Al Michaels Fun Facts

* Al Michaels broadcast SF Giants games on KSFO in the 1970's.

*Al Michaels is close friends with Art Spander and Eddie DeBartolo.

*Al Michaels and Al Davis were bitter enemies. The Raiders hierarchy practically tried to blackball Michaels and Michaels himself lampooned the Raiders.

*Al Michaels uttered the most famous sports-on-TV words, "Do you believe in miracles?" on ABC during the 1980 Olympics US men's hockey victory over the Russians.

*Al Michaels is not Bob Costas.

*Bob Costas tries to be like Al Michaels a lot.

*Al Michaels had a BIG mansion in Hillsborough.

*Al Michaels makes $10M a year and is the #1-announcer on the #1-rated TV program in the country--Sunday "Football Night in America."

*Al Michaels wears $5000 Gucci suits.

*Al Michaels breaks a lot of bread with John Madden on Madden's bus.

*Al Michaels is happily married but likes to glance at beautiful women.

*Al Michaels can tell a good joke.

*Al Michaels preferred wine: 1990 Kendall Jackson cab.

*Al Michaels post-game 49ers-Bears destination: Boulevard, 9: 30. Party of Two.

*Al Michaels, Dan Dierdorf and me did an interview with Larry King on his radio show back in 1985 direct from the Clift hotel after a 49ers MNF game.

*Al Michaels is a nice man, thank you and have a nice day.

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KPIX Does a Good Job on 49ers First Game at Levi's Stadium; Bastida-Cook Shine, (Although Game Not So Much); Robinson and Ryan Effective; Not So Much Vern Glenn; Monday First Take

 MONDAY FIRST TAKE

KPIX milked the first official, (albeit exhibition), 49ers game at Levi's Stadium, devoting a pre and post-game special news show. Which is good because the game was sort of a sideshow and the final score confirmed it.

Ken Bastida and Elizabeth Cook took part in the news event with various reporters, Mike Sugerman and Len Ramirez,  providing Levi's sidebars. Sugerman's live shots from a CalTrain  was both unique and informative. Ramirez' report on the traffic situation after the game was especially effective featuring a dash top camera in the PIX news car. Nice work.

Christin Ayers had a nice report featuring a young fan's first game at the new digs and got an exclusive telling viewers police made arrests at the game of some over-eager fans. Maybe they watched the entire game.

All in all, good work from the PIXers.

QUICK HEADERS--

*Ted Robinson and Tim Ryan were in mid-season form--clearly the 49ers have the a quality broadcast team. Ryan's no-nonsense style is a welcome relief from his giddy predecessor and Robinson's usual understated approach is both appreciated and respected.

*Vern Glenn, I like you and most of your studio sports work, but your over-glee interviews with 49ers players was a tad too cheesy. You kept reminding everyone that "hey, it's only pre-season" every two minutes and the cackling was way over the top.

*Dennis O'Donnell and Jeremy Newberry post-game show was both first-rate and enjoyable. Newberry's critical analysis was a welcome relief from the usual homerish ex-player take and O'Donnell's crisp commentary was also effective.

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