Quick Cuts with Chris Berman

For any fan of contemporary baseball, few calls are more recognizable than “back, back, back…gone.”  As a commentator, analyst, and personality, Chris Berman has formed a niche all to himself in today’s digital age.  From his booming voice and louder ties to his palpable enthusiasm for all things sports, few broadcasters are more admired or honored than “The Swami.”  Recently, I got a chance to pick his brain on his past experiences and his thoughts on the current state of major league baseball.  

Seeing as how we both attended the same high school, could you please talk about your experiences at Hackley?  The story goes that you got your first broadcast opportunity at the Hilltop…  

WTHR-Student Radio.  I got to announce Hackley football and basketball games, (I played on the soccer team and only on varsity basketball my senior year.) which was a great start and lots of fun.  You could hear it all over campus.  

At what point in your life did you know you wanted to be a sports journalist/ broadcaster?  

Maybe 15 years old – certainly by High School at Hackley.  

Some of your signature calls are “back, back, back” and your penchant for nicknaming players—I’ve always been particularly fond of Eric ‘sleeping with’ Bienemy.  Where did these tendencies come from?  

Nicknames are much older than me….Babe Ruth, Joltin’ Joe DiMaggio, Say Hey Willie Mays, etc.  I just revived a lost art.  

Of course, you’ve been at Sportscenter since its inception in October, 1979.  Was there ever one stand out moment where you knew you guys were on to something?   

When ESPN acquired rights to NFL Sunday Night Football in 1987, it was clear we were on our way to being special, and perhaps important.  

You are very entertaining as you do both baseball and football, is there one sport you like commenting on more than another?   

I do studio in football and games for baseball so they are different animals!   I love both.  But…I’m bestknown for football so let’s say that would be #1.  

You were on the air when Cal Ripken Jr. broke Lou Gehrig’s streak of consecutive games, could you just speak on how it felt to witness and be a part of that historic event?   

It was the highlight of my career!!  Buck Martinez and I were quiet for 22 minutes – in truth, part of that was we were crying with joy – we couldn’t have spoken.    

At the end of this season, we are going to lose Yankee Stadium.  As someone who grew up not far from the Stadium, what kinds of emotions are going to be running through you as these events unfurl?  

Hard to believe we won’t have it around.   The place drips with history, which we all love!  

Is there one defining moment you have spent at Yankee Stadium that stands apart from your other experiences?  

The Game 4 and Game 5 bottom of the 9th 2 out homeruns by Tino Martinez and Scott Brosius and subsequent wins in extra innings in the 2001 World Series.  Wow!  

Does the loss of the Stadium speak to a larger trend moving through sports?  Are we forsaking our memories and tradition for luxury boxes and concession prices?  There has always been a balance in sports between on-field competition and the business side of it.  Is baseball swinging too far towards its business side?  

This isn’t new – just never with a place like Yankee Stadium, which is so hallowed.  

Over the last few years, we have seen baseball aggressively expand into a global community: the season has opened in Japan , there is the World Baseball Classic, and players are leaving their home countries to play in the Major Leagues.  What are your thoughts on this movement towards globalization?  

It’s a great game – why not?

Along the same lines, as the population of foreign players increases, we are witnessing a decline of African-American players.  Is there a connection between the two trends?  Is this loss of African-American athletes in the sport that most publicly provided a vehicle of civil rights and desegregation a worrisome development? 

Yes, because inner city kids as a whole often don’t play baseball growing up anymore.  It’s a shame.

Recently, baseball has become a game dominated by statistics, means, and derivations.  What are your thoughts on determining ideas like player value and quality solely along the lines of numbers?  Is there any way those that solely rely on numbers can peacefully coexist with the old school talent scouts?  

Stats have always been big part of baseball.  But, until they can use a stat to measure heart and desire, scouts will always be needed.

What is one of your favorite parts of the game of baseball? 

There’s a beauty part of it – every situation could involve 5 – 6 – 7 people.  And…there’s no clock.

Before we end, I need to send a big thank you to the people at Hackley’s alumni office.  This would never have happened without their commitment and help.  I wholeheartedly appreciate everyone who put their time and energy into this.  Thank you.