5 years ago, at the urging of a friend and former colleague Dave Zaslowsky, I reached out to Jason Barrett, pitching the possibility of me writing for his industry website, Barrett Sports Media. I had known of Jason but had never met him. We had a follow up chat about writing a weekly column, covering radio and television play-by-play and studio shows. I have had a blast exploring the issues and news that are important to our industry. Now, some 250 or more columns later, I’m going to scale back and write only one time a month. I’m excited about what is next for me and BSM and I’ll share that information later in this column.
It all started with a feature on my former broadcast partner Darrin Jackson of the White Sox back in 2019. Since then, I’ve tried to focus on many different aspects of interest in the industry.
I was trying to think of a fun way to look back on some of my columns over the past 5 years. In the spirit of baseball’s All-Star game, here’s my team of 10 (including the DH and because I couldn’t just come up with 9) top articles, in no particular order.
I Raise My Microphone to You, Vin Scully, August 4, 2022
Vin Scully was one of my all-time favorite broadcasters. I wrote a eulogy of sorts after his passing and told the story of me meeting him for the first time in 2004, when I was the fill-in play-by-play guy for the Cubs. I sheepishly asked him for an autograph, which he kindly obliged. He was certainly one of a kind and is missed to this day.
“Vin’s passing leaves a void in our industry that will never again be filled. I say that, not just because he was the greatest baseball play-by-play announcer to ever crack a mic, but because he was a tremendous person. He seemingly had time for everyone. Even a green around the gills play-by-play apprentice, me.”
The Court of Public Opinion Favors Jason Benetti Over The Chicago White Sox, November 16, 2023
Jason Benetti left his dream job with the White Sox before the 2024 season started. It was somewhat of a divorce that never needed to get to the point that it did. I wrote about how some teams just don’t understand the value of what they have in a broadcaster.
“Some teams just don’t seem to grasp the concept, that the better their team voices are doing, the better the organization looks. Instead of looking at it as, “Well, I guess college football is more important than us”, the frame of mind should be something different. They shouldn’t feel like a jilted lover, they are getting promoted without having to pay for it.”
Behind The Scenes Of A Radio Postgame Show, November 3, 2022
As the host of the popular “Hamp and OB” show on WGN Radio, I wanted to take fans behind the scenes of our pre/postgame show. It features two former Chicago Bears, Dan Hampton and Ed O’Bradovich.
“We don’t, per se, map out a course for what the postgame show will feature. Again, I have my notes and the guys take notes during the game as well. All we do is basically combine our notes, not in the conference room, but on the air. Because these guys aren’t broadcasters, I don’t want them to waste, as you’ve heard many times, their best stuff off the air. I want it ON the air.”
I Want to Help Charles Barkley Discover Sports on the Radio, May 11, 2023
Shockingly, Charles Barkley made headlines with something he said. This one though hit close to home. Barkley said that listening to sports on the radio is “the stupidest thing in the world.” I wrote about what Sir Charles, was missing, with this thought.
“Barkley is completely missing out on a sensory experience unlike any other. Radio pulls on your emotions so much better than television. You are completely dependent on the person behind the microphone to set the scene accurately and with the right sense of drama. Isn’t there something about having to picture the field, or court in your mind, based on how it’s described to you? Barkley doesn’t think so, but he couldn’t be more wrong.”
ESPN Did An Amazing Job In An Impossible Situation, January 5, 2023
On a Monday night in Cincinnati, fans were watching an AFC battle between the Bills and Bengals on ESPN. Nobody knew that a near tragedy would unfold on the field. When Bills’ DB, Damar Hamlin collapsed on the field and needed to be resuscitated as teammates and the world watched.
“As I watched the events unfold, I was absolutely impressed with the way ESPN handled itself. The broadcasters at the stadium were shaken and it sounded that way. The sideline reporter Lisa Salters refused to speculate on what happened. That is commendable. The studio panel could not have handled things any better, from rushing to the set, to the off the cuff commentary.”
Thom Brennaman Hopes He Gets The Chance To Change Your Mind, March 31, 2022
I reached out to Thom Brennaman a couple of years after his ‘hot mic’ incident with the Reds. It was a great conversation, showcasing Brennaman’s remorse and growth from that night on the air in Cincinnati. I asked Brennaman about his hopes to return to a booth soon.
“As you and I sit here in the final days of March in 2022, I see, very little of that ability to forgive so far. Now do I think it’ll change? I think and I hope and I pray that it will change,” he said. “Do I see any hint of that right now? From a network television level to a major league baseball broadcast level, local level, whether it be radio television or whatever it might be, I don’t see it so far.”
Dick Vitale Is Getting Back All The Love He Gave, December 16, 2021
Dick Vitale was going through a rough time, after a diagnosis of cancer in October 2021. Recently he was diagnosed again with the hideous disease and will hopefully come out of it well. Back in ’21 though, I wrote about all the love Dicky V was getting from fans and colleagues.
“For a man that has given so much of himself for the fans, it only seems right that they return the favor. Boy are they ever and it’s ‘Awesome with a capital A!’”
Unhappy Anniversary, Everyone! March 12, 2021
On March 12, 2021 I wrote about the challenges we all faced on the one-year anniversary of COVID-19, shutting down sports and how we adapted to doing our jobs.
“The word normal seems weird to say. Zoom calls have replaced actual time in locker rooms and clubhouses. Limited access has become a way of life for broadcasters and journalists, almost getting used to what is happening. Mainly it all comes down to just doing the best you possibly can under the current circumstances.”
Inside A Baseball Broadcast Booth During Covid, October 30, 2020
After the baseball season of 2020 came to an end, I offered a look inside our White Sox broadcast booth and how we handled calling games from one location and off of television.
“It was a regular season unlike any other. A pandemic is raging and things had to change for us to be able to broadcast a baseball season. Was it ideal? No. Was it necessary? Yes. Was it challenging? Yes. Did we manage to make it fun and entertaining? Yes, we most certainly did.”
What Hiring Managers Want To Hear On Your Play-By-Play Demo, February 26, 2021
It’s a question that comes up often. What do PD’s and teams want to hear on your demo? I talked to several decision makers (at the time) on what they look for.
“It’s a difficult task to produce your specific demo for your specific sport. That’s understood. Nobody said this was going to be easy. (Tim) Mead says, it’s not easy for those listening either.”
That’s a look back, now let’s look forward. I will be continuing my association with BSM on a monthly basis now. At the beginning of each month, starting in August, I will bring you more of the “Anatomy of a Broadcaster” series. It also covers analysts, insiders and will be expanding to cover sideline reporters and studio hosts. I’ve enjoyed bringing you their stories and helping you to get to know these fine broadcasters.
This opportunity has been one of the best of my career. I’ve met so many people in the industry through my association with BSM. I’ve enjoyed watching the site and brand of BSM/BNM and now BMM, grow and evolve over time. Jason has an energy about him that makes you want to run through a wall for him. He’s a tireless worker and has built this brand into a formidable source for all that is relevant in this great industry. It’s been such a pleasure for me to be a part of this team filled with tremendously talented professionals.
Andy Masur is a columnist for BSM and works for WGN Radio as an anchor and play-by-play announcer. He also teaches broadcasting at the Illinois Media School. During his career he has called games for the Chicago Cubs, San Diego Padres and Chicago White Sox. He can be found on Twitter @Andy_Masur1 or you can reach him by email at Andy@Andy-Masur.com.
