My latest column for Poynter.org is one of my favorite stories in a long time.

From the column:

*******

In another life, Dave Kindred would have been winding down after covering the NFL playoffs and Super Bowl. February for Mr. Big-Time sports columnist usually meant getting prepped for the NCAA tournament with a column on the Duke-North Carolina game. Or perhaps depending on the year, he would be off to a far-away frozen location to report on the Winter Olympics.

However, in his current life, Kindred spent last Friday sitting on wooden bleachers at a girls high school basketball game in Central Illinois. With notebook in hand, he closely monitored and dutifully filed his report on the Morton Potters taking a 47-40 victory over Limestone.

“Canton and Washington are coming up,” said Kindred, full of anticipation on Morton’s next opponents.

Professional fulfillment comes in many forms during a person’s career. For Kindred, one of the most accomplished sportswriters of his generation, nothing now makes him feel more fulfilled than chronicling the exploits of the girls basketball team from Morton High School, located near Peoria, Ill.

“I wrote about the ‘Dream Team’ in Barcelona (at the ’92 Olympics),” Kindred said. “What gives me the bigger thrill? Put it this way: I truly like this. I wouldn’t be doing it if I didn’t like it.”

My latest Chicago Tribune column is on Karl Ravech’s view of the Little League World Series in the wake of Jackie Robinson West being stripped of the U.S. title.

You also can access the column via my Twitter feed @Sherman_Report.

From the column:

*******

Karl Ravech covers the Major League Baseball and College World Series for ESPN. His favorite, though, is the Little League version in Williamsport, Pa.

“We all played Little League and we can relate to these kids,” Ravech said. “There’s such a purity to it and everyone hops on.”

So that’s why Ravech felt like he had been “slapped in the face” after learning that Jackie Robinson West was stripped of its U.S. Little League World Series title. He did play-by-play of their games last August, and like everyone else, he got caught up in their compelling story.

As one of the main voices for the LLWS because of his ESPN role, Ravech found himself struggling to explain Wednesday what happened to that “purity” and how it will affect the event going forward.

“There’s frustration and disappointment,” Ravech said. “There’s a tremendous letdown to what you just witnessed not being real. It’s difficult to reconcile that the accomplishments of that team were inauthentic due to the behavior of adults.”

The LLWS has become a valuable franchise for ESPN. In 2013, the network signed an eight-year extension to cover the games, paying an estimated $7.5 million per year.

That rights fee seemed to be a bargain in 2014 when Mo’ne Davis, the young girl pitcher from Philadelphia, and JRW, the first all African-American team to win the U.S. title, enabled ESPN to generate huge national ratings. The numbers for JRW’s games were off the charts in Chicago; the world title game against South Korea delivering a 15 local rating on WLS-Ch. 7, which means an estimated 532,000 households were tuned in. That rating was comparable to what the Blackhawks did during the playoffs and the Little Leaguers dwarfed the big league Cubs and White Sox, who did ratings mostly in the 1s last year.

However, ESPN’s coverage of the LLWS isn’t without its critics. Not surprisingly, in the wake of the JRW news, ESPN again faced questions about whether the extensive national TV exposure is too much for young kids and now if it prompts people to skirt the rules?

“One of the carrots of being successful is getting a chance to play on ESPN,” said ESPN Radio’s Mike Greenberg after his “Mike & Mike” show discussed the various angles Wednesday. “You can’t pretend it’s not a factor. With the good comes the bad. ESPN is responsible for some of the good and maybe indirectly for some of the bad.”

My latest column for the National Sports Journalism Center at Indiana is on sports commissioners and new media.

From the column:

********

There is much more to being a commissioner these days than just handing out the champion’s trophy. Just ask Roger Goodell.

The leader of a sports league has to be proactive on sensitive and highly volatile social issues. Again, just ask Roger Goodell.

The person has to know how to deal with players who earn in the significant millions and owners with team assets in the billions. The commissioner also has to be able to navigate through Capitol Hill and Wall Street.

Just ask any of the commissioners.

However, perhaps more important than anything else these days, the modern commissioner needs to be conversant about Slingbox. He must be up to speed about Snapchat. A commissioner can’t think Instagram is a quick telegram from Western Union.

Maury Brown points out that might have been the case with now former baseball commissioner Bud Selig, who Brown writes “was proud never to own a computer.” Meanwhile, Brown describes his successor, Rob Manfred, “as a man perpetually connected.”

Brown did an interview with Manfred at Forbes.com that underscores the importance of the modern commissioner being at a PhD level when it comes to understanding the rapidly-changing media landscape. The various platforms are the source for real game-changing revenue in sports.

Manfred enters at a time when teams are hitting the jackpot with an unprecedented local TV deals. Yet the golden goose could die a quick death as cable cord-cutting and new platforms threaten to transform how fans watch games.

Manfred showed that he is ready for the challenge with this answer:

“I think the changing media landscape was a topic on everyone’s mind.  I’ll tell you in all candor however, that that topic has become even hotter in the few months since August when I was elected as commissioner, largely because the development in that space has come faster than not only people inside the game, but people in the media business had generally expected. HBO streaming, which we are supporting through MLBAM, Slingbox… those developments are coming faster than I think folks thought they were going to come.”

Pleased to share my first sports journalism column for Poynter.org. I look at how the 2014 edition of “Best American Sports Writing” says much about the media landscape these days.

From the column:

*******

Look no further than the table of contents in the annual “The Best American Sports Writing” books to see the dramatic shift in the sports media landscape.

In 1991, there were 24 stories selected in the first book of the series; David Halberstam served as the guest editor. The lineup included 11 from newspapers, including four from the late, great The National. As you would expect, Sports Illustrated had a presence with three entries.

Now fast forward to the 2014 edition of “Best Sports Writing,” which was released in the fall with “Born to Run” author Christopher McDougall as the guest editor. Of the 25 stories in the book, only two are from newspapers (both from the New York Times). Instead, Internet sites now are more prevalent with eight stories coming from the Dot-com sector.

And here’s the ultimate kicker: There are two stories from Deadspin in the book; none from Sports Illustrated.

CBS, which will air next year’s Super Bowl, has an updated logo for the big game. Gone are the Roman numerals.

Frankly, the NFL probably should have made the move after Super Bowl III. Since I’m not Roman, I’ve been lost ever since.

My latest column for the National Sports Journalism Center at Indiana is on how the NFL is made of Teflon.

From the column:

*******

Back in September, I did a column in this space wondering about the fallout for the NFL in the wake of the Ray Rice and Adrian Peterson cases. I thought it could cause the NFL to lose its grip on the public.

I wrote:

“The events of last week revealed the NFL isn’t Teflon. The league needs to get its ship in order quickly. It definitely can’t afford any more bad news.”

Since then, what’s happened? More bad news. “Deflatgate” had the NFL leading the network news telecasts again. It’s not a good thing when one of the league’s iconic players and a future Hall of Fame coach are having their integrity questioned.

The other big story leading up to the Super Bowl focused on a star player, Marshawn Lynch, not talking to the media. Not exactly feel-good stuff.

Finally, did you hear all those boos for Roger Goodell when he took the stage for Sunday night’s trophy presentation? There is little question that the NFL commissioner now is one of the most despised people in sports.

You have to wonder who is advising him on the PR front? The man who insists Lynch has to talk to the media turned down an interview request from NBC Sunday, and the network only is paying billions in rights fees to the NFL. Seems a bit hypocritical, right?

Yes, it couldn’t have been worse for the NFL off the field this year. And what was the end result?

The NFL scored some of its best ratings ever.

The Super Bowl was watched by 114.4 million people, now the new record for the most viewed TV program of all time. According to Sports Media Watch, the 49.7 overnight rating tied the record for the highest overnight rating for a sport event since the Tonya-Nancy saga in the 1994 Olympics. That’s 21 years ago in an era with significantly less channel options, and no real Internet.

It wasn’t just the Super Bowl. The NFL playoffs were at their highest levels since the ‘90s, as were several regular-season games.

And what about the backlash from women who supposedly would be upset with the way the NFL handled the Rice situation? In November, Street & Smith’s Sports Business Daily reported women ratings for the NFL were up 5 percent in 2014. It is safe to assume the increase might be even higher given the big numbers for the NFL’s postseason.

Indeed, despite all the NFL’s self-inflicted wounds, the league actually got more popular this year. It turns out the golden goose has a Teflon shield.

OK, now my career is complete.

During a discussion of Marshawn Lynch on ‘The View,’ Whoopi Goldberg mentioned my name in regards to my column on Skittles. It occurs around the four-minute mark just after Lynch’s video for Skittles.

Apparently, Rosie O’Donnell isn’t familiar with my work on Sherman Report.

Anyway, appreciate the mention, Whoopi, even if you didn’t agree with my take.

Here is the link.

My latest Chicago Tribune column is on Al Michaels and how he nearly changed the course of sports history in Chicago.

You also can access the column via my Twitter feed @Sherman_Report.

From the column:

********

Now this is a good what-might-have-been story.

Al Michaels, preparing to call his ninth Super Bowl on Sunday, was in line to become the voice of the White Sox in 1971. In fact, if the Sox had hired him, there’s a good chance Harry Caray never would have come to Chicago. Talk about altering the history of sports in this town.

Michaels’ first significant play-by-play job had a Sox connection. In 1968, he broke in calling games for their Triple-A affiliate, the Hawaii Islanders.

“Say hello to Bill Melton for me if you see him,” said Michaels, who covered the future Sox star.

When the Angels took over the Hawaii affiliate in 1969, Michaels became close with their farm director, Roland Hemond, and Islanders manager Chuck Tanner. After Hemond was named Sox general manager in August 1970, bringing Tanner along as manager, he wanted Michaels to join them in Chicago in the broadcast booth for the ’71 season.

“Roland kept telling me he was very confident that it was going to happen,” Michaels said. “I’m 26 and I’m going to the big leagues. I can’t wait.”

Then Hemond called one day, and Michaels could tell by the tone of his voice it wasn’t good news.

“Roland said, ‘Chuck and I really battled for you, but (Sox owner John Allyn) said he couldn’t bring in a guy that young and make him the No. 1 announcer,’ ” Michaels said. “I was crushed.”

Instead, the Sox opted for the veteran Caray, who went on to become an icon in Chicago.

More than four decades later, Michaels wonders how his career would have been different had he gotten the Sox job.

“I might still be in Chicago,” Michaels said. “I love Chicago. Back then, the Sox were just getting rolling with Chuck and Dick Allen and Wilbur Wood. I don’t know what would have happened.”

*******

After all these years, and with all the big games on his resume, the essence of Michaels’ success dates to advice he got from Curt Gowdy early in his career: “Don’t ever get jaded.”

“When someone like Curt Gowdy says that to you, you never forget it, and I haven’t,” Michaels said. “I have the greatest job ever invented. I never take these games for granted.”

I received considerable backlash for my latest column for the National Sports Journalism Center at Indiana on Marshawn Lynch when it posted yesterday. Getting ready for round 2 today.

********

Sports journalists unite: It’s time to boycott Skittles.

Don’t let your kids eat them anymore. Forget about handing out those small packets for Halloween.

Skittles should be considered poison to any sports journalist who asks for respect in dealing with  athletes.

You see, Marshawn Lynch’s stance with the media has evolved from more than just not wanting to talk. It now is a marketing vehicle.

Skittles, which is part of Lynch’s weird act, helped the Seattle running back’s campaign to mock the media this week. It got Lynch to do a fake press conference. He munches handfuls of the candy sitting in front of a Skittles logo.

The whole thing is extremely lame. He opens by saying, “I’m thankful for the opportunity to have Skittles ask me questions today.”

Of course, he is. Skittles probably paid him big money for the charade, likely much more than those annoying reporters who insist on asking him real questions.

Lynch then continued his shameless act at Super Bowl media day Tuesday. He stayed for less than five minutes and repeatedly said, “”I’m just here so I won’t get fined.” Naturally, he downed a few Skittles for the cameras. For the exposure, the candy probably will pay for the hefty NFL fines that are sure to come his way.

Lynch’s media stance now has become a big story. However, at its core is one basic element: Respect.

The least you can ask for in this life is to be shown some respect from the people you interact with every day. And that includes athletes dealing with the media.

I would say the vast majority of athletes and coaches, perhaps in the neighborhood of 95-97 percent, do treat reporters with respect. There’s even an element of respect with how Bill Belichick deals with the press, even if it looks as if he would rather be getting a tooth pulled.

During media day yesterday, the New England coach talked of his media responsibilities:

“That’s our role – to be the conduit between our team and all the fans – all of you that cover the team and the fans that read or watch or listen. That’s an important part of the process,” Belichick said. “Having been on the other side of this (as an avid fan as a kid), that’s what I wanted. I wanted information. I wanted to hear what’s going on. We provide the fans who are so interested in our team with information that makes it interesting and exciting for them. That’s why we’re all here.”

OK, it would be better if Belichick was more open and quotable, but at least he understands the process. It would be interesting to see how Belichick would have put up with Lynch’s media act if he played on the Patriots. My guess is, probably not.

Belichick and the NFL know there is a larger issue at play here. What’s to stop other players from following Lynch’s lead and opting not to talk? Surely, there are many players who would like to be spared from participating in the media circus at the Super Bowl this week.

The NFL, though, wants fans to get know the players. The mass interviews only feed the hype for the big game. That translates to big ratings, which translates to big money for the league and its players.

That’s why the NFL enacted a rule that players must talk to the media. WritesMarcus Hayes in the Philadelphia Daily News:

“Lynch’s boycott of the press is no different from boycotting a meeting, a practice or a game. What if he mailed it in at the Super Bowl the way he mailed it in on Media Day? He is contractually obligated to be present at both, to perform professionally at each. It is part of his job, part of his duty.

“Duty should not be served. It is part of being a professional. It’s part of being an adult. Marshawn Lynch is neither.”

Lynch’s fans don’t care if he doesn’t talk as long as he keeps producing on the field. He also has plenty of supporters who laud him for being his own man. It was revolting to hear a  former player like Tedy Bruschi saluted his independence on ESPN on Tuesday.

Fortunately, there are other former players turned analysts who see the big picture. NBC’s Rodney Harrison does not appreciate Lynch’s act.

“A lot of young African-American kids look up to him and people applaud it. It’s not right,” Harrison said.

Somebody should get that message to Lynch, not that he cares. In a few years, he will be out of the league, counting his money and eating his Skittles.

However, sports journalists, and people who value some sense of decency, can make their voices heard by boycotting Lynch’s sponsor, Skittles. Hold the candy accountable for assisting Lynch in mocking the media with the phony press conference.

Frankly, Skittles aren’t that good anyway. Bad texture and way too sweet. Also, while there aren’t any documented studies, eating Skittles reportedly makes your ledes much duller.

Try Swedish Fish instead.

Our town lost one of the faces on its sports Mt. Rushmore yesterday with the passing of Ernie Banks.

In listening to the tributes last night, what struck me was how everyone had a personal memory of being with Ernie. I can’t imagine a more accessible superstar ever. The platitudes were more about the person than the player, and man, he could play.

Luckily, I was fortunate to have a few encounters with Ernie. I’m going to share a few of them here.

My first meeting occurred during the 1994 baseball strike at a golf outing. To fill the massive space void in the Chicago Tribune with both the White Sox and Cubs not playing, we decided to run a classic games series, complete with box scores and old photos.

One of those games happened to be from a Mr. Cub day at Wrigley Field. It included a photo of Ernie with his family.

“Did you see the picture, Ernie?” I asked at the golf outing.

“I sure did,” Ernie said. “Where did you get that?”

“Ernie, the Tribune library has a stack of your photos as high as the Hancock Building,” I said. “You should come down sometime and see them.”

“You know what, I’m going to do that,” Ernie said.

It definitely sounded like one of those things that never would happen.

A few days later, I got a call from the front lobby at the Tribune. “Ernie Banks is here to see you,” the man said.

“What?”

I went downstairs, and sure enough, there was Ernie.

“I’m here to see my pictures,” he said in that distinctive upbeat tone, making it seem as if this was going to be the highlight of his life.

“OK, let’s go,” I said.

When we walked into the library, I said, “Ernie Banks is here to see his pictures.”

This was in the days before digital. Pictures were kept files. When one got full, you went got another.

As I told him, there were literally stacks of files with Ernie Banks pictures. Slowly, he started to go through them.

It seemed as if every picture had a story. Ernie saw a shot of him with Stan Musial. “What a wonderful man,” he said.

On and on, it went. We were in there for nearly two hours going down his memory lane.

The whole thing felt surreal. Ernie was one of the heroes of my youth. Never in my wildest dreams when I was 12 did I imagine I would get a chance to spend an afternoon with Mr. Cub.

I also got my first up close look at that magnetic personality. When people walked in the library, he let out in a rather loud voice, “How are you? Are you having a great day?”

As this routine went on, I laughed at the stunned reaction of my colleagues. It isn’t everyday you get greeted by a baseball Hall of Famer in the Tribune photo library.

Finally, we exhausted his files. I got ready to escort him out when he asked where I was going next. I told him I had to get ready for our daily sports planning meeting.

“Oh, can I come?” Ernie said. “I’d love to see that.”

So off we went to the sports editor’s office. Again, the reaction on the other editors’ faces was priceless when they walked in and saw Mr. Cub in their midst.

Ernie listened to us going through the rundown. Typically, he stayed in character. A few times, he said, “That’s going to be a great story.”

When it finally came time for him go, he thanked me. “This was really great,” Ernie said.

I assured him it was going to be a day I’ll never forget.

As it turns out, it wouldn’t be our last meeting. Ernie loved golf and Tiger Woods. Thankfully, our paths crossed many times when I assumed the Tribune’s golf beat in 1997.

More to come.