Getting Into The Game with Johnny "Ballpark" Franks

Johnny “Ballpark” Franks can be heard weekdays locally from 3pm-6pm on SportsRadio 730 The Ump (730 AM/103.9 FM). Email comments and questions to Johnny.Franks@cumulus.com

Published: Thursday, July 15, 2010

Johnny "Ballpark" Franks
Madison Weekly, Sports Desk
Madison, Alabama's Hometown Newspaper  

I hope all of you have been enjoying the hot weather and have been spending time with family and friends. Now, some sports stories that have caught my interest. I was going to start with the whole Lebron James circus until the news of the passing of two memorable sports figures.

The New York Yankees organization was hit with a double dose of sad news these past few days. First, Bob Sheppard, the long-time public address announcer for the Bronx Bombers passed away on Sunday at the age of 99. Starting with the Yankees in 1951, he was as iconic as any player or manager in team history, working his last game in 2007. Then, owner George Steinbrenner suffered a massive heart attack and died Tuesday. He was 80 years old.

Steinbrenner bought the Yankees in January 1973 from CBS for just under $9 million (now valued at over a billion dollars). He gained notoriety for his tumultuous relations with managers, players, staff and others. However, the free-spending owner led the once-proud Yankees back to prominence, claiming World Series titles in 1977, 1978, 1996, 1998, 1999, 2000 and 2009.

In my years in athletics I had the privilege of being around Mr. Steinbrenner on several occasions. Each time around him offered memorable conversations and interesting stories. My last encounter with him was during the Florida State/Florida game in Tallahassee at the end of the 1996 regular season, with a number one ranking on the line.

FSU's original fan salute, "The Chop", was in full force and Steinbrenner was telling me he was tired of seeing and hearing it. Just a few weeks earlier the Yankees had just come back from a two games to nothing deficit to beat the Atlanta Braves in the World Series, four games to two. The Braves had adopted the Chop in 1991 when Deion Sanders, the former FSU defensive back, joined the team. I smiled and reminded the Yankee owner he had the last laugh after New York's comeback. A smile crept over his face and he said, "Very good point!"

NBA superstar and free agent Lebron James used a special on ESPN last Thursday night to announce he was leaving the Cleveland Cavaliers to sign with the Miami Heat. I didn't have a problem with King James using this format to make his announcement.

However, I did disagree with the fact only Miami Heat officials had received a courtesy call before he addressed the audience. Like politicians contacting their opponents before giving a victory speech, I really feel the honorable thing would have been for James to make brief calls to representatives with Cleveland and the other teams that had pursued him instead of them finding out when the entire country found out. Business is business and one should never burn bridges.

Johnny "Ballpark" Franks is the afternoon host on SportsRadio 730 The Ump (730AM/103.9 FM). His show can be heard each weekday from 3p-6p. E-mail: Johnny.Franks@cumulus.com.