From the Field
with Lewis Johnson
Wednesday, February 7, 2007
Hello from 30,000 feet....seat 5E....somewhere over the mid-west....on my way home after a memorable night in Madison Square Garden (MSG). I mentioned in my reflections from last week after the meet in Boston that MSG has hosted every star imaginable. Tina Turner, The Rolling Stones, Sammy Davis, Jr., countless sport legends. I saw many of their photos in the storied hallways on my way in the building, but on Friday the place belonged to best of Track and Field, and longest-running sporting event in the history of MSG delivered a knock-out punch.
WHEW!
If you are a track fan, you probably noticed that there were two broadcasts for the 100th running of the Millrose Games. I had my own track meet going as I conducted the interviews for the 2 hour live show on ESPN2 with Dwight Stones and Larry Rawson, then I literally ran from the floor of the Garden to an elevator to get to the broadcast booth high above to work as one of the analysts for the NBC show with Tom Hammond, Carol Lewis, Dwight and Bob Nuemeier. The Men's 60, 600, Shot, Women's Pole Vault and the Wannamaker Mile were taped for Saturday afternoon. Somehow I was able to jump out of the tux I had on for the ESPN2 show, and into a suite for NBC in a matter minutes, and act like nothing happened. I had been contemplating all week how I would pull this change "off" between the Women's and Men's 60. Where was my phone booth? You have no idea!
FAVORITE INTERVIEWS!
Listening to Howard Schmertz reflect on following in his father's footsteps as the Millrose meet director, and on being honored as the sole inductee in to the Millrose Hall of Fame this year was very cool. I get that this or any sport is not just about the athletes competing but also the folks behind the scenes that put it all together. Millrose began in 1908 and a Schmertz has been involved every year! Fred directed the meet from 1934 until 1975 when his son, Howard took over. Now the Director Emeritus, Howard has entrusted the meet to USA Track & Field and Global Athletics and we can only expect the best to continue in NY.
After winning the 60 Hurdles, I introduced 19 year old Aries Merritt to Greg Foster right there in the interview. When I told Merritt that Foster had won the hurdles 10 times at Millrose his eyes lit up like a Christmas tree! My gut told me that Merritt had never heard of Foster, which is not a criticism but just an example of the generation gap. We had a fun exchange on the air, and I hope the youngster will reach out and tap the wisdom of a guy that was a fierce competitor and knew how to win, particularly in the Garden.
What can I say about Gail Devers? If there had been a camera on me during that race I would have thouroughly embarrassed myself! You see, I was just as curious as you were as to why Gail came back and how she would perform. I also love great performances, like you, and when I'm off-camera I can be a fan, then conduct a fun but credible interview. At track level I had a great view of her barreling down the track for the win, and when Devers got to me there was that "pure joy" that I would love to see more of from athletes I interview. Lady hurdlers of the world...you are in trouble! Gail is back!
WANNAMKER GREAT!
We all thought that Bernard Lagat was the favorite of the field, but the last thing any of us wanted to see was a run-a-way race. Alan Webb was there early, but is was Millrose first-timer Craig Mottram of Australia who mixed it up with the "new" American, and that gave us a run to remember. Keep your eye on Mottram the next two years. He's a down-to-earth guy, a free-spirit that runs with no fear! He said, "No one told me I was not supposd to win!" But for now, Bernard Lagat just has it all. Tremendous talent, work-ethic, strength and experience, coupled with an ability to express himself after it's all over that makes him a complete package. Watching Lagat hold his young son in his arms after his fifth Wannamaker win and speak of the joy he's found in becoming a dad and an American citizen was a picture that I believe we will see again in Osaka at the World Outdoor Championships and in Beijing for the Games. He'll be a perfect representative. Three more Wannamaker wins to tie the great "Chairman of the Boards", Eamon Coghlan. It's just a mater of time.
Hope you enjoyed the shows. See you on ESPN 2 from 1-3pm Eastern next Sunday from Fayetteville, Arkansas for the Tyson Invitational. We're at 36,000 feet now against 200 mile an hour head-winds. Time for a cup of coffee. When is someone going to open a Starbucks up here?
Throughout the 2007 Indoor Track season, Lewis Johnson, a broadcast vet, will pass along his reflections from the previous weekend. He will handle the interviews and reports from field level, which allows for a unique impression of the "circus-type" atmosphere of the Visa Championship Series.
