Well, that was interesting: “Pitching” for WNET

May 26, 2011

Had an unusual and fun experience on Tuesday.

WNET/Channel 13 will broadcast the documentary Jews and Baseball: An American Love Story on Monday, June 6, at 8 p.m. According to the program description on the website, “Yogi Berra, Sandy Koufax and more greats are featured in this look at Jewish Americans and baseball.” Didn’t know Yogi converted. Yossi Berra?

Anyway, I was asked to be one of the talking heads they have on during those “pledge intermissions.” Quite flattering, actually.

Obviously offering a pertinent response to one of WNET chief Neal Shapiro's questions.

It was interesting to go through the process. I received my BA and MS degrees in radio and television production, but that was back in the days when the cameras (at least the ones we used at the Brooklyn College TV station) had still vacuum tubes. Now it’s, like, where are the camera operators? Evidently, studio work can be done by remote control now. And it’s no joke to say they had to apply my makeup with an air brush. (Hey, they do it that way to everybody, all right?)

The segments were shot live on tape, which meant no room for mistakes or do-overs. Great. No pressure.

The taping also gave me a chance to catch up with Howard Megdal, author of The Baseball Talmud: The Definitive Position-by-Position Ranking of Baseball’s Chosen Players and the just-released Taking the Field: A Fan’s Quest to Run the Team He Loves, about his efforts to become general manager of the Mets. Perhaps if he did have control of the team, Wilpon wouldn’t be in such trouble. You never know.

Megdal — it was he who recommended me to the folks at WNET, so a tip of the cap to you, my friend — was also interviewed for the intermission portion of the program and even had a turn as host in a Q&A with Ira Berkow, the Pulitzer Prize-winning author who served as writer for Jews and Baseball.

It’s my understanding that the original documentary will have to be shortened to fit the time slot and “pledging” requirements needs, so it will be interesting to see what they leave on the cutting room floor, or whatever the appropriate term is these days.

So remember, Monday, June 6 at 8 p.m. And don’t forget to make a pledge.

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