THIS WEEK:
- Dickerson's days
- Eye Opener
- Rising Stars, Falling Stars: Who was hot and not for NESN on Opening Day
at Fenway Park?
Dickerson talks frankly about family and future
He has his own nightly show on Fox Sports Net (FSN), is the top fill-in host at Sports Radio 850 WEEI and co-hosts two highly successful WEEI weekend shows. At 33, his resume rivals that of someone ten years his senior.
Greg Dickerson's rise has been meteoric, from a Worcester IceCats PA announcer in
1995 to one of the most recognized faces and voices in Boston sports media.
Dickerson was recently named to replace Bob Neumeier as co-host of WEEI'
s "Red Sox Baseball Today," Sundays at 9:00 a.m. "I didn't want to work
seven days a week," says Dickerson. "But it is such a great job. I just
couldn't turn it down. People hang on every word about the Red Sox and the
program is the "must-listen-to' show at the station. WEEI pays me a nice
addition to what I make at FSN, but this was not about the money."
As co-host of FSN's "New England Sports Tonight" (weeknights at 6:30
p.m. and 10:00 p.m.) and co-host of WEEI's Saturday "Wallach and Dickerson"
show, Dickerson's plate is quite full. His inability to say no to an
opportunity is a personal one.
He states, "My father (Randy) was a workaholic. He was senior vice
president of human resources for many companies including Bradlees and Stop and
Shop, and regularly worked 10-hour days. My brother has three jobs. I was
on unemployment for three years, so I love to work. I am not the
best-looking or smoothest guy in the world. I have to work hard to succeed in this
business."
Dickerson is WEEI's top fill-in host, yet has been passed over for the
lucrative midday co-hosting slot twice. "I very much wanted that job," he
says. "Bob Neumeier and Michael Holley both have great track records, but if
offered the job, I'd have taken it."
If hired, Dickerson says he would have continued "New England Sports
Tonight" and "Wallach and Dickerson." He is philosophical about future
opportunities. "I think they have to get Dale out of there," he jokes. "I
suspect that in three years, it will open up again. Clearly, I can't work alongside
Dale, so I guess he has to go."
With the addition of "Red Sox Baseball Today" to his work slate,
Dickerson is now on the air seven days a week. He is frank in discussing how the
business impacts his personal life. "It definitely puts a strain on things.
My wife Shannon is the most wonderful person and I really feel bad that she
married me. I am addicted to this business.
"We want to have kids soon, but I don't give my wife nearly enough
time. I made a commitment to her in church and I should put more into it. I
spend time with her Sunday night, and then really not again until the following
Saturday morning. It's very difficult."
This personal strain is very much a part of Dickerson's mindset as his
FSN contract expires next month. Dickerson's agent Ken Fishkin is handling
negotiations. Fishkin would not comment in detail saying only that
negotiations with FSN had yet to begin. A call to FSN general manager David Woodman has gone unanswered.
Says Dickerson, "I've thought about quitting. I don't want my
marriage to be a statistic. Gary (co-host Tanguay) is as real as it gets in a
business full of people who are fake and treat each other like (expletive
deleted). He is a great friend and I love our crew, but maybe it's time to grow up.
We'll see."
Title Top Ten
NESN and the Red Sox marketing staff presented a masterpiece for the
team's Fenway Park Opening Day Pregame Ceremony. It was simply some of the
best television that I've seen in quite a long time. Here are my top ten
moments.
Past Red Sox championship banners being unfurled across the left field wall,
then covered by a gigantic 2004 World Championship banner with the Boston
Symphony Orchestra and Boston Pops playing live in the background.
Former Red Sox players participating. The likes of Dwight Evans, Fred Lynn,
Jim Rice, Tommy Harper, Bill Lee, Oil Can Boyd, Luis Tiant, Butch Hobson,
Bruce Hurst, Sam Horn and Bob Montgomery paid tribute to the team's glorious
past.
Kevin Millar breaking from the pack to go over and hug Luis Tiant. It shows
that this current team really does respect their predecessors.
NESN's cameras following Red Sox legend Johnny Pesky as he received his
championship ring and joyously hugged every member of the team.
Boston sports legends Bill Russell, Bobby Orr, Richard Seymour and Tedy
Bruschi tossing out the first pitches. Seeing Bruschi healthy, active and smiling
was extra special.
The entire Yankees team, including general manager Brian Cashman, assembled
in their dugout watching the pregame ceremony. The empire may indeed be evil,
but it is also drenched with class and respect.
Johnny Pesky and Carl Yastrzemski raising the 2004 Championship flag in
centerfield. No two men more fully personify the history of the Red Sox.
Wounded American soldiers, wheelchairs and all, carrying the World Series
Trophy and the 2004 championship rings across the diamond. A great moment for
these real heroes.
Red Sox fans cheering mightily when Yankee closer and 2004 ALCS goat Mariano
Rivera was introduced. The standing ovation was Boston at its best and no
one got a greater kick out of it than the wide-smiling Rivera himself.
The return of former Red Sox players Derek Lowe and Dave Roberts. They got
the loudest cheers wearing their old Boston jerseys for one last hurrah.
They deserve credit for showing that departure doesn't have to mean disdain.
Are you listening, Pedro?
Rising Stars
Chris Snow- Globe beat writer did a nice pregame interview with Eric Frede on
the field at Fenway. Shared some good insight on Terry Francona's health.
Snow looked comfortable on-air and is the best young writer in Boston.
Eric Frede- Fresh off the NCAA Frozen Four, Frede did a great job with
pregame interviews. He set the scene from the Fenway field and was as energetic
and enthusiastic as the day itself.
Don Orsillo- He is now the singular television voice of the Red Sox and the
rise in confidence is apparent. Orsillo handled pregame master of ceremonies
duties flawlessly and called a terrific home opener.
Falling Stars
Kevin Paul Dupont- He is quite simply the best hockey writer, and one of the
best pure writers, on the planet, but Dupont seemed apathetic and added little
insight alongside Eric Frede in a pregame interview.
Master of Ceremonies positioning- Don Orsillo and Joe Castiglione were
awkwardly separated as they introduced the pregame festivities. The slightest
movement knocked one or the other out of camera shot. Very annoying to watch.
Ring Ceremony- The video of each player's ring on the scoreboard was a nice
touch, but recipients should have been verbally introduced as well. The Red
Sox coaching and training staff came out of the dugout almost anonymously.
John Molori's columns are published in The Providence Journal, The Boston
Metro, The Lawrence Eagle-Tribune, The Salem Evening News, The Newburyport Daily
News, The Gloucester Times, The Lowell Sun, Patriots Football Weekly, Boston
Sports Review, New England Hockey Journal, PatsFans.com, BostonPressBox.com,
BostonSportsMedia.com, RedSoxNation.net and MethuenOnline.com. Email John at
JOMOL3@aol.com.
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