I am back from spending some quality time with the family at the cottage near Parry Sound and read a dynamite sports book called “Sound and Fury” during my time off. It’s a dual biography on Muhammad Ali and Howard Cosell written by Dave Kindred. Pick it up if you get the chance, I highly recommend it. And now on to this week’s questions.
From: Devin The SportsNut
Comments: Hey Jim, first off this is the best column on the internet, thanks for all the great answers (my sports trivia knowledge has gone up tenfold). Anyway I was watching a show the other day on the greatest moments in sports and I realized that perhaps some of the moments may not have been as great if it weren’t for the incredible calls made by the commentators. I have three favourite calls of all time; the first being “down goes Frazier, down goes Frazier” from Howard Cosell and it still gives me shivers when I hear it. The second is from the 87 Canada Cup the “Gretzky to Lemieux” call. Just an incredible hair-standing up on the back of your neck call. And finally the call from the 16th hole at the 2005 Masters the “In your life” call, which made golf the most exciting sport on earth for that one moment. Jim, my question is, what do you think was the greatest call in sports history?
Answer: Hi Devin, thanks for the kind comments. I have a few calls that send chills up my spine every time I hear them. I will never get tired of hearing Dan Kelly’s Gretzky to Lemieux call. Here are of my all time favourites.
I know I am breaking the rules by admitting this, but TSN’s Chris Cuthbert is the best CFL play by play man in the country. His call of Edmonton’s Eddie Brown’s touchdown against the Argos in the 1996 Grey Cup is incredible. Don’t forget, Brown kicked the ball up from his feet – to his knee – then to his hand all with out breaking stride. Even Chris Berman of ESPN runs that one from time to time. | Watch here
Don Wittman’s call of Ben Johnson’s Gold Medal winning run in the 100 metres at the Seoul Summer games in 1988 is quite simply the greatest example of track and field play-by-play in the history of Canadian television. Watch here. Wittman was not only a true gentleman, he could do it all. Wittman is a big reason the Brier is as big as it is today.
I have always been a huge of Mike Keith – the radio play by play voice of the Tennessee Titans. Check out his amazing call of the "Music City Miracle" | Watch here
Last but not least is a prime example of the legendary Bob Cole at his very finest with this call of Mario Lemieux scoring one of the sickest goals in the history of the NHL. | Watch here
I tried to find Milo Hamilton’s call of Hank Aaron’s 715th home run but came up empty. Another all time favourite is Bill King, the long time voice of the Raiders, and his call of Marcus Allen’s incredible 74 yard touchdown against the Redskins in Super Bowl 18.
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From: Karl
Comments: Who is the best athlete or celebrity you have interviewed?
Answer: Hey Karl, solid question. First off, let me say that in the 15 years that I have been involved in sports broadcasting, I have been blessed to speak with hundreds of amazing men and women. So, to pick "the best" is very difficult. Now, having said all that, there are a few that stand out above the rest.
Former 49ers Pro Bowl running back Roger Craig. At Super Bowl 40, I did a two minute long interview with Craig. He was awesome, regaling me with awesome stories of his glory days of the 49ers. About five minutes later, my cameraman realized that there was a major technical problem with the interview and told me we couldn’t go to air with it. So I had to walk up to Mister Craig and ask him if he would mind doing the entire interview over again. He flashed me a million dollar smile and said no problem. His second interview was better than the first.
Calgary Flames captain Jarome Iginla. Polite, honest, friendly, classy; Iginla is a reporter’s dream. I don’t think I have ever interviewed him when he wasn’t smiling.
Rod Woodson – Perennial Pro Bowler, Hall of Famer, member of the NFL’s All Time 75th anniversary team. Beyond all of that, Woodson is just a great guy. If you ever meet Woodson, ask him to tell you some stories about Greg Lloyd from their glory days with the Steelers. Whoa.
Dan Marino – Last year I did a sit down interview with the Dolphins legend and came away totally impressed by the man. He was an engaging interview and a good guy to deal with. He went on and on how much he loved Toronto and that one his best friends of all time is former Argos quarterback, and Pittsburgh native, John Congemi.
Just about anyone and everyone I have ever dealt with in the CFL, Lacrosse, Curling, Junior Hockey, and CIS Football.
Ozzy Osbourne – I met him when I was the sports director of an FM Rock Radio station in Toronto. What you see is what you get with Ozzy. First off, you really can’t understand what in the world he is saying most of the time. Once you figure what he’s saying, you quickly realize that every other word that comes out of his mouth is an "F-bomb". When I met him, he was complaining about the fact that the guys in Metallica had cut their hair short. To the Godfather of Heavy Metal, that was just too much to take.
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From: Sangram
Comments: Hey Jim, I’ve been watching Canucks hockey for 12 years now, and for me and all my friends Markus Naslund has been the face of the franchise. We love the guy. Do you think his jersey will be retired by the Canucks?
Answer: Hi Sangram. Naslund is a great guy and a great player. however, if Don Taylor had his way, Willie Mitchell’s number would be retired before long before Naslund’s.
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From: DavRockets
Comments: How did Toe Blake get the nickname “Toe”? What came first the CFL or NFL? Why do players play Texas Hold’em Poker sitting down, while Blackjack and the like, one can play standing at the table? BTW Flair was only great at doing promos, nothing more. Bret “The Hitman” Hart was, is and always be the best there was.
Answer: Whoa guy, what’s with all the questions? Okay, here you go.
A) – Toe Blake – Toe’s real first name is Hector. When he was a kid, his little sister kept pronouncing it, "hec-toe", instead of Hector. The rest is history.
B) – The NFL as we know it officially began play in 1920. The CFL began in 1958. Before that the West was known as the Western Inter Provincial Football Union. The East was known as the Inter Provincial Football Union.
C) – Personally, I like to sit down when I am playing either Poker or Blackjack. I believe you have the option of whether you want to sit or stand when you play Blackjack.
D) – Bret "The Hitman" Hart was great, but he was no Ric Flair.
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From: Rob T
Comments: Hey Jim, big fan of this blog, I was wondering what your top 5 beers are? I know personally I was a big fan of a certain few but now with all different kinds coming out like Bud Light Lime, I’m not sure what I like best. What are your choices?
Answer: Hi Rob, great question. I have to admit, I am not a big fan of putting lime into my beer. That sounds like something my wife and her girlfriends would do. So that is a direct violation of the Man Law. Of course, what I pick as my all time top five beers might be totally different from anyone else. But, since you asked, here you go.
1 – Alexander Keith’s India Pale Ale – Being the good Canadian boy that I am, I had to go with the beer that put Halifax on the map. If I’m in a pub I almost always ask if they have Keith’s on draught.
2 – Stella Artois – I know it’s considered blasphemy for a guy who married a Dutch girl to rank a Belgian beer so high; but Stella is just so darn smooth.
3 – Guinness – God love the Irish. With all apologies to Sir Richard Harris and U2, Guinness is the finest thing to come out of the Emerald Isle.
4 – Molson Canadian – As far as lagers go, you really can’t go wrong with a good old classic like Canadian. I love the series of commercials they put out during the Stanley Cup playoffs. Booty call.
5 – Pilsner Urquell – The Czech Republic might be the most underrated beer producing country on the planet. The Czech’s make some amazing beer.
Sorry if any of our American readers are offended by my choice of beers; but other than a few decent brews (Sam Adams, Rolling Rock, Yuengling), most beer from the U.S.A. is mediocre at best.
I am happy to report that "Transition Time" is beginning to take hold with married men across the nation. Please, do your part and get the word out. Say yes to "Transition Time", and no to the dreaded "Honey-do" list.