Some of you may recall that I spent the months of March and April bopping around the Caribbean, following the Cricket World Cup toward its inevitable conclusion with an Australian victory.
About a week after I arrived, I wound up sharing a flight between St. Vincent and Antigua with a couple of guys covering the tournament for ESPN International. Long story short, they were amused by the presence of an enthusiastic American cricket fan, so they more or less adopted me. The routine thereafter, basically: cricket, then drinks after work. Repeat.
By the time the tournament reached Grenada, I had been appointed as their "sound guy," suddenly finding myself admitted to the press box and practice facilities simply for carrying a fuzzy boom mic around and saying something useful at a rate of perhaps twice per day.
Somehow for these valiant men of international media, no event was too small to cover.
This was a total gas. I mostly used the opportunity to watch the finest cricket batsmen in the world from absurdly close range, deluding myself with the idea that I was picking up a few pointers.
Too often, friendships struck up while traveling can end with promises to get together that never really materialize, but that won’t be the case here. Last week, while I was on the east coast, they invited me up to the ESPN corporate mothership for a behind-the-scenes visit.
Bristol, Connecticut, the most glamorous spot in the entertainment world
The folks couldn’t have been nicer. After accepting a nice cup of Earl Grey from the anchorwoman who hosts ESPN Soccernet, I mostly wound up spending the day watching my buddies Trav and Dave rush together copy and then hanging out in the control room as they blasted through tapings of Sportscenter for Australia and around the world. Then we went out drinking. I believe the cricket vibe may last a good long while.
So, as long as I’m thanking the known universe for being super-friendly for last few months: thanks, ESPN International.