http://www.wsbtv.com/sports/9353613/detail.html
I'm in shock!
The Way I See It...
By Bill Hartman, Channel 2 Action News Sports
Bill Hartman
I was stunned!
TV ratings show that the World Cup Soccer broadcasts on WSB-TV were a big hit in the Atlanta area Saturday.
The morning game between England and Paraguay was the highest rated sports program of the day. Its 6.2 rating beat the Braves-Astros game by a half a rating point. And the Braves were on Fox and not a cable station.
Head to head against the women's French Open final was no contest. Six times as many people watched soccer than tennis. The French Open did a 0.7.
The 3rd game of the NHL finals also faired poorly against soccer. The scoreboard there read World Cup 6.2, Stanley Cup 1.3.
In other words, soccer beat Braves baseball, major tennis, and championship hockey in Atlanta. Who would have thunk it.
***
Here's a suggestion for next year: Get into college baseball. It's much cheaper than taking the family down to the Braves game and can be a lot more fun.
There is a youthful exuberance that you don't see in the professional game. For instance...at Tech when someone hits a homerun, all the players come out of the dugout to greet the player when he crosses home plate. Many of them go back to their seats by doing a cartwheel thing over the railing and into the dugout.
The majority of the players will never be paid money to play yet you are liable to see some who will become stars in the majors.
It's good, wholesome family entertainment that doesn't cost very much.
***
Major League umpire Eric Gregg passed away last week. He was a big guy who loved to laugh and loved to talk. Years ago I had the pleasure of interviewing him and with my final question I asked if he would throw me out...like he did to ball players. He did. It made good tv. And now it leaves me with a fond memory of a nice guy.
***
Since it is the week of the U.S. Open golf championship, let me recommend a movie for you. Rent "The Greatest Game Ever Played". It is the story of Francis Quimet's stirring victory at the 1913 Open in Brookline, Mass.
Quimet was a caddy at the golf course that was located just across the street from the working class neighborhood where he lived.
At age 20, he took the best known golfer in the world, Harry Vardon, to a playoff and won. He did it with a caddy who was only 10 years old and hardly taller than Quimet's golf bag.
Golf historians will tell you that his victory changed the game forever. Until Quimet won the Open, golf in the USA was for the privileged class only. Quimet's victory opened the door for anyone of any class to play and enjoy the game.
I can't help but see a parallel in Tiger Wood's success.
Aside from the wonderful story, director Bill Paxton (yes, the same Bill Paxton with three wives in HBO's "Big Love") does some neat stuff with special effects. The viewer sees the game from angles you won't believe. On some shots it's as if the camera is mounted on the golf ball as it sails towards the hole.
***
It was good to see Jason Terry step into the spotlight with a 32-point performance in the opening game of the NBA final series. He wasn't good enough for the Hawks but is good enough to start and star for the Dallas Mavericks.
See ya...
I'm in shock!
The Way I See It...
By Bill Hartman, Channel 2 Action News Sports
Bill Hartman
I was stunned!
TV ratings show that the World Cup Soccer broadcasts on WSB-TV were a big hit in the Atlanta area Saturday.
The morning game between England and Paraguay was the highest rated sports program of the day. Its 6.2 rating beat the Braves-Astros game by a half a rating point. And the Braves were on Fox and not a cable station.
Head to head against the women's French Open final was no contest. Six times as many people watched soccer than tennis. The French Open did a 0.7.
The 3rd game of the NHL finals also faired poorly against soccer. The scoreboard there read World Cup 6.2, Stanley Cup 1.3.
In other words, soccer beat Braves baseball, major tennis, and championship hockey in Atlanta. Who would have thunk it.
***
Here's a suggestion for next year: Get into college baseball. It's much cheaper than taking the family down to the Braves game and can be a lot more fun.
There is a youthful exuberance that you don't see in the professional game. For instance...at Tech when someone hits a homerun, all the players come out of the dugout to greet the player when he crosses home plate. Many of them go back to their seats by doing a cartwheel thing over the railing and into the dugout.
The majority of the players will never be paid money to play yet you are liable to see some who will become stars in the majors.
It's good, wholesome family entertainment that doesn't cost very much.
***
Major League umpire Eric Gregg passed away last week. He was a big guy who loved to laugh and loved to talk. Years ago I had the pleasure of interviewing him and with my final question I asked if he would throw me out...like he did to ball players. He did. It made good tv. And now it leaves me with a fond memory of a nice guy.
***
Since it is the week of the U.S. Open golf championship, let me recommend a movie for you. Rent "The Greatest Game Ever Played". It is the story of Francis Quimet's stirring victory at the 1913 Open in Brookline, Mass.
Quimet was a caddy at the golf course that was located just across the street from the working class neighborhood where he lived.
At age 20, he took the best known golfer in the world, Harry Vardon, to a playoff and won. He did it with a caddy who was only 10 years old and hardly taller than Quimet's golf bag.
Golf historians will tell you that his victory changed the game forever. Until Quimet won the Open, golf in the USA was for the privileged class only. Quimet's victory opened the door for anyone of any class to play and enjoy the game.
I can't help but see a parallel in Tiger Wood's success.
Aside from the wonderful story, director Bill Paxton (yes, the same Bill Paxton with three wives in HBO's "Big Love") does some neat stuff with special effects. The viewer sees the game from angles you won't believe. On some shots it's as if the camera is mounted on the golf ball as it sails towards the hole.
***
It was good to see Jason Terry step into the spotlight with a 32-point performance in the opening game of the NBA final series. He wasn't good enough for the Hawks but is good enough to start and star for the Dallas Mavericks.
See ya...
