And now it`s the Cubs` turn.
Already the media darlings of the city, telecasts of the Cubs` games last weekend drew some big ratings numbers.
The Cubs-New York Mets contest Saturday, carried as part of NBC`s ”Game of the Week” double-header, had a 10.3 overnight Nielsen rating and a 36 share in Chicago. One local ratings point represents 31,000 TV households. Shares are a percentage of sets in use.
On Sunday, the numbers climbed to 14.6/40 for the Cubs-Mets game on WGN-TV (Channel 9). While the Cubs` telecasts are improving, they still have a long way to go before catching the Bears, according to Tom Dooley, research director at Channel 2.
”For 11 games that we carried during the `88 season, the Bears averaged a 73 share,” Dooley said.
– Bob Sirott will have his own tribute to the Cubs` Hall of Fame broadcaster at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday on WMAQ-TV (Channel 5). Sirott says he hopes ”Harry Caray: Between Innings” is better than the big, wet kiss WGN threw at Caray 10 days ago.
”I`m real happy with what we have,” says Sirott. Among the items are vintage Caray actualities from his days with the Cardinals and White Sox, as well as his postgame celebration with the `84 Cubs the night they clinched the National League East title. In addition, Sirott has testimonials from some of the usual-and unusual-suspects: Howard Cosell, Bob Uecker, Vin Scully, Tim McCarver, Jack Buck, Jack Brickhouse, Jimmy Piersall, Stan Musial and Dutchie Caray.
”We tried to press him to say why he really left St. Louis and he danced around it,” Sirott says.
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– Phil Jackson already is making changes. The new Bulls coach has completed a deal with WBBM-TV (Channel 2) for a ”Phil Jackson Show,” hosted by Johnny Morris and taped before a live audience, to be shown before the
”NBA on CBS” starting in February. Ex-Bulls coach Doug Collins did his show on WLS-TV (Channel 7). Also, Jackson will make appearances on ”Sports Extra” and other Channel 2 specials.
– Best lines of a busy weekend: Recently shorn WFLD-TV (Channel 32)
broadcaster Tom Paciorek on the California Angels, whom the White Sox were playing when he made his ill-fated prophecy about winning streaks: ”I hate these guys.” . . . NBC`s Vin Scully on the play of Cubs second baseman Ryne Sandberg in Saturday`s game: ”The base hit in the first inning told you more about Sandberg than 12 volumes on a library shelf.” . . . CBS` Ken Venturi on the plight of Hal Sutton: ”How can you explain when you go out for 70 holes, make one bogey and suddenly have your shoes fly off?”
– Best scoops: Bears coach Mike Ditka telling Johnny Morris on Channel 2 Sunday night that defensive lineman William Perry had signed a new contract and would be in camp Monday. At the same time, it raised questions about Ditka`s treatment of the media since he has his own deal with Channel 2. . . . NBC breaking the news of the White Sox trade of Harold Baines and Fred Manrique to the Texas Rangers for Scott Fletcher and two minor leaguers.
”There were a lot of trade rumors surrounding the White Sox (Saturday morning),” said an NBC spokesman. ”We put all the pieces together and got it on before the press conference.”
– Best whine: Cubs broadcaster Harry Caray complaining about WLUP-AM
(1000) personality Jonathon Brandmeier`s use of a Caray impersonator last week. ”I wonder if their advertising is as deceptive,” Caray said.
– Best pictures: Mets manager Davey Johnson and catcher Gary Carter discussing the gopher ball thrown to Mark Grace after Sunday`s game. . . . World Boxing Association junior middleweight boxing champ Julian Jackson leaping for joy after knocking out Terry Norris. . . . A tearful Leonard Thompson winning the Buick Open for his first PGA Tour title in 12 years.
– Glitches: WGN showing Cubs runner Jerome Walton as Grace launched his dramatic game-winning homer Sunday. . . . WMAQ-TV (Channel 5) showing its
”Beat the Pro”segment with ”White Sox” All-Star Harold Baines.
– Best interviews: Heavyweight champion Mike Tyson telling ABC`s Alex Wallau: ”I`m happy, I`m rich and I don`t let anything bother me.”
. . . Thompson telling CBS` Jim Nantz: ”This (paycheck) was almost as much as you made this week, too, wasn`t it Jim?”
– Best analyses: NBC`s Tom Seaver on the play of the New York Mets:
”Fundamentally, they`re not a good ballclub.” . . . NBC`s Bob Costas on the widening strike zone of umpire Frank Pulli: ”With a control pitcher like (San Francisco`s Rick) Reuschel, the last thing you want is an umpire with a liberal strike zone.” . . . CBS` Mike Joy explaining the effects of a falling barometer in stock-car engines.
– Most annoying statement: Seaver constantly calling them ”the Cubbies.” Once a Metsie, always a Metsie.
– Best features: Joy on the controversy surrounding NASCAR driver Rusty Wallace`s lawsuit against the owner of his car. . . . ABC`s ”Trans-Antarctica! The International Expedition.”