Switching channels
Had the remote control working overtime during the first inning, so I could watch Chris Tillman pitch to Derek Jeter and also see as much as I could of Michael Jordan's Hall of Fame induction speech on ESPN.
Saw Tillman strike out Jeter, but was engrossed in the Jordan speech when Alex Rodriguez launched his three-run home run later in the inning. Guess I timed it just right.
Jordan spoke the way he played, spontaneously and with conviction. He had some prepared comments, but he largely talked off the cuff about the people who had an influence on his life. It was heartfelt, funny, entertaining and -- at times -- a little defiant. He didn't shy from his feud with controversial Chicago Bulls GM Jerry Krausse and spoke openly of the conflicts that motivated him throughout his career.
The only first-hand contact I ever had with Jordan was during the time after his first retirement when he attempted to reinvent himself as a baseball player. Went down to interview him in Birmingham, AL, and he was honest, straightforward and helpful. Couldn't help but like him and never had any other opportunity to change that opinion. Seemed like the same guy at the podium in Springfield tonight.
Comments
fire jim hunter
Posted by: Anonymous | September 11, 2009 9:32 PM
kudos to jeter. he has his critics. the guy does nothing but win. and you never hear boo out of or about the guy.
tillman's last 2 innings make you wonder what the heck happened in the first...
petite has he O's youngsters pretty confused right now, as he should
Posted by: jim66 | September 11, 2009 9:54 PM
Why does Palmer keep mentioning Mike Flanagan??
Posted by: Two Bagger | September 11, 2009 10:14 PM
Hey Two Bagger, Flanagan and Palmer played together and a World Series together.
I have no problem with Jim Palmer talking about Baltimore's great basebal past. If you listen to Yankee or Cubs broadcast, you will hear the same thing.
I wish more former O's would share their experinces. This is why my vote for Paul Blair to come back as a coach is high on my list.
Posted by: V Putin | September 11, 2009 11:22 PM
Speaking of Jordan, have you, or anyone else for that matter, ever considered exploring the real reason behind Jordan's baseball sojourn. Think about it. Here you have the greatest basketballer in the world deciding to quit the game in mid-career and take up a sport he hasn't played since little league. Kind of like Maradona or Jimmy O'Connor deciding they'd switch sports. A well placed source told me, three months before it happened, that Jordan would be playing baseball. "Gambling problems", the source said. I said, "no way". The guy said, "Wait and see." Well, I saw. Someone, someday, should get to the bottom of that "retirement". Are you guys afraid to find the icon has feet of clay? By the bye, I happened to see Jordan play ball during the "retirement". Talk about slow, the guy ran like he was carrying a sofa on his back.
..............................................................................................
Pete's reply: If by you guys, you're asking why I didn't investigate Jordan's retirement, I think it was because he was a Chicago Bull when he retired. Kind of out of my area. I heard all those rumors, too. It was generally accepted that Jordan gambled a lot on golf and there was speculation that the NBA asked him to take some time off, but he seemed to call all his own shots otherwise, so I doubt that.
Posted by: Jay Peterson | September 12, 2009 12:00 AM
I was made sure I saw Jordan play one time because he was the greatest of all time and enjoyed his speech. I also caught Jerry Sloan's speech and thought it was hilarious.
Posted by: gary | September 12, 2009 7:51 AM
needed here
Posted by: Davide | October 3, 2009 9:33 AM
needed here
Posted by: Davide | October 3, 2009 9:34 AM