| • | D’Backs Take Thrilling Game 7 To Win World Series |
| • | Yankees Fan Crystal Has Mixed Feelings About Series Loss |
| • | Making A Move: Penske Set To Announce Switch To IRL |
| • | N.Y. Marathon Goes Off Sunday Without A Hitch |
| • | "The West Wing" Takes Top Honors At The Emmys |
| • | A Lighter Buzz/Laugh Track/TV Monitor/Final Jeopardy! |
WHERE DOES THIS WORLD SERIES FIT IN HISTORICAL CONTEXT?
The D’Backs used some late-game heroics of their own last night to score two 9th inning runs off Yankees P Mariano Rivera and defeat the Yankees 3-2 to win the World Series in seven games. The front page of today’s N.Y. DAILY NEWS calls it the "End of an Era," with "No Mo!" on its back page. The N.Y. POST goes with "Say It Ain’t Mo" for its front page, and "4-Get About It" on the back cover. The ARIZONA REPUBLIC notes that D’Backs Managing General Partner Jerry Colangelo is "on top of the sports world," and offers an editorial praising the home team.
After the game, ESPN’s Dave Campbell writes, "This was one of the greatest games in one of the greatest World Series that I've ever seen" (ESPN.com, 11/5).
ESPN.com’s Jayson Stark: "This is the story of a World Series that reminded the planet why there is no better sport on earth" (ESPN.com, 11/5).
The N.Y. TIMES’ George Vecsey: "This has been an excellent World Series. Whether it has any relevance to the worldwide tensions that erupted on Sept. 11 is open for debate. …Would this World Series have seemed just as interesting in the forget-about-government, let-the-good- times-roll ambience before Sept. 11? Who knows?" (N.Y. TIMES, 11/5).
The WASHINGTON POST’s Thomas Boswell: "After what the New York Yankees and the Arizona Diamondbacks put a baseball nation through, just for the sake of a world title, we all need a check up. Check back in a hundred years. It took that long to produce a Series like this. It may be that long before we see another like it" (WASHINGTON POST, 11/5).
The CHICAGO SUN-TIMES’ Jay Mariotti: "The Fall Classic was worthy of its name, to the last drop. … This was about baseball returning to a place of importance, if only for a day or two, [before] the owners convene in Chicago to contract the Twins and Expos and launch a winter of labor misery that will make us nauseous" (CHICAGO SUN-TIMES, 11/5).
The BOSTON HERALD’s Steve Buckley: "It was the greatest World Series in history. It was a Series so dazzling in its plot twists, so surprising in its comebacks, so utterly mesmerizing in its stark contrasts that it has already become the standard by which all future Series will be measured" (BOSTON HERALD, 11/5).
The Newark STAR-LEDGER’s Jerry Izenberg: "It was all a seventh World Series game is supposed to be" (Newark STAR-LEDGER, 11/5).
CBS SportsLine’s Scott Miller calls the series "one of the most improbable, unpredictable, twisted, exciting World Series in history." Miller adds, "What a night. What a series. What a totally fitting ending" (CBS SportsLine, 11/5).
The PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE’s Ron Cook: "This was good enough to make you forget that the New York Yankees have a $115 million payroll and the Arizona Diamondbacks had to borrow $20 million from Major League Baseball last season to pay their bills. OK, almost" (PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE, 11/5).
The TORONTO STAR’s Richard Griffin: "It was truly a World Series for the ages, one that will be remembered from here to baseball eternity, given a valued place on memory's mantelpiece alongside, or likely ahead of, other seven-game classics" (TORONTO STAR, 11/5).
The HOUSTON CHRONICLE’s Fran Blinebury: "Each night we kept saying it couldn’t possibly get any better, and then it did" (HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 11/5).
The PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER’s Jim Salisbury: "This spectacular baseball season, in which Barry Bonds hit 73 magnificent home runs, the Seattle Mariners won more games than any other American League team in history, and Cal Ripken and Tony Gwynn said goodbye, is over now. It was capped by one of the best World Series imaginable, and by a terrific seventh game that someday everyone will want to say they attended" (PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER, 11/5).
THE TORN ALLEGENCIES OF BILLY CRYSTAL
Billy Crystal was a guest on NBC’s "Today" show and was interviewed by Matt Lauer. While the interview was set up to promote Crystal’s new film, "Monsters, Inc.," Lauer questioned how Crystal, a lifelong Yankees fan, could be a minority investor in the D’Backs, the team "that just dethroned" the Yankees. Crystal: "Yes, I know. It’s bad. My wife, last night, we turned to each other and said, ‘Hey, we beat us.’" Crystal: "About six years ago, [D’Backs Managing General Partner] Jerry Colangelo called us and said, ‘Would you like to be involved in this? I see you at Clippers games all the time. Why don’t you be part of something that actually may win something at some point.’ And so we put a little bit of money into the team never thinking. … And he lied to us; he said it would take five years. It took four" ("Today," NBC, 11/5).
PENSKE MOVING HIS RACING CHAMPIONS TO IRL IN '02
ESPN.com’s Robin Miller reported that Roger Penske "is expected to have a press conference in Indianapolis next week" to announce he's taking '01 Indy winner Helio Castroneves and CART champion Gil de Ferran "to the rival IRL in 2002" (ESPN.com, 11/4).
N.Y. MARATHON RUNS WITHOUT A HITCH, ADDED SECURITY PAYS OFF
The N.Y. Marathon "was the biggest international event in the city since Sept. 11," and was also "the most intensely secured race in the event's 31-year history." The result was a race run "apparently, with no incidents." Race director Allan Steinfeld said, "I had a concern (about terrorism), but it wasn't a major concern" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 11/5).
A LIGHTER BUZZ
The DETROIT FREE-PRESS reports that Marlins President and GM Dave Dombrowski "is scheduled to be introduced as Tigers president today at a press conference in Detroit" (DETROIT FREE-PRESS, 11/5).
The Wild announced Sunday that Lisa LeMay was the one-millionth fan to attend a Wild game at the Xcel Energy Center. The club recognized LeMay with a Wild gift bag, that included a team jersey and hat. Saturday’s sellout crowd of 18,064 extended the team’s consecutive sellout streak to 50 regular-season games and 55 overall. The Wild have drawn 1,007,282 fans to date (THE DAILY).
The Blackhawks drew their largest crowd of the season for Sunday night’s game against the Red Wings, as a standing-room-only crowd of 20,989 saw the Hawks win 5-4 (CHICAGO SUN-TIMES, 11/5).
"CBS Evening News" anchor Dan Rather made an appearance in the Cowboys’ radio booth on Sunday at Giants Stadium. With the Giants on the verge of winning, Rather said, "For the Cowboys, it’s just a reminder that sometimes it’s darkest just before the light goes out" (DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 11/5).
Seated courtside with Sonics Owner Howard Schultz Saturday night were MLBers Tony LaRussa, Rod Carew, Jim Palmer and Bob Gibson, along with pro wrestler Goldberg (SEATTLE TIMES, 11/4).
The Unity Games in Washington, DC drew 22,425 fans for a soccer doubleheader Saturday which saw the Freedom beat the Power 3-1 and the DC United down the MetroStars, 1-0. All proceeds from the game benefited the Soccer United Relief Fund, which aids families of the terrorist attacks (WASHINGTON TIMES, 11/4).
Lance Armstrong’s "It’s Not About The Bike" ranked eighth on this week’s N.Y. TIMES Non-Fiction Best Seller’s List, while Tiger Woods’ "How I Play Golf" tops the Advice, How-To and Miscellaneous Best Seller’s List (N.Y. TIMES, 11/4).
"THE WEST WING" AND "THE SOPRANOS" RULE AGAIN AT THE EMMYS
At last night’s Emmy Awards, NBC’s "The West Wing" topped all shows with four awards and was named "Best Drama" for the second year. HBO’s "The Sopranos" landed three awards. HBO led all the networks with eight awards. The following is a breakdown of the winners (USA TODAY, 11/5):
| Supporting Actress, drama | Allison Janney, "The West Wing," NBC |
| Director, drama | Thomas Schlamme, "The West Wing," NBC |
| Supporting Actor, drama | Bradley Whitford, "The West Wing," NBC |
| Guest Actor, drama | Michael Emerson, "The Practice," ABC |
| Guest Actress, drama | Sally Field, "ER," NBC |
| Writing, drama | Robin Green, Mitchell Burgess, "The Sopranos," HBO |
| Supporting Actor, comedy | Peter MacNicol, "Ally McBeal," Fox |
| Director, comedy | Todd Holland, "Malcolm In The Middle," Fox |
| Supporting Actress, comedy | Doris Roberts, "Everybody Loves Raymond," CBS |
| Guest Actor, comedy | Derek Jacobi, "Frasier," NBC |
| Guest Actress, comedy | Jean Smart, "Frasier," NBC |
| Writing, comedy | Alex Reid, "Malcolm in the Middle," Fox |
| Writing, variety, music or comedy | "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart," Comedy Central |
| Directing, variety, music | David Malick, "Cirque du Soleil’s Dralion," Bravo |
| Individual Performance, variety, music | Barbara Streisand, "Timeless," Fox |
| Supporting Actor, miniseries, movie | Brian Cox, "Nuremberg," TNT |
| Directing, miniseries, movie | Mike Nichols, "Wit," HBO |
| Supporting Actress, miniseries, movie | Tammy Blanchard, "Life With Judy Garland," ABC |
| Variety, music, comedy special | "Cirque du Soleil’s Dralion," Bravo |
| Variety, music, comedy series | "Late Show with David Letterman," CBS |
| Writing, miniseries, movie | Loring Mandel, "Conspiracy," HBO |
| Actor, miniseries, movie | Kenneth Branagh, "Conspiracy," HBO |
| Miniseries | "Anne Frank," ABC |
| Made-for-television movie | "Wit," HBO |
| Actress, miniseries or movie | Judy Davis, "Life With Judy Garland," ABC |
| Actor, comedy | Eric McCormack, "Will & Grace," NBC |
| Actress, comedy | Patricia Heaton, "Everybody Loves Raymond," CBS |
| Actor, drama | James Gandolfini, "The Sopranos, ‘ HBO |
| Actress, drama | Edie Falco, "The Sopranos," HBO |
| Comedy | "Sex and the City," HBO |
| Drama | "The West Wing," NBC |
IN OTHER NEWS….
The DAILY SOUTHTOWN reported Sears is projecting Q4 sales "will be down ‘in the low-to-mid-single digits’ from 2000." Spokesperson Jan Drummond, on holiday sales estimates: "We’re extremely conservative" (DAILY SOUTHTOWN, 11/4).
The N.Y. TIMES notes NBC "Nightly News" anchor Tom Brokaw is in his 18th year with the news show, in what Brokaw calls "the most difficult assignment I’ve ever had." Brokaw, whose office and staff were part of the anthrax attacks, is "trying to maintain professional distance in a story that contains both deeply emotional and deeply personal elements" (N.Y. TIMES, 11/5).
The WALL STREET JOURNAL reports TV news execs "are devising strategies to lure advertising dollars to cover the cost" of broadcasting during the War on Terrorism. The networks are experiencing higher ratings but face "a tricky balancing act" on when the audience will tolerate commercials during news on the major stories (WALL STREET JOURNAL, 11/5).
The N.Y. TIMES reports that the Internet "may look more like simply another sales channel" in the weak economy, as "fewer novices [are] giving it a try and the repeat clientele being more picky about what and how often it will buy" (N.Y. TIMES, 11/5).
ARTICLES OF INTEREST:
The N.Y. TIMES on Warner Bros. "tightly controlling and protecting" the image of Harry Potter in its marketing of the new film "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone."
The N.Y. DAILY NEWS’ Bill Hutchinson details his "nine innings" with White House Press Secretary Ari Fleischer about President Bush’s feelings toward the Yankees.
The WASHINGTON POST’s Michael Leahy begins his series as the beat reporter specifically assigned to cover issues related to Michael Jordan’s comeback.
The ST. PAUL PIONEER PRESS’ Wittenmyer & Walters examine why MLB wants to contract the Twins.
This week’s TIME cover story reports on the al-Qaeda network, while NEWSWEEK looks at a generation of U.S. youngsters facing its first challenge in the aftermath of the September 11 attacks.
EARNINGS ANNOUNCEMENTS
Below are this week’s confirmed earnings announcements for sports-business related companies (THE DAILY).
| DATE | TICKER | COMPANY | QUARTER |
| 11/6 | ADDDF | adidas | Q3 2001 |
| 11/7 | CCU | Clear Channel Comm. | Q3 2001 |
| 11/7 | FOX | Fox Entertainment | Q1 2002 |
| 11/7 | NWSAY | News Corp. | Q1 2002 |
| 11/7 | PAX | Paxson Comm. | Q3 2001 |
LAUGH TRACK
"Saturday Night Live" cast member Seth Meyers said, "I know the real reason the Yankees have struggled a bit in the playoffs. It's because for the first time in history, Red Sox fans are rooting for the Yankees to win" ("SNL," NBC, 11/3).
Fox's Howie Long, on Fox's Jimmy Kimmel's picks: "It's a bad combination when you're not funny and you can't pick games" ("Fox NFL Sunday," Fox, 11/4).
Last Friday night's "Top Ten" list was "Top Ten Least Useful College Courses" ("Late Show," CBS, 11/2).
| 10) | "Perspectives on Fudge." |
| 9) | "Introduction to the Hat." |
| 8) | "Introduction to Introduction to the Hat." |
| 7) | "1999: Carson Daly's Hunkiest Year." |
| 6) | "Unheard Voices: The Poetry of Raccoons." |
| 5) | "Other Fashion Statements Made By the Guy Who First Tied a Sweater Around His Neck." |
| 4) | "Latin." |
| 3) | "The Comic Genius of Dave Letterman." |
| 2) | "Taft to Cheney -- A Century of Fat Politicians." |
| 1) | "Cooking With Cipro." |
FINAL JEOPARDY QUESTION
Last Friday's "Final Jeopardy!" category was "U.S. Presidents."
"Washington was the one who added these four words to the Presidential oath; they're not in the Constitution."
TV MONITOR
Last night’s 12:00am ET edition of ESPN’s "SportsCenter" led with Yankees-D’Backs and Game Seven of the World Series.
Last night’s 10:30pm ET edition of FSN’s "National Sports Report" led with Browns-Bears.
FINAL JEOPARDY ANSWER
"What is, 'So help me God?'"
WEEKEND BOX OFFICE
| Rank | Film | This Week | Cumulative |
| 1. | Monsters, Inc. | $63.5M | $63.5M |
| 2. | The One | $20M | $20M |
| 3. | Domestic Disturbance | $14.5M | $14.5M |
| 4. | K-PAX | $10.7M | $32.1M |
| 5. | Thirteen Ghosts | $7.9M | $27.7M |
| 6. | Riding in Cars With Boys | $4.5M | $25M |
| 7. | From Hell | $3.7M | $26.4M |
| 8. | Training Day | $3.1M | $69.6M |
| 9. | Bandits | $3M | $36.4M |
| 10. | Serendipity | $2.5M | $43.6M |
The Morning Buzz provides an early update of the news and headlines each Monday through Friday at approximately 9:00am ET. If you would like to sign up for an e-mail alert to the Morning Buzz, go to My Account and personalize your e-mail alert options.
