow once he returned to his hotel room.
1992
Buck's replacement was Boston Red SoxBoston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
announcer Sean McDonough
Sean McDonough
Sean McDonough is an American sportscaster, currently employed by ESPN.-Early life and career:The son of Boston Globe sportswriter Will McDonough, Sean graduated from Syracuse University in 1984. It was in Syracuse where McDonough began his broadcasting career in 1982 as the play-by-play announcer...
. Ted Shaker called McDonough about his interests for the top announcing job, and after McDonough hung up the telephone, he claimed that he didn't want to act like a 10 year old but he jumped so high that he put a hole in his ceiling. McDonough, who was 30 years old at the time, became the youngest full-time network announcer to call a World Series when he called that year's Fall Classic alongside McCarver.
For CBS' coverage of the 1992 All-Star Game
1992 Major League Baseball All-Star Game
The 1992 Major League Baseball All-Star Game was the 63rd playing of the midsummer classic between the all-stars of the American League and National League , the two leagues comprising Major League Baseball. The game was held on July 14, 1992 at Jack Murphy Stadium in San Diego, California, the...
, they introduced Basecam, a lipstick-size camera, inside first base.
Over the course of Game 2 of the 1992 ALCS
1992 American League Championship Series
-Game 1:Wednesday, October 7, 1992 at SkyDome in Toronto, OntarioThe first game of the series had Oakland's Dave Stewart face off against Toronto's Jack Morris. The A's put up a three-spot against Morris in the second inning, as Mark McGwire and Terry Steinbach hit back-to-back home runs...
, Jim Kaat
Jim Kaat
James Lee "Jim" Kaat , nicknamed "Kitty", is a former pitcher in Major League Baseball for the Washington Senators/Minnesota Twins , Chicago White Sox , Philadelphia Phillies , New York Yankees , and St...
was stricken with a bad case of laryngitis. As a result, Johnny Bench
Johnny Bench
Johnny Lee Bench is a former professional baseball catcher who played in the Major Leagues for the Cincinnati Reds from 1967 to 1983 and is a member of the National Baseball Hall of Fame...
had to come over from the CBS Radio
Major League Baseball on CBS Radio
Major League Baseball on CBS Radio was the de facto title for the CBS Radio Network's coverage of Major League Baseball. Produced by CBS Radio Sports , the program was the official national radio broadcaster for the All-Star Game and the postseason from 1976 to 1997.-Contracts:CBS first covered...
booth and finish the game with Dick Stockton
Dick Stockton
Dick Stockton is an American sportscaster. He is currently employed by Fox Sports and Turner Sports as a football, baseball, and basketball play-by-play announcer.-Early life and career:...
as a "relief analyst." There was talk that if Kaat's laryngitis did not get better, Don Drysdale
Don Drysdale
Donald Scott "Don" Drysdale was a Major League Baseball player and Hall of Fame right-handed pitcher with the Los Angeles Dodgers. He was one of the dominant starting pitchers of the 1960s, and became a radio and television broadcaster following his playing career...
was going to replace Kaat on TV for Game 3 while Bench would continue to work on CBS Radio.
Tim McCarver ran afoul of Atlanta Braves
1992 Atlanta Braves season
The 1992 Atlanta Braves season was a season in American baseball. It involved the Braves finishing first in the National League West with a record of 98 wins and 64 losses, clinching their second straight division title....
outfielder Deion Sanders
Deion Sanders
Deion Luwynn Sanders , nicknamed "Prime Time" and "Neon Deion", is a former National Football League cornerback and Major League Baseball outfielder who currently works as an NFL Network analyst...
during the 1992 postseason, when he made comments on air criticizing Sanders for his two-sport athletic career; Sanders was playing for both the Braves and the NFL's Atlanta Falcons
1992 Atlanta Falcons season
-Roster:-Schedule:-References:...
at the time and participated in both the baseball postseason and the early NFL regular season for the first time in 1992 (Sanders was unable to do this in 1991
1991 Atlanta Braves season
In 1991, the Atlanta Braves became the first team in the National League to go from last place one year to first place the next. This feat was also accomplished by the 1991 Minnesota Twins...
, as his NFL
1991 Atlanta Braves season
In 1991, the Atlanta Braves became the first team in the National League to go from last place one year to first place the next. This feat was also accomplished by the 1991 Minnesota Twins...
contract would not allow him to). Sanders retaliated following Game 7 of the NLCS
1992 National League Championship Series
-Game 1:Tuesday, October 6, 1992 at Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium in Atlanta, GeorgiaA rather uneventful opening to what would prove to be a memorable series, Game 1 was an easy win for the Braves. Atlanta scored four early runs, highlighted by Jeff Blauser's fifth-inning homer, and coasted to...
by dumping a bucket of ice water on McCarver (who was wired for sound and feared electrocution) as retaliation for the on-air comments.
McCarver was not immune to criticism from outside sources, either, as Norman Chad
Norman Chad
Norman Chad is an American sportswriter and syndicated columnist who is seen on the sports channel ESPN. He also was an occasional guest host on the ESPN show Pardon the Interruption and has appeared as both host and movie critic on the ESPN Classic series Reel Classics.He writes a weekly...
wrote a critique of him in Sports Illustrated
Sports Illustrated
Sports Illustrated is an American sports media company owned by media conglomerate Time Warner. Its self titled magazine has over 3.5 million subscribers and is read by 23 million adults each week, including over 18 million men. It was the first magazine with circulation over one million to win the...
during the postseason. Chad said that McCarver was someone who 'when you ask him the time, will tell you how a watch works,' a reference to McCarver's perceived tendency to overanalyze things. Chad went further by saying "What's the difference between Tim McCarver and appendicitis
Appendicitis
Appendicitis is a condition characterized by inflammation of the appendix. It is classified as a medical emergency and many cases require removal of the inflamed appendix, either by laparotomy or laparoscopy. Untreated, mortality is high, mainly because of the risk of rupture leading to...
? Appendicitis is covered by most health plans."
McCarver was also known to make gaffes from time to time. One of his more amusing miscues came during the 1992 National League Championship Series
1992 National League Championship Series
-Game 1:Tuesday, October 6, 1992 at Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium in Atlanta, GeorgiaA rather uneventful opening to what would prove to be a memorable series, Game 1 was an easy win for the Braves. Atlanta scored four early runs, highlighted by Jeff Blauser's fifth-inning homer, and coasted to...
when he repeatedly referred to Pittsburgh Pirates
1992 Pittsburgh Pirates season
The 1992 Pittsburgh Pirates season saw the Pirates finish first in the National League East with a record of 96 wins and 66 losses. It was the third consecutive division title for the team. The Pirates once again fell short in the postseason, losing a riveting seven-game National League...
pitcher Tim Wakefield
Tim Wakefield
Timothy Stephen Wakefield is an American professional baseball pitcher. Wakefield began pitching with the Red Sox in 1995, making him the longest-serving player currently on the team. Wakefield is also the oldest current active player in the majors, and one of two active knuckleballers, the other...
as "Bill Wakefield." He finally explained that Bill Wakefield was one of his old minor-league teammates, and he laughed at himself because "I forgot my own name!"'
During the 1992 postseason, CBS missed covering one of the three debates
United States presidential election, 1992
The United States presidential election of 1992 had three major candidates: Incumbent Republican President George Bush; Democratic Arkansas Governor Bill Clinton, and independent Texas businessman Ross Perot....
among U.S. presidential candidates
President of the United States
The President of the United States of America is the head of state and head of government of the United States. The president leads the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the United States Armed Forces....
George H.W. Bush, Bill Clinton
Bill Clinton
William Jefferson "Bill" Clinton is an American politician who served as the 42nd President of the United States from 1993 to 2001. Inaugurated at age 46, he was the third-youngest president. He took office at the end of the Cold War, and was the first president of the baby boomer generation...
and H. Ross Perot
Ross Perot
Henry Ross Perot is a U.S. businessman best known for running for President of the United States in 1992 and 1996. Perot founded Electronic Data Systems in 1962, sold the company to General Motors in 1984, and founded Perot Systems in 1988...
. The network had planned to join other broadcast and cable networks in the telecast; however, Game 4 of the ALCS
1992 American League Championship Series
-Game 1:Wednesday, October 7, 1992 at SkyDome in Toronto, OntarioThe first game of the series had Oakland's Dave Stewart face off against Toronto's Jack Morris. The A's put up a three-spot against Morris in the second inning, as Mark McGwire and Terry Steinbach hit back-to-back home runs...
between the Toronto Blue Jays
1992 Toronto Blue Jays season
The Toronto Blue Jays played their 16th season in Major League Baseball. Toronto finished first in the American League East for the 4th time with a record of 96 wins and 66 losses, closing the season with an attendance record of 4,028,318...
and Oakland Athletics
1992 Oakland Athletics season
The Oakland Athletics' 1992 season involved the A's finishing first in the American League West with a record of 96 wins and 66 losses. They lost the ALCS in six games to the eventual world champion Toronto Blue Jays.-Offseason:...
did not end until 8:30 p.m. Eastern Time, about the time the debate ended. The Blue Jays won the game 7-6 in 11 innings. The other networks reported very good ratings for the debate, part of one of the more compelling election campaigns in recent times.
The CBS telecasts of the and Series (both involving the Toronto Blue Jays
Toronto Blue Jays
The Toronto Blue Jays are a professional baseball team located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Blue Jays are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball 's American League ....
) were simulcast
Simulcast
Simulcast, shorthand for "simultaneous broadcast", refers to programs or events broadcast across more than one medium, or more than one service on the same medium, at the same time. For example, Absolute Radio is simulcast on both AM and on satellite radio, and the BBC's Prom concerts are often...
on CTV
CTV television network
CTV Television Network is a Canadian English language television network and is owned by Bell Media. It is Canada's largest privately-owned network, and has consistently placed as Canada's top-rated network in total viewers and in key demographics since 2002, after several years trailing the rival...
. in Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
. During this period, CTV produced their own pregame shows rather than simply taking the United States feed from CBS. Rod Black
Rod Black
Rod Black is a Canadian sports announcer for TSN and CTV Sports. He calls games for the CFL, occasionally for the The NHL on TSN, and used to call games for the Toronto Blue Jays, ending in 2009. He also calls Canadian golf tournaments for the PGA, on occasion bowling tournaments, curling, boxing ...
and Rob Faulds
Rob Faulds
Rob Faulds is a Canadian sports analyst on Rogers Sportsnet and host of Sportsnetnews. Faulds also does play-by-play for National Lacrosse League games...
hosted CTV's pregame coverage, with CBS' Tim McCarver providing some additional pregame analysis.
Schedule
| Date | Teams | Announcers |
| April 18, 1992 | Chicago Cubs @ St. Louis Detroit 1992 Detroit Tigers season The Detroit Tigers' 1992 season was a season in American baseball. It involved the Detroit Tigers attempting to win the American League East.-Offseason:* December 20, 1991: Dan Gladden was signed as a free agent by the Tigers.... @ Baltimore 1992 Baltimore Orioles season The Baltimore Orioles season was a season in American baseball. It involved the Orioles finishing third in the American League East with a record of 89 wins and 73 losses.... Oakland 1992 Oakland Athletics season The Oakland Athletics' 1992 season involved the A's finishing first in the American League West with a record of 96 wins and 66 losses. They lost the ALCS in six games to the eventual world champion Toronto Blue Jays.-Offseason:... @ Texas 1992 Texas Rangers season The 1992 Texas Rangers season saw the Rangers finishing fourth in the American League West with a record of 77 wins and 85 losses.-Offseason:* October 28, 1991: Steve Fireovid was signed as a free agent by the Rangers.... (1 PM) |
|
| April 25, 1992 | Oakland 1992 Oakland Athletics season The Oakland Athletics' 1992 season involved the A's finishing first in the American League West with a record of 96 wins and 66 losses. They lost the ALCS in six games to the eventual world champion Toronto Blue Jays.-Offseason:... @ Minnesota (1 PM) |
|
| May 2, 1992 | New York Mets @ Atlanta Texas 1992 Texas Rangers season The 1992 Texas Rangers season saw the Rangers finishing fourth in the American League West with a record of 77 wins and 85 losses.-Offseason:* October 28, 1991: Steve Fireovid was signed as a free agent by the Rangers.... @ Chicago White Sox 1992 Chicago White Sox season The 1992 Chicago White Sox season was the White Sox's 94th season. They finished with a record 86-76, good enough for 3rd place in the American League West, 10 games behind the 1st place Oakland Athletics.-Offseason:... (1 PM) |
|
| June 13, 1992 | Boston 1992 Boston Red Sox season The Boston Red Sox season involved the Red Sox finishing seventh in the American League East with a record of 73 wins and 89 losses.-Opening Day Line Up:-Roster:-Notable transactions:... @ Toronto 1992 Toronto Blue Jays season The Toronto Blue Jays played their 16th season in Major League Baseball. Toronto finished first in the American League East for the 4th time with a record of 96 wins and 66 losses, closing the season with an attendance record of 4,028,318... Los Angeles 1992 Los Angeles Dodgers season The 1992 Los Angeles Dodgers season was a poor one for the team as it finished last in the Western Division of the National League with a record of 63 wins and 99 losses. Injuries to key players and slumps from others contributed to the franchise's worst season since moving to Los Angeles... @ Cincinnati 1992 Cincinnati Reds season The 1992 Cincinnati Reds season saw the Reds finish in second place in the National League West with a record of 92 wins and 70 losses.-Offseason:*November 12, 1991: Jacob Brumfield was signed as a Free Agent with the Cincinnati Reds.... Chicago White Sox 1992 Chicago Cubs season -Offseason:* March 30, 1992: George Bell was traded by the Cubs to the Chicago White Sox for Sammy Sosa and Ken Patterson.-Notable transactions:* July 7, 1992: Ced Landrum was traded by the Cubs to the Milwaukee Brewers for Jeff Kunkel.-Roster:... @ Minnesota (1 PM) |
Sean McDonough Sean McDonough Sean McDonough is an American sportscaster, currently employed by ESPN.-Early life and career:The son of Boston Globe sportswriter Will McDonough, Sean graduated from Syracuse University in 1984. It was in Syracuse where McDonough began his broadcasting career in 1982 as the play-by-play announcer... and Tim McCarver Tim McCarver James Timothy "Tim" McCarver is an American former Major League Baseball catcher, and a current sportscaster in residence for Fox Sports.-Playing career:... |
| June 20, 1992 | Oakland 1992 Oakland Athletics season The Oakland Athletics' 1992 season involved the A's finishing first in the American League West with a record of 96 wins and 66 losses. They lost the ALCS in six games to the eventual world champion Toronto Blue Jays.-Offseason:... @ California 1992 California Angels season The California Angels 1992 season involved the Angels finishing 5th in the American League West with a record of 72 wins and 90 losses.-Offseason:*December 8, 1991: Ruben Amaro Jr... Los Angeles 1992 Los Angeles Dodgers season The 1992 Los Angeles Dodgers season was a poor one for the team as it finished last in the Western Division of the National League with a record of 63 wins and 99 losses. Injuries to key players and slumps from others contributed to the franchise's worst season since moving to Los Angeles... @ Houston 1992 Houston Astros season The Houston Astros' 1992 season was a season in American baseball. It involved the Astros finishing fourth in the National League West with a record of 81 wins and 81 losses.... San Diego 1992 San Diego Padres season The 1992 San Diego Padres season saw the team finish in third place in the National League West with a record of 82 wins and 80 losses.-Offseason:* November 20, 1991: Derek Lilliquist was selected off waivers from the Padres by the Cleveland Indians.... @ San Francisco 1992 San Francisco Giants season The 1992 San Francisco Giants season saw the Giants finish in fifth place in the National League West with a record of 72 wins and 90 losses.... (3 PM) |
|
| June 27, 1992 | New York Mets 1992 New York Mets season The New York Mets' 1992 season was the 31st regular season for the Mets. They went 72-90 and finished 5th in the NL East. They were managed by Jeff Torborg... @ St. Louis 1992 St. Louis Cardinals season The 1992 St. Louis Cardinals season was the team's 111th season in St. Louis, Missouri and its 101st season in the National League. The Cardinals went 83-79 during the season and finished third in the National League East division.-Offseason:... Atlanta 1992 Atlanta Braves season The 1992 Atlanta Braves season was a season in American baseball. It involved the Braves finishing first in the National League West with a record of 98 wins and 64 losses, clinching their second straight division title.... @ Cincinnati 1992 Cincinnati Reds season The 1992 Cincinnati Reds season saw the Reds finish in second place in the National League West with a record of 92 wins and 70 losses.-Offseason:*November 12, 1991: Jacob Brumfield was signed as a Free Agent with the Cincinnati Reds.... Milwaukee 1992 Milwaukee Brewers season The Milwaukee Brewers season featured the team finishing in second place in the American League East with a record of 92 wins and 70 losses.-Offseason:* October 15, 1991: George Canale was traded by the Brewers to the Montreal Expos for Alex Diaz.... @ Boston 1992 Boston Red Sox season The Boston Red Sox season involved the Red Sox finishing seventh in the American League East with a record of 73 wins and 89 losses.-Opening Day Line Up:-Roster:-Notable transactions:... (1 PM) |
|
| July 4, 1992 | Chicago Cubs 1992 Chicago Cubs season -Offseason:* March 30, 1992: George Bell was traded by the Cubs to the Chicago White Sox for Sammy Sosa and Ken Patterson.-Notable transactions:* July 7, 1992: Ced Landrum was traded by the Cubs to the Milwaukee Brewers for Jeff Kunkel.-Roster:... @ Atlanta 1992 Atlanta Braves season The 1992 Atlanta Braves season was a season in American baseball. It involved the Braves finishing first in the National League West with a record of 98 wins and 64 losses, clinching their second straight division title.... Cincinnati 1992 Cincinnati Reds season The 1992 Cincinnati Reds season saw the Reds finish in second place in the National League West with a record of 92 wins and 70 losses.-Offseason:*November 12, 1991: Jacob Brumfield was signed as a Free Agent with the Cincinnati Reds.... @ Pittsburgh 1992 Pittsburgh Pirates season The 1992 Pittsburgh Pirates season saw the Pirates finish first in the National League East with a record of 96 wins and 66 losses. It was the third consecutive division title for the team. The Pirates once again fell short in the postseason, losing a riveting seven-game National League... Milwaukee 1992 Milwaukee Brewers season The Milwaukee Brewers season featured the team finishing in second place in the American League East with a record of 92 wins and 70 losses.-Offseason:* October 15, 1991: George Canale was traded by the Brewers to the Montreal Expos for Alex Diaz.... @ Kansas City 1992 Kansas City Royals season The Kansas City Royals season was a season in American baseball. It involved the Royals finishing 5th in the American League West with a record of 72 wins and 90 losses.-Offseason:... (1 PM) |
|
| July 11, 1992 | St. Louis 1992 St. Louis Cardinals season The 1992 St. Louis Cardinals season was the team's 111th season in St. Louis, Missouri and its 101st season in the National League. The Cardinals went 83-79 during the season and finished third in the National League East division.-Offseason:... @ Los Angeles 1992 Los Angeles Dodgers season The 1992 Los Angeles Dodgers season was a poor one for the team as it finished last in the Western Division of the National League with a record of 63 wins and 99 losses. Injuries to key players and slumps from others contributed to the franchise's worst season since moving to Los Angeles... Philadelphia 1992 Philadelphia Phillies season The 1992 Philadelphia Phillies season was a season in Major League Baseball. The Phillies finished sixth in the National League East with a record of 70 wins and 92 losses.-Offseason:... @ San Diego 1992 San Diego Padres season The 1992 San Diego Padres season saw the team finish in third place in the National League West with a record of 82 wins and 80 losses.-Offseason:* November 20, 1991: Derek Lilliquist was selected off waivers from the Padres by the Cleveland Indians.... Montreal 1992 Montreal Expos season -Offseason:* November 15, 1991: Gary Carter was selected off waivers by the Expos from the Los Angeles Dodgers.* November 18, 1991: Kenny Williams was released by the Expos.* November 25, 1991: Andrés Galarraga was traded by the Expos to the St... @ San Francisco 1992 San Francisco Giants season The 1992 San Francisco Giants season saw the Giants finish in fifth place in the National League West with a record of 72 wins and 90 losses.... (3 PM) |
|
| July 14 | All-Star Game 1992 Major League Baseball All-Star Game The 1992 Major League Baseball All-Star Game was the 63rd playing of the midsummer classic between the all-stars of the American League and National League , the two leagues comprising Major League Baseball. The game was held on July 14, 1992 at Jack Murphy Stadium in San Diego, California, the... (Jack Murphy Stadium Qualcomm Stadium Qualcomm Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium, in San Diego, California, in the Mission Valley area.... , San Diego) (8 PM) |
Sean McDonough Sean McDonough Sean McDonough is an American sportscaster, currently employed by ESPN.-Early life and career:The son of Boston Globe sportswriter Will McDonough, Sean graduated from Syracuse University in 1984. It was in Syracuse where McDonough began his broadcasting career in 1982 as the play-by-play announcer... and Tim McCarver Tim McCarver James Timothy "Tim" McCarver is an American former Major League Baseball catcher, and a current sportscaster in residence for Fox Sports.-Playing career:... |
| July 18, 1992 | Boston 1992 Boston Red Sox season The Boston Red Sox season involved the Red Sox finishing seventh in the American League East with a record of 73 wins and 89 losses.-Opening Day Line Up:-Roster:-Notable transactions:... @ Minnesota (dropped) Atlanta 1992 Atlanta Braves season The 1992 Atlanta Braves season was a season in American baseball. It involved the Braves finishing first in the National League West with a record of 98 wins and 64 losses, clinching their second straight division title.... @ Houston 1992 Houston Astros season The Houston Astros' 1992 season was a season in American baseball. It involved the Astros finishing fourth in the National League West with a record of 81 wins and 81 losses.... (dropped) Texas 1992 Texas Rangers season The 1992 Texas Rangers season saw the Rangers finishing fourth in the American League West with a record of 77 wins and 85 losses.-Offseason:* October 28, 1991: Steve Fireovid was signed as a free agent by the Rangers.... @ Baltimore 1992 Baltimore Orioles season The Baltimore Orioles season was a season in American baseball. It involved the Orioles finishing third in the American League East with a record of 89 wins and 73 losses.... (1 PM) |
Sean McDonough Sean McDonough Sean McDonough is an American sportscaster, currently employed by ESPN.-Early life and career:The son of Boston Globe sportswriter Will McDonough, Sean graduated from Syracuse University in 1984. It was in Syracuse where McDonough began his broadcasting career in 1982 as the play-by-play announcer... and Tim McCarver Tim McCarver James Timothy "Tim" McCarver is an American former Major League Baseball catcher, and a current sportscaster in residence for Fox Sports.-Playing career:... |
| July 25, 1992 | Minnesota @ Boston 1992 Boston Red Sox season The Boston Red Sox season involved the Red Sox finishing seventh in the American League East with a record of 73 wins and 89 losses.-Opening Day Line Up:-Roster:-Notable transactions:... Texas 1992 Texas Rangers season The 1992 Texas Rangers season saw the Rangers finishing fourth in the American League West with a record of 77 wins and 85 losses.-Offseason:* October 28, 1991: Steve Fireovid was signed as a free agent by the Rangers.... @ Baltimore 1992 Baltimore Orioles season The Baltimore Orioles season was a season in American baseball. It involved the Orioles finishing third in the American League East with a record of 89 wins and 73 losses.... Detroit 1992 Detroit Tigers season The Detroit Tigers' 1992 season was a season in American baseball. It involved the Detroit Tigers attempting to win the American League East.-Offseason:* December 20, 1991: Dan Gladden was signed as a free agent by the Tigers.... @ California 1992 California Angels season The California Angels 1992 season involved the Angels finishing 5th in the American League West with a record of 72 wins and 90 losses.-Offseason:*December 8, 1991: Ruben Amaro Jr... (3 PM) |
|
| August 1, 1992 | New York Yankees 1992 New York Yankees season The New York Yankees' 1992 season was the 90th season for the Yankees. The team finished with a record of 76-86 finishing 20 games behind the Toronto Blue Jays. New York was managed by Buck Showalter. The Yankees played at Yankee Stadium... @ Toronto 1992 Toronto Blue Jays season The Toronto Blue Jays played their 16th season in Major League Baseball. Toronto finished first in the American League East for the 4th time with a record of 96 wins and 66 losses, closing the season with an attendance record of 4,028,318... St. Louis 1992 St. Louis Cardinals season The 1992 St. Louis Cardinals season was the team's 111th season in St. Louis, Missouri and its 101st season in the National League. The Cardinals went 83-79 during the season and finished third in the National League East division.-Offseason:... @ Pittsburgh 1992 Pittsburgh Pirates season The 1992 Pittsburgh Pirates season saw the Pirates finish first in the National League East with a record of 96 wins and 66 losses. It was the third consecutive division title for the team. The Pirates once again fell short in the postseason, losing a riveting seven-game National League... Oakland 1992 Oakland Athletics season The Oakland Athletics' 1992 season involved the A's finishing first in the American League West with a record of 96 wins and 66 losses. They lost the ALCS in six games to the eventual world champion Toronto Blue Jays.-Offseason:... @ Kansas City 1992 Kansas City Royals season The Kansas City Royals season was a season in American baseball. It involved the Royals finishing 5th in the American League West with a record of 72 wins and 90 losses.-Offseason:... (1 PM) |
|
| August 8, 1992 | Los Angeles 1992 Los Angeles Dodgers season The 1992 Los Angeles Dodgers season was a poor one for the team as it finished last in the Western Division of the National League with a record of 63 wins and 99 losses. Injuries to key players and slumps from others contributed to the franchise's worst season since moving to Los Angeles... @ Atlanta 1992 Atlanta Braves season The 1992 Atlanta Braves season was a season in American baseball. It involved the Braves finishing first in the National League West with a record of 98 wins and 64 losses, clinching their second straight division title.... New York Mets 1992 New York Mets season The New York Mets' 1992 season was the 31st regular season for the Mets. They went 72-90 and finished 5th in the NL East. They were managed by Jeff Torborg... @ Chicago Cubs 1992 Chicago Cubs season -Offseason:* March 30, 1992: George Bell was traded by the Cubs to the Chicago White Sox for Sammy Sosa and Ken Patterson.-Notable transactions:* July 7, 1992: Ced Landrum was traded by the Cubs to the Milwaukee Brewers for Jeff Kunkel.-Roster:... (1 PM) |
|
| August 29, 1992 | Cincinnati 1992 Cincinnati Reds season The 1992 Cincinnati Reds season saw the Reds finish in second place in the National League West with a record of 92 wins and 70 losses.-Offseason:*November 12, 1991: Jacob Brumfield was signed as a Free Agent with the Cincinnati Reds.... @ New York Mets 1992 New York Mets season The New York Mets' 1992 season was the 31st regular season for the Mets. They went 72-90 and finished 5th in the NL East. They were managed by Jeff Torborg... San Francisco 1992 San Francisco Giants season The 1992 San Francisco Giants season saw the Giants finish in fifth place in the National League West with a record of 72 wins and 90 losses.... @ Chicago Cubs 1992 Chicago Cubs season -Offseason:* March 30, 1992: George Bell was traded by the Cubs to the Chicago White Sox for Sammy Sosa and Ken Patterson.-Notable transactions:* July 7, 1992: Ced Landrum was traded by the Cubs to the Milwaukee Brewers for Jeff Kunkel.-Roster:... (dropped) Kansas City 1992 Kansas City Royals season The Kansas City Royals season was a season in American baseball. It involved the Royals finishing 5th in the American League West with a record of 72 wins and 90 losses.-Offseason:... @ Detroit 1992 Detroit Tigers season The Detroit Tigers' 1992 season was a season in American baseball. It involved the Detroit Tigers attempting to win the American League East.-Offseason:* December 20, 1991: Dan Gladden was signed as a free agent by the Tigers.... (dropped) Milwaukee @ Toronto 1992 Toronto Blue Jays season The Toronto Blue Jays played their 16th season in Major League Baseball. Toronto finished first in the American League East for the 4th time with a record of 96 wins and 66 losses, closing the season with an attendance record of 4,028,318... (1 PM) |
|
| September 19, 1992 | Boston 1992 Boston Red Sox season The Boston Red Sox season involved the Red Sox finishing seventh in the American League East with a record of 73 wins and 89 losses.-Opening Day Line Up:-Roster:-Notable transactions:... @ Detroit 1992 Detroit Tigers season The Detroit Tigers' 1992 season was a season in American baseball. It involved the Detroit Tigers attempting to win the American League East.-Offseason:* December 20, 1991: Dan Gladden was signed as a free agent by the Tigers.... Los Angeles 1992 Los Angeles Dodgers season The 1992 Los Angeles Dodgers season was a poor one for the team as it finished last in the Western Division of the National League with a record of 63 wins and 99 losses. Injuries to key players and slumps from others contributed to the franchise's worst season since moving to Los Angeles... @ San Francisco 1992 San Francisco Giants season The 1992 San Francisco Giants season saw the Giants finish in fifth place in the National League West with a record of 72 wins and 90 losses.... St. Louis 1992 St. Louis Cardinals season The 1992 St. Louis Cardinals season was the team's 111th season in St. Louis, Missouri and its 101st season in the National League. The Cardinals went 83-79 during the season and finished third in the National League East division.-Offseason:... @ Chicago Cubs 1992 Chicago Cubs season -Offseason:* March 30, 1992: George Bell was traded by the Cubs to the Chicago White Sox for Sammy Sosa and Ken Patterson.-Notable transactions:* July 7, 1992: Ced Landrum was traded by the Cubs to the Milwaukee Brewers for Jeff Kunkel.-Roster:... (3 PM) |
|
| September 26, 1992 | Oakland Athletics 1992 Oakland Athletics season The Oakland Athletics' 1992 season involved the A's finishing first in the American League West with a record of 96 wins and 66 losses. They lost the ALCS in six games to the eventual world champion Toronto Blue Jays.-Offseason:... @ Milwaukee 1992 Milwaukee Brewers season The Milwaukee Brewers season featured the team finishing in second place in the American League East with a record of 92 wins and 70 losses.-Offseason:* October 15, 1991: George Canale was traded by the Brewers to the Montreal Expos for Alex Diaz.... |
|
| October 3, 1992 | Detroit Tigers 1992 Detroit Tigers season The Detroit Tigers' 1992 season was a season in American baseball. It involved the Detroit Tigers attempting to win the American League East.-Offseason:* December 20, 1991: Dan Gladden was signed as a free agent by the Tigers.... @ Toronto Blue Jays 1992 Toronto Blue Jays season The Toronto Blue Jays played their 16th season in Major League Baseball. Toronto finished first in the American League East for the 4th time with a record of 96 wins and 66 losses, closing the season with an attendance record of 4,028,318... |
- Note: All times eastern
1993
Lesley VisserLesley Visser
Lesley Candace Visser is an American sportscaster, radio personality, and sportswriter. Visser is the first female NFL analyst on TV, and the only sportscaster in history, male or female, who has worked on Final Four, NBA Finals, World Series, Triple Crown, Monday Night Football, the Olympics, the...
missed the first half of the 1993 season
1993 in baseball
-Major League Baseball:*World Series: Toronto Blue Jays over Philadelphia Phillies ; Paul Molitor, MVP*American League Championship Series MVP: Dave Stewart*National League Championship Series MVP: Curt Schilling...
because she suffered a bizarre jogging accident in New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
's Central Park
Central Park
Central Park is a public park in the center of Manhattan in New York City, United States. The park initially opened in 1857, on of city-owned land. In 1858, Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux won a design competition to improve and expand the park with a plan they entitled the Greensward Plan...
. Visser broke her hip and skidded face-first across the pavement. She required reconstructive plastic surgery on her face and more than a decade later required an artificial hip replacement. She returned to CBS Sports in July 1993 to cover the Major League Baseball All-Star Game
1993 Major League Baseball All-Star Game
The 1993 Major League Baseball All-Star Game was the 64th playing of the midsummer classic between the all-stars of the American League and National League , the two leagues comprising Major League Baseball. The game was held on July 13, 1993 at Oriole Park at Camden Yards in Baltimore, Maryland,...
as a pregame analyst instead of a field reporter due to the accident. So in Visser's place, came Jim Kaat
Jim Kaat
James Lee "Jim" Kaat , nicknamed "Kitty", is a former pitcher in Major League Baseball for the Washington Senators/Minnesota Twins , Chicago White Sox , Philadelphia Phillies , New York Yankees , and St...
while she recuperated. She ultimately returned to the baseball world in late August 1993.
As previously mentioned, also during the 1993 season, Andrea Joyce
Andrea Joyce
Andrea Joyce is an American sportscaster who works for NBC Sports after working 10 years with CBS Sports.-Education and early career:...
replaced Greg Gumbel
Greg Gumbel
Greg Gumbel is an American television sportscaster. He is best known for his various assignments on the CBS network...
(who in return, replaced Dick Stockton
Dick Stockton
Dick Stockton is an American sportscaster. He is currently employed by Fox Sports and Turner Sports as a football, baseball, and basketball play-by-play announcer.-Early life and career:...
as the #2 play-by-play man) as studio host. Joyce would be joined at the anchor desk by Pat O'Brien
Pat O'Brien (television)
Pat O'Brien is currently a radio host with Fox Sports Radio as well as an author. He is best known for his time as a sportscaster with CBS Sports and as anchor/host of Access Hollywood and The Insider .O'Brien covered five Olympic Games, two for CBS...
. At the 1993 World Series
1993 World Series
-Game 1:Saturday, October 16, 1993 at SkyDome in Toronto, OntarioThe Series' first game sent two staff aces—Curt Schilling for Philadelphia and Juan Guzman for Toronto—against one another. The result was less than a pitcher's duel, however, as both teams scored early and often.The deciding plays...
, she became the first woman to co-host the network television coverage for a World Series.
During CBS' coverage of the 1993 World Series
1993 World Series
-Game 1:Saturday, October 16, 1993 at SkyDome in Toronto, OntarioThe Series' first game sent two staff aces—Curt Schilling for Philadelphia and Juan Guzman for Toronto—against one another. The result was less than a pitcher's duel, however, as both teams scored early and often.The deciding plays...
, umpires were upset with the overhead
Skycam
Skycam is the trademarked brandname of a patented, computer-controlled, stabilized, cable-suspended camera system. The system, similar to Steadicam, but maneuvered through three dimensions in the open space over a playing area of a stadium or arena by computer-controlled cable-drive system, is...
replays being televised by CBS. Dave Phillips, the crew chief, said just prior to Game 2 that the umpires want "CBS to be fair with their approach." Rick Gentile, the senior vice president for production of CBS Sports, said that Richie Phillips
Richie Phillips
Richard G. Phillips is the former general counsel and executive director of the 52-member Major League Umpires Association , having held those positions from 1978 to 2000. He is most notable for recommending that the union baseball umpires resign en masse effective September 2, 1999 to leverage...
, the lawyer for the Major League Umpires Association, tried to call the broadcast booth during Saturday's game, but the call was not put through. Richie Phillips apparently was upset when Dave Phillips called the Philadelphia Phillies
1993 Philadelphia Phillies season
The 1993 Philadelphia Phillies season saw the Phillies capture the National League East championship. The Phillies defeated the Atlanta Braves in the 1993 National League Championship Series in six games, before losing the World Series to the Toronto Blue Jays.-Regular season:After finishing in...
' Ricky Jordan
Ricky Jordan
Paul Scott "Ricky" Jordan is a former first baseman in Major League Baseball who played from to for the Philadelphia Phillies and Seattle Mariners. His first game in Major League Baseball came on July 17, 1988. During his first at-bat that game, he hit a home run. Jordan was noted for being a...
out on strikes in the fourth inning, and a replay showed the pitch to be about 6 inches outside. National League
National League
The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the National League , is the older of two leagues constituting Major League Baseball, and the world's oldest extant professional team sports league. Founded on February 2, 1876, to replace the National Association of Professional...
President Bill White, while using a CBS headset in the broadcast booth during Game 1, was overheard telling Gentile and the producer Bob Dekas "You guys keep using that camera the way you want. Don't let Phillips intimidate you."
Schedule
| Date | Teams | Announcers |
| April 17, 1993 | New York Mets 1993 New York Mets season The New York Mets' 1993 season was the 32nd regular season for the Mets. They went 59-103 and finished 7th in the NL East. They were managed by Jeff Torborg and Dallas Green. They played home games at Shea Stadium.-Offseason:... @ Cincinnati 1993 Cincinnati Reds season The 1993 Cincinnati Reds season was a season in American baseball. It consisted of the Cincinnati Reds attempting to win the National League West.-Offseason:... |
|
| April 24, 1993 | Florida 1993 Florida Marlins season The 1993 Florida Marlins season was the inaugural year for the team, part of the 1993 Major League Baseball expansion. Their manager was Rene Lachemann. They played home games at Joe Robbie Stadium... @ Colorado 1993 Colorado Rockies season The Colorado Rockies' 1993 season was the first for the Rockies. They played in the National League West. Don Baylor was their manager. They played home games at Mile High Stadium... Cincinnati Reds 1993 Cincinnati Reds season The 1993 Cincinnati Reds season was a season in American baseball. It consisted of the Cincinnati Reds attempting to win the National League West.-Offseason:... @ Chicago Cubs 1993 Chicago Cubs season -Offseason:*December 2, 1992: Steve Lake was signed as a Free Agent with the Chicago Cubs. *December 8, 1992: Dan Plesac was signed as a Free Agent with the Chicago Cubs. *December 9, 1992: Randy Myers signed as a Free Agent with the Chicago Cubs.... |
Sean McDonough Sean McDonough Sean McDonough is an American sportscaster, currently employed by ESPN.-Early life and career:The son of Boston Globe sportswriter Will McDonough, Sean graduated from Syracuse University in 1984. It was in Syracuse where McDonough began his broadcasting career in 1982 as the play-by-play announcer... and Tim McCarver Tim McCarver James Timothy "Tim" McCarver is an American former Major League Baseball catcher, and a current sportscaster in residence for Fox Sports.-Playing career:... Greg Gumbel Greg Gumbel Greg Gumbel is an American television sportscaster. He is best known for his various assignments on the CBS network... and Jim Kaat Jim Kaat James Lee "Jim" Kaat , nicknamed "Kitty", is a former pitcher in Major League Baseball for the Washington Senators/Minnesota Twins , Chicago White Sox , Philadelphia Phillies , New York Yankees , and St... |
| May 1, 1993 | St. Louis 1993 St. Louis Cardinals season The St. Louis Cardinals 1993 season was the team's 112th season in St. Louis, Missouri and the 102nd season in the National League. The Cardinals went 87-75 during the season and finished 3rd in the National League East division. This was the final season in the NL East for the... @ Atlanta 1993 Atlanta Braves season The 1993 Atlanta Braves season saw the Braves finish in first place in the National League West with a record of 104 wins and 58 losses. In the waning weeks of the season, they engaged in a dramatic and exciting battle for the division title against the San Francisco Giants, who finished in second... |
|
| May 8, 1993 | Baltimore 1993 Baltimore Orioles season The Baltimore Orioles season was the 93rd baseball season in Orioles history. It involved the Orioles finishing 3rd in the American League East with a record of 85 wins and 77 losses.-Offseason:... @ Toronto 1993 Toronto Blue Jays season The Toronto Blue Jays season involved the Blue Jays finishing first in the American League East with a record of 95 wins and 67 losses. They were shut out only once in 162 regular-season games. The Blue Jays would repeat as World Champions and become the first back-to-back champions since the New... |
|
| May 15, 1993 | Los Angeles 1993 Los Angeles Dodgers season The 1993 Dodgers improved on the dismal 1992 season finishing fourth in the Western Division of the National League. This was in part thanks to this years Rookie of the Year winner, catcher Mike Piazza. Piazza set rookie records with 35 home runs and 112 RBI... @ Houston 1993 Houston Astros season The Houston Astros' 1993 season was a season in American baseball. It involved the Houston Astros attempting to win the National League West.-Offseason:* October 5, 1992: Denny Walling was released by the Astros.... |
|
| May 22, 1993 | New York Yankees 1993 New York Yankees season The New York Yankees' 1993 season was the 91st season for the Yankees. The team finished with a record of 88-74 finishing 7 games behind the Toronto Blue Jays. New York was managed by Buck Showalter. The Yankees played at Yankee Stadium... @ Boston 1993 Boston Red Sox season The Boston Red Sox season was a season in American baseball. It involved the Red Sox finishing fifth in the American League East with a record of 80 wins and 82 losses.-Offseason:... California 1993 California Angels season The California Angels 1993 season involved the Angels finishing 5th in the American League west with a record of 71 wins and 91 losses.-Offseason:*November 19, 1992: Torey Lovullo was signed as a Free Agent with the California Angels.... @ Texas 1993 Texas Rangers season The Texas Rangers 1993 season involved the Rangers finishing 2nd in the American League west with a record of 86 wins and 76 losses. Before the 1993 season, Nolan Ryan announced his retirement, effective at the end of that season.-Offseason:... |
Sean McDonough Sean McDonough Sean McDonough is an American sportscaster, currently employed by ESPN.-Early life and career:The son of Boston Globe sportswriter Will McDonough, Sean graduated from Syracuse University in 1984. It was in Syracuse where McDonough began his broadcasting career in 1982 as the play-by-play announcer... and Tim McCarver Tim McCarver James Timothy "Tim" McCarver is an American former Major League Baseball catcher, and a current sportscaster in residence for Fox Sports.-Playing career:... Greg Gumbel Greg Gumbel Greg Gumbel is an American television sportscaster. He is best known for his various assignments on the CBS network... and Jim Kaat Jim Kaat James Lee "Jim" Kaat , nicknamed "Kitty", is a former pitcher in Major League Baseball for the Washington Senators/Minnesota Twins , Chicago White Sox , Philadelphia Phillies , New York Yankees , and St... |
| May 29, 1993 | San Francisco 1993 San Francisco Giants season The 1993 Giants season was their 111th in Major League Baseball and their 36th in San Francisco. In the offseason, Barry Bonds left the Pirates to sign a lucrative free agent contract worth a then-record $43.75 million over 6 years with the Giants, with whom his father spent the first 7 years of... @ Atlanta 1993 Atlanta Braves season The 1993 Atlanta Braves season saw the Braves finish in first place in the National League West with a record of 104 wins and 58 losses. In the waning weeks of the season, they engaged in a dramatic and exciting battle for the division title against the San Francisco Giants, who finished in second... |
|
| July 10, 1993 | San Francisco 1993 San Francisco Giants season The 1993 Giants season was their 111th in Major League Baseball and their 36th in San Francisco. In the offseason, Barry Bonds left the Pirates to sign a lucrative free agent contract worth a then-record $43.75 million over 6 years with the Giants, with whom his father spent the first 7 years of... @ Philadelphia 1993 Philadelphia Phillies season The 1993 Philadelphia Phillies season saw the Phillies capture the National League East championship. The Phillies defeated the Atlanta Braves in the 1993 National League Championship Series in six games, before losing the World Series to the Toronto Blue Jays.-Regular season:After finishing in... |
|
| July 13, 1993 | All-Star Game 1993 Major League Baseball All-Star Game The 1993 Major League Baseball All-Star Game was the 64th playing of the midsummer classic between the all-stars of the American League and National League , the two leagues comprising Major League Baseball. The game was held on July 13, 1993 at Oriole Park at Camden Yards in Baltimore, Maryland,... (Oriole Park at Camden Yards Oriole Park at Camden Yards Oriole Park at Camden Yards is a Major League Baseball ballpark located in Baltimore, Maryland. Home field of the Baltimore Orioles, it is the first of the "retro" major league ballparks constructed during the 1990s and early 2000s, and remains one of the most highly praised. The park was... , Baltimore Baltimore Baltimore is the largest independent city in the United States and the largest city and cultural center of the US state of Maryland. The city is located in central Maryland along the tidal portion of the Patapsco River, an arm of the Chesapeake Bay. Baltimore is sometimes referred to as Baltimore... ) |
Sean McDonough Sean McDonough Sean McDonough is an American sportscaster, currently employed by ESPN.-Early life and career:The son of Boston Globe sportswriter Will McDonough, Sean graduated from Syracuse University in 1984. It was in Syracuse where McDonough began his broadcasting career in 1982 as the play-by-play announcer... and Tim McCarver Tim McCarver James Timothy "Tim" McCarver is an American former Major League Baseball catcher, and a current sportscaster in residence for Fox Sports.-Playing career:... |
| July 17, 1993 | Oakland 1993 Oakland Athletics season The Oakland Athletics' 1993 season involved the A's finishing 7th in the American League West with a record of 68 wins and 94 losses.-Offseason:* October 27, 1992: Jamie Quirk was released by the Athletics.... @ New York Yankees 1993 New York Yankees season The New York Yankees' 1993 season was the 91st season for the Yankees. The team finished with a record of 88-74 finishing 7 games behind the Toronto Blue Jays. New York was managed by Buck Showalter. The Yankees played at Yankee Stadium... |
|
| July 24, 1993 | Philadelphia 1993 Philadelphia Phillies season The 1993 Philadelphia Phillies season saw the Phillies capture the National League East championship. The Phillies defeated the Atlanta Braves in the 1993 National League Championship Series in six games, before losing the World Series to the Toronto Blue Jays.-Regular season:After finishing in... @ San Francisco 1993 San Francisco Giants season The 1993 Giants season was their 111th in Major League Baseball and their 36th in San Francisco. In the offseason, Barry Bonds left the Pirates to sign a lucrative free agent contract worth a then-record $43.75 million over 6 years with the Giants, with whom his father spent the first 7 years of... |
|
| July 31, 1993 | Detroit 1993 Detroit Tigers season The Detroit Tigers' 1993 season was a season in American baseball. It involved the Detroit Tigers attempting to win the American League East.-Offseason:* December 7, 1992: Bill Gullickson was signed as a free agent by the Tigers.... @ Toronto 1993 Toronto Blue Jays season The Toronto Blue Jays season involved the Blue Jays finishing first in the American League East with a record of 95 wins and 67 losses. They were shut out only once in 162 regular-season games. The Blue Jays would repeat as World Champions and become the first back-to-back champions since the New... |
|
| August 7, 1993 | Boston 1993 Boston Red Sox season The Boston Red Sox season was a season in American baseball. It involved the Red Sox finishing fifth in the American League East with a record of 80 wins and 82 losses.-Offseason:... @ Detroit 1993 Detroit Tigers season The Detroit Tigers' 1993 season was a season in American baseball. It involved the Detroit Tigers attempting to win the American League East.-Offseason:* December 7, 1992: Bill Gullickson was signed as a free agent by the Tigers.... |
|
| August 28, 1993 | Chicago Cubs 1993 Chicago Cubs season -Offseason:*December 2, 1992: Steve Lake was signed as a Free Agent with the Chicago Cubs. *December 8, 1992: Dan Plesac was signed as a Free Agent with the Chicago Cubs. *December 9, 1992: Randy Myers signed as a Free Agent with the Chicago Cubs.... @ Atlanta 1993 Atlanta Braves season The 1993 Atlanta Braves season saw the Braves finish in first place in the National League West with a record of 104 wins and 58 losses. In the waning weeks of the season, they engaged in a dramatic and exciting battle for the division title against the San Francisco Giants, who finished in second... |
|
| September 18 | Boston 1993 Boston Red Sox season The Boston Red Sox season was a season in American baseball. It involved the Red Sox finishing fifth in the American League East with a record of 80 wins and 82 losses.-Offseason:... @ New York Yankees 1993 New York Yankees season The New York Yankees' 1993 season was the 91st season for the Yankees. The team finished with a record of 88-74 finishing 7 games behind the Toronto Blue Jays. New York was managed by Buck Showalter. The Yankees played at Yankee Stadium... New York Mets 1993 New York Mets season The New York Mets' 1993 season was the 32nd regular season for the Mets. They went 59-103 and finished 7th in the NL East. They were managed by Jeff Torborg and Dallas Green. They played home games at Shea Stadium.-Offseason:... @ Atlanta 1993 Atlanta Braves season The 1993 Atlanta Braves season saw the Braves finish in first place in the National League West with a record of 104 wins and 58 losses. In the waning weeks of the season, they engaged in a dramatic and exciting battle for the division title against the San Francisco Giants, who finished in second... |
|
| September 25 | Atlanta 1993 Atlanta Braves season The 1993 Atlanta Braves season saw the Braves finish in first place in the National League West with a record of 104 wins and 58 losses. In the waning weeks of the season, they engaged in a dramatic and exciting battle for the division title against the San Francisco Giants, who finished in second... @ Philadelphia 1993 Philadelphia Phillies season The 1993 Philadelphia Phillies season saw the Phillies capture the National League East championship. The Phillies defeated the Atlanta Braves in the 1993 National League Championship Series in six games, before losing the World Series to the Toronto Blue Jays.-Regular season:After finishing in... |
|
| October 2, 1993 | San Francisco 1993 San Francisco Giants season The 1993 Giants season was their 111th in Major League Baseball and their 36th in San Francisco. In the offseason, Barry Bonds left the Pirates to sign a lucrative free agent contract worth a then-record $43.75 million over 6 years with the Giants, with whom his father spent the first 7 years of... @ Los Angeles 1993 Los Angeles Dodgers season The 1993 Dodgers improved on the dismal 1992 season finishing fourth in the Western Division of the National League. This was in part thanks to this years Rookie of the Year winner, catcher Mike Piazza. Piazza set rookie records with 35 home runs and 112 RBI... |
Reasons for CBS losing so much money may include
In the end, CBS wound up losing approximately half a billion dollars from their television contract with Major League Baseball. CBS repeatedly asked Major League Baseball for a rebateRebate (marketing)
A rebate is an amount paid by way of reduction, return, or refund on what has already been paid or contributed. It is a type of sales promotion marketers use primarily as incentives or supplements to product sales. The mail-in rebate is the most common...
, but Major League Baseball wasn't willing to do this. According to Curt Smith
Curt Smith (author)
Curt Smith is an American author, media host and columnist.Smith is a 1973 graduate of SUNY at Geneseo. He worked as a Gannett Company reporter, a speechwriter to former Texas Governor John Connolly, and an editor at the Saturday Evening Post. In 1989 he joined the George H.W...
's book The Voice - Mel Allen's Untold Story, one CBS executive wore a St. Louis Cardinals
St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
cap at a 1988 Christmas party. However, by , pining to shed baseball, that same executive wore a cap styled "One More Year."
- CBS alienated and confused fans with their sporadic treatment of regular season telecasts. With a sense of true continuity destroyed, fans eventually figured that they couldn't count on CBS to satisfy their needs (thus poor ratings were a result). CBS televised about 16 regular season Saturday afternoon games (not counting back-up telecasts) which was 14 less than what NBC televised during the previous contract. According to Commissioner Peter UeberrothPeter UeberrothPeter Victor Ueberroth is an American executive. He served as the sixth Commissioner of Major League Baseball from 1984 to 1989. He was recently the chairman of the United States Olympic Committee; he was replaced by Larry Probst in October 2008....
, the reason for the cut back in regular season telecasts was in order for teams to sell them locally in order to make a direct profit. CBS used the strategy of broadcasting only a select amount of games in order to build a demand in response to supposedly sagging ratings. In response to this, NBC SportsNBC SportsNBC Sports is the sports division of the NBC television network. Formerly "a service of NBC News," it broadcasts a diverse array of programs, including the Olympic Games, the NFL, the NHL, MLS, Notre Dame football, the PGA Tour, the Triple Crown, and the French Open, among others...
chairman Dick EbersolDick EbersolDuncan "Dick" Ebersol is an American television executive and a senior adviser for . He had previously been the chairman of NBC Sports, producing large scale television events such as the Olympic Games and National Football League broadcasts....
grinned "I assume [its] baseball strategy has to be a big disappointment." Counting the All-Star Game, both League Championship Series, and the World Series, CBS would've televised just 38 games. This comes on the account of both League Championship Series and the World Series going to a full seven games. In their first year in 19901990 in baseball-Major League Baseball:*World Series: Cincinnati Reds over Oakland Athletics ; José Rijo, MVP*American League Championship Series MVP Dave Stewart*National League Championship Series co-MVPs: Rob Dibble and Randy Myers...
, CBS Sports had a pretty loaded schedule (much came at the expense of the regular season baseball coverage): the NBA Playoffs1990 NBA PlayoffsThe 1990 NBA Playoffs was the postseason tournament of the National Basketball Association's 1989-1990 season. The tournament concluded with the Eastern Conference champion Detroit Pistons successfully defending their championship by beating the Western Conference champion Portland Trail Blazers...
(the 1989–90 season1989-90 NBA season-Statistics leaders:-NBA awards:*Most Valuable Player: Magic Johnson, Los Angeles Lakers*Rookie of the Year: David Robinson, San Antonio Spurs*Defensive Player of the Year: Dennis Rodman, Detroit Pistons...
marked CBS' final year with the NBA before the over-the-air package moved over to NBC), College World Series1990 College World SeriesThe 1990 College World Series was played at Johnny Rosenblatt Stadium in Omaha, NE from June 1 to June 9. The forty-fourth tournament's champion was the University of Georgia, coached by Steve Webber...
, and college footballSEC on CBSThe SEC on CBS is a presentation of the college football television package owned by CBS Sports...
(like the NBA, CBS would lose the CFACollege Football AssociationThe College Football Association is the name of a now-defunct body through which American college football schools negotiated TV contracts with networks. The CFA was an alliance of 64 schools from the major conferences and selected independents....
package soon after winning the Major League Baseball contract). CBS never scheduled baseball on Masters weekend, and seldom on other weekends when they had a PGA TourPGA Tour on CBSPGA Tour on CBS is a television program produced by CBS Sports that broadcasts the main professional golf tours in the United States.-Coverage overview:In January 2006, the PGA Tour announced a new set of television deals covering 2007 to 2012...
event. It was around this time that CBS started expanding their weekend coverage from two hours to three on weekends when there was no baseball, generally from 3 to 6 p.m. ET. Most of their baseball dates landed on weeks when other networks covered golf.
Marv Albert
Marv Albert
Marv Albert is an American television and radio sportscaster. Honored for his work as a member of the Basketball Hall of Fame, he is commonly referred to as "the voice of basketball." From 1967–2004, he was also known as "the voice of the New York Knicks."Including Super Bowl XLII, Marv has called...
, who hosted NBC's baseball pregame show
Major League Baseball: An Inside Look
Major League Baseball: An Inside Look was a pregame show for NBC's Game of the Week telecasts. It featured one-on-one interviews with the players, and other on-going news and notes relating to Major League Baseball...
for many years said about CBS' baseball coverage "You wouldn't see a game for a month. Then you didn't know when CBS came back on." Sports Illustrated
Sports Illustrated
Sports Illustrated is an American sports media company owned by media conglomerate Time Warner. Its self titled magazine has over 3.5 million subscribers and is read by 23 million adults each week, including over 18 million men. It was the first magazine with circulation over one million to win the...
joked that CBS stood for Covers Baseball Sporadically. USA Today
USA Today
USA Today is a national American daily newspaper published by the Gannett Company. It was founded by Al Neuharth. The newspaper vies with The Wall Street Journal for the position of having the widest circulation of any newspaper in the United States, something it previously held since 2003...
added that Jack Buck and Tim McCarver "may have to have a reunion before [their] telecast." Mike Lupica
Mike Lupica
Michael Lupica is an American newspaper columnist, best known for his provocative commentary on sports in the New York Daily News and his appearances on ESPN.-Biography:...
of the New York Daily News
New York Daily News
The Daily News of New York City is the fourth most widely circulated daily newspaper in the United States with a daily circulation of 605,677, as of November 1, 2011....
took it a step further by calling CBS' baseball deal "The Vietnam
Vietnam
Vietnam – sometimes spelled Viet Nam , officially the Socialist Republic of Vietnam – is the easternmost country on the Indochina Peninsula in Southeast Asia. It is bordered by China to the north, Laos to the northwest, Cambodia to the southwest, and the South China Sea –...
of sports television."
NBC play-by-play man Bob Costas
Bob Costas
Robert Quinlan "Bob" Costas is an American sportscaster, on the air for the NBC network since the early 1980s.-Early life:...
believed that a large bulk of the regular season coverage beginning in the 1990s to cable (namely, ESPN
ESPN Major League Baseball
ESPN Major League Baseball is a promotion of Major League Baseball on ESPN and ESPN2, with simulcasts on ESPNHD or ESPN2HD. ESPN's MLB coverage debuted on April 9, 1990 with three Opening Day telecasts. ESPN Major League Baseball is guaranteed to remain on air until 2013.The title is derived from...
) because CBS
CBS
CBS Broadcasting Inc. is a major US commercial broadcasting television network, which started as a radio network. The name is derived from the initials of the network's former name, Columbia Broadcasting System. The network is sometimes referred to as the "Eye Network" in reference to the shape of...
, the network that was taking over from NBC the television rights beginning in 1990 didn't really want the Saturday Game of the Week. Many fans who didn't appreciate CBS' approach to scheduling regular season baseball games believed that they were only truly after the marquee events (i.e. All-Star Game
Major League Baseball All-Star Game
The Major League Baseball All-Star Game, also known as the "Midsummer Classic", is an annual baseball game between players from the National League and the American League, currently selected by a combination of fans, players, coaches, and managers...
, League Championship Series
League Championship Series
The League Championship Series is the official name for a round of postseason play in Major League Baseball which has been conducted since 1969...
, and the World Series) in order to sell advertising
Advertising
Advertising is a form of communication used to persuade an audience to take some action with respect to products, ideas, or services. Most commonly, the desired result is to drive consumer behavior with respect to a commercial offering, although political and ideological advertising is also common...
space (especially the fall entertainment television schedule).
- The Toronto Blue JaysToronto Blue JaysThe Toronto Blue Jays are a professional baseball team located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Blue Jays are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball 's American League ....
were in back-to-back World Series in their championship seasons of and , as well as the 1991 ALCS1991 American League Championship Series-Game 1:Tuesday, October 8, 1991 at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome in Minneapolis, MinnesotaGame 1 saw a surprise starter for Toronto as Blue Jays manager Cito Gaston chose knuckleballer Tom Candiotti to face the Twins over his new young gun Juan Guzmán and his left-handed ace Jimmy Key. Twins...
. All of CBS' post-season telecasts were simulcast on CTVCTV television networkCTV Television Network is a Canadian English language television network and is owned by Bell Media. It is Canada's largest privately-owned network, and has consistently placed as Canada's top-rated network in total viewers and in key demographics since 2002, after several years trailing the rival...
in Canada, and got very high ratings north of the border when the Jays were involved. Unfortunately, CanadaCanadaCanada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
does not factor in the Nielsen ratingsNielsen RatingsNielsen ratings are the audience measurement systems developed by Nielsen Media Research, in an effort to determine the audience size and composition of television programming in the United States...
so as a consequence, CBS got the lowest ratings in over 20 years for a World Series (not counting the earthquake interrupted 1989 World Series1989 World Series†: Game 3 was originally slated for October 17 at 5:35 pm; however, it was postponed when an earthquake occurred at 5:04 pm.-Game 1:Saturday, October 14, 1989 at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum in Oakland, California...
that was televised by ABC). In any other World Series, viewership would be higher since two American teams would be involved, to say nothing of spikes to off-the-chart ratings shares in the two competing cities (especially in when CBS was fortunate to cover the riveting, ultra intense, seven-game battle between the Minnesota Twins and Atlanta Braves1991 Atlanta Braves seasonIn 1991, the Atlanta Braves became the first team in the National League to go from last place one year to first place the next. This feat was also accomplished by the 1991 Minnesota Twins...
). Another reasoning behind the poor ratings likely has to do with the gradual attrition of the audience for almost all network programming.
- The country at the time was going through a recessionLate 1980s recessionThe recession of the early 1990s describes the period of economic downturn affecting much of the world in the late 1980s and early 1990s.-Causes:...
.
- CBS couldn't properly maximize the deal because the Division SeriesDivision SeriesIn baseball, the Division Series is the official name for the first round of the Major League Baseball playoffs. Currently, a total of four series are played in this opening round, two each for both the American League and the National League.-1981 season:...
wasn't created yet (thus automatically giving CBS more games to carry) and they didn't have a cable outlet like Fox's Fox Sports NetFox Sports NetThe Fox Sports Regional Networks, or simply Fox Sports Net , are a collection of cable TV regional sports networks in the United States owned and operated by News Corporation.- Beginnings :...
. In reality, they were competing with ESPN and local broadcasts outside of CBS' broadcast window. More postseason games could've increased the advertising inventory. It should be noted that both ABC and NBC lost money on their in-season games the last three years they carried baseball (–).
- CBS simply made way too high of a bid (especially for a network that wound up frustrating fans with its lack of regular season coverage) and substained a shortfall in advertisingAdvertisingAdvertising is a form of communication used to persuade an audience to take some action with respect to products, ideas, or services. Most commonly, the desired result is to drive consumer behavior with respect to a commercial offering, although political and ideological advertising is also common...
revenue. Perhaps it is somewhat ironic that back in , CBS Sports president Neal Pilson said of ABC's then ongoing contract with Major League Baseball "Three years ago, we believed ABC's package was overpriced by $175 million. We still believe it's overpriced by $175 million."
In 1991, it cost CBS $
United States dollar
The United States dollar , also referred to as the American dollar, is the official currency of the United States of America. It is divided into 100 smaller units called cents or pennies....
4.8 million per game in venue productions alone to show the National League Championship Series
1991 National League Championship Series
-Game 1:Wednesday, October 9, 1991 at Three Rivers Stadium in Pittsburgh, PennsylvaniaThe Pirates proved they would be tough to eliminate early when they stifled the Braves offense behind 1990 Cy Young Award winner Doug Drabek and won the first game 5–1...
. This doesn't include studio backup operations or the satellite time needed to transmit the game to New York for broadcast on their network frequencies. The American League Championship Series
1991 American League Championship Series
-Game 1:Tuesday, October 8, 1991 at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome in Minneapolis, MinnesotaGame 1 saw a surprise starter for Toronto as Blue Jays manager Cito Gaston chose knuckleballer Tom Candiotti to face the Twins over his new young gun Juan Guzmán and his left-handed ace Jimmy Key. Twins...
(between the Minnesota Twins and Toronto Blue Jays
1991 Toronto Blue Jays season
The 1991 Toronto Blue Jays season involved the Blue Jays finishing 1st in the American League East with a record of 91 wins and 71 losses. The team's paid attendance of 4,001,527 led the American League, as the Jays became the first team in MLB history ever to draw four million fans in a season...
) was another problem because of the tariffs and labor laws
Canadian labour and employment law
Canadian labour law is that body of law which regulates the rights, restrictions obligations of trade unions, workers and employers in Canada. Canadian employment law is that body of law which regulates the rights, restrictions obligations of non-unioned workers and employers in...
they had to endure going into Canada. CBS averaged $1.9–$2.4 million per regular season game. In return, it was typical for the production cost to double come playoff time.
The end of Major League Baseball on CBS
The final Major League Baseball game that CBS has televised to date, was Game 6 of the 1993 World Series1993 World Series
-Game 1:Saturday, October 16, 1993 at SkyDome in Toronto, OntarioThe Series' first game sent two staff aces—Curt Schilling for Philadelphia and Juan Guzman for Toronto—against one another. The result was less than a pitcher's duel, however, as both teams scored early and often.The deciding plays...
on October 23. Before Major League Baseball decided to seek the services of other networks, CBS offered $
United States dollar
The United States dollar , also referred to as the American dollar, is the official currency of the United States of America. It is divided into 100 smaller units called cents or pennies....
120 million in annual rights fees over a two-year period, as well as advertising revenues in excess of $150 million a season.
In October , when it was a known fact that ABC and NBC were going to end their television deal/joint venture with Major League Baseball
The Baseball Network
The Baseball Network was a short-lived television broadcasting joint venture between ABC, NBC, and Major League Baseball. Under the arrangement, beginning in the 1994 season, the league produced its own in-house telecasts of games, which were then brokered to air on ABC and NBC...
, preliminary talks rose about CBS returning. It was rumored that CBS would show Thursday night games (more specifically, a package of West Coast
West Coast of the United States
West Coast or Pacific Coast are terms for the westernmost coastal states of the United States. The term most often refers to the states of California, Oregon, and Washington. Although not part of the contiguous United States, Alaska and Hawaii do border the Pacific Ocean but can't be included in...
interleague games
Interleague play
Interleague play is the term used to describe regular season Major League Baseball games played between teams in different leagues, introduced in . Before the 1997 season, teams in the American League and National League did not meet during the regular season...
scheduled for the 11:30 ET
Eastern Time Zone
The Eastern Time Zone of the United States and Canada is a time zone that falls mostly along the east coast of North America. Its UTC time offset is −5 hrs during standard time and −4 hrs during daylight saving time...
/8:30 PT
Pacific Time Zone
The Pacific Time Zone observes standard time by subtracting eight hours from Coordinated Universal Time . The clock time in this zone is based on the mean solar time of the 120th meridian west of the Greenwich Observatory. During daylight saving time, its time offset is UTC-7.In the United States...
slot) while Fox would show Saturday afternoon games. CBS and Fox were also rumored to share rights to the postseason. In the end however, CBS' involvement did not come to pass and NBC became Fox's over-the-air national television partner.
Miscellaneous quotes
Association with Major League Baseball on TBS
On the July 2, 2011 edition of The CBS Sports SpectacularCBS Sports Spectacular
CBS Sports Spectacular is a sports anthology program produced by CBS Sports. The series began on January 3, 1960 as The CBS Sports Spectacular, and has been known under many different names, including CBS Sports Saturday, CBS Sports Sunday, Eye on Sports and The CBS Sports Show.The program...
, TBS' Atlanta based Major League Baseball studio crew of Matt Winer
Matt Winer
Matthew Ward Winer is an American television personality for Turner Sports and formerly with ESPN.-Career:Turner Sports signed Winer in 2010 to contribute to coverage of sports across its networks. He became the primary studio host for Major League Baseball on TBS, replacing Ernie Johnson Jr., who...
, Dennis Eckersley
Dennis Eckersley
Dennis Lee Eckersley , nicknamed "Eck", is a former American Major League Baseball pitcher. Eckersley had success as a starter, but gained his greatest fame as a closer, becoming the first of only two pitchers in Major League history to have both a 20-win season and a 50-save season in a career .He...
, Cal Ripken, Jr.
Cal Ripken, Jr.
Calvin Edwin "Cal" Ripken, Jr. , nicknamed "Iron Man", is a former Major League Baseball shortstop and third baseman. He played his entire 21-year baseball career for the Baltimore Orioles ....
and David Wells
David Wells
David Lee Wells , nicknamed "Boomer", is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. Wells was considered to be one of the game's better left-handed pitchers, especially during his years with the New York Yankees and the Toronto Blue Jays. He pitched the fifteenth perfect game in baseball history...
presented a 2011 Major League Baseball
2011 Major League Baseball season
The 2011 Major League Baseball season began on Thursday, March 31, and ended on Wednesday, September 28. This marked the first time a season began on a Thursday since , and the first time a regular season ended on a Wednesday since...
midseason report. This was followed by MLB 2011: Down the Stretch, which aired on September 24. CBS Sports and Turner Sports
Turner Sports
Turner Sports is the division of Turner Broadcasting System responsible for sports broadcasts on Turner channels including TBS, TNT, and TruTV, and for operating the interactive properties , , , and...
have in the past, teamed up on coverage of the NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament
NCAA March Madness (CBS/Turner)
NCAA March Madness is the title of the coverage of the NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament jointly produced by CBS Sports and Turner Sports, with coverage airing on CBS, TBS, TNT and truTV, beginning with the 2011 tournament.Initially, CBS will continue to have coverage during most rounds,...
and the Winter Olympics
Olympics on TNT
The Olympics on TNT was the branding for Winter Olympic Games coverage produced by CBS for their cable partner, Turner Network Television. The last airing of the telecast was for the 1998 Winter Games in Nagano.-History:...
in 1992
1992 Winter Olympics
The 1992 Winter Olympics, officially known as the XVI Olympic Winter Games, were a winter multi-sport event celebrated from 8 to 23 February 1992 in Albertville, France. They were the last Winter Olympics to be held the same year as the Summer Olympics, and the first where the Winter Paralympics...
, 1994
1994 Winter Olympics
The 1994 Winter Olympics, officially known as the XVII Olympic Winter Games, was a winter multi-sport event celebrated from 12 to 27 February 1994 in and around Lillehammer, Norway. Lillehammer failed to win the bid for the 1992 event. Lillehammer was awarded the games in 1988, after having beat...
and 1998
1998 Winter Olympics
The 1998 Winter Olympics, officially the XVIII Olympic Winter Games, was a winter multi-sport event celebrated from 7 to 22 February 1998 in Nagano, Japan. Seventy-two nations and 2,176 participans contested in seven sports and 72 events at 15 venues. The games saw the introduction of Women's ice...
.
Memorable calls
External links
- MLB Baseball — CBS SportsLine.com
- Baseball's Best — 1990s
- Major League Baseball History : History : All-Star Game Recaps — 1993: The Curious At-Bat
- MLB on CBS - Television Dictionary and Research Guide
- Fantasy Baseball Move Makers
- Major League Baseball on CBS - Google Search (timeline)
See also
- Major League Baseball on CBS RadioMajor League Baseball on CBS RadioMajor League Baseball on CBS Radio was the de facto title for the CBS Radio Network's coverage of Major League Baseball. Produced by CBS Radio Sports , the program was the official national radio broadcaster for the All-Star Game and the postseason from 1976 to 1997.-Contracts:CBS first covered...
