Happy 20th to The Sports Reporters

I've loved 'em and I've loathed 'em, but nevertheless, I wish a cheery Happy 20th to ESPN's Sunday morning sports talk show, The Sports Reporters. 

When the show first came on, I became a huge fan.   My girlfriend could have called and I would not have answered the phone.   This was, of course, a time before the web and blogs.  The show quickly became required viewing for sports fans. 

I think the best time for the show was when they had the regulars of host the late Dick Schaap, a sports encyclopedia, Bill Conlin, good baseball knowledge but too negative at times, Bob Ryan, Boston expert and a funny man, and Mike Lupica, aka The Flame Thrower.

With more and better analysis and commentary now on line, The Sports Reporters shine has dulled in the last decade.   They've seen it all but haven't embraced the new ways of looking at sports.  

I still watch them, however, because, as they did today, they can still hit it out of the park.  Lupica's commentary on sports and 9-11 was pure, heartfelt emotion.   Mitch Albom's words on AIDS didn't shy away from anything.   By touting himself and his own reporting, Bob Ryan showed it's ok to love and brag on yourself.   Host John Saunders made a great point in saying that stars like Tiger Woods helped blaze trails for African-Americans in other fields.

The show has no doubt lost the younger audience and chased away almost every Giants fan when they constantly dwelled on Barry Bonds, evil incarnate.   But I enjoy it when, as they did yesterday, they led off and stayed with baseball for 9 minutes.   They've even moved up to the 9:30 time slot, something lovers of This Week can rejoice about. 

So thanks guys.  I wish you another good 20 years.   Now if you could just get one of your colleagues from San Francisco on your show….

Additional Reading

Awful Announcing (Includes a clip of the first show)