I’M BACK (THEN GONE AGAIN)
Apologies for no blog the last couple of days. My laptop was sick and I was without it. (amazing how you come to rely on technology). Anyway, we’ve been reunited. That being said, I’m going to miss the series in Gwinnett. Thanks to the kindness of Ben Mondor and Mike Tamburro, I will be attending the National Sportscasters and Spportswriters Association convention in North Carolina. They have graciously allowed me to skip the trip to Georgia, so that I may pick up my award for 2009 Rhode Island Sportscaster of the Year.
I’ve been fortunate enough to win the honor three times in the last four years. It wouldn’t be possible without the PawSox, or my partner Dan Hoard, who makes a great job even better with his friendship and good humor. Although RI is the smallest state, there are some very talented people in the business. Besides Dan, my friend, John Rooke and men like Ken Bell, Frank Carpano and Patrick Little come to mind. Don’t let me forget Steve McDonald, either. I’ve won and not won in the past. Take it from me, winning is much better.
I will spend the next three days with other statewide and national winners. One regret is that Joe McDonald the 2009 RI sportswriter of the year, can’t be here. “Joey Mac” no longer writes for the Providence Journal. He is covering the Bruins in the Stanley Cup Playoffs for Espnboston.com. I will crack open a nice cold Diet Pepsi in his honor. Scheduled to be on hand- John Madden, former Raiders coach who revolutionized football commentary. We’ll see if the Madden Cruiser is in the parking lot when I arrive. Madden is famous for not flying. He travels in a custom built bus. Arnold Palmer is also supposed to be there, presenting the National Sportscaster of the year Award to Jim Nantz of CBS. Legendary baseball guru, Peter Gammons will also grace the head table. To this day, one of my greatest professional highlights was the day Gammons told me he enjoyed listening to me. Imagine that.
The NSSA rolls out the red carpet and makes us feel like big shots for a couple of days. I won’t lie to you. I’m glad I’m going, but it does take you out of the steady rhythm of the season. I’ll keep you posted while I’m there. Special thanks again to the PawSox for letting this happen, and to Dan for picking up the slack while I’m away. I’ll rejoin the club on the off day, Wednesday in Charlotte, and I’ll be back with my partner in crime for Thursdays’ broadcast from Knights Stadium, in Fort Mill, South Carolina.
ps- Just found out that Madden won’t be coming due to a schedule conflict. Bummer!
HYDE'S INSIDE PITCH 
Congrats Steve on well deserved Honor, I am not Peter Gammons, and you dont have to be to enjoy listening to You, Great Job as always, I enjoy the Blog, and all the side stories that make Baseball the Great Game that it is, PS, Jake says nice Job as well. CP