Thursday, November 13, 2008

Ahh… Good ‘ol NPR
I woke up this morning learning of Major League Baseball’s awarding of American League Manager of the Year to Joe Maddon. This was not unexpected since he led the Tampa Bay Rays to the World Series.
I was hearing this report on NPR. This always makes me laugh a little. I don’t know if they are trying to prove that they are “with it” at NPR with their slight tips of the cap to the world of sports, but it comes across rather comical . . . “In Major League Baseball last night, the Atlanta Braves won a contest against the Metropolitans of New York, 3 runs to 2.”
This morning’s laugh was not from the Joe Maddon announcement. The voice on the radio also informed me of the new National League Manager of the Year with that public radio flair of one who knew noting about sports: “Lou Piniella (pronounced PEEN-yay-la) of the Chicago Cubs.”
I wonder if they asked Ken Burns how to pronounce it and he’s the one laughing more this morning. I also hope Lou heard it, because I would like to flashback to 1991 and again hear, “Get off me, Lou!” but this time it’s in that monotone, lullaby voice that tries to wake me up each morning.