CBS Sports officials are positive about one thing concerning Tuesday night`s All-Star Game in Toronto:
There won`t be any ”Rescue 911” reruns interrupting this year`s telecast.
For those who missed last year`s less-than-exciting All-Star contest at Wrigley Field, a one-hour rain delay caused network bigwigs to panic and toss ”911” on screens across America, screens that immediately were turned off.
”When the tarp rolled out,” recalled CBS Sports executive producer Ted Shaker, ”my heart sank.”
That won`t happen this year.
”If there`s a cloud within 50 miles of Toronto, there will be 12 CBS management guys up there closing the (SkyDome) roof,” said coordinating producer Ric LaCivita with a smile.
And there will be other gimmicks to bring a smile to LaCivita, who last year used robotic cameras near home plate for a different look. Microphones will be placed on at least one of the managers (Lou Piniella) and, perhaps, two of the umpires. Cameras will be allowed in the clubhouses before the game. A rare joint interview is planned with Joe DiMaggio and Ted Williams.
The microphones will ”be there mostly for effects as opposed to hearing what they say,” said LaCivita. ”It`s one small step forward for production. We think it`ll get viewers closer to the game, which has been our battle cry.”
And just to make sure the Piniella`s cries aren`t obscenity-laced, his comments will be on tape.
”If you`re an athlete, the last preserve is the playing field,” said Shaker. ”It`s a sanctuary where these guys can be on their own and don`t have to feel like someone`s looking over their shoulder, taking note of everything they say. We`re not looking to embarrass anyone or to put anyone in an awkward spot. It`s just an attempt to bring the fan a little bit further inside the game.”
Jack Buck will tape the interview with DiMaggio and Williams for the pregame show and ”the entire tape will go to the Hall of Fame at Williams`
request,” said LaCivita. ”That`s the only way he`d agree to do it.”
Buck, too, is looking forward to this year`s game. ”Last year`s All-Star Game was work for everyone,” he said. ”This one will be fun.”
”We want to be the fans` ticket to the game,” said Shaker. ”And according to Ric, it`s not going to rain.”
– Other All-Star stuff: ESPN again covers Monday`s All-Star events. The workouts and home-run derby will be featured on SportsCenter at 6 p.m., the All-Star Gala at 7 p.m. and the old-timers game at 8:30 p.m. . . . CBS Radio will carry an interview with Williams done by USA Today editor Hal Bodley during its pregame show hosted by White Sox broadcaster John Rooney at 7:15 p.m. on WLS Radio. Also, ”We`ll interview each manager and try to have fun with it,” said Rooney. ”And with our crew, I know we`ll have fun with it.” – While ousted Bulls broadcaster Jim Durham insisted this weekend ”I really don`t” have anything to say about his firing by the team for which he had toiled the last 18 years, he did see it coming. ”Well, back in May, I was taken off TV,” said Durham, who didn`t criticize agent Darcy Bouzeos for his predicament, as Bulls officials have.
Bouzeos said, ”We chose not to comment on the Bulls` version of the negotiations. My client and I, as well as WGN and SportsChannel, know what transpired.”
As for the future, ”I have no idea now,” said Durham. While he`ll be paid (reportedly between $100,000 and $150,000) for the final year of his contract, Durham might be a welcome addition to NBC`s or TNT`s basketball coverage.
The line to replace Durham and join analyst Tom Boerwinkle on WMAQ Radio, the team`s new flagship station, is long and filled with names familiar (John Rooney, Joe McConnell, Steve and Al Albert) and the unfamiliar (Ted Robinson and Mitch Holtus). ”I`m interested,” said Rooney, who broadcast 20 Bulls games last season on WLUP Radio. ”But I don`t know how it would work out with my other duties (White Sox, CBS Radio).”
More Top Picks Best Coffee Urns
As for Bulls fans, who vented their anger over the firing of Durham on talk shows over the weekend, remember this: The Bulls fired sportscaster Jack Fleming 18 years ago. Fans thought then no one-especially an unknown talent like Durham-could replace Fleming. They were wrong.
– Rich King, whose contract at WBBM-Ch. 2 ends this summer, will be moving to WGN-Ch. 9 shortly, sources said. King will bump Sid Garcia from the No. 2 spot at Channel 9. A unique part of King`s new Channel 9 contract allegedly will allow him to continue as a host on WBBM Radio`s weekend morning ”SportsLine” talk show.
– Weekend wonderings: NBC`s Wimbledon coverage was impeccable as usual, from great camera shots of Boris Becker`s rantings to outstanding commentary by Bud Collins and the rapidly improving Jimmy Connors. Too bad the network got stuck with three hours to fill Sunday after the men`s final. . . . Best crowd-shot- of-two-daughters-wi th-pop question from Harry Caray: ”How can he be bald when they have so much hair?” . . . CBS picked up a double bogey for its lackluster Western Open coverage, from pulling the plug before third-round co- leader Greg Norman finished Saturday to occasionally referring to Cog Hill as a ”municipal” course (it`s a public-fee course-a big difference) to alibiing for Norman`s collapse over the last six holes.