August 9, 2023 • 39 mins
Tim Alcorn and Jim Chones chat with the Cleveland Guardians radio voices, Tom Hamilton and Jim Rosenhaus, as the pairs discuss broadcasting and all the stories that come with it.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:08):
Welcome to caves HQ, presented by Bedway. Thank you for
joining us on the Cavaliers Audio Verse. Now here're your host,
Kim Alcorn and Jim Jones.
Speaker 2 (00:22):
From the Cavaliers production studios at Rock and Mortgage Field
House in downtown Cleveland. High Again everybody, and welcome to
Calves HQ. Yes, the calendar has turned. We are into
the month of August as we eagerly await the schedule
release of the NBA training camp just around the corner.
And this week on calvs HQ, while we wait for
(00:45):
those things, Jim, We're gonna have a very special show.
We're gonna talk some baseball with the two guys that
keep the Cleveland market in the state of Ohio entertained
all spring and summer on the baseball side of broadcasting,
Hammy and Rosie. Tom Hamilton and Jim Rosenhouse from the
Guardians Radio Network are gonna stop buy and pay us
(01:06):
a visit. I'm really looking forward to that chat.
Speaker 3 (01:09):
Yeah, I am too. You know, we all started out
with baseball, and when you realize that you can't hit
a curveball, and you get hit a couple of times
in your hip, then you go to other sports.
Speaker 2 (01:25):
So Amy and Rosie just one of the great tandems
in baseball across the MLB. We'll stop buy and pay
us a visit. And towards the end of the show,
Denver Nuggets assistant coach Ryan Saunders will pay us a visit.
Something very special going on in Brooklyn Heights today, so
and Ryan Saunders and the Saunders family will be a
(01:46):
part of that. So we'll talk to Ryan Saunders before
we wrap things up. So we've got a busy show ahead.
Speaker 3 (01:52):
Stay with us.
Speaker 2 (01:53):
Kev's HQ presented by Betway continues after this, I'm the
Cavaliers Audio Verse.
Speaker 1 (02:02):
Let's get back to CALVS HQ, celebrating the Cleveland Guardians
with the radio Playboy play team of Tom Hamilton and
Jim Rosenhouse. Once again, here's Tim Alcorn and Jim Jones.
Speaker 2 (02:14):
And indeed we do welcome you back. Great to have
you with us on Cavs HQ. And as you just
heard from Marty Allen, what a special program we have
lined up this week, kind of that tweener time in
the NBA League, with of course the summer league having
been completed. The schedule will be released here in another
ten days or so in training camp about a month away.
(02:36):
So let's talk Guardians baseball, but not game by game
the twenty three season, but just overall with the two
guys that are the soundtrack of summer here in Cleveland
and really throughout the state of Ohio, Tom Hamilton and
Rosie Jim Rosenhouse, Hammy and Rosie, who make up the
Guardians Radio network. I can't tell you how excited I
(02:59):
am to have you guys join us here on keVs HQ.
Speaker 4 (03:01):
Well, it's an honor, Thank you guys, because we love
you guys all winter long.
Speaker 5 (03:05):
Great to be here, fun to walk over here and
talk a little basketball maybe and some baseball. I'm sure
we'll get to both of those topics at some point.
And I was chatting with each of you before we
got started. Hammy thirty fourth year with the Indian slash Guardians.
Jim now in your seventeenth year. Hammy, I'll start with
(03:26):
you thirty four years ago. Did you ever think you'd
still be calling Major League baseball? What a run it's been.
Speaker 4 (03:33):
Yeah, you just hope that first year you're not fired,
and then after every year following that, you're hoping nobody's
recording you.
Speaker 2 (03:41):
Between an eight.
Speaker 3 (03:43):
I've had that happen.
Speaker 2 (03:44):
Yeah, but an amazing run in with the same organization.
Speaker 4 (03:50):
Well, you know what, I've really had great ownership to
work for. First it was mister Dick Jacobs and Dave
Jacobs and now with mister Dolan. And you know, when
you love where you're at. We love the city. We
raised four children here and couldn't think of a better
place to raise our kids. But boy, we all know
in this business, loyalty is hard to come by, and
(04:13):
they've been very loyal to my wife and I and
there's never been any need for us to look anywhere else.
We know how blessed we've been.
Speaker 2 (04:21):
And Rosie, you're the classic story of a guy that
worked at every level of baseball to get to the
major league level.
Speaker 5 (04:28):
Kind oft echo Tom in terms of working for great organizations.
There are horror stories for different situations in the minor leagues.
But it's fortunate for the three teams I worked for
tremendous owners who are just great to work for. And
then the general managers who taught you the game and
the operation and how it all worked, and maybe a
little bit of radio along the way too, and just
(04:51):
great people to work with Mike Sarbaz a great example.
He was the starting shortstop on the first team that
I was a part of in nineteen ninety one down
in Kinston, Single A. And now all these years later,
I see him every day as a coach here. So
that's kind of fun when you have those kinds of
things happen.
Speaker 2 (05:07):
A guy that I know is a big fan of
you too, is my broadcast partner on the cab side,
Jim Jones.
Speaker 3 (05:12):
Thank you, Tim, Tom. I didn't know you were from Wisconsin,
but I should have known that because of the milk
ring on the side of I should have picked that up.
But I should have picked that ever it, but faithful,
we've been reminiscing about Wisconsin sports that I'm telling you
this man definitely is from Wisconsin. You refreshed my memory
on a lot of different things. But what I want
(05:34):
to talk about is the strategy and your style of broadcasting.
Talk a little bit about your style.
Speaker 4 (05:40):
You know what, Jim, It's something I don't even think
about because to me, it is what it is, and
that comes from being in the minor leagues. I think
you develop when you're down there because you're starting to,
you know, work on your craft and whatnot. But I
did so many high school basketball and football games in Wisconsin,
(06:01):
and then you know, kind of working your way up
to minor league baseball. But I did as much football
and basketball along the way, and did twenty five years
of Big Ten basketball on television when I got here.
That you know, I always kind of felt like I
was a sports play by play guy, not just a
baseball guy. So I guess if you talk to the
nuns at Saint Joe's great School where I went, my
(06:25):
report card always had a check mark self control, which
was not good. So you know, I guess I talked
too much when I was a kid, and it was
a good way to make a living. If you're not
good enough to be a professional player, then to me,
this was the next best thing. And I think you
have to be true to your personality. And too many
(06:46):
times you hear guys kind of emulate who they've listened
to growing up. And I was lucky talking about a
fellow Wisconsin I'd so Jim broke my heart when he
went to Marquette still at University of Wisconsin, but we
found out why. But we had great broadcasters in Wisconsin,
(07:08):
starting with Earl Gillespie in the old Milwaukee Braves games,
and then did Green Bay Packers and Gary Bender and
Jim Irwin and Eddie Ducett. When the Milwaukee Bucks became
an expansion team. There was no such term as in
the toaster until there was Eddie Ducet sky Hook. He
was an incredible NBA play by play man that I
(07:31):
don't think has ever gotten enough do. Gary Bender, I
got to know Gary Merle Harmon. I mean, we had
phenomenal broadcasters that you were listening to them, thinking, boy,
I know I'm not as good as Hank Aaron, but
it sure would be nice to be next to a
Hank Aaron doing the baseball game real quick.
Speaker 2 (07:50):
I want to follow up on this Wisconsin connection though.
Now you're a few years younger than Jim, but Jim
will tell anybody he was a legend in Wisconsin. Tom,
can you verify this?
Speaker 3 (08:01):
How well?
Speaker 2 (08:07):
There you go?
Speaker 4 (08:09):
So until there was Jim Jones, I knew there was
Racine Horlick. I knew there was Racine Park. I knew
there was Kenosha Trumper. I knew there were these schools
down there between Milwaukee and Chicago. Nobody had ever heard
of Racine Saint Catherines. So Jim put them on the
map because we're like, well, this guy can't be any good.
(08:30):
Where's Racine Saint Catherines. Well when he went to Marquette,
we found out how good he was. And you know
that was also the beauty of Marquette and al McGuire.
They were so ahead of their time that al McGuire
never tried to keep guys back and wanted them to
go on and make a living. And that's why Al
always got such great players. They were guys that Wisconsin
(08:53):
was not going to be able to recruit against al McGuire.
Not many people could. So you knew that, oh, if
this guy is going to Marquette, well here's another two losses.
Because in those days, Wisconsin and Marquette one I played
each other home and home.
Speaker 3 (09:08):
Yeah yeah, yeah they did. Rosie, I'm gonna ask you
the same thing. You know, what's your style? I mean,
I mean, is is there a foundational guideline as to
how you approached the game?
Speaker 5 (09:17):
Obviously to make sure you hopefully the score matches up
with the paper the next day, so obviously you want
your details. But I think to Tom's point, I grew
up in New Jersey, and in terms of baseball, when
the sun went down, and this was before the apps
where you can listen to every game, but when the
sun went down and there were these big stations, we
obviously got the Yankees and the Mets, and Phil Rizzuto
(09:39):
was hilarious, and the Mets had Bob Murphy who was
a legend, so they were fun to listen to. But
every once in a while you could pick up Baltimore
and John Miller and Chuck Thompson coming in, or Philadelphia
with Harry Callis. Sometimes Pittsburgh would come in. So you
had all these different teams that you could listen to.
But Jim, I gotta tell you, in the wintertime y
(10:00):
during Hoop's time, I was probably a little bit too
young to catch the end of when the Knicks were
winning that title in seventy three, but still remember Marv
Albert calling games for them. But the current Yankees announcer,
John Sterling, I was an ABA junkie New York Nets
Doctor Billy Paultz.
Speaker 2 (10:18):
Oh John so much.
Speaker 5 (10:20):
And if you didn't know their nicknames, what John Sterling
doing the games? Because it was doctor J down on
the low post to the Whopper back out to Super
John the BT Express over here. You were lost. But
me and grade school buddies, we love the Nets. And
when you were bringing up Carolina Cougar's before there was
the Cougars and the Virginia Squires and all these teams
(10:41):
that you know, nobody really followed, and we were on
them and just love them.
Speaker 3 (10:45):
Well, you know, Luke Carnesseca was our coach that you know,
he left Saint Johns. Wow. He was a Catholic coach.
He worked for Kathleys too, so you know, they never
got paid, you know, they never got paid the real money.
So he went to the nets. You know, bow recruited
in Wow. He went to the Nets for a couple
of years, and then one year I was a rookie there.
Me and Billy Harris who was a rookie for the
(11:08):
hockey team for the Islanders. We would call a million
dollar babies and we both flopped, you know, so you know,
so I remember those days.
Speaker 5 (11:16):
Yeah, it was. It was tremendous the ABA. I was
fortunate to be able to watch the last couple of
years and there weren't many teams left, but those that
were there were some of the great players in the game.
Speaker 2 (11:28):
Really good. We got to sneak in a quick time
out fun conversation. Hemmy and Rosie joining us this week
on CALVS HQ presented by Betway. We'll hear more from
the voices of the Guardians after this on the Cavaliers
Audio Verse.
Speaker 1 (11:47):
One for All, All for One, the Calves and the
Cleveland Guardians. Now back to Tim Alcorn and Jim Jones.
Speaker 2 (11:55):
Welcome back and again a very special show this week.
The Boy of the Guardians, Tom Hamilton, Jim Rosenhouse joining
us here at Rock and Mortgage Field House, right across
the street from Progressive Field. As we talked broadcasting, some baseball,
some basketball, and I want to circle back to what
Tom mentioned earlier and Jim, I'm sure you had influence
(12:18):
as well. You mentioned some of the great announcers. A
couple of weeks ago, I was back in my home
turf back in New England, and I drove by the
house that I grew up in listening to high school
sports on a radio station in Nashua, New Hampshire w SMN, Weather, Sports,
music News. I can still remember it and I thought
(12:38):
that's where the broadcasting bug bit me listening to this
guy on WSMN calling nashaua high football and basketball. That's
what I want to do. So what I want to
ask you to is, do you remember when it first
hit you? Man? That's what I want to do. I mean,
you talked about your influences and listening, But when did
(12:59):
you first realize I want to sit in a booth?
You remember, Tom, Yeah, when you're on a dairy farm,
you have a lot of time to contemplate things.
Speaker 6 (13:10):
You know.
Speaker 4 (13:10):
I was too young to milk, but I'd go down
to the barn with my dad. That view never changed.
But just you know, and again you're dating yourself. But
when you're on a transistor radio, sitting on a porch
in Wisconsin listening to a Milwaukee Braves game wherever, that
(13:34):
just seemed like camelot, you know, one you wanted to
get off the fire and look, I have great respect
for anybody that farms. I have a greater appreciation for
it now because I think our whole family had taught
us a work ethic. But when you're a kid, you
want to be in town. You want to be playing
baseball and basketball and football games with everybody else in
(13:55):
the city. Now, the city for us was thirteen hundred
people with a sign, but that was a lot more
foot traffic than on a dairy farm. But that's where
it hit me. Everybody wants to be a pro athlete,
but usually most of us find out in high school.
Speaker 3 (14:11):
Eh, that's not happening. Rosie.
Speaker 2 (14:14):
You enjoyed listening, But when did you realize it's what
I want to do.
Speaker 5 (14:18):
You know, it's hard because when you're listening, you're thinking, well,
I could never do that. I mean, these guys are great,
so like, how would you go from point A to
point B and actually do that? And I don't think
I really thought about that part of it till I
got to college and actually was able to call a game.
I had never called a game until college. I know nowadays,
(14:39):
you know, seems like so many high school kids get
an opportunity. But I had a chance to call it
a college basketball game for Lafayette on the student station.
Then I thought, well that was fun. And had a
chance to do some football games and actually some baseball
games as well, and that's when I thought, all right,
maybe this could be a living how to get to
a major league opportunity though still seem so far fetched.
(15:01):
I mean I started at a tiny radio station that
it was a daytimer. He had to turn it on
in the morning. Talk about pressure not being on the air.
But I hope, you know, if I turn these right dials,
this thing better come up, or the boss is gonna
call and say where's the station at six am? But yeah,
I mean I guess along the way, you meet different
people and you start to figure out a path. And
(15:22):
I was fortunate enough to get hired in the minor leagues.
And then you just keep plugging away.
Speaker 2 (15:27):
Jimmy, can I set up your answer because you've shared
this with me?
Speaker 3 (15:30):
What's a your bug?
Speaker 2 (15:32):
As far as broadcasting started with Joe always having you
on the postgame show.
Speaker 3 (15:38):
Yeah, having me on the postgame show and having a
big yellow sheet of paper and tell me there's no
such thing as himself his self And he scribbled it
all there, and he scribbled it all there, and he
tear up the sheet. You talking about learning the only
thing that saved He was so old. I think if
I had a punch it, I might have killed him.
(15:58):
But that's how I learned, you know, by listening Joe Tate.
But also I want to say this, everything big starts small.
Isn't that true? But it has to be in you. Right,
I'm gonna go out on a limb, but it's not
too far out a limb. That both of you guys
like to read books. Yes, that's right. I'm a reader. Yep,
you guys know that helps your diction, your flow. Everything
(16:22):
is reading. I read. I've got a library in my
little apartment of about six hundred books and I'm reading
everything I can get my hands on. And it helps
our broadcast, doesn't he.
Speaker 2 (16:32):
He takes half those books on the plane. Every time
I look over, he's reading something different. He's immersed in.
A book is still better than a kindle.
Speaker 3 (16:41):
It is no question about it.
Speaker 2 (16:43):
Oh, this is so much fun, having a lot of
fun with Tom Hamilton, Jim Rosenhouse from the Guardians Radio Network.
We'll get in a time out. We've got one more
segment with he, me and Rosie, so stay with us
Son the Cavaliers Audio Verse.
Speaker 1 (17:02):
On July twenty fourth, Rock and Mortgage, field House and
the Cleveland Cavaliers helped host part of the forty seventh
Annual Noble Conference. Noble stands for a national organization of
black law enforcement executives and consist of community leaders united
in their mission to promote justice, equity, and excellence in
the administration of justice. Noble Annual Training Conference and Exhibition
(17:23):
is a gathering of leaders from across the world that
encompasses law enforcement, corporate government, education, and civic industries. Over
fourteen hundred attendees participating in training workshops, youth leadership training,
business meetings, regional caucuses, and award celebrations. Calves in the
Community is brought to you by Discount Drug March. We'll
be back with the second half of Calves HQ, presented
(17:46):
by that Way. Right after this on the Cavaliers Audio Verse,
talking Guardians Baseball with Hemmy and Rosie on CALVS HQ
presented by Bedway. Now once again, here's Tim Alcorn and
(18:06):
Jim Jones.
Speaker 2 (18:12):
This might be the best baseball song there is. John Fogerty,
of course from CCR, Welcome back. We're having so much
fun with Hammy and Rosie as they join us for
this week's edition of Cavs HQ, presented by Betway. Jimmy,
want to get things started here in our third and
final segment with.
Speaker 3 (18:28):
Well, we've got to talk Tito. What is Tito like? Rosie.
Speaker 5 (18:33):
Tom would know better because he interviews him every day.
But yeah, from my perspective, he's been wonderful. I here's
Tito in a nutshell. I met some people at Flannery's
Pub for lunch that are from Seattle. I went the
wrong way and I was coming up the fourth Street alley.
Tito hollers at me, what the hell are you doing.
He's sitting on his scooter wondering what I'm doing.
Speaker 3 (18:58):
This is the.
Speaker 4 (18:58):
Major league manager, a Hall of Famer, to be on
his scooter. We talked for a little bit, and out
the alley he goes. A car almost hits them because
they can't believe it's Tito. Tito waves and keeps going.
That's Tito. There is not one pretentious bone in his body.
(19:19):
He's as good a manager as the game has ever met.
He's also a better person and Jim, if I could
sum up Tito one other way. So we go to
the World Series in sixteen. The next spring in twenty seventeen,
people want to get a picture of the American League
Championship trophy with Tito, and Tito goes great, but he
(19:41):
goes everybody in this building, and that includes the janitors.
That includes the people that clean the ballpark. I won't
do it unless everybody gets the same opportunity. And I'll
do this for the next three days, and everybody part time,
full time, no matter where you are on the food scale,
(20:02):
so to speak. All got a picture with Tito because
he insisted on it. How big a deal do you
think that was for some people that were like, Tito
wants to get a picture with me.
Speaker 3 (20:12):
Yes, that's Tito.
Speaker 4 (20:13):
He doesn't think he's better than anyone.
Speaker 3 (20:16):
You know, he used to surprise us because you know,
we went to the NBA Finals four straight years against
the Warriors. And we get off our bus and I
see this golf cart coming down and there's two guys
that I don't know who the other person was, and
I'm looking and it's just Tito.
Speaker 2 (20:34):
He's spitting man.
Speaker 3 (20:35):
He said, Okay, guys, I'm going in with you. I mean,
he's just I mean, he loves basketball.
Speaker 4 (20:40):
He's got courtside seats at the University of Arizona in Tucson,
where he lives. In the off season, he had season
tickets for the Calves. He finally had to give him
up because he just couldn't get there. Enough, and Jim
he knows the game. He was a really good player
when he managed Michael Jordan in Double A when Michael
(21:02):
took the year off. So here's a quick story. I
better make it quick. You're gonna want to take it
those last time it. So, Michael Jordan impressed enough that
he got invited to the Arizona Fall League, where all
your top minor league prospects come. Tito's one of the coaches.
Tito was a really good basketball player in high school.
They start playing pickup games with Michael Jordan. Word starts
(21:26):
to spread around the valley. Michael Jordan is playing pickup
games during the Arizona Fall League after baseball. So now,
Tito says, he played it like you and I played it.
Winner stays on the court, not aau where I don't
care if I lose. I got another game at two o'clock.
You lose, you wait an hour or two hours before anyhow,
(21:48):
Tito says, we've won five in a row.
Speaker 2 (21:50):
I'm dead.
Speaker 4 (21:52):
I'm dead. We're down one. Tito takes the shot, misses it.
They take it the other way, slam it, win the game.
They're walking off the court. Tito says, I'm crawling off
the court and Michael is furious. He hollers from behind Tito, Tito,
(22:13):
I always take the last shot. Tito keeps walking, yeah whatever.
Michael Jordan comes around, pokes him in the chest. I
always take the last shot.
Speaker 3 (22:28):
Wow.
Speaker 4 (22:30):
And as he spins away and walks away, Tito goes, hey, Michael,
now you know what it's like for me to watch
you try to hit a curry. Michael Jordan dropped to
his knees, laughing so hard. And they to this day
are extremely tight. Really, that's very very tight.
Speaker 2 (22:54):
All the stories Hammy is shared with me, I've never
heard that one, but Jim, you and I have talked about,
both on air and off air, the similarities between Tito
and JB. Yes, growing up around the game all year around,
do they they've become pretty tight. But Tito with his dad,
JB with Bernie Bickers staff, that clubhouse experience from a
(23:15):
little guy, knowing what it takes not only to coach,
but to interact and massage personalities if you have to.
Tito's a master, you know.
Speaker 5 (23:25):
I think he's at his best in spring training near
the end when they might have to release somebody or
at least send them down to Triple A. He was
there as a player. He doesn't sugarcoat it. He's honest
with guys, and I think they appreciate that the way
he handles that, because I think for him that might
be the hardest part of his spring is letting guys
at the end of the roster who you know, obviously
(23:46):
wouldn't have that much impact on your team. They're not superstars.
But I think that that's hard for him.
Speaker 4 (23:52):
There's empathy there, yeah, you know, because he knows exactly Jim.
He knows that some of these eyes it's the end
of the line. He's basically telling them, you have to
get another career, and that's not easy.
Speaker 3 (24:06):
Emy.
Speaker 2 (24:06):
You mentioned Tito's Hall of Fame bound. I think you
will be someday in the Ford frick wing. So I
want to ask you about it. This past week, you
called a no hitter down in Houston. Now it's against
the Guardians, but you gave it as much energy and
as much passion because you're calling history. How much do
(24:27):
you rise to the moment when you understand something very
special is happening or about to happen.
Speaker 4 (24:35):
I appreciate the kind words. I hope I don't. I
hope I treat every game that way. Now, look, there
are special moments. That was a special moment. I mean,
Rosie and I are sitting there watching history. We didn't
pay to get in and we have the best seat
in the house. So if you can't be engaged with that,
then it's time to get into a different line of work.
(24:57):
So I've seen seven no hitters now, all of them
against the Indian Slash Guardians, So I'm getting real experience to.
Speaker 2 (25:10):
So Lenny's is still the last one?
Speaker 4 (25:13):
Yeah, nineteen eighty.
Speaker 2 (25:14):
One, Lenn Barker, Oh, Lenny and Joe called it on
his birthday and his anniversary. Really, that was Joe Dade's
birthday and anniversary the night Wow, big Lenny. Joe was
working on his birthday and anniversary. But quite a selling
us Joe ever, not working doing the NBA League Baseball Jim.
(25:35):
Final question before we let these guys fly.
Speaker 3 (25:37):
No, I just want to say that all of you
guys set the standard for all of us. Oh, thank you.
You know, because our fans, they go from one sport
to the other, and if there's no continuity and if
there's not a certain level of intellect and information given
you know, they'll let us know. So I just want
to thank you for being part of this whole Cleveland
sports experience. Thank you guys very much.
Speaker 4 (25:59):
Oh, thank you and again Jim. I mean, we're not
trying to throw bouquets at each other. But when you
have a former player that accomplished what you did and
then works as hard at broadcasting, that's a gift to
the audience because Rosie and I and Tim will all
be the first to say whether you're a next basketball player,
major league player. You guys see things the rest of
(26:21):
us will never see, and give us insight and teach
us every night that we listen to a ballgame. So
it's been an honor to be with yourself along with Tim,
and I've almost forgiven you for not being a badger.
Speaker 3 (26:38):
Later in the year, we've got to tell that story.
We've got to tell that story because all those parties
are probably did I'm seventy three, so I don't think
we step on too many people's feet.
Speaker 2 (26:49):
Yeah, at this point doesn't matter to the Wisconsin alums.
Speaker 3 (26:55):
That does.
Speaker 4 (26:57):
Thought.
Speaker 5 (26:57):
I'd just like to say we have easier job because
we always hear people say, oh, I'm out on my
boat on the lake. I'm in the backyard having a
cold one. You guys, you're getting people through nasty winners
in northeast Ohio. That's heavy lifting and you do a
great job with it. You're always enjoyable to listen to
you guys for sure. And by the way, I'm sure
(27:18):
I speak for all of us. Jim and I here
representing the Cavaliers, the two of you representing the Guardians.
Want to send out heartfelt thoughts to Jim Donovan, Voice
of the Browns. He did the Hall of Fame game
and we wish him nothing but the best of his recovery.
So again, you know he is good and talk about tough.
Speaker 4 (27:39):
Wow.
Speaker 2 (27:39):
Yeah, so again, Jimmy, we wish you the best.
Speaker 3 (27:42):
Guys.
Speaker 2 (27:42):
I cannot thank you enough. This has been such a pleasure.
Let's do it annually. We'd love it. Thank you for
including us absolutely again, Emmy and Rosie, Tom Hamilton, Jim
rosen House from the Guardians Radio Network joining us this
week on CAVS HQ. We've got a special guest coming up.
Ryan Saunders, the son of Flip Saunders, is going to
(28:04):
be spending a few moments with us. Ryan and the
Saunders family taking part in a very special event today
Sunday over in Brooklyn Heights. So we'll talk to Ryan
after this. On the Cavaliers Audio Verse.
Speaker 1 (28:20):
You're experiencing calvs HQ on the Cavaliers Audio Verse once again.
Here's Tim Alcorn and Jim Jones.
Speaker 6 (28:29):
Welcome back.
Speaker 2 (28:30):
It's cavs HQ. Great to have you with us on
this Sunday, and by a very special guest joining us.
If you're an NBA basketball fan, you go back into
the late nineties into the two thousands. One of the
great NBA coaches at that time was Flip Saunders, who
of course had a remarkable career on a few benches,
(28:51):
eleven years with Minnesota, a few with Detroit and Washington,
and sadly Flip passed away in twenty and fifteen, but
his son has carried on the coaching legacy and the
family has Northeast Ohio roots Flip and his family from
Cuyahoga Heights, and later today there is going to be
(29:13):
a very special presentation in Brooklyn Heights for a park
that the Saunders family has had so much to do
with and has helped formulate. So we're really thrilled to
have talk about that and his role in the Denver
Nuggets winning the NBA title this year. Ryan Saunders the
son of Flip and currently an assistant coach with the
(29:36):
Denver Nuggets. Hey, Ryan, great to have you on.
Speaker 7 (29:38):
We really appreciate it absolutely, Tim, great to be with
you guys, And like you said, my family has deep
ties to the Cleveland area and we're really excited to
be a part of something here today, you know, just
to be a part of the community and see some
people and really really dedicate a special area just a
(30:00):
basketball court, but park and pickle ball courts and everything
you know, in my father's name. So we're super excited
to be here in Cleveland.
Speaker 2 (30:07):
So give us a quick synopsis, Ryan, as to how
this all came together and the particulars as far as
today's event is concerned.
Speaker 6 (30:16):
Yeah, well, my mom did most of the.
Speaker 7 (30:18):
Work, as they usually do, as it always happens.
Speaker 6 (30:22):
There's, especially in pro sports.
Speaker 7 (30:25):
You know, the women, they're the ones who make all
the sacrifices, who do all the hard stuff. And then
you know guys like me, my father when he was around,
you know, we get to jump on and and hang
with you guys and talk about you know how much
fun it's going to be to shoot hoops out there
and do those.
Speaker 6 (30:40):
Types of things.
Speaker 7 (30:40):
So, you know, my mother, Debbie, she you know, spent
a lot of time obviously with my dad, you know,
met at the University of Minnesota, would come back to
the Brooklyn Heights area. I'm sure he drugger down there
to you know, shoot and watch watch him work out
a little bit to it, you know, his favorite court
in Brooklyn Heights. So you know, we always knew once
he passed away, we wanted to find ways to honor him,
(31:02):
and you know, give her a lot of credit that
you know, she didn't want to just do things, you know,
just to kind of you know, just do them just
for publicity or.
Speaker 6 (31:11):
Just do things as the money you know, would.
Speaker 7 (31:13):
Come into the Flip Sounder's Legacy Fund, which were really
grateful that people have stepped up over years. She wanted
to be smart with that and where we put that money.
And you know, this sounded like a great place to
do it, and we knew it was a place here
in my dad's heart. His brother Greg also who tragically
passed away last year.
Speaker 6 (31:32):
You know, they had great times there.
Speaker 7 (31:33):
And then Mark Turmany longtime friend, attorney sports agent. He
did an incredible amount of work working with a number
of folks within the Brooklyn Heights area and the park,
you know, just to just to really spearhead this and
make it something that's going to be really special for
everybody around there, right.
Speaker 3 (31:51):
And I just want to say from the top that
your dad was a class guy. He had the ability
to relate to any and everybody. And I know coming up,
they weren't rich. You know, it's a silver spoon, even
a golden spoon, probably didn't even have spoons. But your dad,
but your but your dad's family. He talked about his
(32:11):
father quite a bit. And I know that that whole
family is very close to your sister and everybody else
and Mom and I met all of them through Kayla.
Let me tell you a short story. Mark hooked it
up where Kayla was gonna be interviewed by your dad
for an opening at Minnesota. So they met around noon,
they had lunch. She came back she said, Dad, I
(32:32):
got the job, and later on I heard the flip said, oh,
I didn't have to offer it. She took the job.
Speaker 6 (32:40):
That's the way it should be with him. Don't let
him don't let him go back to.
Speaker 3 (32:50):
Right right, right right. So you know, so the point
is that we're all tired at the hip. You have
a fantastic family. You won't say it, but I will.
They didn't give you enough time to develop that talent
now you know in Minnesota, but now you know that
it does work because you're with a franchise that stayed
with a couple of kids through rain and sleet and snow,
(33:11):
and eight years later their World champs. Talk a little
bit about that.
Speaker 7 (33:15):
I appreciate you know, all the kind words, and you know,
our our family feels the same way about you guys
and the Chunes and just we have a lot of
fond memories, especially working with Kayla in Minnesota.
Speaker 6 (33:25):
So really grateful that you know, our past cross there.
Speaker 7 (33:28):
And yeah, you know, I'm grateful for my time in Minnesota,
you know, whether it be you know, as an assistant
or as the head coach there. I feel proud of
my time there that you know, every every team. My
father always to talk about this is you know, there's
there's always seasons, you know in the NBA quote unquote seasons,
but then there are seasons of an organization and sometimes
(33:49):
those seasons can be you know, two three years, and
that might mean you know, it's a development time or
it's it's a time to go from a good team
to you know, maybe having a tough loss in the
playoffs propels you to be a great team. And I
feel very fortunate to be there for some development years
in Minnesota. There's still a lot of great people there.
But then I'm also a also feel unbelievably fortunate to
(34:12):
be with the Nuggets and this last year just to
be around a group that I've never been a part
of a more selfless group of individuals. And I'm not
just talking about you know, players, I'm talking about you know, coaches,
front office members.
Speaker 6 (34:26):
Training staff.
Speaker 7 (34:27):
You know, no matter what, there was one goal and
every day that goal was to be better than the
day before, with the ultimate goal of trying to win
an NBA championship. And I tell you, I've never seen
a group buy in to an organization the way this
whole group did. But then also I've never seen a
group give something up of themselves as everybody wants, you know,
(34:48):
individual glory and statistics and everything, but I've never seen
players give up playing time something that they really wanted
you know, to work towards a greater goal, and a
lot of that goes to NICOLEA jokicch and just how
he approaches every day and his workman like attitude. It's
just been really really special to be around that group.
Speaker 2 (35:08):
Ryan's final question for you. The Cleveland connections are all
over the place here between you and Jim Jones, and
of course Cavs head coach JB. Bickerstaff when he was
in Minnesota with your dad and the organization, and Mike Malone,
former Cavs assistant coach, the head coach now in Denver
that you serve with. Just talk about Mike and as
(35:28):
Jim alluded to earlier, the perseverance and the patience to
guide this thing through the end. Your thoughts and really
what you learned from Mike Malone.
Speaker 6 (35:39):
Oh yeah, I.
Speaker 7 (35:39):
Mean it's we don't have enough time to talk about
all that, because the way he approaches the game, it's
really special. And you know, being with him this last year,
maybe a better coach, maybe better.
Speaker 6 (35:51):
In a lot of ways.
Speaker 7 (35:52):
And I think something that you know, he's very fiery,
as coaches should be on the sideline, but something that
doesn't get talked about enough great family man, you know,
watching him and his daughters, you know, in terms of volleyball,
you know, very good volleyball players, watching how proud he
would get coming to the office, being able to separate
(36:12):
you know, the winning, you know, the coaching, but also
into family time. That was something that that I really took.
Having two young kids, a four year old and a
two year old, it was really special to watch. So, uh, yeah,
I'm really grateful to get part of that organization. And
quick fun story. You know, JD is actually a close
friend of mine. When I was going to the umerous
in Minnesota on my recruiting visit, he was transitioning out
(36:35):
of there. I think he was going to work for
the Timberwolves in some capacity, but he was actually one
of the guys that I kind of hosting me on
my recruiting visit, so he uh you know, so jb uh,
you know, I'm kind of recruiting me there, and we've
kept in touch and we actually talk a great deal,
you know, throughout the year, and and uh, you know,
I think he's going an unbelievable job in Cleveland, and
(36:56):
uh really look forward to, uh seeing what he's able
to do, you know, with that group moving forward because
they got a lot of great pieces.
Speaker 2 (37:03):
Well, what happened on the recruiting visit will stay the
recruiting visit. But Ryan, you mentioned, you mentioned family, It
comes full circle. Congratulations to you and the Saunders family
for the event that will take place today in Brooklyn Heights.
Your father left an incredible legacy, so to you and
(37:26):
your mom and the family. Again, congratulations and congratulations on
a world championship in Denver, Man.
Speaker 3 (37:32):
That's awesome.
Speaker 7 (37:33):
Congratulations Ryan, Thanks Bellows is great talking to you guys,
and hope we can do it again sometime.
Speaker 6 (37:37):
You got my number now, Yeah, I'm not gonna lose it.
Speaker 3 (37:40):
I'll tell you that, don't lose it.
Speaker 6 (37:42):
Don't lose it.
Speaker 3 (37:43):
We appreciate it.
Speaker 2 (37:44):
Thanks Ryan, Ryan Saunders joining us here on Cavs HQ
presented by Betway. That was special and again a very
special event today in Brooklyn Heights Park dedication in his
dad's name, Flip Saunders. Well, we'll take a time out,
we'll put the finishing touches on this week's show. Stay
with us. We're coming back after this. On the Cavaliers
Audio Verse, It's gonna do it. For this week's edition
(38:07):
of Cavs HQ presented by Betway. Huge thanks to Ryan
Saunders Way. What a special day for the Saunders family
and the city of Brooklyn Heights today and Jim earlier,
Hammy and Rosie. That was some fun chatting with Tom
and Jim.
Speaker 3 (38:23):
Well, it's baseball season right now, and the Guardians and
the Houston Astros are my favorite team. And they just
picked up vander what's his name, Van Verlander? Verlander. I'm sorry, Verlin.
You won't say how much I know about baseball. And
they just picked up Verlander, and I make a prediction,
Marty that they're gonna repeat, all right.
Speaker 2 (38:44):
Verlander is a huge addition to them. So it's been
a fun show. We're glad you dialed in. We'll talk
again next week on Cavs HQ presented by Betway. So
until then, so long, everybody, Star
Speaker 3 (39:04):
Stud
Welcome to caves HQ, presented by Bedway. Thank you for
joining us on the Cavaliers Audio Verse. Now here're your host,
Kim Alcorn and Jim Jones.
Speaker 2 (00:22):
From the Cavaliers production studios at Rock and Mortgage Field
House in downtown Cleveland. High Again everybody, and welcome to
Calves HQ. Yes, the calendar has turned. We are into
the month of August as we eagerly await the schedule
release of the NBA training camp just around the corner.
And this week on calvs HQ, while we wait for
(00:45):
those things, Jim, We're gonna have a very special show.
We're gonna talk some baseball with the two guys that
keep the Cleveland market in the state of Ohio entertained
all spring and summer on the baseball side of broadcasting,
Hammy and Rosie. Tom Hamilton and Jim Rosenhouse from the
Guardians Radio Network are gonna stop buy and pay us
(01:06):
a visit. I'm really looking forward to that chat.
Speaker 3 (01:09):
Yeah, I am too. You know, we all started out
with baseball, and when you realize that you can't hit
a curveball, and you get hit a couple of times
in your hip, then you go to other sports.
Speaker 2 (01:25):
So Amy and Rosie just one of the great tandems
in baseball across the MLB. We'll stop buy and pay
us a visit. And towards the end of the show,
Denver Nuggets assistant coach Ryan Saunders will pay us a visit.
Something very special going on in Brooklyn Heights today, so
and Ryan Saunders and the Saunders family will be a
(01:46):
part of that. So we'll talk to Ryan Saunders before
we wrap things up. So we've got a busy show ahead.
Speaker 3 (01:52):
Stay with us.
Speaker 2 (01:53):
Kev's HQ presented by Betway continues after this, I'm the
Cavaliers Audio Verse.
Speaker 1 (02:02):
Let's get back to CALVS HQ, celebrating the Cleveland Guardians
with the radio Playboy play team of Tom Hamilton and
Jim Rosenhouse. Once again, here's Tim Alcorn and Jim Jones.
Speaker 2 (02:14):
And indeed we do welcome you back. Great to have
you with us on Cavs HQ. And as you just
heard from Marty Allen, what a special program we have
lined up this week, kind of that tweener time in
the NBA League, with of course the summer league having
been completed. The schedule will be released here in another
ten days or so in training camp about a month away.
(02:36):
So let's talk Guardians baseball, but not game by game
the twenty three season, but just overall with the two
guys that are the soundtrack of summer here in Cleveland
and really throughout the state of Ohio, Tom Hamilton and
Rosie Jim Rosenhouse, Hammy and Rosie, who make up the
Guardians Radio network. I can't tell you how excited I
(02:59):
am to have you guys join us here on keVs HQ.
Speaker 4 (03:01):
Well, it's an honor, Thank you guys, because we love
you guys all winter long.
Speaker 5 (03:05):
Great to be here, fun to walk over here and
talk a little basketball maybe and some baseball. I'm sure
we'll get to both of those topics at some point.
And I was chatting with each of you before we
got started. Hammy thirty fourth year with the Indian slash Guardians.
Jim now in your seventeenth year. Hammy, I'll start with
(03:26):
you thirty four years ago. Did you ever think you'd
still be calling Major League baseball? What a run it's been.
Speaker 4 (03:33):
Yeah, you just hope that first year you're not fired,
and then after every year following that, you're hoping nobody's
recording you.
Speaker 2 (03:41):
Between an eight.
Speaker 3 (03:43):
I've had that happen.
Speaker 2 (03:44):
Yeah, but an amazing run in with the same organization.
Speaker 4 (03:50):
Well, you know what, I've really had great ownership to
work for. First it was mister Dick Jacobs and Dave
Jacobs and now with mister Dolan. And you know, when
you love where you're at. We love the city. We
raised four children here and couldn't think of a better
place to raise our kids. But boy, we all know
in this business, loyalty is hard to come by, and
(04:13):
they've been very loyal to my wife and I and
there's never been any need for us to look anywhere else.
We know how blessed we've been.
Speaker 2 (04:21):
And Rosie, you're the classic story of a guy that
worked at every level of baseball to get to the
major league level.
Speaker 5 (04:28):
Kind oft echo Tom in terms of working for great organizations.
There are horror stories for different situations in the minor leagues.
But it's fortunate for the three teams I worked for
tremendous owners who are just great to work for. And
then the general managers who taught you the game and
the operation and how it all worked, and maybe a
little bit of radio along the way too, and just
(04:51):
great people to work with Mike Sarbaz a great example.
He was the starting shortstop on the first team that
I was a part of in nineteen ninety one down
in Kinston, Single A. And now all these years later,
I see him every day as a coach here. So
that's kind of fun when you have those kinds of
things happen.
Speaker 2 (05:07):
A guy that I know is a big fan of
you too, is my broadcast partner on the cab side,
Jim Jones.
Speaker 3 (05:12):
Thank you, Tim, Tom. I didn't know you were from Wisconsin,
but I should have known that because of the milk
ring on the side of I should have picked that up.
But I should have picked that ever it, but faithful,
we've been reminiscing about Wisconsin sports that I'm telling you
this man definitely is from Wisconsin. You refreshed my memory
on a lot of different things. But what I want
(05:34):
to talk about is the strategy and your style of broadcasting.
Talk a little bit about your style.
Speaker 4 (05:40):
You know what, Jim, It's something I don't even think
about because to me, it is what it is, and
that comes from being in the minor leagues. I think
you develop when you're down there because you're starting to,
you know, work on your craft and whatnot. But I
did so many high school basketball and football games in Wisconsin,
(06:01):
and then you know, kind of working your way up
to minor league baseball. But I did as much football
and basketball along the way, and did twenty five years
of Big Ten basketball on television when I got here.
That you know, I always kind of felt like I
was a sports play by play guy, not just a
baseball guy. So I guess if you talk to the
nuns at Saint Joe's great School where I went, my
(06:25):
report card always had a check mark self control, which
was not good. So you know, I guess I talked
too much when I was a kid, and it was
a good way to make a living. If you're not
good enough to be a professional player, then to me,
this was the next best thing. And I think you
have to be true to your personality. And too many
(06:46):
times you hear guys kind of emulate who they've listened
to growing up. And I was lucky talking about a
fellow Wisconsin I'd so Jim broke my heart when he
went to Marquette still at University of Wisconsin, but we
found out why. But we had great broadcasters in Wisconsin,
(07:08):
starting with Earl Gillespie in the old Milwaukee Braves games,
and then did Green Bay Packers and Gary Bender and
Jim Irwin and Eddie Ducett. When the Milwaukee Bucks became
an expansion team. There was no such term as in
the toaster until there was Eddie Ducet sky Hook. He
was an incredible NBA play by play man that I
(07:31):
don't think has ever gotten enough do. Gary Bender, I
got to know Gary Merle Harmon. I mean, we had
phenomenal broadcasters that you were listening to them, thinking, boy,
I know I'm not as good as Hank Aaron, but
it sure would be nice to be next to a
Hank Aaron doing the baseball game real quick.
Speaker 2 (07:50):
I want to follow up on this Wisconsin connection though.
Now you're a few years younger than Jim, but Jim
will tell anybody he was a legend in Wisconsin. Tom,
can you verify this?
Speaker 3 (08:01):
How well?
Speaker 2 (08:07):
There you go?
Speaker 4 (08:09):
So until there was Jim Jones, I knew there was
Racine Horlick. I knew there was Racine Park. I knew
there was Kenosha Trumper. I knew there were these schools
down there between Milwaukee and Chicago. Nobody had ever heard
of Racine Saint Catherines. So Jim put them on the
map because we're like, well, this guy can't be any good.
(08:30):
Where's Racine Saint Catherines. Well when he went to Marquette,
we found out how good he was. And you know
that was also the beauty of Marquette and al McGuire.
They were so ahead of their time that al McGuire
never tried to keep guys back and wanted them to
go on and make a living. And that's why Al
always got such great players. They were guys that Wisconsin
(08:53):
was not going to be able to recruit against al McGuire.
Not many people could. So you knew that, oh, if
this guy is going to Marquette, well here's another two losses.
Because in those days, Wisconsin and Marquette one I played
each other home and home.
Speaker 3 (09:08):
Yeah yeah, yeah they did. Rosie, I'm gonna ask you
the same thing. You know, what's your style? I mean,
I mean, is is there a foundational guideline as to
how you approached the game?
Speaker 5 (09:17):
Obviously to make sure you hopefully the score matches up
with the paper the next day, so obviously you want
your details. But I think to Tom's point, I grew
up in New Jersey, and in terms of baseball, when
the sun went down, and this was before the apps
where you can listen to every game, but when the
sun went down and there were these big stations, we
obviously got the Yankees and the Mets, and Phil Rizzuto
(09:39):
was hilarious, and the Mets had Bob Murphy who was
a legend, so they were fun to listen to. But
every once in a while you could pick up Baltimore
and John Miller and Chuck Thompson coming in, or Philadelphia
with Harry Callis. Sometimes Pittsburgh would come in. So you
had all these different teams that you could listen to.
But Jim, I gotta tell you, in the wintertime y
(10:00):
during Hoop's time, I was probably a little bit too
young to catch the end of when the Knicks were
winning that title in seventy three, but still remember Marv
Albert calling games for them. But the current Yankees announcer,
John Sterling, I was an ABA junkie New York Nets
Doctor Billy Paultz.
Speaker 2 (10:18):
Oh John so much.
Speaker 5 (10:20):
And if you didn't know their nicknames, what John Sterling
doing the games? Because it was doctor J down on
the low post to the Whopper back out to Super
John the BT Express over here. You were lost. But
me and grade school buddies, we love the Nets. And
when you were bringing up Carolina Cougar's before there was
the Cougars and the Virginia Squires and all these teams
(10:41):
that you know, nobody really followed, and we were on
them and just love them.
Speaker 3 (10:45):
Well, you know, Luke Carnesseca was our coach that you know,
he left Saint Johns. Wow. He was a Catholic coach.
He worked for Kathleys too, so you know, they never
got paid, you know, they never got paid the real money.
So he went to the nets. You know, bow recruited
in Wow. He went to the Nets for a couple
of years, and then one year I was a rookie there.
Me and Billy Harris who was a rookie for the
(11:08):
hockey team for the Islanders. We would call a million
dollar babies and we both flopped, you know, so you know,
so I remember those days.
Speaker 5 (11:16):
Yeah, it was. It was tremendous the ABA. I was
fortunate to be able to watch the last couple of
years and there weren't many teams left, but those that
were there were some of the great players in the game.
Speaker 2 (11:28):
Really good. We got to sneak in a quick time
out fun conversation. Hemmy and Rosie joining us this week
on CALVS HQ presented by Betway. We'll hear more from
the voices of the Guardians after this on the Cavaliers
Audio Verse.
Speaker 1 (11:47):
One for All, All for One, the Calves and the
Cleveland Guardians. Now back to Tim Alcorn and Jim Jones.
Speaker 2 (11:55):
Welcome back and again a very special show this week.
The Boy of the Guardians, Tom Hamilton, Jim Rosenhouse joining
us here at Rock and Mortgage Field House, right across
the street from Progressive Field. As we talked broadcasting, some baseball,
some basketball, and I want to circle back to what
Tom mentioned earlier and Jim, I'm sure you had influence
(12:18):
as well. You mentioned some of the great announcers. A
couple of weeks ago, I was back in my home
turf back in New England, and I drove by the
house that I grew up in listening to high school
sports on a radio station in Nashua, New Hampshire w SMN, Weather, Sports,
music News. I can still remember it and I thought
(12:38):
that's where the broadcasting bug bit me listening to this
guy on WSMN calling nashaua high football and basketball. That's
what I want to do. So what I want to
ask you to is, do you remember when it first
hit you? Man? That's what I want to do. I mean,
you talked about your influences and listening, But when did
(12:59):
you first realize I want to sit in a booth?
You remember, Tom, Yeah, when you're on a dairy farm,
you have a lot of time to contemplate things.
Speaker 6 (13:10):
You know.
Speaker 4 (13:10):
I was too young to milk, but I'd go down
to the barn with my dad. That view never changed.
But just you know, and again you're dating yourself. But
when you're on a transistor radio, sitting on a porch
in Wisconsin listening to a Milwaukee Braves game wherever, that
(13:34):
just seemed like camelot, you know, one you wanted to
get off the fire and look, I have great respect
for anybody that farms. I have a greater appreciation for
it now because I think our whole family had taught
us a work ethic. But when you're a kid, you
want to be in town. You want to be playing
baseball and basketball and football games with everybody else in
(13:55):
the city. Now, the city for us was thirteen hundred
people with a sign, but that was a lot more
foot traffic than on a dairy farm. But that's where
it hit me. Everybody wants to be a pro athlete,
but usually most of us find out in high school.
Speaker 3 (14:11):
Eh, that's not happening. Rosie.
Speaker 2 (14:14):
You enjoyed listening, But when did you realize it's what
I want to do.
Speaker 5 (14:18):
You know, it's hard because when you're listening, you're thinking, well,
I could never do that. I mean, these guys are great,
so like, how would you go from point A to
point B and actually do that? And I don't think
I really thought about that part of it till I
got to college and actually was able to call a game.
I had never called a game until college. I know nowadays,
(14:39):
you know, seems like so many high school kids get
an opportunity. But I had a chance to call it
a college basketball game for Lafayette on the student station.
Then I thought, well that was fun. And had a
chance to do some football games and actually some baseball
games as well, and that's when I thought, all right,
maybe this could be a living how to get to
a major league opportunity though still seem so far fetched.
(15:01):
I mean I started at a tiny radio station that
it was a daytimer. He had to turn it on
in the morning. Talk about pressure not being on the air.
But I hope, you know, if I turn these right dials,
this thing better come up, or the boss is gonna
call and say where's the station at six am? But yeah,
I mean I guess along the way, you meet different
people and you start to figure out a path. And
(15:22):
I was fortunate enough to get hired in the minor leagues.
And then you just keep plugging away.
Speaker 2 (15:27):
Jimmy, can I set up your answer because you've shared
this with me?
Speaker 3 (15:30):
What's a your bug?
Speaker 2 (15:32):
As far as broadcasting started with Joe always having you
on the postgame show.
Speaker 3 (15:38):
Yeah, having me on the postgame show and having a
big yellow sheet of paper and tell me there's no
such thing as himself his self And he scribbled it
all there, and he scribbled it all there, and he
tear up the sheet. You talking about learning the only
thing that saved He was so old. I think if
I had a punch it, I might have killed him.
(15:58):
But that's how I learned, you know, by listening Joe Tate.
But also I want to say this, everything big starts small.
Isn't that true? But it has to be in you. Right,
I'm gonna go out on a limb, but it's not
too far out a limb. That both of you guys
like to read books. Yes, that's right. I'm a reader. Yep,
you guys know that helps your diction, your flow. Everything
(16:22):
is reading. I read. I've got a library in my
little apartment of about six hundred books and I'm reading
everything I can get my hands on. And it helps
our broadcast, doesn't he.
Speaker 2 (16:32):
He takes half those books on the plane. Every time
I look over, he's reading something different. He's immersed in.
A book is still better than a kindle.
Speaker 3 (16:41):
It is no question about it.
Speaker 2 (16:43):
Oh, this is so much fun, having a lot of
fun with Tom Hamilton, Jim Rosenhouse from the Guardians Radio Network.
We'll get in a time out. We've got one more
segment with he, me and Rosie, so stay with us
Son the Cavaliers Audio Verse.
Speaker 1 (17:02):
On July twenty fourth, Rock and Mortgage, field House and
the Cleveland Cavaliers helped host part of the forty seventh
Annual Noble Conference. Noble stands for a national organization of
black law enforcement executives and consist of community leaders united
in their mission to promote justice, equity, and excellence in
the administration of justice. Noble Annual Training Conference and Exhibition
(17:23):
is a gathering of leaders from across the world that
encompasses law enforcement, corporate government, education, and civic industries. Over
fourteen hundred attendees participating in training workshops, youth leadership training,
business meetings, regional caucuses, and award celebrations. Calves in the
Community is brought to you by Discount Drug March. We'll
be back with the second half of Calves HQ, presented
(17:46):
by that Way. Right after this on the Cavaliers Audio Verse,
talking Guardians Baseball with Hemmy and Rosie on CALVS HQ
presented by Bedway. Now once again, here's Tim Alcorn and
(18:06):
Jim Jones.
Speaker 2 (18:12):
This might be the best baseball song there is. John Fogerty,
of course from CCR, Welcome back. We're having so much
fun with Hammy and Rosie as they join us for
this week's edition of Cavs HQ, presented by Betway. Jimmy,
want to get things started here in our third and
final segment with.
Speaker 3 (18:28):
Well, we've got to talk Tito. What is Tito like? Rosie.
Speaker 5 (18:33):
Tom would know better because he interviews him every day.
But yeah, from my perspective, he's been wonderful. I here's
Tito in a nutshell. I met some people at Flannery's
Pub for lunch that are from Seattle. I went the
wrong way and I was coming up the fourth Street alley.
Tito hollers at me, what the hell are you doing.
He's sitting on his scooter wondering what I'm doing.
Speaker 3 (18:58):
This is the.
Speaker 4 (18:58):
Major league manager, a Hall of Famer, to be on
his scooter. We talked for a little bit, and out
the alley he goes. A car almost hits them because
they can't believe it's Tito. Tito waves and keeps going.
That's Tito. There is not one pretentious bone in his body.
(19:19):
He's as good a manager as the game has ever met.
He's also a better person and Jim, if I could
sum up Tito one other way. So we go to
the World Series in sixteen. The next spring in twenty seventeen,
people want to get a picture of the American League
Championship trophy with Tito, and Tito goes great, but he
(19:41):
goes everybody in this building, and that includes the janitors.
That includes the people that clean the ballpark. I won't
do it unless everybody gets the same opportunity. And I'll
do this for the next three days, and everybody part time,
full time, no matter where you are on the food scale,
(20:02):
so to speak. All got a picture with Tito because
he insisted on it. How big a deal do you
think that was for some people that were like, Tito
wants to get a picture with me.
Speaker 3 (20:12):
Yes, that's Tito.
Speaker 4 (20:13):
He doesn't think he's better than anyone.
Speaker 3 (20:16):
You know, he used to surprise us because you know,
we went to the NBA Finals four straight years against
the Warriors. And we get off our bus and I
see this golf cart coming down and there's two guys
that I don't know who the other person was, and
I'm looking and it's just Tito.
Speaker 2 (20:34):
He's spitting man.
Speaker 3 (20:35):
He said, Okay, guys, I'm going in with you. I mean,
he's just I mean, he loves basketball.
Speaker 4 (20:40):
He's got courtside seats at the University of Arizona in Tucson,
where he lives. In the off season, he had season
tickets for the Calves. He finally had to give him
up because he just couldn't get there. Enough, and Jim
he knows the game. He was a really good player
when he managed Michael Jordan in Double A when Michael
(21:02):
took the year off. So here's a quick story. I
better make it quick. You're gonna want to take it
those last time it. So, Michael Jordan impressed enough that
he got invited to the Arizona Fall League, where all
your top minor league prospects come. Tito's one of the coaches.
Tito was a really good basketball player in high school.
They start playing pickup games with Michael Jordan. Word starts
(21:26):
to spread around the valley. Michael Jordan is playing pickup
games during the Arizona Fall League after baseball. So now,
Tito says, he played it like you and I played it.
Winner stays on the court, not aau where I don't
care if I lose. I got another game at two o'clock.
You lose, you wait an hour or two hours before anyhow,
(21:48):
Tito says, we've won five in a row.
Speaker 2 (21:50):
I'm dead.
Speaker 4 (21:52):
I'm dead. We're down one. Tito takes the shot, misses it.
They take it the other way, slam it, win the game.
They're walking off the court. Tito says, I'm crawling off
the court and Michael is furious. He hollers from behind Tito, Tito,
(22:13):
I always take the last shot. Tito keeps walking, yeah whatever.
Michael Jordan comes around, pokes him in the chest. I
always take the last shot.
Speaker 3 (22:28):
Wow.
Speaker 4 (22:30):
And as he spins away and walks away, Tito goes, hey, Michael,
now you know what it's like for me to watch
you try to hit a curry. Michael Jordan dropped to
his knees, laughing so hard. And they to this day
are extremely tight. Really, that's very very tight.
Speaker 2 (22:54):
All the stories Hammy is shared with me, I've never
heard that one, but Jim, you and I have talked about,
both on air and off air, the similarities between Tito
and JB. Yes, growing up around the game all year around,
do they they've become pretty tight. But Tito with his dad,
JB with Bernie Bickers staff, that clubhouse experience from a
(23:15):
little guy, knowing what it takes not only to coach,
but to interact and massage personalities if you have to.
Tito's a master, you know.
Speaker 5 (23:25):
I think he's at his best in spring training near
the end when they might have to release somebody or
at least send them down to Triple A. He was
there as a player. He doesn't sugarcoat it. He's honest
with guys, and I think they appreciate that the way
he handles that, because I think for him that might
be the hardest part of his spring is letting guys
at the end of the roster who you know, obviously
(23:46):
wouldn't have that much impact on your team. They're not superstars.
But I think that that's hard for him.
Speaker 4 (23:52):
There's empathy there, yeah, you know, because he knows exactly Jim.
He knows that some of these eyes it's the end
of the line. He's basically telling them, you have to
get another career, and that's not easy.
Speaker 3 (24:06):
Emy.
Speaker 2 (24:06):
You mentioned Tito's Hall of Fame bound. I think you
will be someday in the Ford frick wing. So I
want to ask you about it. This past week, you
called a no hitter down in Houston. Now it's against
the Guardians, but you gave it as much energy and
as much passion because you're calling history. How much do
(24:27):
you rise to the moment when you understand something very
special is happening or about to happen.
Speaker 4 (24:35):
I appreciate the kind words. I hope I don't. I
hope I treat every game that way. Now, look, there
are special moments. That was a special moment. I mean,
Rosie and I are sitting there watching history. We didn't
pay to get in and we have the best seat
in the house. So if you can't be engaged with that,
then it's time to get into a different line of work.
(24:57):
So I've seen seven no hitters now, all of them
against the Indian Slash Guardians, So I'm getting real experience to.
Speaker 2 (25:10):
So Lenny's is still the last one?
Speaker 4 (25:13):
Yeah, nineteen eighty.
Speaker 2 (25:14):
One, Lenn Barker, Oh, Lenny and Joe called it on
his birthday and his anniversary. Really, that was Joe Dade's
birthday and anniversary the night Wow, big Lenny. Joe was
working on his birthday and anniversary. But quite a selling
us Joe ever, not working doing the NBA League Baseball Jim.
(25:35):
Final question before we let these guys fly.
Speaker 3 (25:37):
No, I just want to say that all of you
guys set the standard for all of us. Oh, thank you.
You know, because our fans, they go from one sport
to the other, and if there's no continuity and if
there's not a certain level of intellect and information given
you know, they'll let us know. So I just want
to thank you for being part of this whole Cleveland
sports experience. Thank you guys very much.
Speaker 4 (25:59):
Oh, thank you and again Jim. I mean, we're not
trying to throw bouquets at each other. But when you
have a former player that accomplished what you did and
then works as hard at broadcasting, that's a gift to
the audience because Rosie and I and Tim will all
be the first to say whether you're a next basketball player,
major league player. You guys see things the rest of
(26:21):
us will never see, and give us insight and teach
us every night that we listen to a ballgame. So
it's been an honor to be with yourself along with Tim,
and I've almost forgiven you for not being a badger.
Speaker 3 (26:38):
Later in the year, we've got to tell that story.
We've got to tell that story because all those parties
are probably did I'm seventy three, so I don't think
we step on too many people's feet.
Speaker 2 (26:49):
Yeah, at this point doesn't matter to the Wisconsin alums.
Speaker 3 (26:55):
That does.
Speaker 4 (26:57):
Thought.
Speaker 5 (26:57):
I'd just like to say we have easier job because
we always hear people say, oh, I'm out on my
boat on the lake. I'm in the backyard having a
cold one. You guys, you're getting people through nasty winners
in northeast Ohio. That's heavy lifting and you do a
great job with it. You're always enjoyable to listen to
you guys for sure. And by the way, I'm sure
(27:18):
I speak for all of us. Jim and I here
representing the Cavaliers, the two of you representing the Guardians.
Want to send out heartfelt thoughts to Jim Donovan, Voice
of the Browns. He did the Hall of Fame game
and we wish him nothing but the best of his recovery.
So again, you know he is good and talk about tough.
Speaker 4 (27:39):
Wow.
Speaker 2 (27:39):
Yeah, so again, Jimmy, we wish you the best.
Speaker 3 (27:42):
Guys.
Speaker 2 (27:42):
I cannot thank you enough. This has been such a pleasure.
Let's do it annually. We'd love it. Thank you for
including us absolutely again, Emmy and Rosie, Tom Hamilton, Jim
rosen House from the Guardians Radio Network joining us this
week on CAVS HQ. We've got a special guest coming up.
Ryan Saunders, the son of Flip Saunders, is going to
(28:04):
be spending a few moments with us. Ryan and the
Saunders family taking part in a very special event today
Sunday over in Brooklyn Heights. So we'll talk to Ryan
after this. On the Cavaliers Audio Verse.
Speaker 1 (28:20):
You're experiencing calvs HQ on the Cavaliers Audio Verse once again.
Here's Tim Alcorn and Jim Jones.
Speaker 6 (28:29):
Welcome back.
Speaker 2 (28:30):
It's cavs HQ. Great to have you with us on
this Sunday, and by a very special guest joining us.
If you're an NBA basketball fan, you go back into
the late nineties into the two thousands. One of the
great NBA coaches at that time was Flip Saunders, who
of course had a remarkable career on a few benches,
(28:51):
eleven years with Minnesota, a few with Detroit and Washington,
and sadly Flip passed away in twenty and fifteen, but
his son has carried on the coaching legacy and the
family has Northeast Ohio roots Flip and his family from
Cuyahoga Heights, and later today there is going to be
(29:13):
a very special presentation in Brooklyn Heights for a park
that the Saunders family has had so much to do
with and has helped formulate. So we're really thrilled to
have talk about that and his role in the Denver
Nuggets winning the NBA title this year. Ryan Saunders the
son of Flip and currently an assistant coach with the
(29:36):
Denver Nuggets. Hey, Ryan, great to have you on.
Speaker 7 (29:38):
We really appreciate it absolutely, Tim, great to be with
you guys, And like you said, my family has deep
ties to the Cleveland area and we're really excited to
be a part of something here today, you know, just
to be a part of the community and see some
people and really really dedicate a special area just a
(30:00):
basketball court, but park and pickle ball courts and everything
you know, in my father's name. So we're super excited
to be here in Cleveland.
Speaker 2 (30:07):
So give us a quick synopsis, Ryan, as to how
this all came together and the particulars as far as
today's event is concerned.
Speaker 6 (30:16):
Yeah, well, my mom did most of the.
Speaker 7 (30:18):
Work, as they usually do, as it always happens.
Speaker 6 (30:22):
There's, especially in pro sports.
Speaker 7 (30:25):
You know, the women, they're the ones who make all
the sacrifices, who do all the hard stuff. And then
you know guys like me, my father when he was around,
you know, we get to jump on and and hang
with you guys and talk about you know how much
fun it's going to be to shoot hoops out there
and do those.
Speaker 6 (30:40):
Types of things.
Speaker 7 (30:40):
So, you know, my mother, Debbie, she you know, spent
a lot of time obviously with my dad, you know,
met at the University of Minnesota, would come back to
the Brooklyn Heights area. I'm sure he drugger down there
to you know, shoot and watch watch him work out
a little bit to it, you know, his favorite court
in Brooklyn Heights. So you know, we always knew once
he passed away, we wanted to find ways to honor him,
(31:02):
and you know, give her a lot of credit that
you know, she didn't want to just do things, you know,
just to kind of you know, just do them just
for publicity or.
Speaker 6 (31:11):
Just do things as the money you know, would.
Speaker 7 (31:13):
Come into the Flip Sounder's Legacy Fund, which were really
grateful that people have stepped up over years. She wanted
to be smart with that and where we put that money.
And you know, this sounded like a great place to
do it, and we knew it was a place here
in my dad's heart. His brother Greg also who tragically
passed away last year.
Speaker 6 (31:32):
You know, they had great times there.
Speaker 7 (31:33):
And then Mark Turmany longtime friend, attorney sports agent. He
did an incredible amount of work working with a number
of folks within the Brooklyn Heights area and the park,
you know, just to just to really spearhead this and
make it something that's going to be really special for
everybody around there, right.
Speaker 3 (31:51):
And I just want to say from the top that
your dad was a class guy. He had the ability
to relate to any and everybody. And I know coming up,
they weren't rich. You know, it's a silver spoon, even
a golden spoon, probably didn't even have spoons. But your dad,
but your but your dad's family. He talked about his
(32:11):
father quite a bit. And I know that that whole
family is very close to your sister and everybody else
and Mom and I met all of them through Kayla.
Let me tell you a short story. Mark hooked it
up where Kayla was gonna be interviewed by your dad
for an opening at Minnesota. So they met around noon,
they had lunch. She came back she said, Dad, I
(32:32):
got the job, and later on I heard the flip said, oh,
I didn't have to offer it. She took the job.
Speaker 6 (32:40):
That's the way it should be with him. Don't let
him don't let him go back to.
Speaker 3 (32:50):
Right right, right right. So you know, so the point
is that we're all tired at the hip. You have
a fantastic family. You won't say it, but I will.
They didn't give you enough time to develop that talent
now you know in Minnesota, but now you know that
it does work because you're with a franchise that stayed
with a couple of kids through rain and sleet and snow,
(33:11):
and eight years later their World champs. Talk a little
bit about that.
Speaker 7 (33:15):
I appreciate you know, all the kind words, and you know,
our our family feels the same way about you guys
and the Chunes and just we have a lot of
fond memories, especially working with Kayla in Minnesota.
Speaker 6 (33:25):
So really grateful that you know, our past cross there.
Speaker 7 (33:28):
And yeah, you know, I'm grateful for my time in Minnesota,
you know, whether it be you know, as an assistant
or as the head coach there. I feel proud of
my time there that you know, every every team. My
father always to talk about this is you know, there's
there's always seasons, you know in the NBA quote unquote seasons,
but then there are seasons of an organization and sometimes
(33:49):
those seasons can be you know, two three years, and
that might mean you know, it's a development time or
it's it's a time to go from a good team
to you know, maybe having a tough loss in the
playoffs propels you to be a great team. And I
feel very fortunate to be there for some development years
in Minnesota. There's still a lot of great people there.
But then I'm also a also feel unbelievably fortunate to
(34:12):
be with the Nuggets and this last year just to
be around a group that I've never been a part
of a more selfless group of individuals. And I'm not
just talking about you know, players, I'm talking about you know, coaches,
front office members.
Speaker 6 (34:26):
Training staff.
Speaker 7 (34:27):
You know, no matter what, there was one goal and
every day that goal was to be better than the
day before, with the ultimate goal of trying to win
an NBA championship. And I tell you, I've never seen
a group buy in to an organization the way this
whole group did. But then also I've never seen a
group give something up of themselves as everybody wants, you know,
(34:48):
individual glory and statistics and everything, but I've never seen
players give up playing time something that they really wanted
you know, to work towards a greater goal, and a
lot of that goes to NICOLEA jokicch and just how
he approaches every day and his workman like attitude. It's
just been really really special to be around that group.
Speaker 2 (35:08):
Ryan's final question for you. The Cleveland connections are all
over the place here between you and Jim Jones, and
of course Cavs head coach JB. Bickerstaff when he was
in Minnesota with your dad and the organization, and Mike Malone,
former Cavs assistant coach, the head coach now in Denver
that you serve with. Just talk about Mike and as
(35:28):
Jim alluded to earlier, the perseverance and the patience to
guide this thing through the end. Your thoughts and really
what you learned from Mike Malone.
Speaker 6 (35:39):
Oh yeah, I.
Speaker 7 (35:39):
Mean it's we don't have enough time to talk about
all that, because the way he approaches the game, it's
really special. And you know, being with him this last year,
maybe a better coach, maybe better.
Speaker 6 (35:51):
In a lot of ways.
Speaker 7 (35:52):
And I think something that you know, he's very fiery,
as coaches should be on the sideline, but something that
doesn't get talked about enough great family man, you know,
watching him and his daughters, you know, in terms of volleyball,
you know, very good volleyball players, watching how proud he
would get coming to the office, being able to separate
(36:12):
you know, the winning, you know, the coaching, but also
into family time. That was something that that I really took.
Having two young kids, a four year old and a
two year old, it was really special to watch. So, uh, yeah,
I'm really grateful to get part of that organization. And
quick fun story. You know, JD is actually a close
friend of mine. When I was going to the umerous
in Minnesota on my recruiting visit, he was transitioning out
(36:35):
of there. I think he was going to work for
the Timberwolves in some capacity, but he was actually one
of the guys that I kind of hosting me on
my recruiting visit, so he uh you know, so jb uh,
you know, I'm kind of recruiting me there, and we've
kept in touch and we actually talk a great deal,
you know, throughout the year, and and uh, you know,
I think he's going an unbelievable job in Cleveland, and
(36:56):
uh really look forward to, uh seeing what he's able
to do, you know, with that group moving forward because
they got a lot of great pieces.
Speaker 2 (37:03):
Well, what happened on the recruiting visit will stay the
recruiting visit. But Ryan, you mentioned, you mentioned family, It
comes full circle. Congratulations to you and the Saunders family
for the event that will take place today in Brooklyn Heights.
Your father left an incredible legacy, so to you and
(37:26):
your mom and the family. Again, congratulations and congratulations on
a world championship in Denver, Man.
Speaker 3 (37:32):
That's awesome.
Speaker 7 (37:33):
Congratulations Ryan, Thanks Bellows is great talking to you guys,
and hope we can do it again sometime.
Speaker 6 (37:37):
You got my number now, Yeah, I'm not gonna lose it.
Speaker 3 (37:40):
I'll tell you that, don't lose it.
Speaker 6 (37:42):
Don't lose it.
Speaker 3 (37:43):
We appreciate it.
Speaker 2 (37:44):
Thanks Ryan, Ryan Saunders joining us here on Cavs HQ
presented by Betway. That was special and again a very
special event today in Brooklyn Heights Park dedication in his
dad's name, Flip Saunders. Well, we'll take a time out,
we'll put the finishing touches on this week's show. Stay
with us. We're coming back after this. On the Cavaliers
Audio Verse, It's gonna do it. For this week's edition
(38:07):
of Cavs HQ presented by Betway. Huge thanks to Ryan
Saunders Way. What a special day for the Saunders family
and the city of Brooklyn Heights today and Jim earlier,
Hammy and Rosie. That was some fun chatting with Tom
and Jim.
Speaker 3 (38:23):
Well, it's baseball season right now, and the Guardians and
the Houston Astros are my favorite team. And they just
picked up vander what's his name, Van Verlander? Verlander. I'm sorry, Verlin.
You won't say how much I know about baseball. And
they just picked up Verlander, and I make a prediction,
Marty that they're gonna repeat, all right.
Speaker 2 (38:44):
Verlander is a huge addition to them. So it's been
a fun show. We're glad you dialed in. We'll talk
again next week on Cavs HQ presented by Betway. So
until then, so long, everybody, Star
Speaker 3 (39:04):
Stud
Hosts And Creators
Tim Alcorn
Jim Chones
Popular Podcasts
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com
24/7 News: The Latest
The latest news in 4 minutes updated every hour, every day.
Therapy Gecko
An unlicensed lizard psychologist travels the universe talking to strangers about absolutely nothing. TO CALL THE GECKO: follow me on https://www.twitch.tv/lyleforever to get a notification for when I am taking calls. I am usually live Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays but lately a lot of other times too. I am a gecko.