ESPN last month named DALLAS BRADEN a full-time analyst for its “MONDAY NIGHT BASEBALL” telecasts, giving the former MLBer the opportunity to fulfill the dream of a lifetime. “When you are in the backyard and you are throwing that 3-2 pitch in the bottom of the 9th of the World Series, somebody has to set that moment up,” he said. “For me, it was definitely a matter of opportunity. I was sitting at home content with fishing and playing golf and the opportunity arose.”
UNDER THE SEA: I live in Simi Valley, about thirty minutes north of L.A. My wife, MEG, and I did the Hollywood thing and the Beverly Hills thing, but you cannot put a price tag on peace of mind. Where we are now -- away from the hustle and bustle and some of the pretentious attitudes -- we have found a slice of heaven that allows us to navigate into that hectic world when we need to. Otherwise, we get to lay low out here in Mayberry. There is this “THE LITTLE MERMAID” screening that includes a live performance by the L.A. Symphony. My wife does not know it yet, but I am going to get us tickets. We like to go see comedy shows and theatrical plays here in L.A.
FUNNY FARM: On Saturdays, we wake up, and having been an athlete, physical fitness is paramount to me. We go to the gym every day, even on a Saturday, and then come back for a nice breakfast. We have a small zoo of animals at the house. We have three Great Danes, a Pitbull, a Pug, and three tortoises. So Saturday mornings usually consist of our Great Danes being so excited that they are knocking the screen door off to get to our swimming pool. We might gather up all the animals and go for a hike up to Runyon Canyon Park. You have views of the city and can see the ocean. We might come home and go out for a late round of golf at the country club. We also have a putting green in our backyard. If we are a little too lazy or maybe we have too many pregame beverages, we may not make it to the golf course.
GRILL MASTER: I will be wherever the “SUNDAY NIGHT BASEBALL” show is going to be since I am part of the pregame show. Typically, if I am at home for some reason, Sundays are for barbeque no matter what month it is. I kind of got that from my mom. She would be out there knocking icicles off the grill in December. Sundays are also meant for rest and relaxation. I am usually watching all of the day baseball games.
INFIELD FLY: I am a big remote control airplane and car guy. I have a remote control car that goes 100 mph. I have airplanes that will go a mile away from you. I have helicopters that can turn upside down. Have I figured out how to do any of that? No. But do I have the stuff that is capable? Absolutely. I also have a '67 Volkswagen Safari bus that has 21 windows. It has a rag top. We can pull the top back, the Great Danes pile in with their heads out and everybody on the street seems to appreciate the sight. I also do a lot of shooting. I have a lot of friends who are military service members, operators, SEALs and Rangers.
