Sports

Elliott: Jessica Mendoza is finding a home in Dodgers broadcast booth

Published

3 years ago

April 26, 2022

Elliott: Jessica Mendoza is finding a home in Dodgers broadcast booth

Jessica Mendoza anticipated to have an extended and detailed assembly with Joe Davis final Friday earlier than she sat beside the Dodgers’ TV play-by-play announcer and have become the primary feminine analyst on a Dodgers broadcast, however one factor occurred after which one other and there was no time for them to debate who would say what and when.

They knew one another a bit as they’d shared an agent years in the past, and would run throughout each other when their broadcast goals had been nonetheless crystallizing.

“We had been actually simply no one and making an attempt to determine it out,” she mentioned. After Davis obtained the Dodgers job, Mendoza would make some extent of claiming hey when she got here to observe the staff she’d rooted for whereas rising up in Camarillo.

Two Olympic softball medals and a profession as an ESPN baseball and softball analyst later, Mendoza was employed by SportsNet LA to be one among a number of highway broadcast analysts after Orel Hershiser reduce his journey this season. Her flip on the microphone got here up when the Dodgers had been at San Diego.

“I used to be nervous coming into final week as a result of no matter how properly you may know somebody or how lengthy you’ve identified them, it’s very totally different once you’re calling a sport,” she mentioned. “Everybody has their issues — the nuances they need to get into, when they need you to speak, once they don’t.”

With out a variety of time to organize, they relied on their familiarity and instincts. “It helps a lot that we’re each sort of nerdy,” Mendoza mentioned. “We love the sport.”

Right here’s to having a few baseball nerds within the sales space.

Davis and Mendoza, who’re working collectively on SportsNet LA’s telecasts of the Dodgers’ three-game sequence at Arizona this week, have been entertaining and informative of their transient time collectively. They’re simple to hearken to, good storytellers, and analytical with out spewing out-of-context numbers. They each spend time on the sphere earlier than the sport — not each broadcaster does — they usually’ve picked up quirks and nuances they’re capable of flip into participating dialog.

They’ve set a light-weight tone with out descending to slapstick comedy, and it really works.

“In case you are too severe, too inflexible and on the finish of the day not your self, baseball goes to show who you’re, the great and the unhealthy,” Davis mentioned by cellphone. “For those who’re not being your self — and for me that’s hopefully any individual who has enjoyable and enjoys what he’s watching — you’re not going to be an pleasant hear.

“I all the time like to consider the published as two mates sitting collectively watching a ballgame. Hopefully the viewers really feel like they’re that third good friend sitting at residence having fun with the published, having fun with the sport with the broadcasters, laughing at a few of the identical issues. We’re of their front room each single day so the wearability issue, I feel, is a crucial one and I feel some lightness is a crucial ingredient in that wearability.”

“It helps a lot that we’re each sort of nerdy. We love the sport.”

— Jessica Mendoza on calling Dodgers video games with Joe Davis

Mendoza’s efficiency has been a cheerful revelation. Her data of the sport is extra apparent since she’s not caught within the can-you-top-this contest she endured whereas engaged on ESPN’s Sunday Evening Baseball telecasts with fellow analyst Alex Rodriguez alongside play-by-play announcer Matt Vasgersian. She’s talking naturally, not performing.

“I feel most likely one of many remnants of being in a three-person sales space for some time is she defers. And that’s nice, however I’m glad to have her discuss extra and I’ve informed her that,” Davis mentioned. “I feel no one’s ever been criticized for not speaking sufficient, proper? Good factor that she leans that means, versus speaking an excessive amount of.”

She’s nonetheless refining her timing, however she and Davis really feel like a longtime duo.

“I like a three-person sales space, too, relying on who that particular person is, and I don’t imply there’s unhealthy individuals. It’s tough,” she mentioned by cellphone this week. “You’ve obtained to sort of decide when to talk. You don’t need to step on somebody. I really don’t thoughts these three-person cubicles with individuals which can be ego-less as a result of you’ll be able to actually study rather a lot, too.”

Jessica Mendoza covers the 2009 Girls’s School World Collection for ESPN.

(Related Press)

Sadly, Mendoza’s ESPN work and protection of girls’s faculty softball imply that after Wednesday she’s not scheduled to work one other Dodgers sport till mid-July. “I actually hope that subsequent yr we come into it with a way more constant plan, ‘These are the video games that Jess goes to work,’” mentioned Mendoza, who just lately moved to Bend, Ore., together with her husband and two sons. “I would like Dodger followers to know once I’m going to be there.”

Davis mentioned given his choice he’d work each sport with Hershiser. That’s not attainable, so he’s making an attempt to maximise the totally different strengths within the rotating solid of Mendoza, Eric Karros and Dontrelle Willis.

“It’s my job because the play-by-play particular person to tug the very best out of them and assist set them as much as be the star,” he mentioned. He’s good at it, easing his transition from working with Hershiser to working with Mendoza.

“I feel what they’ve in frequent is they’re glass-half-full individuals with a extremely constructive outlook on life and I feel that comes by means of of their broadcasts, and I like that,” Davis mentioned. “I like that with each of them you’ll be able to hear their love for the sport by means of their broadcasts, and I feel that’s an necessary factor.”

The presence of a feminine announcer on Dodger broadcasts isn’t new: Alanna Rizzo did a superb job throughout seven seasons as an on-field reporter and interviewer. However Mendoza’s ascent to the analyst position has triggered sufficient bile from a few of the slimier precincts of social media that Mendoza avoids Twitter besides to hunt baseball-related information, and infrequently reads feedback about herself.

“To start with I might giggle, like, ‘That is so silly. You need me to return to the kitchen?’ It was simply so foolish actually, although it’s unhappy, however you actually can’t take offense as a result of that is ridiculous,” she mentioned. “However you begin to study over time that there’s a sentiment beneath even those which can be smiling and saying hello to you that beneath that it’s nonetheless, particularly in a few of these males’s sports activities, they’re not likely certain the place a lady’s place is inside this.”

Her place is within the sales space, and he or she earned it.

Sports

Tom Brady must talk Raiders conflict, plus other big things to watch this NFL weekend

Published

6 hours ago

January 17, 2025

Press Room

Tom Brady must talk Raiders conflict, plus other big things to watch this NFL weekend

The NFL is down to its final eight teams and historically this weekend’s games are viewership powerhouses. Last year, the NFL’s divisional round, led by a mega-matchup between the Buffalo Bills and the Kansas City Chiefs, averaged a whopping 40.0 million viewers, the highest audience number on record, dating to 1988. Kansas City’s win at Buffalo led the way with 50.4 million viewers, the most-watched divisional round game on record.

There are plenty of stories at The Athletic projecting what might happen this weekend. On the media front, Tom Brady will once again find the spotlight as Fox’s lead NFL analyst, but this week presents something that hits at the crux of Brady’s juggling between his analyst duties and minority ownership of the Las Vegas Raiders.

Last week NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport reported that Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson has been recruited by Brady to interview with the Raiders for the club’s head coach opening.

“Thanks in part to the involvement of Brady, who sources say personally vouched for Johnson and implored him to take the interview through his agent, Johnson spoke with them,” Rapoport wrote.

“Essentially, Brady recruited Johnson to interview.”

Rapoport also reported that “Brady was influential in the decision to fire (head coach Antonio) Pierce and (general manager Tom) Telesco, seeking alignment from him to the GM to the coach.”

(The Athletic’s Vic Tafur and Tashan Reed have essential additional reporting on the Raiders’ coaching and GM searches, both being informed — and influenced — by Brady.)

Lions OC Ben Johnson says he spoke with Tom Brady on the field before the Packers game. First time he’s met him.
Brady will be calling the Commanders-Lions game this weekend for Fox, while helping the Raiders find a new head coach and GM.
— Colton Pouncy (@colton_pouncy) January 15, 2025

Fox is airing the Lions-Washington Commanders game Saturday (8 p.m. ET, also on Fox Deportes) with Kevin Burkhardt and Brady in the booth. There is no other NFL broadcast with this kind of working conflict, but we already knew that. The conflict has already been written about, including here several times, and as we have reported, Fox has no issues with it, given it is happy to be in the Tom Brady business.

But viewers deserve transparency at a minimum, and what Fox Sports should do out of respect for the audience is have Brady and Burkhardt discuss — on-air — that Brady has been part of the process involving Johnson.

I expect the broadcast to address it in some form (Fox Sports brass knows this is all out there, and its top NFL team has a lead producer and director who are immensely respected across the industry), but how deep they address it, we’ll see.

From my perspective, it should not simply be gloss over it with a 45-second discussion. If you are going to own the conflict, at least be transparent with the audience.

A substantive acknowledgment and discussion of what’s going on would help Brady with viewers who might naturally believe his recruitment of Johnson will have an impact on how he discusses the Lions.

Beyond Brady’s analysis of Johnson and the Lions, what will this year’s divisional round bring as far as viewer interest?

We bring back the Watchability Index for another week, which rates viewer anticipation as well as predicts expected viewership.

Josh Allen and the Bills were part of the most-watched NFL divisional round playoff game in 2024. His 2025 playoff matchup with Baltimore’s Lamar Jackson could top that. (Elsa / Getty Images)

Baltimore Ravens at Buffalo Bills
6:30 p.m. ET Sunday
CBS, Paramount+

Watchability: 10 out of 10

Why it’s watchable: The NFL has always marketed its sport through the quarterbacks — Manning vs. Brady! — and this game has the two leading contenders for the league MVP honors — the Ravens’ Lamar Jackson and Buffalo’s Josh Allen. You can’t ask for more as far as entertainment if you are neutral.

The two teams ranked second (Bills) and third (Ravens) during the regular season. The Ravens are particularly lethal on the ground — they averaged 187.6 yards per game. Highmark Stadium is loud and cold, a perfect setting for football.

Everything about this game feels massive and it’s why the NFL placed it in its most optimum television window.

Odds: Ravens (-1)

Viewership prediction: 47 million viewers

Los Angeles Rams at Philadelphia Eagles
3 p.m. ET Sunday
NBC, Peacock, Telemundo, Universo

Watchability ranking: 8 out of 10

Why it’s watchable: Hard not to embrace the Rams given the ongoing wildfires in the Los Angeles area. Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp are a collective force, and when Matthew Stafford is on, he’s fun to watch. L.A. looked like a juggernaut against the Minnesota Vikings with a postseason-record nine sacks.

The Eagles have the top-ranked defense (we’ll see how the loss of Nakobe Dean affects that), an all-time asset in Saquon Barkley and “Inner Excellence: Train Your Mind for Extraordinary Performance and the Best Possible Life” working for them.

Lincoln Financial Field is a nightmare for opposing teams given Eagles fans are boisterous and belligerent. A late afternoon game in a great sports city. How can you not watch?

Odds: Eagles (-6)

Viewership prediction: 39 million viewers

Washington Commanders at Detroit Lions
8 p.m. ET Saturday
Fox, Fox Deportes

Watchability ranking: 7.5 out of 10

Why it’s watchable: The Athletic’s projection model gives the Lions a 24 percent chance to advance to the Super Bowl, the best percentage among all the remaining teams. The model has them scoring the most points over the weekend, which makes sense given they led the league in points scored (33.2 points) and were second in total yards per game (424.9 yards).

Detroit is fun to watch, it has an uber-aggressive coach and has an America’s Team feel to it given how many people seem to list it as their second favorite team.

It’s great to see the Commanders fans get this playoff run after all the years of living under the Dan Snyder regime. Jayden Daniels is a lock for Rookie of the Year and plays like a seasoned vet. Plus, how can you not love a doink to win a wild-card game?

Favorite: Lions (-9)

Viewership prediction: 35 million viewers

Houston Texans at Kansas City Chiefs
4:30 p.m. ET Saturday
ESPN/ABC, ESPN+, ESPN Deportes

Watchability ranking: 5 out of 10

Why it’s watchable: Start with Patrick Mahomes, the standard-bearer for winning. The Chiefs have been the NFL’s viewership bell cow over the last couple of years (for good reason) given their excellence. (Taylor Swift probably helped juice the numbers, too.)

The weather is expected to be chilly and Arrowhead Stadium is chaotic when filled.

The Texans seem to live in the early Saturday afternoon slot, which tells you how the NFL broadcasting department sees them against other teams. Houston has the lowest expected points in our projection model, and the Chiefs’ starters have rested since Christmas Day.

Favorite: Chiefs -8

Viewership prediction: 34 million

(Top photo: Mitchell Leff / Getty Images)

Sports

Ohio State's Will Howard vows to continue to 'trust in the Lord' even in the midst of life's highs and lows

Published

6 hours ago

January 17, 2025

Press Room

Ohio State's Will Howard vows to continue to 'trust in the Lord' even in the midst of life's highs and lows

Ohio State has looked dominant throughout the first-ever 12-team College Football Playoff.

After knocking Tennessee out in the first round, the Buckeyes blew out the top-seeded Oregon Ducks in the quarterfinals. Ohio State then defeated the Texas Longhorns in the semifinal to advance to Monday’s championship game.

Quarterback Will Howard will be under center when Ohio State meets Notre Dame in the highly-anticipated title game.

Howard spent four seasons at Kansas State. However, he entered the transfer portal in 2023. In Jan. 2024, he revealed his intentions to make the move to Ohio State. Howard went on to have the best regular season of his college career in Columbus, Ohio.

Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback Will Howard, #18, leaves the field following the Cotton Bowl Classic College Football Playoff semifinal game against the Texas Longhorns at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on Jan. 10, 2025. (Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)

The 23-year-old has thrown for a career-high 3,779 yards and 33 touchdowns against 10 interceptions during his first year at Ohio State. Howard has also used his legs this season, rushing for seven scores.

EX-NOTRE DAME STAR FUELS NATIONAL TITLE GAME HYPE WITH HARSH CRITIQUE OF OHIO STATE’S WILL HOWARD

This year’s Buckeyes roster features multiple players, including Howard, who are outspoken about their personal faith. Howard’s on-field interview after Ohio State’s aforementioned commanding win over Oregon at the Rose Bowl on New Year’s Day was one of many moments in which the quarterback put his beliefs on full display.

“First and foremost, I gotta thank my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, for giving me this opportunity to be on this stage in the Rose Bowl,” Howard said. “Younger me would be in awe right now.”

Ohio State quarterback Will Howard, #18, passes against Texas during the second half of the Cotton Bowl College Football Playoff semifinal game on Friday, Jan. 10, 2025 in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Gareth Patterson)

Shortly after the Buckeyes were upset by their top rival Michigan in late November, Howard referenced his faith as he was asked to share his reaction to the defeat.

“I sat back and thought the opportunity that I have here and what I’ve gone through this year, the ups and the downs, everything has been for my own good,” he said via Columbus news station WCMH, before reaffirming his unwavering faith. “I know that God is putting those obstacles in front of us to grow us and there’s a reason for it. I’m going to just trust the plan.”

Will Howard, #18 of the Ohio State Buckeyes, runs with the ball in the first quarter against the Indiana Hoosiers at Ohio Stadium on Nov. 23, 2024 in Columbus, Ohio. (Jason Mowry/Getty Images)

He added that having an unshakable “trust in the Lord” has proven to be beneficial in his life.

“We got to trust in the Lord and lean on Him no matter what, through the ups and the downs,” he told NBC4. “I tried to just get into my Bible and pray a little bit. Just come back to the Lord and say, ‘I need You.’”

“When you come to Him in a humble way, it changes your perspective. I lay it down for Him and say, ‘God, I trust You. I don’t know why this happened but it happened for a reason. I’m going to trust it.’”

Howard and several of his Buckeyes teammates arrived at preseason workouts wearing “Jesus Won” T-shirts.

The College Football Playoff National Championship game kicks off at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Jan. 20 at 7:30 p.m. ET.

Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

Chantz Martin is a sports writer for Fox News Digital.

Sports

Prep talk: New Garfield football coach Patrick Vargas has big plans

Published

7 hours ago

January 17, 2025

Press Room

Prep talk: New Garfield football coach Patrick Vargas has big plans

When Patrick Vargas was a 5-foot-4 starting quarterback for Garfield High in 2008, the Bulldogs stunned City Section power Birmingham 29-28 in their season opener.

Now, at age 32, Vargas is taking over as Garfield’s new football coach, replacing Lorenzo Hernandez, and he’s embracing all the lessons learned about overcoming obstacles and understanding the tradition of excellence at Garfield.

“It’s a dream come true for me, being a kid from East L.A.,” he said. “Garfield has always been the place I wanted to be, first as a football player, then as a coach. What coach Hernandez did was change the program for the better. What I want to do is continue with that leadership and do my best to take it to the next level.”

He’s also going to inherit a new turf football field under construction. …

For the third straight year, Sadie Engelhardt of Ventura has been named the Gatorade state player of the year in girls cross country.

This is a daily look at the positive happenings in high school sports. To submit any news, please email eric.sondheimer@latimes.com.