Out of the Yard
Sports does cross over into News
When I first got into news, many friends and family actually wanted me to go into sports and were surprised that I ended up in news. I mean, it kind of makes sense, right? I was a professional athlete, a major college athlete, and I love sports to this day. I can still pretty much recite just about anything if sports are involved, but it was news that I chose. Or was it news that chose me? As of now, you’ve read my first chapter that explained how I went from baseball to Chico as a news reporter, and through my time in local news, I served as a sports anchor and covered some very cool sports moments.
While in Sacramento, Chico, and Santa Rosa for 4 years in local news, I covered the Giants’ last game at Candlestick Park. Won an Emmy for covering opening day at the new park, then called Pac Bell. I got to see Sacramento open its new AAA baseball park and the return of professional baseball. Covered the Sacramento Kings in their heyday. Watched Derek Jeter toss a ball sideways to beat the A’s in one of the most iconic plays in recent MLB memory. I also stood on the sidelines and watched Steve Young on Monday Night Football, only to cover his retirement not long after. So yep, I did get my share of sports when they crossed over into news, or if someone needed me to fill in.
When I became a National/International news correspondent, the fortunate opportunities involving sports continued, but on a much larger level. World Series. SuperBowl. NBA Finals. Even motocross and the Baja 1000. There were conversations with John Wooden, Greg Maddox, and Wayne Gretzky. While a news correspondent covering wars, hurricanes, and tsunamis, if it was something big, sports-wise that crossed over into the news realm west of the Mississippi, I usually went.
