Author: David Shama

New Book Mixes Sports & WCCO Legacy

Rosen, who fixed his receding hairline with the assistance of the Hair Restoration Institute of Minnesota, believes chronological age is “immaterial” and has nothing to do with the “fires burning” within.  He often doesn’t fall asleep until after midnight and is up by 7 a.m. to start another busy day including his work on KFAN.

But there’s no complaining about the routine.  “It keeps me young, keeps me vital,” he said. “I am tired when I get up in the morning.  I haven’t slept that long.  I just push forward.”

Rosen’s book is titled Best Seat in the House.  It will tell the story of how he entered broadcasting and includes chapters on Bud Grant, Harmon Killebrew and the 1980 “Miracle on Ice.”  But it will be more than a sports book, also talking about television news and how extraordinarily well it was practiced at WCCO-TV including during the 1970’s and 1980’s when the station’s roster of talent offered such high achievers as Dave Moore, Al Austin, Barry Petersen, Bill Stewart and Susan Spencer.

“Great reporters” in Rosen’s words and a time he wants others to remember.  “When we arguably had the greatest local newsroom ever assembled ─ anywhere,” he said. “…This (the book) is a tribute to them because I don’t want future generations to forget how this place was built.”

The first chapter recalls the story of how a high school aged Rosen, fascinated by television, pitched Phil Jones ─ his St. Louis Park neighbor and another great reporter ─ about an opportunity to see the inner workings of WCCO-TV.  One Saturday the teenager rode the bus downtown and got an introduction to TV.  “This is just so cool to be here,” Rosen thought.

It didn’t take long for the station to create a position for him.  He was hired part-time in August of 1969, before his junior year at St. Louis Park High where he was a student and baseball player.

A couple of years later Rosen was a full-time writer and reporter working in sports for WCCO.  His boss was the late Hal Scott who taught him a lot about TV journalism including the importance of brevity in writing a script.  “He was just the greatest boss in the world to work for,” Rosen said.

Look for the Wild to announce a sellout on Saturday night when the local NHL franchise opens the regular season at home against Columbus, but ticket sales will be a challenge in coming months.

An NHL source told Sports Headliners the franchise has experienced a drop-off in season ticket sales and the real total now is “between 10,000 to 12,000.”  That’s down from a franchise high several years ago of approximately 16,500.

A declining season ticket base leaves a lot of unsold inventory during a 41-game home schedule in the 18,000 seat capacity Xcel Energy Center.  Reports were that the building was “half full” during the team’s preseason games.

The problem? “No. 1 is team performance ─ far and away,” said the NHL source.  The Wild hasn’t been in the playoffs since 2008.

It’s challenging, too, to sell tickets when the franchise lacks a superstar like Marian Gaborik who now plays for the Rangers.  And the difficult economy doesn’t help the Wild either as individuals and corporations have to make choices on where to spend entertainment dollars.

The Wild are gambling that Mike Yeo, a rookie NHL coach, can help restore team performance.  The “honeymoon” period that began with the franchise’s inception in 2000 is over and while the Xcel remains a hockey palace, fans want to see a playoff product.

That’s not an easy assignment in the competitive Western Conference.  What will help is if the Wild can ditch their typical slow starts and win seven or more of the first 10 games.

That will build confidence in the players and coaches.  The Wild are working on the trust factor this week during a trip to the North Shore that includes not only practice in Duluth, but also team building exercises.

The Wild should have solid goal tending and the potential to improve a lack of scoring in the past.  Newcomer Dany Heatley has twice been a 50 goals scorer in his career.  A line that includes Heatley and Mikko Koivu could be fun to watch.

A healthy Pierre–Marc Bouchard might be worth 60 to 70 points and the Wild hope a better conditioned Guillaume Latendresse will have a productive season.

Pleasant surprises will translate into ticket sales this season and probably more season commitments next year.  That’s no honeymoon outlook but an upbeat way to look at things.