Saturday flashback: Remembering the great Jim McKay

You can’t help but think about Jim McKay every time there’s an Olympics. He and Roone Arledge helped make the event into a TV spectacle.

In fact, the IOC should give a cut of those billion dollar-plus contract to each of their families. I’m sure CBS Sports president Sean McManus, McKay’s son, would be in favor of that.

Here’s a 1991 interview Bob Costas did with McKay.

July 4 Flashback: Lou Gehrig’s farewell speech

On July 4, 1939, Lou Gehrig made a dramatic farewell at Yankee Stadium. Keep in mind, Gehrig didn’t want to make a speech on that day. He only stepped up to the microphone after some prodding by manager Joe McCarthy.

He then delivered his immortal line.

And here’s the movie version from Pride of the Yankees. Gary Cooper also nailed it.

Saturday flashback: Harry Caray interview with Jordan, the baseball player; game highlights at Wrigley

Harry Caray was prone to a little hyperbole. So don’t quite believe him when he opens his interview with Michael Jordan, wearing a White Sox uniform, by saying, “It is the biggest thrill of my life.”

Still, it was a unique day. Caray interviewed Jordan prior to a Cubs-White Sox exhibition game on April 7, 1994. It was the only game Jordan played in a Major League park. As usual, Jordan rose to the occasion, going 2 for 5, including a double.

Saturday flashback: Interview with LeBron James at 16; check out the hair

Before all the hoopla, LeBron James was just a high school kid with an earring and a big mound of hair.

Actually, he never was a normal kid, given all of his talents that were noticed early on. But a Fox Sports Ohio interview with Kerry Sayers (now in Chicago) gives an interesting early glimpse of a young James as he entered his junior year. He talks about prom and his friends. And he had plenty of confidence.