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Some real nice catches NESN's camera got every shot By Bill Griffith, Globe Staff, 7/23/2002
They didn't have to. One by one, former Sox players, back in uniform, walked onto the field and took their positions - everyplace but left field. They were the living credits to their departed teammate, to the Red Sox, to baseball, and to life itself. You couldn't imagine this event being held at many venues other than Fenway - described during the evening as one of the ''Great Cathedrals'' by historian Ken Burns. Sox fans, and Williams fans, had reacted to the evening skeptically, wondering what would make such an affair worth attending. But the Red Sox, as they always seem to do for big events, made it memorable. NESN producer Pat Cavanagh had all the angles set up. Early on, cameras seemed to be avoiding the mostly empty bleachers; however, as the program proceeded, the seats seemed to be filling. Now, like Williams's final game, hundreds of thousands soon will claim to have ''been there.'' Thanks to TV, more than that were there. Memorable moments from the telecast: The poignant shot of the flower-covered ''Williams Seat'' in the bleachers, the spot where his longest homer landed. The always dignified Dominic DiMaggio handling the evening's difficult topic, calling on the Williams family to do what was right and let Ted rest in peace. He seemed surprised at the standing ovation he received. Co-host Sean McDonough holding a mike at arm's length during wonderful, but extended, speeches, first by Sen. John Glenn and then Burns. Those morning workouts paid dividends. Present players Nomar Garciaparra, Jason Varitek, Lou Merloni, Tim Wakefield, and Johnny Damon (with son) having the respect to attend. On a night when many spoke eloquently, Garciaparra more than held his own, telling us, ''When Ted talked, you hung on every word, and remembered them.'' Peter Gammons, who wrote the longest of stories in his days with the Globe, showing his TV training by keeping interviews brief and to the point. The film of Williams's jet fighter crashing in Korea, and Padres broadcaster Jerry Coleman telling of hearing the ''Mayday'' call from the burning plane and not learning until the next day that Williams had landed the burning craft. No commercials. A shot of ex-Sox bosses Dan Duquette and John Harrington entering together. The `9' in lights on the Prudential Building. Jim Rice getting a huge ovation as he walked onto the field. Former Sox broadcasters Ned Martin and Ken Coleman taking part. Legendary Sox broadcaster Curt Gowdy re-creating Williams's final game and calling the home run. Mike Andrews, former Sox player and Jimmy Fund executive, saying Williams's greatest legacy was that he had more impact than any other athlete in history in fighting a disease. The film clips of Williams's running catch in an Old-Timer's Day game and him tipping his cap - at long last - to Sox fans. This time, ''Hub Bids Kid Adieu.'' And NESN has the tape.
This story ran on page F8 of the Boston Globe on 7/23/2002. | |||||||
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ESN never rolled any credits after last night's coverage of ''Ted Williams: A Celebration of an American Hero'' at Fenway Park.