Dick Enberg - Dick Enberg: Oh My!

CHAPTER 1
A Time to Dream

CHAPTER 2
Coming to a Crossroads

CHAPTER 3
Its Like Watching an Accident

CHAPTER 4
Who Does This Guy Think He Is?

CHAPTER 5
The Bruin Ballet

CHAPTER 6
Game of the Day

CHAPTER 7
Tanana and Ryan and Two Days of Cryin

CHAPTER 8
No One Wanted to Be the Star

CHAPTER 9
No Is a Good Answer

CHAPTER 10
Sisu

CHAPTER 11
On a Set Full of Stars

CHAPTER 12
The Press Box Elevator Was Frozen

CHAPTER 13
Breakfast at Wimbledon

CHAPTER 14
Too Close to Call

CHAPTER 15
The Most Cooperative Athletes in Sports

CHAPTER 16
The Kid

Dick Enberg is old enough to be my father!

So what? Is there something wrong with that?

Early in my career, when he first started covering tennis, Dick started sounding like my father. I could almost hear him cringing in the booth trying to explain one of my on-court outbursts. Where do you think Oh My! came from? (Just kidding.)

So it was with a little uncertainty (for both of us) that I stepped into the NBC booth for the first time in 1992 to cover a match between Michael Chang and Nicklas Kulti in the third round of the French Open. Forget that the match had already taken place and we were only announcing one of the five sets that had been taped that day. I was working with the legendary Dick Enberg, whom I had first seen hosting Sports Challenge as a kid and later heard in football, baseball, and basketball stadiums throughout the country. Anyway, Jimmy Connors had preceded me as color commentator for NBC, so I figured Dick had at least dealt with someone with whom he had disagreedshall we say"philosophically!

What he said to me that day Ill always appreciate. It was so simple: Just be yourself and stay the hell out of my way. (Just kidding!) Actually, he told me, People want to hear what you have to say, so just work hard and youll be fine. It was nice that he was willing to accept me for who I wasin fact, insist upon me being megive me a chance to prove myself, and willingly help me along the way. I wanted him to be happy with the results.

Over the last 12 years, I have had the good fortune of learning from a true pro. What I have come to realize over time is how much he cares. Hes old school, a consummate professional. He earns your trust, whether you are the player, the viewer, or his partner. You know you can count on Dick Enberg.

I know this is hard to believe, but Dick and I are quite similar. I know what you are thinking, You cannot be serious! But its true; were both perfectionists. Okay, maybe we do show it in different ways, but we have that attitude just the same. Were never satisfied, were always striving to prove ourselves, and our demanding nature makes it frustrating not only for the people around us, but also for the two of us. Love us or hate us, we just cant change.

Dick used to complain that the tennis players werent accessible enough. He would say sport is a form of entertainment, after all. Initially, I just thought he was blowing off steam. Only now, after a dozen years of calling this great sport, do I realize, sadly, how right he was. What I respect is that he didnt have to say that. He could have just dialed his broadcast in. He just cares.

Above all, Dick is prepared. Never once during a tournament would I arrive before Dick and rarely would I leave after him. He was tinkering with the next days opening or putting a finishing touch on one of his memories pieces at Wimbledon. NBC covers only the last 10 days of the tournament. I would arrive Monday morning to work the early days for the BBC. Who would I see first? Dick Enberg. At the U.S. Open? The same thing, just a different location. Id wonder, What the hell is Enberg doing here already? Hes just the play-by-play guy, he doesnt need to watch the early before matches. He could do this in his sleep. But he doesnt. He cares.

This is not to say we havent had fun. Weve called matches with streakers in them, endured rain delays that became comical, matches where we wished we could have streaked out of the booth, and classics that gave us goose bumps. Through it all, Dick maintained his professionalism, his joie de vivre (translation: love of life, and knowing Dick, and his large collection of wine, it could also be joie de vin, a love of wine!), and an effort level that any athlete or commentator would respect.

Only once did Dick really piss me off, and even then it was for the right reason. At the endless Sports Emmys Awards show one year, I was sitting at Dicks table when my category, Sportscaster of the Year, finally came up. At the podium, Keyshawn Johnson announced, And the winner is John Ma Dick quickly reached over and congratulated me as I heard John Maddens name being announced. I thought to myself, Should I give him one of my infamous McEnroe tantrums? Forget it. Hes old enough to be my father.

Dick, congratulations on a great career and a great book!

John McEnroe
New York City

Like all books, this one was accomplished with the support and assistance of many, many people, including my family. My special thanks go to Team Enberg, including my wife, Barbara, for her encouragement, enthusiasm, and suggestions; my brother, Dennis, and sister, Sharyl; and my children, Jennifer, Andrew, Alexander, Nicole, Emily, and Ted.

Dick Enberg

As Dick and I reach the end of this long editorial journey, a warm thank you to my wife, Catherine, for her eagle-eyed help with the manuscript; my children, Lisa and Jon, for their inspiration and good humor; and my mother, Dorothy, for her unwavering support. Id also like to offer an affectionate toast to my late father, Frank.

Dick and I also thank the following for their invaluable assistance: Jack Bailey, Van Barbieri, Jim Bell, Pat Bennett, Rich Bertolucci, John Bianco, Steve Bishefff, Ronnie Bradford, Jerry Caraccioli, Vince Casey, Stan Chambers, Don Chargin, Stan Charnoffsky, Bud Collins, PJ. Combs, Gary Cunningham, Dean Davenport, Dick Ebersol, Eddie Einhorn, Jeff Evans, Jim Gigliotti, Paul Goldberg, John Gonzalez, Pat Haden, Tom Hammond, Ed Hookstratten, Chris Hughes, Katie Hyde, Tunch Ilkin, Gary K. Johnson, Phil Jones, Laurie Joseph, Bill Keenist, Kit Klingelhofffer, D.C. Koehl, Dave Lockett, Bill Madrid, Paul Maguire, Nancy Mazmanian, Don McGuire, Pat McGuire, Tim Mead, Dr. Michael Mellman, Chennelle Miller, Dave Niehaus, Merlin Olsen, Billy Packer, Joe Quasarano, Rich Rice, Ross Schneiderman, Tom Seeberg, Dan Smith, Bob Speck, Stan Spero, Bob Steiner, Larry Stewart, Jack Teele, Artis Twyman, Bob Uecker, Lesley Visser, Bill Walton, Michael Weisman, John Wooden, and Richard Yoakam.