This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2017, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
BYU graduate Kirk McKnight loved visiting Major League Baseball stadiums in his youth. He once thought a guide to the ballparks would be fun to write, but that's been done.
And then he thought of telling the stories of the parks through the radio announcers who have witnessed many historic and memorable events in them. Surprisingly, that hadn't been done.
McKnight did it. He wrote "The Voices of Baseball: The Game's Greatest Broadcasters Reflect on America's Pastime." McKnight will appear this week at book signings in the Salt Lake Valley and join broadcasters of the Salt Lake Bees and Ogden Raptors in the booth.
President Bill Clinton's appearance on the Baltimore Orioles' broadcast of Cal Ripken's record-breaking 2,131st consecutive game is one of the many stories that brings McKnight's book to life. The Baltimore chapter is one of the book's best, thanks to the storytelling ability of announcer Jon Miller, who now works in San Francisco. Miller talks about his call of Ripken's fourth-inning home run being drowned by Clinton's reaction.
Other behind-the-scenes tales include how Ripken was dealing with a fever that week, amid the stress of approaching the record, and how he didn't want any kind of ceremony once the game became official in the fifth. Teammates practically shoved him out of the dugout to do a victory lap.
The stories behind Ripken's record is an example of how McKnight went far beyond his original plan to describe the ballparks. That part is covered, with descriptions of what makes each venue distinctive, but the framework of the book is the stuff the broadcasters have seen.
"They would know better than anybody, anyway, because they're there every day," McKnight said.
McKnight doggedly pursued phone interviews with a broadcaster from each team, without the credentials of having covered Major League Baseball. He works as a valet in Las Vegas, which he labels "a great day job," while also hoping it becomes his "last day job."
Once he got going, broadcasters endorsed him to their colleagues. Miller and Cincinnati's Marty Brennaman were among his first interviewees, and they helped him considerably. The legendary Vin Scully was a tough target, but he was great once McKnight connected with him.
And with his degree from BYU's Marriott School of Management, McKnight knew that marketing the book would require some help as well. He was shrewd enough to "ride the coattails of these broadcasters," who have helped him promote the book on the air and via social media.
The paperback version of the book is updated with an interview with Fox's Joe Buck and coverage of the Chicago Cubs' 2016 World Series championship.
McKnight has written a similar book about hockey, due out in paperback in October. That "Voices" book focuses more on NHL games and rivalries than the arenas.
Twitter: @tribkurt —
Book promotion
Kirk McKnight will sign copies of his book this week at Barnes & Noble locations in the Salt Lake Valley and appear in the broadcast booth at two games.
Thursday: Salt Lake Bees game, 7 p.m.
Friday: Gateway Crossing, 340 S. 500 West, West Bountiful, 12-3 p.m.; Jordan Landing, 7157 Plaza Center Dr., West Jordan, 4-6:30 p.m.; Fort Union, 7119 S. 1300 East, Midvale, 7-9:30 p.m.
Saturday: The Pointe, 5249 S. State, Murray, 12-4 p.m.; Ogden Raptors game, 7 p.m.