Time Out, episode 101

This tape features the inaugural episode of "Time Out," a weekly sports program that aired in 1984. The show is hosted by a number of Chicago area journalists and sportscasters. Bill Buckner of the Chicago Cubs appears on this program.

00:00Copy video clip URL This tape begins with a countdown and slate. WTTW promos roll before the program begins.

00:37Copy video clip URL Intro segment for “Time Out.”

01:01Copy video clip URL Fade into a shot of the back bar on the set of “Time Out.” This week’s commentators are John Schulian of the Chicago Sun-Times, Kenny McReynolds, a WBMX Sportscaster and Assistant Coach for DePaul University’s Men’s Basketball team, WIND Reporter Fran Spielman, and former NBA star John Mengelt. The four start out by discussing the possibility of a winning season from the DePaul Men’s Basketball team. They debate over what they think the key to a winning DePaul team is this year. McReynolds states that point guard Kenny Patterson is what will lead the team to victory. Mengelt cites the coaching staff as the key to a winning season because of the fact that DePaul is a younger team. Spielman states that the bench is what is going to win them games. Schulian talks about DePaul’s head coach, Ray Meyer, and how his coaching style affects the team. The four go on to talk about other strong teams in the NCAA at the time, including UCLA and Mississippi State. McReynolds also briefly mentions DePaul’s weaknesses, specifically free throws.

05:40Copy video clip URL Schulian begins to talk about the Chicago White Sox pitcher Tom Seaver, and the various contract negotiations that had been taking place on the 1984 White Sox team. The four discuss the notion of renegotiating contracts and how it affects the modern athlete. They then go on to talk about the 1984 NBA All-Star Game. McReynolds cites Dallas Mavericks’ forward and former DePaul player Mark Aguire as one of the best players in the NBA in 1984. Afterwards, McReynolds introduces the next segment on NBA Hall of Famer George Miken.

11:25Copy video clip URL Cut to black screen.

11:41Copy video clip URL Cut to a segment on NBA Star George Miken. We follow Miken as he makes his way from DePaul’s Men’s Basketball team to becoming the first big star to come out of the NBA. Ray Meyer talks about coaching Miken at DePaul in the 1940s. Meyer refers to Miken as a “very intelligent player and very easy to coach.”

14:38Copy video clip URL Cut to a shot of Schulian and Mengelt sitting down with Chicago Cubs First Baseman Bill Buckner. The three talk about the trade rumors that had been swirling around the ball club that year, one of them being the use of Buckner as trade bait to other teams in the league. Seemingly disheartened by the rumors, Buckner addresses his feelings on the matter. “I don’t think it really does a lot of good for the player, or for the organization, to go out and say they want to trade a player, that they’re going to trade a player, and then not trade the player.” Buckner states that he is fairly content playing for the Cubs, but that seeing and hearing about all of the trade rumors really disappointed him. The three go on to talk about the insecurity that comes along with knowing you are going to be traded from a team. Buckner talks about what he has to offer as a player and admits his frustration in staying on a team where he feels unwelcome. “It almost makes me a little bit mad in this situation because I know that I can still play. I know that I could help other teams and you see the other teams, other championship teams that want you and then you wonder why the Cubs don’t want you.” Mengelt offers his take on the matter by stating that since the Cubs are rebuilding, Buckner may be better suited for a higher quality team. Buckner talks about the difference between building a championship team today and molding championship teams in the past. He states that championship teams develop much quicker than they used to. Buckner also goes on to talk about the handling of the current situation with the Cubs. At one point, he had hoped to be traded from the Cubs so he could show them what they were missing out on. However, after weighing in the circumstances, he decided that staying in Chicago would probably be best for both himself and his family. Mengelt goes on to briefly talk about his first trade experience and how it affected him. Buckner also talks about the feelings that came along with his first trade from the L.A. Dodgers to the Cubs. Schulian asks whether Buckner can get over the trade rumors and continue to play well for the Cubs. Buckner states that he hopes he is mature enough to put everything behind him and just play. Mengelt then asks Buckner about how he conducts himself as an athlete in the Cubs ball club. Buckner says, “I have done certain things throughout my career that I haven’t been real happy with. I’m a very competitive type person and I want to do the best job that I possibly can in baseball. I want to do the best job I can to help the Cubs win ball games. … Sometimes in baseball and professional sports, you’re going to step on somebody’s toes… teammates, managers, general managers, you know, hopefully not an owner. But if you play long enough, you’re not going to get along with everybody.” Schulian then asks Buckner for the definition of a selfish ball player. Buckner talks about his own playing style and how it can sometimes be misinterpreted as selfish ball playing. Schulian and Buckner finish by talking about the Cubs’ reputation as a “bad team” and how it affects the the Cubs roster.

24:12Copy video clip URL Spielman introduces a segment on what sports fans want out of a sports themed show. The cast and crew go through several takes of the intro before cutting over into the next segment.

25:40Copy video clip URL Cut over to a collection of interviews with people from in and around Daley Plaza in downtown Chicago. Sports fans give their opinions on what type of content they want to see on a sports talk show. The screen goes to static after two interviews, but the audio can still be heard.

26:41Copy video clip URL Tape ends.