So I found out as I was leaving on Monday that on Wednesday I was needed at 11am, not my usual call time of 12-noon AND I would be meeting Robert at the Texans OTAs which would be concluding around 11:35am. We would be there to collect audio from coaches and players. First time out of the station on the road. Sounded like fun!!!
So I got up extra early of course because I thought I would be an idiot and sleep over my alarm. I sat around with anticipation until I finally left to go to Reliant Park and Texans OTAs. I got there 15 minutes early I was so excited and did not even eat lunch. Once Robert got there, we made our way into the facility. There was a good amount of media there. I looked around to see who I immediately recognized from other stations and noticed guys from ABC-13, FSN-Houston, CBS-11 and John McClain from the Chronicle.
Once practice concluded, my goal was singular. Go to Kubiak. ...sweet. So as the coach made his way off the field I noticed the swarm of media make their way towards him. I kinda took my time knowing I would get there, and I did, but not quite realizing how quickly holes disappear when you are looking for one. I seemed to be on the outside trying to get in. I did. YEA! I found myself looking across at Texans TV reporter Brooke Bentley, she is very good looking, to say the least. She seemed very nice when I was trying to get some audio from Coach Bush a few minutes later. I kinda reached over her a little bit trying to get in there, she looked back and said, "is that good?" and we exchanged smiles of gratitude.
I also got to listen to Bruce Matthews give some insight into what he feels like being on the coaching side now and not suiting up and playing. I also watched Robert interview Steve Slaton and Antone Caldwell. Once we got it all, we headed back to the station to cut it all up.
That was my job. Using Cool Edit, I produced about 7 cuts from what I gathered and 6 more from what Robert collected, with his assistance. We were on a tight schedule because at 2pm, we were off to Minute Maid Park. Today, the Texans were participating in a Home Run Derby of sorts to benefit the Boys and Girls Club of Houston.
After getting to the Ballpark, making our way in and to the press area, I received my first ever press pass to Minute Maid Park. It was a one-day pass that had my name on it, the date and 'KTRH' which Robert put down for me by accident.
With the derby scheduled for 3:30, things for the Astros game were pushed around. I stayed around for the entire derby, getting some video of Eric Winston and Matt Schaub hitting the ball out of the park.
Winston hit more home runs in the competition for charity but Matt Schaub was crowned the winner as he hit a target in the Crawford boxes that was worth $2,500. Winston hit two home runs after the main competition that were each worth $10,000. By far one of the worst with a bat in his hand was wide receiver Andre Johnson. He had issues getting the ball past the infield grass. In the second round, he was pitched to underhanded and it seemed to work as he sent three balls into the outfield including one that clipped a $1,000 target.
After all was said and done, Eric Winston was needed for an interview that he agreed to do before the competition with the afternoon guys Rich, Matt and Robert. I waited on the field after Eric did all his post competition stuff with other members of the media and then proceeded to grab him and let him know why I was there. He went to look for his family and we as a group made our way up to the press area along with Owen Daniels and David Anderson.
The interview was great, Eric was really nice and he has a beautiful family. I really hope be able to talk to him again. Once the interview ended, I hung around a little bit, but also got the grand tour of what the media has available to them during the games.
Making our way up the stair well that is direct from the locker room hall on the bottom floor up to the media row continued up to where the broadcast booths are AND the media dining room. Meals cost $10 a piece and I'm sure are pretty good, but like sitting in a $42 seat with a $7 ticket (story for another post), there are cheaper ways to get what you want. On the other side from where the fancy food is, they have a spread of fried chicken, hot dogs, (chili/cheese can be added), popcorn, peanuts, chips, cookies, cake, ice cream cones, frozen lemonade, fountain drinks and IT'S ALL FREE.
I was pretty much done with the internship for the day around 5pm, but decided I was going to stick around for the first game I could. After getting some food, I headed back and enjoyed the game from press row. I kept score with a scorecard and met Shaun, one of the other part time guys at 610. We had fun watching the game and it was interesting keeping him caught up on what he had missed two plays prior.
After an interesting start to the game that saw the Astros bat out of order due to a lineup card issue, the hometown team held on to win the game, thanks to a great pitching performance from Wandy Rodriguez halting the 7-game win streak of Milwaukee.
After the game, I went to get sound from Milwaukee manager Ken Macha. I also walked by Bob Uecker, Brewers broadcster in the hallway as he was headed to the lockerroom as well. Great day!
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