Latest news with #TakeMeOuttotheBallgame
Los Angeles Times
27-05-2025
- Sport
- Los Angeles Times
Why Wayne Randazzo and Mark Gubicza might be best Angels broadcast duo in 50 years
The adjective hit me like a line drive. Wayne Randazzo, the television voice of the Angels, was detailing just how poorly the team's relievers had performed. He recited the Angels' earned-run average in the late innings, inning by inning. Over 5.00. Over 6.00. In the ninth inning, at that time, over 7.00. 'The numbers,' Randazzo said, 'are gargantuan.' What a colorful, descriptive and absolutely apt adjective. Not the 'struggling' or 'scuffling' or 'slumping' a broadcaster typically offers, bland adjectives presented with the assurance that better times are ahead. No team can win with that kind of bullpen performance, and no one can guarantee that better times are ahead for a relief corps where only the closer has a successful track record. For all that has gone wrong on the field for the Angels in modern times, they have struck gold in the broadcast booth. In pairing Randazzo with longtime analyst Mark Gubicza, the Angels just might have their best broadcast team since Dick Enberg and Don Drysdale half a century ago. Randazzo, in his third season with the Angels, grew up listening to Harry Caray in Chicago. He filled all sorts of roles on the New York Mets' radio broadcasts — pregame and postgame shows, clubhouse interviews and eventually play-by-play — before the Angels hired him. That background, he says, informs his honesty with the audience. 'Gargantuan' isn't about trying to tear down the players; it's about being forthright with the fans. 'I'm from Chicago, I worked in New York, and those markets do the same thing,' Randazzo said. 'Carrying that through makes it a more respectable listen for the people that are really listening, which are the fans of the team. 'They know what is really happening.' Joe Davis, the television voice of the Dodgers, knows Randazzo well. The two broadcasters trained together in the Southern League, calling games for teams in Alabama: Davis for the Montgomery Biscuits, Randazzo for the Mobile BayBears (now the Rocket City Trash Pandas). The two were in each other's weddings, Davis said. For the Dodgers, Davis calls a nightly all-star game. Randazzo calls games for a team that has not posted a winning record in a decade. 'I joke with people, but I'm only half-joking,' Davis said recently at Dodger Stadium, 'that if this team had lost 100 games a year since I got here rather than won 100 games, I might not still be here. 'People enjoy when you're delivering good news, and I have no control over that. Similarly, he and guys that cover teams that aren't winning have no control over that. Maybe his upbringing as a Cubs fan helped.' Indeed it did. The Cubs might have been in their 'lovable losers' era, but Caray was leaning out of the broadcast booth and leading 'Take Me Out to the Ballgame' without a care in the world. 'When you're 5 years old and you're watching the Cubs play a day game at Wrigley Field, all that matters is that day's game,' Randazzo said. 'I didn't even know if the game was important, but Harry made it seem like it was the best game ever.' Gubicza grew up in Philadelphia, listening to Harry Kalas and Richie Ashburn. 'At that point, the Phillies were really bad,' Gubicza said. 'But every game was fun because they made it enjoyable and entertaining. They had some laughs together.' Randazzo and Gubicza do too, which frankly is a stroke of luck on the Angels' part, since the two men said the team did not have them do a trial run together before hiring Randazzo. On one recent broadcast, after a foul ball was lined back into the booth, the audience saw Randazzo triumphantly hold up the ball, which would have been the end of the scene on many broadcasts. 'I knew you had it,' Gubicza said on the air. But then came the replay: Randazzo had ducked and covered as if he were doing an earthquake drill, before safely retrieving the ball after it had landed. 'Where'd you go, Wayne?' Gubicza laughed. 'It's 100 mph off the bat,' he shot back on air. 'What am I, crazy?' Said Randazzo: 'I think not taking yourself seriously is a huge part of this.' There is a time to be serious, of course. Randazzo went viral last year when he used a retroactive change to a scoring decision as the impetus for a rant in which he trashed the league for choosing to take action on that issue amid 'scandal after scandal' — the 'fiasco' of the A's move from Oakland, the 'ridiculous-looking jerseys' with the tiny letters produced by Nike, the 'constant pitcher injuries' and the 'global superstar … embroiled in a betting scandal.' Davis might never go that far, but he fully endorses Randazzo and his approach. 'He has a really classic, big-time baseball sound,' Davis said. 'He's as good as anybody there is these days at recalling an appropriate thing from baseball history in the moment. 'He has this huge bank of information and stories that a guy his age typically doesn't have, and he has the confidence to tap into it. I'm a huge fan of his.' On the air during one of the recent Dodgers-Angels games, Randazzo shouted out Davis and broadcast partner Orel Hershiser, then pointed out how staggeringly high the decibel level is at Dodger Stadium: 'There's no shortage of noise in this place. Ninety percent of it comes out of the sound system.' The Angels' broadcast could use a touch more silence, fewer mentions of exit velocities, and more barbs like Randazzo mocking Sacramento fans for doing the wave while an A's player batted with the tying run in scoring position. 'Nobody is ever like, 'Hey, you gave a great statistic in the third inning,' ' Randazzo acknowledged. 'They're like, 'You made us laugh; you told a great story; you had a great interview.' ' Randazzo, 41, could earn his halo from fans if he sticks around long enough to see the Angels win again. He says he plans on doing just that, however long it takes. When we talked earlier this month in San Diego, Enberg's picture was on the wall of the visiting broadcast booth at Petco Park. Enberg was dressed in an NBC Sports blazer. He left the Angels in 1978 and finished his distinguished career with the Padres in 2016, with national network stints in between. The Dodgers accommodate Davis so he can fulfill his commitments to Fox in baseball and football. Davis and Hershiser are a terrific pair on the Dodgers' television broadcasts, but they did just 51 games together in 2023 and 60 last year, according to Eric Stephen of True Blue LA. Davis said he and Hershiser will be in that range again this year. The SportsNet LA broadcasts have featured five different announcer pairings this season, down from nine last season, Stephen said. Randazzo said he and Gubicza will do about 125 games together this year. He also calls Friday night baseball games for Apple TV. 'I love baseball,' Randazzo said. 'I don't ever want to not be associated with a team. 'I wouldn't want to be gone doing a football game on a Saturday or Sunday in September when the team is in a pennant race. I would be beside myself if I was in Morgantown for a big college football game. It's just not for me, because I love this game and this sport so much. For my career, that would be a success.' For the Angels, a September that matters would be a success. Randazzo already is.
Mint
08-05-2025
- Sport
- Mint
Baseball-White Sox or Cubs? Popes Chicago baseball allegiance debated
CHICAGO, May 8 (Reuters) - One question consuming Chicago baseball fans: What team does Pope Leo support? The Windy City is notoriously split between White Sox and Cubs supporters, a rivalry between the south and north sides. Father Gregory Sakowicz, rector of Chicago's Holy Name Cathedral, said he was in shock when Leo was named pope on Thursday. "He was not on my short, short list," he said. "I think he's going to be very strong on the immigrant, human rights and the care for the Earth." Sakowicz said one burning question was whether the pontiff was a fellow fan of the Chicago White Sox baseball team, as he grew up near the team's stadium on the city's south side, or of their crosstown rivals, the Chicago Cubs. "I heard he's a Cubs fan," he said. The Cubs themselves claimed Leo as one of their own, posting on their X account congratulations and a photo of the iconic Wrigley Field sign with the words: "Hey, Chicago. He's a Cubs fan!" "Not only would we welcome Pope Leo XIV to Wrigley Field, he could sing 'Take Me Out to the Ballgame,'" Cubs Executive Chairman Tom Ricketts said in a statement, referring to the song that fans belt out during the middle of the seventh inning. Ricketts also invited the pope to deliver a "Sermon on the Mound" at the ballpark. However, Chicago's local television station WGN9 interviewed the pope's brother John Prevost, on Thursday, who cleared up the matter: Pope Leo is a fan of the White Sox, he said. (Additional reporting by Rory Carroll in Los Angeles; Editing by Michael Perry)
Chicago Tribune
08-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Chicago Tribune
Is Pope Leo XIV a Chicago Cubs fan? He already has an invite to Wrigley Field from Tom Ricketts.
It didn't take long for Chicago Cubs fans to welcome the first American pope into their arms. When Pope Leo XIV's election was announced Thursday, ABC News reported Robert Prevost of Dolton was a Cubs fan. The jokes were flying on social media, many of them suggesting Pope Leo XIV was a perfect choice to heal the world's suffering, thanks to his allegiance to the Cubs. That begged the question: Would the Cubs ask the new pope to throw out a ceremonial first pitch at Wrigley Field? A message to the Cubs got a quick response. 'Not only would we welcome Pope Leo XIV to Wrigley Field, he could sing 'Take Me Out to the Ballgame,'' Cubs Chairman Tom Ricketts said in a statement. 'Or, since three of his predecessors visited Yankee Stadium, including Pope Paul VI who delivered the 1965 'Sermon on the Mound,' we would invite the Pontiff to do the same at the Friendly Confines.' The Cubs have had many celebrities perform the stretch after Harry Caray's death in 1998 began the tradition of guest singers, from Mike Ditka to Hillary Clinton. But they've yet to have a pope in the booth singing and then imploring the Cubs to 'get some runs.' If his Northside fandom is confirmed, Pope Leo XIV would automatically become the world's most famous Cubs fan, eclipsing Bill Murray for the top spot. The Cubs have a team chaplain, Rev. Burke Masters, who celebrates mass at the ballpark on Sundays, with Wrigley Field employees, including players, team personnel and ushers. During the Cubs' playoff run in 2016, Rev. Masters was asked if praying was going to help the Cubs win the World Series. 'Ultimately, I don't think God cares who wins or loses,' Masters said. 'But it can't hurt.' The Cubs currently sit in first place in the National League Central and now might have a connection with the Big Guy in Pope Leo XIV. If he really is a diehard Cubs fan, Pope Leo XIV probably can let his followers know with a familiar Latin phrase that every fans knows: … 'Lets go Cubs.'
USA Today
08-05-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Is Pope Leo a Chicago Cubs or White Sox fan? Here's the reported answer.
Is Pope Leo a Chicago Cubs or White Sox fan? Here's the reported answer. Pope Leo XIV was formerly Cardinal Robert Prevost of Chicago, where he was born before he was a minister in Peru. And while that has led to so many sports jokes and talk about bets that weren't made on him, there's a very important question fans are asking: is he a fan of the Chicago Cubs or the Chicago White Sox? He's actually from Dolton, which is on the south side. That should mean he's a Chicago White Sox fan, right? Turns out ... no! Per a report, he's a Cubs fan. If you were wondering that? Now you know the answer. Does that mean we'll hear him sing Take Me Out to the Ballgame at Wrigley someday?
Yahoo
24-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
'Mongo' remembered: Reactions to death of beloved Chicago Bears player Steve McMichael
One of the most colorful players in Chicago Bears and NFL history, Steve "Mongo" McMichael died Wednesday after living the last years of his life with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS. He was 67. The Pro Football Hall of Famer solidified his legacy as a member of the Bears' beloved Super Bowl XX champions, anchoring a defensive line in Chicago's famed "46 defense" — still considered to be one of the NFL's best defenses. Advertisement McMichael was a fixture in Chicago, earning five All-Pro nods in 13 seasons. He has 92.5 sacks with the Bears, second in team history behind former teammate Richard Dent, and played an incredible 191 games in a row — a franchise record. "Mongo" left an indelible mark on the sports world. We took a spin around social media to get the reactions. 'Brave battle' The Chicago Bears called McMichael a "one-of-a-kind personality," who "will never be forgotten," posting a heartfelt 90-second highlight video that included words from McMichael himself. "What you do in life speaks eternal, baby, and I am so glad to be a Chicago Bear and part of you guys' history," he said. "It's an honor and a privilege." The Pro Football Hall of Fame lauded McMichael's tenacity and highlighted the love shown by his teammates. Advertisement "Everyone who played with or against Steve shares the same opinion: No one battled longer or harder from the snap until the whistle than Steve the player," the HOF said in a statement. "That legendary will to fight allowed him to experience his enshrinement as a member of the Hall's Class of 2024. And the love his teammates showed him throughout this difficult journey says everything about Steve the man.' NFL Draft: The Chicago Bears have made 98 first-round picks in NFL Draft since 1936. Here's the list Mongo, pro wrestling and the Four Horsemen McMichael spent his final year in football playing with the Green Bay Packers and performed for years as a wrestler and commentator for multiple professional wrestling organizations, including the World Wrestling Federation. Advertisement McMichael was one of the final members of "The Four Horsemen," a legendary wrestling quartet that began with Ric Flair, Ole Anderson, Arn Anderson and Tully Blanchard. McMichael was part in the late 1990s. Flair, now 76, celebrated McMichael in a post on calling him a friend, amazing athlete and human being. "I have the fondest memories working with him, and this is an extremely heartbreaking loss for me!" Flair wrote. "I love you, Mongo! You fought one hell of a battle!" Arn Anderson also posted a tribute, calling McMichael "one hell of a man" and ending his remembrance with a "side note to God: You're gonna have your hands full with this one." 'I'll have a speech with that umpire after the game' In 2001, McMichael sang "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" during the seventh-inning stretch during a Chicago Cubs game at Wrigley Field. before jumping into song, McMichael sent a barb to home-plate umpire Angel Hernandez, saying "I'll have a speech with that home-plate umpire after the game," referring to a perceived blown call the inning before. Advertisement Hernandez glared up from the field at McMichael, who then booed, hoisted a beer and burst into the song. 'Compassion' Family friend and WGN-TV sports anchor Jarrett Payton, the son of Bears legendary running back Walter Payton, posted a video of McMichael from 2021 in which "Mongo" shares some sobering words in the face of his ALS diagnosis. "You know what's best in the human condition, my son? Compassion. Not warrior. Not competitor. Not alpha," McMichael said. "The compassion in the human being. And with what's going on in the world today, you kinda lose faith in that, don't ya? "But everybody that comes into my presence now that I'm in this condition, that's the first thing I see on their face ... Man, and it reinvigorates your belief in humanity." This article originally appeared on Journal Star: Chicago Bears legend Steve 'Mongo' McMichael remembered: Social media reaction
