Here are some releases that came into the Fang’s Bites inbox on Friday. If you scroll down to the Saturday links, you’ll know why I wasn’t linking much yesterday.
Let’s go over some of the interesting releases that were e-mailed yesterday.
This week is the 30th anniversary of one of the most infamous moments in baseball history, Disco Demolition Night at the old Comiskey Park in Chicago. It was a good idea in theory, but when it came down to the actual execution, it turned out to be a disaster. ESPN will have a story on Sunday and here’s a preview with an accompanying video.
ChiSox Rue the Day the Music Died: Disco Demolition Night
SportsCenter (Sunday, 11 p.m.)
Sunday, July 12 marks the 30th anniversary of one of Major League Baseball’s most infamous promotions, and Jeremy Schaap speaks with those who orchestrated, covered and participated in the 1979 event that some say marked the death of disco: the Chicago White Sox’s “Disco Demolition Night.” Blowing up disco records between games during a doubleheader against the Detroit Tigers seemed like a harmless plan, but a local radio station helped draw one of the largest crowds in Comiskey Park’s history, and nobody could have predicted the impact that crowd would have on both games.
Golf Channel will be out in force in Scotland for the Open Championship.
GOLF CHANNEL and GolfChannel.com have the Open Championship Covered
Nobilo to Re-Create Key Shots from Turnberry; Faldo to Join Saturday’s Live From the Open Championship Coverage
ORLANDO, Fla. (July 10, 2009) – GOLF CHANNEL will provide its signature wrap-around news coverage of next week’s Open Championship from Turnberry Golf Club in Scotland – the men’s third major championship – dedicating more than 20 hours of news coverage on-air and expanded coverage online.
Live From the Open Championship coverage kicks off Tuesday from 2-4 p.m. ET with pre-event news conferences hosted by Rich Lerner and Todd Lewis, who will be joined by the network’s team of reporters and analysts on-site at Turnberry. Wednesday’s Live From the Open Championship coverage will feature news conferences from 2-4 p.m. ET, followed by a two-hour preview show from 6-8 p.m. ET with live news reports, analysis and interviews.
Immediately following network coverage Thursday through Saturday from 2:30-4 p.m. ET and Sunday from 1:30-4 p.m. ET, GOLF CHANNEL’s team of analysts and reporters will break down the action each day with player interviews, analysis and features. Prime-time coverage will take place from 7-9 p.m. ET Thursday through Sunday with fresh, new analysis to recap the day’s action. In addition to his expert analysis, Frank Nobilo – who competed in the 1986 and 1994 Open Championships at Turnberry – also will re-create for viewers the exact shots that defined the key moments after competition each day. Three-time Open Champion Nick Faldo is scheduled to join Nobilo for analysis on Saturday’s Live From coverage. Each prime-time Live From the Open Championship show will re-air throughout the night Wednesday through Sunday.
The Live From the Open Championship team at Turnberry will include Steve Sands, Tom Abbott, Nobilo, Tim Rosaforte, Alex Miceli and Rex Hoggard. Joining them from the network’s studios in Orlando include Kraig Kann, Kelly Tilghman, Rich Lerner, Todd Lewis, Inga Hammond, Brandel Chamblee, Peter Oosterhuis and Charlie Rymer. Former European Tour executive director Ken Schofield and Renton Laidlaw, GOLF CHANNEL’s European Tour play-by-play host, are scheduled to join the show for analysis during the week. Iain Page will provide leaderboard updates Thursday – Sunday at the top and bottom of the hour starting at 8 a.m. ET.
GolfChannel.com’s team of writers also will contribute to its popular Shag Bag blog with entries and posts throughout each day, along with daily columns, news articles, features and breaking news. Hoggard and Jay Coffin will report on-site from Turnberry throughout the week, and are posting updates about their travels to Scotland in GolfChannel.com’s Travel Blog.
Scheduled features during Live From the Open Championship television coverage include:
Greg Norman (Wednesday) – A look back at his 2008 run for the Open Championship.Padraig Harrington (Wednesday) – Examining Harrington’s quest for three straight Open Championships.
Duel in the Sun (Wednesday) – Breaking down the Nicklaus-Watson battle at the 1977 Open Championship at Turnberry.
1994 Open Championship (Friday) – Recapping the last time the Open Championship was contested at Turnberry.
David Feherty (Friday) – A look back at CBS Sports’ David Feherty’s best major championship finish at Turnberry in 1994 (T-4).
Live From the Open Championship TV Times (all times ET)
Tuesday, July 14: 2-4 p.m. (News Conferences)
Wednesday, July 15: 2-4 p.m. (News Conferences)
Wednesday, July 15: 6-8 p.m.
Thursday, July 16: 2:30 – 4 p.m.
Thursday, July 16: 7-9 p.m.
Friday, July 17: 2:30 – 4 p.m.
Friday, July 17: 7-9 p.m.
Saturday, July 18: 2:30 – 4 p.m.
Saturday, July 18: 7-9 p.m.
Sunday, July 19: 1:30 – 4 p.m.
Sunday, July 19: 7-9 p.m.
Also from Golf Channel, here’s what you can expect to see next week.
COMING UP ON GOLF CHANNEL… July 13 – 19, 2009
Visit with Sports’ Super Couple on Golf in America
Duel in the Sun Premiere; Live From the Open Championship Wraparound News Coverage
Original Programming Premieres
(All times eastern)
Golf in America
Time: Tuesday 10-10:30 p.m.
Host: Anthony Anderson
The fourth episode of the 10-week series will feature:
· Sports’ Super Couple: Greg Norman and Chris Evert – When Greg Norman and Chris Evert married in June 2008, they created the most-winning union in sports. They have a combined 244 professional championships in golf and tennis, respectively, and have made a life together that is the envy of sports fans the world over. GOLF CHANNEL’s Rich Lerner will visit with sports’ super couple at their home in Boca Raton, Fla.
· Herb Kohler – Herbert Kohler Jr. is a business legend, overseeing a company with more than 75,000 employees and is ranked as one of the richest men in the world. His company takes a back seat to golf, however, when talking about his passions. Kohler built and owns The Straits at Whistling Straits, host of the 2004 and 2010 PGA Championships and also owns the Old Course Hotel in Scotland at St. Andrews Golf Links, host to the 2010 Open Championship. GOLF CHANNEL’s Jim Gray will visit with Kohler, a self-described golf nut, for a tour of Whistling Straits and to discuss his love for the game of golf.
· Coaches vs. Cancer – In June, more than 15 NCAA basketball and football coaches came together in Raleigh, N.C., for the 10th annual Coaches vs. Cancer® Golf Invitational, a fundraising tournament to support the fight against cancer. Golf in America will spotlight the action from the tournament, including camaraderie on the course and unified purpose of raising awareness
to fight cancer.
Golf in America takes viewers coast-to-coast to discover never-before-told stories, larger-than-life characters and inspirational people in capturing the spirit of the game of golf. The series, hosted by film and television actor Anthony Anderson, chronicles stories in stunning HD from celebrities, such as Justin Timberlake and Donald Trump to everyday people across the country that are unified by the sport.Duel in the Sun (Premiere)
Time: Monday 9-9:30 p.m.
9:30-10 p.m. (Replay)
One of the most memorable showdowns in major championship history took place at the 1977 Open Championship at Turnberry, when Jack Nicklaus and Tom Watson engaged in a historic 36-hole battle for the Claret Jug that became known as “The Duel in the Sun.” GOLF CHANNEL will chronicle the story of the duo’s epic battle in a special presentation that includes tournament footage from the original broadcast and features recent interviews with Nicklaus and Watson, third-round leader Roger Maltbie, 1977 U.S. Open Champion and third-place finisher Hubert Green, and several award-winning journalists. The special will document the Nicklaus-Watson pairing in the final round at the 1977 Open Championship, where they separated themselves from the field.
Playing Lessons from the Pros: Open Champions
Time: Monday 10-10:30 p.m.
Host: Stephanie Sparks
Open Champions Padraig Harrington, Tom Watson, Nick Faldo, Mark O’Meara, Gary Player and John Daly will share tips on playing approach shots in windy conditions, bump and run shots, bunker play and putting.
Top 10: British Open Blunders
Time: Tuesday 9-9:30 p.m.
Host: Lauren Thompson
With a history that dates back to 1860, the Open Championship has a lineage of great moments and great champions. However, golf’s-longest standing major championship also has produced its share of blunders. With insight from Jean Van de Velde, Curtis Strange, Doug Sanders, Jack Nicklaus, Padraig Harrington, Nick Price, John Cook and commentary from noted sports journalists, the show will count down the top 10 gaffes from the Open Championship.
PGA TOUR Primetime
Time: Friday through Monday 1-4 a.m.
GOLF CHANNEL’s four-round coverage of the U.S. Bank Championship in Milwaukee re-airs on PGA TOUR Primetime.
News and Talk Show Programming Highlights
Live From the Open Championship
Times: Tuesday 2-4 p.m. (News Conferences)
Wednesday 2-4 p.m. (News Conferences)
Wednesday 6-8 p.m.
Thursday 2:30-4 p.m.
Thursday 7-9 p.m.
Friday 2:30-4 p.m.
Friday 7-9 p.m.
Saturday 2:30-4 p.m.
Saturday 7-9 p.m.
Sunday 1:30-4 p.m.
Sunday 7-9 p.m.
GOLF CHANNEL will provide its signature wrap-around news coverage of next week’s Open Championship from Turnberry Golf Club in Scotland – the season’s third major championship – dedicating more than 20 hours of news coverage on-air and expanded coverage online. In addition to his expert analysis, Frank Nobilo – who competed in the 1986 and 1994 Open Championships at Turnberry – also will re-create for viewers the exact shots that defined the key moments after competition each day. Three-time Open Champion Nick Faldo is scheduled to join Nobilo for analysis on Saturday’s Live From coverage.
Live From the Open Championship team at Turnberry will include Steve Sands, Tom Abbott, Nobilo, Tim Rosaforte, Alex Miceli and Rex Hoggard. Joining them from the network’s studios in Orlando include Kraig Kann, Kelly Tilghman, Rich Lerner, Todd Lewis, Inga Hammond, Brandel Chamblee, Peter Oosterhuis and Charlie Rymer. Former European Tour executive director Ken Schofield and Renton Laidlaw, GOLF CHANNEL’s European Tour play-by-play host, are scheduled to join the show for analysis during the week. Iain Page will provide leaderboard updates Thursday – Sunday at the top and bottom of the hour starting at 8 a.m. ET. GolfChannel.com’s team of writers also will contribu
te to its popular Shag Bag blog with entries and posts throughout each day, along with daily columns, news articles, features and breaking news. Hoggard and Jay Coffin will report on-site from Turnberry throughout the week, and are posting updates about their travels to Scotland in GolfChannel.com’s Travel Blog.Golf Central
Live Airings: Mon – Tue 6 – 6:30 p.m.
Golf Central will preview the Open Championship, the U.S. Bank Championship in Milwaukee and all of the news from the golf tours.
The Golf Fix
Time: Monday 8 – 8:30 p.m.
Host: Michael Breed
GOLF CHANNEL’s fast-paced interactive instructional show will preview the Open Championship with tips on links-style golf, featuring live call-ins and emails from viewers. GolfChannel.com will include a bonus segment following the conclusion of the live show on Monday.
The Approach with Callaway Golf
Time: Tuesday 8 – 8:30 p.m.
Hosts: Kraig Kann/ Analysts Andrew Magee and Alex Miceli
Highlighting the top storylines in golf from different perspectives, analysts from The Approach with Callaway Golf will preview the U.S. Bank Championship and the Open Championship and recap the John Deere Classic and the U.S. Women’s Open Championship in an entertaining and informative manner.
Grey Goose 19th Hole
Time: Wednesday 8:30 – 9 p.m.
Host: Inga Hammond / Analysts John Hawkins and Charlie Rymer
Grey Goose 19th Hole, the network’s fast-paced half-hour talk show, features debates on the hot topics in golf.
ESPN has something called “Fan Feast” and all throughout, ESPN Radio’s Mike Greenberg of “Mike and Mike in the Morning” will provide essays.
Mike Greenberg’s SportsCenter “Fan Feast” Essays Debut July 13
SportsCenter and ESPN.com’s four-week, fan-based celebration of the top sporting events to experience and to watch continues Monday, July 13, through Friday, July 17, with daily essays by Mike Greenberg, co-host of ESPN Radio and ESPN2’s Mike and Mike in the Morning Show, on his top five events to participate in. The essays, one each day, will debut on SportsCenter at 9 a.m. and will be repeated on all editions of the program.
SportsCenter “Fan Feast” combines online (ESPN.com) submissions of 50-word essays by fans proposing their favorite sporting event to attend and favorite sporting event to participate in. On Monday, July 13, a panel of ESPN.com editorial staff will post the top 10 essays submitted by fans on their best sporting event to play. The series will culminate in two winners – one for event to attend and the other for event to participate in – to be announced Friday, July 24, on SportsCenter at 6 p.m. Highlights of
Greenberg’s essays:
Monday, July 13: Smack Notre Dame’s “Play Like A Champion Today”
“They are just five words … And none of them, with the possible exception of “champion,” are the sort which provoke excitement, or intrigue, or frankly any emotion at all … But put them together, and they form the most famous phrase in college football …
“… So how can a simple, wooden, gold and blue sign mounted on a cream-colored brick wall at the foot of a narrow stairwell – and placed there the same year Oprah Winfrey launched her talk show, a grounder eluded Bill Buckner, and Rock Me Amadeus reached number one on the billboard chart – how can THAT sign be perhaps the best known touchstone in the football world? …”
Tuesday, July 14: Play Center Court at Wimbledon
“The most magical address in the sport, maybe in any sport … Center Court at Wimbledon is older, much older, than Fenway Park or Lambeau Field, and has staged a disproportionate number of the game’s greatest matches featuring its greatest stars. Like Bjorn Borg, who won it five times in a row … And Roger Federer, who matched him a generation later … And Martina Navratilova, who won six titles in a row and an unmatched nine singles championships in all.”
Wednesday, July 15: Manage a Baseball Team
“If you want something done, you gotta talk to the manager. No one else has the authority to make the decisions that affect everything you do, every time you step up to the plate … Do you intentionally walk Barry Bonds with the bases loaded? Buck Showalter did, with a two run lead and two outs in the ninth inning. And it worked, he won. Would you have the guts to do it? …
“Wouldn’t you love to make those decisions – all of them? Do you guard the line with a two run lead? Do you suicide squeeze in a tie game in the eighth inning? Do you send the runners on a 3-2 pitch with a free swinger at the plate and less than two out? … So do it. Feel like the most powerful person on the planet. Because, let’s face it. A manager is the only one who makes the decisions.”
Thursday, July 16: Make Two Free Throws With Fans Yelling at You“…Shaquille O’Neal is a career 58 percent shooter from the floor … from the line – less than 53 percent … he’s five per cent better against a defender than against his own limitations … And then there’s Ben Wallace, a career 42 percent from the line, in none of his 13 seasons has he ever hit half his foul shots …
“Try stepping to the line in a crowded arena with all eyes on you, with thousands of fans screaming and yelling and shaking anything they have in your line of sight to distract you from what should be the easiest shot in basketball…and yet, somehow, just simply isn’t.”
Friday July 17: Hole-in-One Island Green at Sawgrass
“Have you ever hit a hole in one? And I don’t mean in mini-golf to win a free round, but a real hole in one … I never have … I still remember the 90 seconds when I thought I had, on a 167-yard par three at dusk when my ball bounced on the green and was headed right at the pin.
“Let’s put it this way … To make a hole in one just once in a lifetime is something people dream about … To play the 17th at Sawgrass is something people dream about … To make a hole in one on the nastiest, scariest, most thrilling little three in the sport … Is something you’d never stop talking about for the rest of your life.”
I’m done with the posts for today. Expect a review of the HBO Ted Williams documentary on Sunday.
