| | The Daily Insider
Morning News & Headlines
Tueday, October 1, 2002
9:00am ET | |
| |
| • | MLB Division Series Begin Today, Start Times Aren't Pleasing To Many Teams |
| • | Viagra And Greenpeace Make Headlines At Louis Vuitton Cup Opener |
| • | Agent Leigh Steinberg Set To Begin Trial Against David Dunn Today In L.A. |
| • | U.S. Men's Soccer Team To Renew Int'l Competition In November |
| • | Sabres To Announce New Business-Community Initiative To Sell Tickets Today |
| • | A Lighter Buzz/In Other News/Laugh Track/TV Monitor/Final Jeopardy! |
MLB DIVISION SERIES BEGIN TODAY, ABC FAMILY AND FOX TO COVER
MLB's AL and NL Division Series begin today, with three games scheduled:
| Game | Time | Announcers | Network |
| Twins-A's | 4:00pm ET | Jon Miller & Joe Morgan | ABC Family |
| Angels-Yankees | 8:00pm ET | Joe Buck & Tim McCarver | Fox |
| Cardinals-D'Backs | 11:00pm ET | Chris Berman & Rick Sutcliffe | ABC Family |
The Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE reports that the A's do not expect to sell out, and the team is "hoping to reach 40,000, which is around 15,000 under their maximum capacity" (Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE, 10/1). A's VP/Broadcasting & Communications Ken Pries blamed the afternoon start for today's expected turnout: "Absolutely, our attendance will be affected. A number of fans are calling and saying they'd prefer night games" (S.F. CHRONICLE, 10/1).
The EAST VALLEY TRIBUNE reports that the D'Backs have sold out tonight's opening game of the NLDS against the Cardinals at Bank One Ballpark. Tonight's sellout "is in sharp contrast to the wait-and-see attitude fans took early in last season's playoff run that eventually resulted in a World Series championship" (EAST VALLEY TRIBUNE, 10/1).
The ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH reports that the 10:00pm CT start is "one of the latest starts ever for a playoff game." Cardinals Dir of Broadcasting Dan Farrell: "We made every appeal possible to get the Commissioner's office to look at alternatives. We're getting a lot of complaints" (ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH, 10/1).
Fox runs a full-page ad in USA Today touting its "October Magical Matchups," the net's MLB and NFL cross-promotion. Meanwhile, MLB also runs a full-page ad in USA Today, in newsletter format, to promote the postseason and thank fans for their support this season (THE DAILY).
AMERICA'S CUP SERIES OPENS IN NEW ZEALAND
The Louis Vuitton Cup began Tuesday in New Zealand to determine who will race Team New Zealand in the America's Cup. The Outdoor Life Network began its nightly coverage of the Cup, last night at 9:00pm ET.
The nine challengers in the Louis Vuitton Cup are: OneWorld Challenge, Oracle BMW Racing, Team Dennis Conner, Alinghi, Prada Challenge, Le Defi Areva, Mascalzone Latino, Swedish Victory Challenge, GBR Challenge (THE DAILY).
On the race's first day, Tuesday, America's Cup veteran Dennis Conner, captain of USA-66, yesterday unveiled "a new, highly visible sponsor logo: Viagra" (SEATTLE TIMES, 10/1). Meanwhile, the AP reports Greenpeace "staged a small protest Tuesday against the involvement of a nuclear sponsored French team" in the four-month race. The ship, Le Defi Areva, faced 12 protesters in kayaks who flew anti-nuclear flags and banners. Areva is a supplier of "nuclear-energy products and services with plants in 30 countries" (AP, 10/1).
STEINBERG-DUNN TRIAL BEGINS TODAY IN L.A. FEDERAL COURT
L.A. Federal Court begins hearing arguments today in agent Leigh Steinberg's lawsuit against his former partner David Dunn. Steinberg is seeking more than $80M in damages from Dunn, who left the firm – Steinberg, Moorad and Dunn – in February '01. The SPORTSBUSINESS JOURNAL reports that sports industry experts "say the case could have a major effect on the industry, including determining what is fair and legal competition among agents and whether buying a sports agency is a good business investment" (SPORTSBUSINESS JOURNAL, 9/30 issue).
ESPN NAMES PRODUCER TO LEAD NHL TELECASTS ON ESPN AND ABC
ESPN will announce today that it has named Lowell MacDonald as the lead producer for ESPN and ABC Sports' NHL regular-season and playoff telecasts, including the Stanley Cup Finals. Doug Holmes, director for ESPN and ABC Sports' NHL telecasts since '92, will continue in that role alongside MacDonald. The first telecast will be the opening night Rangers-Hurricanes game on October 9 (THE DAILY).
AMERICA'S NATIONAL SOCCER TEAM TO RENEW INT'L PLAY
The WASHINGTON POST reports that the U.S. Soccer Federation could announce as early as today that the U.S. men's national soccer team will play El Salvador on November 17 at RFK Stadium. The match will be "the Americans' first international match since their quarterfinal appearance at the World Cup last summer." The game will begin at 3:30pm ET and be on ESPN (WASHINGTON POST, 10/1).
A LIGHTER BUZZ
The AP reports that lawyers for MLB and MLBPA "pushed back signing their labor settlement to Tuesday," saying that "minor editing was still taking place to the document" (AP, 10/1).
BLOOMBERG NEWS conducted an analysis of MLB players' salaries and statistics and determined that Yankees 2B Alfonso Soriano, Cardinals OF Albert Pujols and A's P Barry Zito were among this year's best bargains (BLOOMBERG NEWS, 9/30).
The Baltimore SUN reports that last night's crowd of 69,538 for the Broncos-Ravens game was a regular-season record for the team, "second only to the 2000 playoff game against the Broncos" (Baltimore SUN, 10/1).
TODAY'S EVENTS
Bucs GM Rich McKay will speak at the "Child Watch '02: A Race Against Time" event being held at Tampa General Hospital today from 7:30-10:30am ET (THE DAILY).
The Bills and Buffalo Public Schools are partnering to launch the "Tackle Math with the Buffalo Bills" program. Bills S Coy Wire will introduce the district-wide program to sixth graders at Hillery Park Academy at 10:00am ET (THE DAILY).
MLB VP/Educational Programming Sharon Robinson will speak to middle school children today about the importance of literacy and using libraries as part of the "Join the Major Leagues @ Your Library" program. The event will take place at the HOF in Cooperstown beginning at 10:00am ET. HOF'ers Bob Feller and Bill Mazeroski will also be in attendance (THE DAILY).
Redskins Owner Daniel Snyder, QB Patrick Ramsey and DT Daryl Gardener will dedicate a renovated football field at Cardozo High School in DC at 10:30am ET. After the dedication, the players will host a football clinic (THE DAILY).
The Devils-Islanders game today is part of the "Cool School" program "in which only area schoolchildren have been invited for free." The game begins at 11:00am ET (NEWSDAY, 10/1)
The Sabres and the Buffalo Niagara Partnership's Annual "Face Off Luncheon" will be held today at 1:00pm ET and the Buffalo Niagara Partnership is expected to announce a new business-community initiative to help boost Sabres' season-ticket sales. The team's goal is to sell 12,000 season tickets for this season, but it currently has sold approximately 7,500 (THE DAILY).
Vikings C Matt Birk will host a luncheon from 11:30am-1:00pm CT to launch his new H.I.K.E. (Hope, Inspiration, Knowledge, Education) Foundation. The foundation is designed to help area youth with educational opportunities (THE DAILY).
Chiefs LB Mike Maslowski will host a luncheon benefiting the Greater K.C. Foundation for Citizens with Disabilities at the Hereford House in K.C., beginning at noon CT (K.C. STAR, 9/30).
The Junior Seau Foundation will honor SS Rodney Harrison at a luncheon at the Manchester Grand Hyatt in San Diego, beginning at 12:00pm PT. Ronnie Lott will be the keynote speaker (THE DAILY).
IN OTHER NEWS….
The N.Y. TIMES reports people close to the AOL Time Warner BOD have said that Ted Turner "has soured on both the merger" and Chair Stephen Case, and as the company's largest shareholder, Turner "has become the most visible and most vocal figure in a move by several other leading shareholders and directors to unseat" Case (N.Y. TIMES, 10/1).
The WALL STREET JOURNAL reports that "many big retailers have been bracing for a chilly holiday" and with what may be a "big holiday iceberg heading their way, retail companies are doing their best to manage inventories – and manage investors' expectations" (WALL STREET JOURNAL, 10/1).
A-B today will introduce Michelob Ultra, a low-calorie, low-carb beer, in response to "consumers' growing desire for lighter brews" (AD AGE, 9/30).
AD AGE DAILY reported that GM's GMC brand introduced a new 30-second TV spot last night on ABC's "MNF," via IPG's Lowe & Partners, N.Y. (AD AGE DAILY, 9/30).
FINAL JEOPARDY!
Last night's "Final Jeopardy!" category was "World Flags."
"This Mediterranean country is the world's only nation whose flag bears a geographic outline of itself."
LAUGH TRACK
THE MONOLOGUES:
CBS' David Letterman: "You can certainly tell that it is fall in (N.Y.), ladies and gentlemen, because the Jets and the Mets have both been eliminated from the playoffs. Did you see the Jets game yesterday? In the third quarter Vinny Testaverde was sacked by a shirtless father and son team. Awful. … All summer long people talked about the drought, which is crazy, because it is not like we are growing oranges. And now they say as a result of the drought, the price of marijuana has gone crazy. At least, that's what a friend of mine told me he heard. But I mean, even at these crazy prices, smoking dope is still cheaper than smoking cigarettes. … Over the weekend the Rolling Stones were at Madison Square Garden. You've got to love the Rolling Stones. They hate me, because I'm making jokes about them being old, but they're older, for God's sake. You can tell from the music: 'Hey you, get off of my lawn.' … This is an unbelievable story. Remember the American Taliban guy, John Walker Lindh? Remember that guy? Listen to this, it turns out now he might be gay. The American Taliban might be a homosexual. I don't know about you, but this sounds like a job for Dr. Phil. Yeah, they say that there are signs indicating that the guy may be gay. One time the guy tried to organize a jihad and brunch. … President Clinton had a busy weekend. He saw 'The Banger Sisters' three times, and then he went to a movie" ("The Late Show," CBS, 9/30).
NBC's Jay Leno: "Thank you, during that ovation Randy Moss dropped eight more touchdown passes. Did you see that game last night? In last night's loss to Seattle, Randy Moss dropped four passes in the end zone. Minnesota lost to Seattle 48-23. You know who I feel sorry for? The cops who were directing traffic when Randy pulled out of the stadium. Well, now it's being reported that the cops found a small amount of marijuana in Moss' car last week. But he said it belonged to a friend. Did you ever notice when that happens, it always belongs to a friend? You know when we finally find Saddam Hussein's weapons, he's going to go 'What? Those belong to my friend Larry. I don't know where these came from.' … I tell you, the Vikings aren't the only team in trouble, the St. Louis Rams lost to Dallas and are now 0-4 for the first time since 1967. You know its bad when the Lions are saying 'you guys suck!' How about those Lions? They finally won a game. Up until this point, they hadn't even won the coin toss. Now they are saying the worst team in the NFL is the Cincinnati Bengals. Critics say they could be the worst team ever. They lost yesterday 35-7. The quarterback, Akili Smith, said they had prepared really well all week, but then something just happened. I think that was called 'the game.' You know they are so bad they were using the hurry up offense just so the game will end sooner. In fact, twice during the game the Bengals were penalized for not having enough men on the field, and can you blame them? I wouldn't want to go out there either. … In baseball, it looks like the Dodgers are going to the playoffs. They are going to drive down to Anaheim to see the Angels play. … Let's see what Democrats are crying on TV today. New Jersey Senator Bob Torricelli has dropped out of the U.S. Senate race because of all these financial and ethical scandals. He dropped out, so that's one down, ninety-nine to go. … Last week, Ted Kennedy came out against the war with Iraq. Think of this: Saddam Hussein has three wives and six mistresses, so Ted thinks they are related. (Saddam) could be a Kennedy" ("Tonight Show," NBC, 9/30).
LATE NIGHT LAUGHS:
Last night's "Top Ten" was "Top Ten Ways The World Would Be Different If Barbra Streisand Were President" ("The Late Show," CBS, 9/30).
| 10) "State of the Union address features five costume changes." |
| 9) "Trillion-dollar military contracts awarded to Aamco Transmissions." |
| 8) "Secretary of the Navy renamed 'Prince of Tides.'" |
| 7) "First time since Ford that a president has performed a duet with Neil Diamond." |
| 6) "Statue of Liberty's nose made twice as long." |
| 5) "President blows off Russian summit for a two-week gig at the MGM Grand." |
| 4) "Marvin Hamlisch brought in to make the Constitution 'peppier.'" |
| 3) "When she enters the room, Marine band plays 'Hello, Dolly.'" |
| 2) "Common Headline: 'Security briefing ends in diva fit.'" |
| 1) "United States declares war on cellulite." |
MONDAY NIGHT'S TV MONITOR
ESPN's 12:00am ET edition of "SportsCenter" led with an MLB playoff preview and the 1:00am ET edition led with Broncos-Ravens.
FINAL JEOPARDY ANSWER
"What is Cyprus?"
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