My Wide World of Sports

OK, it wasn’t the first memory from my childhood, or even the second or third. But you have to admit it had a catchy beat – and a classic opening. And I had no idea at the time of the importance of what took place on this Saturday afternoon tradition.

“It” was the Wide World of Sports. One week, it was cliff diving from Acapulco; the next might be daredevil Evil Knievel attempting his latest motorcycle jump (Snake Canyon may have been my favorite). The show also featured some of the first U.S. television coverage of Wimbledon, the Indianapolis 500, the Little League World Series and much more.

Longtime host Jim McKay welcomed viewers with the following: “Spanning the globe to bring you the constant variety of sports … the thrill of victory … and the agony of defeat … the human drama of athletic competition. This is ABC’s Wide World of Sports.”

Watching those far-flung events and competitions was a weekly adventure. Was it responsible for what became a personal lifelong love affair with sports? Probably not. But it’s a perfect metaphor of what my life would become – playing (a little), working in, going to, watching and experiencing a “wide world of sports” in so many ways.

I love sports. I love my wife, children and family a whole lot more (although they might dispute that at times). My first job as a teen was as a baseball and softball umpire. My first “real” job was as a sportswriter. The writing career evolved into news and business, but sports never really exited the picture. The American love affair with bats, balls, pucks, clubs and more bridged the gap in many successful interviews.

The first date for Karen, my wife of now 36-plus years, and I was a Cincinnati Reds Opening Day game. It is only a slight exaggeration that we say “our song” is the National Anthem.

It is also abundantly clear that this was a team effort. Karen has provided numerous examples over the years of her sports passion and knowledge – often to the amazement of others. One of the best anecdotes of how lucky I am, and have been for many years, came during our final baseball road trip of 2022.

Exiting Truist Park in Atlanta following a night game, a statue lurked in the distance. As we walked closer, Karen offered that the pitching form in the darkness could be Phil Niekro. Impressive enough right there. But she then saw the knuckleball grip featured in the pitcher’s windup and confirmed (not asked) that indeed the statue had to be the Hall of Fame pitcher known as “Knucksie,” who won 318 games in 24 years in the majors (20 with the Milwaukee/Atlanta Braves).

We have enjoyed the true pleasure of attending a wide variety of events – amazingly diverse in both their content and location. The stories and the memories are numerous.

I have spent my life telling others’ stories as a journalist. It’s been a wonderful ride. Along the way, I’ve accumulated a few tales of my own that I think you might enjoy.