Time Out, episode 123

This tape features a 1984 episode of "Time Out," a weekly sports program that is hosted by a number of Chicago area journalists and sportscasters. 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.

00:00Copy video clip URL This tape begins with a countdown and a few promos.

00:31Copy video clip URL Opening sequence for the program.

00:54Copy video clip URL Dissolve into a shot of the four commentators in the back room. The narrator does a quick summary of this week’s program that includes a commentary from Bill Veeck on the heroes found on the Chicago Cubs and White Sox teams, Harness Driver Bea Farber talks about the skills that a harness driver must acquire in order to excel in the sport, Chicago White Sox Chairman Jerry Reinsdorf talks about media companies owning professional sports teams, and former Pitcher Bill Lee is interviewed at Wrigley Field.

01:37Copy video clip URL The four commentators begin by talking about the Chicago Cubs and their great season so far. They also talk about the All-Star game voting process, specifically citing their affinity for Cubs Second Baseman Ryne Sandberg. This leads into a segment on Harness Racing.

03:54Copy video clip URL Cut to Sportsman’s Park where a horse race is currently taking place. The cameras follow Champion Harness Driver Bea Farmer as she races around the track. Farber comments on the art of Harness Driving and women’s involvement in the sport. She goes on to describe the sport in greater detail. “It’s a lot like a chess game: making moves, flushing people, trying to get in the best situation at the best time. There’s a lot of thinking out there. It isn’t all just speed. There’s a lot of thinking, a lot of cunning, a lot of trying to figure out what the other guy is going to do: raiding a horse, knowing when to pull a horse, timing.” Farber goes on to talk about some of the injuries she has received throughout her years as a Harness Driver.

06:51Copy video clip URL Cut back to a shot of the four commentators who quickly move on to talk about the Olympic Basketball team that year. McReynolds compliments Michael Jordan on his playing ability. They go on to talk about the NCAA Antitrust ruling in college football and the Chicago White Sox’s poor pitching. This leads into an interview with White Sox owner Jerry Reinsdorf.

09:33Copy video clip URL Quick cut to Reinsdorf discussing media outlets owning professional sports teams. “I personally don’t believe that media companies should be allowed to own baseball teams, and because of the conflict, the severe conflict of interest.” Reinsdorf specifically cites the Tribune Company owning the Chicago Cubs as a possible negative for the franchise. He goes on to state that the appearance of impropriety in baseball only hurts the sport and emphasizes the need for entrepreneurship in baseball.

13:16Copy video clip URL Cut back to the four commentators who continue to talk about media ownership and impropriety in professional sports. They eventually begin to talk about Wimbledon and the British press’ expose on Martina Navratilova’s homosexuality. This leads into a commentary from Bill Veeck.

15:25Copy video clip URL Bill Veeck talks about modern day sports heroes in Chicago and how different they are from the heroes of the past. When asked about our heroes of today, Veeck responds, “Well, they’re around, but they’re quite different, not like they used to be, not just in baseball. In our world of finance, there aren’t any better million gauge John D. Rockefeller Seniors, Henry Fords. In our courts of law there aren’t any Clarence Darrows, or Bill Fallons, or Sam Leibowitzes even in larceny. You know, you don’t have a Yellow Kid Wild, or John Dillinger, or Jimmy Valentine; you got some kid with a computer terminal. He steals more than they ever dreamed of.” Veeck goes on to talk about some of the heroes in baseball. “Well, our heroes are not the swashbucklers that they used to be.” Veeck goes on to talk about Hack Wilson, Ernie Banks, Minnie Minoso, and Ritchie Allen, who he cites as heroes of the past. Veeck eventually states that Ryne Sandberg of the Cubs and Harold Baines of the Sox are today’s unlikely heroes. He goes on to compare the two and states that if either team makes it to the playoffs it is because of Baines and Sandberg.

18:54Copy video clip URL Cut back to the commentators who briefly discuss heroes in modern day professional sports. This leads into an interview with former baseball player Bill Lee.

19:31Copy video clip URL Cut to a shot of Bill Lee in the bleachers at Wrigley Field. He begins by talking about his being a “flower child.” He goes on to talk about his time spent in the MLB and the turbulence that came along with it. Lee also spends a little time showcasing his new book “The Wrong Stuff.” Lee also briefly discusses his drug use while in baseball.

24:16Copy video clip URL Cut back to Mengelt and Schulian who talk about the lack of “out there” baseball players in the MLB. The two swap stories about some of the more crazed professional athletes of the past.

26:15Copy video clip URL Cut to the “Time Out Sports Almanac” segment.

27:05Copy video clip URL Dissolve back into a shot of the four commentators in the back room. They quickly make their predictions for the week before the program ends.

28:22Copy video clip URL The credits begin to run as footage of Bill Lee at his best rolls in the background. This is followed by a promo.

29:32Copy video clip URL Tape ends.