A Grande Christmas Story For All

Let me enlighten you on my experiences with the nicest person I have encountered in professional sports over the past half-century.

During the holiday season, in many cases, people reconnect with those whom they may not see or speak with for lengthy periods. Each Christmas I make it a point to email or text George Grande. We go way back to 1982.

Grande, goes way back with his association with ESPN. It was on September 7, 1979, at 7:00 p.m. Eastern Time, viewers tuned in to view the launch of ESPN. It was at this time, along with Lee Leonard, Grande co-anchored the first-ever SportsCenter telecast.

Three years later, it’s August 1, 1982, the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in Cooperstown held their annual induction weekend. What a class – Henry Aaron, Happy Chandler, Travis Jackson, and Frank Robinson. Fresh out of Fredonia State, I’m signed up to work for the ESPN telecast.

Producer Steve Stedman assigns me the stage manager’s position, but prior to and after the speeches take place at Cooper Park, I am to shadow Grande. Wherever and whoever he interviews, I’m helping with whatever needs to be done. From the first handshake with Grande, and he learns my name, you would swear we have been friends for years.

Grande treats all the same in the years I worked the Hall of Fame show. Crew members, runners, interns, Grande makes you not only feel comfortable, but he also installs a sense of importance to all he greets.

Of the 19 years that I was a crew member of the ESPN induction show, I worked with Grande for a half dozen years. There were times when Grande would see me about town with my wife Barbara. There was the time we were dining at The Otesaga Hotel (Hall of Fame Central) for one induction weekend.

Grande came over to our table, showing his friendliest of smiles, and addressed us by our names; like old friends. When Grande left ESPN, for 31 years he entertained and informed the gatherings at inductions as the master of ceremonies.

I would run into Grande as he made his way to the Clark Sports Center grounds, walking, and greeting all well-wishers. He would spot me in the crowd, stop, shake my hand, and ask how my family is. Always the baseball statesman. Always genuine.

Back to working my first induction weekend. One month later, I made the drive to ESPN’s headquarters in Bristol, CT. A friend had scheduled me for a couple of possible employment opportunities there. When my guide brought me to the SportsCenter set, who did I bump into?

My newest, and best friend – George Grande.

I wasn’t yet seasoned enough to fill any positions I applied for. But just having a few minutes of swapping stories about Cooperstown with Grande was worth the hours of driving.

When Leonard passed in December 2018, I called Grande looking for some quotes for a story I was writing about the day ESPN was born. He didn’t disappoint. Hearing Grande’s voice is always soothing and friendly. For 17 seasons, partnering with Chris Welsh, Grande led the Cincinnati Reds’ TV broadcasts. After the 2009 MLB season, Grande stepped down. Returning to his native Connecticut, to spend more time with his family. For a few years following retirement, Grande did appear on Reds’ TV filling in when needed.

Somewhere, somehow, when it comes to the Hall of Fame, there needs to be a place for George Grande’s name to remain, for as long as the museum remains in Cooperstown.

Who doesn’t have wonderful memories of hearing Grande’s voice welcoming seas of baseball fans returning to the induction site, year after year, coming from all over North America and beyond, and then announcing the roll call of the hall of famers to be seated on the stage?

In sports and broadcasting, Grande’s career really did span the industry’s globe. He played college baseball at USC and was a member of the Trojans’ 1968 College World Series championship team.

Prior to joining ESPN, Grande worked in radio and TV.

The Hall of Fame shows I worked (1982-2001), my responsibilities on the ESPN stage, and roaming with cameramen allowed me to interact with so many interesting announcers – Berman, Gammons, Kenny, and Ravech. In no disrespect to all, no one mingled with the “commoners” as did Grande.

Grande always made it a point to fit in. During mealtimes, Grande never strayed far from the editors, camera people, directors, or the people who pulled cable wires. The baseball public saw him as the guy they watched on ESPN, worked the induction ceremonies, or was seen on another MLB telecast.

To me, and so many others throughout his career, George Grande became an instant friend, someone you would admire, each time a memory would return of interacting with him.

Summer, baseball, induction weekend in Cooperstown, and family fun, they all direct me to think of my friend George Grande.

Merry Christmas, George.