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As the host of ESPN's Up Close, Gary Miller has it pretty nice. After spending eight years in Bristol, Conn. he has made the move to L.A. and now goes one-on-one with some of the biggest names in sports on a regular basis. And he doesn't even have to leave the office to do it.
"There is not much to dislike about 75 and sunny every day," jokes Miller.
In a recent online chat with ESPN.com users, Miller gave some insight to the interviewing game, his thoughts on some of the old ballparks that are on their last leg, and his two most difficult interviews to date.
In case you missed the August 11 chat, the following is an edited transcript.
Korey: Do you agree with the Sporting News article saying that St. Louis was the best sports town in the U.S.? Is there a more deserving city? Why?
Gary Miller: No, I don't agree with it. And I'm not sure how the poll was ranked. I never agree with how those things turn out. I grew up in Chicago so I am biased. I will say begrugingly that St. Louis is the best baseball town but they are without a real college influence. I don't think you can top New York.
BigC: What is your favorite sports moment that you attended?
Gary Miller: It actually wasn't a sporting moment specifically it was the earthquake at the '89 World Series. I had to switch from realizing I was going to live through it to having to report on it internationally.
SHAWN: Do you think Boston needs a new Fenway?
Gary Miller: Yes, but I understand why it is so difficult. I realize how hard that decision is. Wrigley is still the consumate old ballpark. I love the Green Monster and the neighborhood, but as a fan, Fenway is not a pleasant experience - no parking, concessions are bad, etc. So there is a need for a new Fenway, but unlike Chicago Stadium, Comiskey, etc. I would love to see the Heritage Society get a hold of the old stadiums and preserve them.
Billy: Do you ever have guests and you have to struggle to find things to ask? In other words, have you ever been bored during an interview?
Gary Miller: Never bored but generally I prepare a 60-90 minute show just in case. The two most difficult interviews were Tonya Harding and Jason Williams of the Sacramento Kings. With Tonya we were out of conversation in about five minutes and with Jason after about the second question.
Keith: Which is better: Bristol or L.A.?
Gary Miller: Depends on what you are talking about. As a Midwestern boy who lived in the South and New England, it is nice to round out the experience. I try to make the most of it. There is not much to dislike about 75 and sunny every day.
aldo12: Gary - Do you get lonely in L.A. away from the rest of the SportsCenter gang? Do you make it back to Bristol much?
Gary Miller: That is probably the biggest adjustment, not having co-anchors or the rest of the staff around. Our staff is a fraction of what a SportsCenter has. You build an island spirit being so far away. Here, you have the athletes coming to you so it's nice.
A couple times a year I come back to my house on the shore in Connecticut.
Black and Gold: What do you think will happen to Tiger Stadium?
Gary Miller: Originally they had hoped to preserve it. But from the people I talked to around the Tigers, it looks like that is not going to last, unfortunately. It will probably end up like the others, I just hope it doesn't end up with a plaque like Ebbets.
Kurt: Which person you have interviewed has made you feel the most uncomfortable?
Gary Miller: Hands down Jim Brown! I had watched him the night before on Larry King, and he can be intimidating just to watch, even when he isn't saying anything. When we played the tape, we played only the most inditing portion and he was upset about it. I explained that was the part he was going to trial for. He attacked me for the remaining three segments of the show. But I hung in there and it was an incredible growth experience. He has been on the show since when we did a week for Black History Month.
Clarence: Do you think the NFL preseason should be cut due to injuries to starters? Case in point Patrick Jeffers in Carolina.
Gary Miller: I don't know that there is an ideal solution. I would like to see the ticket prices reduced. It is ridiculous to pay full price for a game in which the team is really out there for only one series.
Mickey: Has anyone specific turned down an Up Close interview?
Gary Miller: Our criteria for guests is pretty high. Usually only 2-3 players per team qualify. It is a pretty exclusive group to begin with. Some guys, like Jordan, don't really do any talk shows. Todd Fritz, our booker, is the best. Our guest list is impeccable. The only ones who haven't come on are the superstars and those who just refuse to talk about what is keeping them in the news. In that case, we can't have them on the show if they wont' talk about it.
Sarah: I am a broadcasting major and I really love your show. What do you think are the best skills to have to be a good interviewer?
Gary Miller: A natural curiosity and a vanishing commodity, the ability to listen. My strength is hearing what they say and being ready to follow up. In contrast to Larry King, you have to do a lot of research before you meet them. King has made an incredible living off asking the obvious, but he is known for that.
Kenny C: I know you're a little biased because Chicago is your hometown, but don't you think that the White Sox will eventually fall flat on their face because of their poor defense?
Gary Miller: I'm actually a Cubs fan. But I think we are seeing in recent years how expansion has diluted teams. Most of them wouldn't have a chance against a team from even 10 years ago. That is why the Yankees have been able to win. When it comes to the late stages in the playoffs, they can beat people. The White Sox, their nemesis is youth. The rest of the field of playoff teams is diluted enough, the White Sox have a chance to make the playoffs and even the World Series.
Korey: Joe Torre didn't seem to know why Jose Canseco was sent to him. Did Jose have a better idea?
Gary Miller: No. In the show airing tonight (August 11), he was just as surprised as anyone else. The Yanks don't really need him, but he will play more often than not. I think that Steinbrenner just has liked him for so long. I think he will fit in on a major role on that team. I think they didn't want him to go anywhere else, namely Toronto.
Bert: Would you ever like to do play by play for a Major League team?
Gary Miller: It's still a dream of mine. I got into this business because of Haray Caray. I just thought it looked like the greatest job in the world. It is tough with scheduling but doing the College World Series has given me some good experience. If you can do that, doing a MLB game is like the difference in pitching to little leaguers and pitching to major leaguers. I have really enjoyed the CWS.
Mike: Do you miss doing SportsCenter?
Gary Miller: Not really. I did it for eight years. I miss some of the co-anchors but having spent 20 years doing highlight shows, I really enjoy the 1-on-1 aspect and meeting them in a different environment. I'm really enjoying this opportunity after having done halftime and SportsCenter shows all those years. But I could go back to it anytime.
Jay: Do you think Jim Gray overstepped professional boundaries in his questioning of Pete Rose?
Gary Miller: I respect his work enormously. I still feel his interview with Mike Tyson after the ear bight was the most accomplished and best live interview I've ever witnessed. The mistake he made, I think, is he became a bigger story than what he was covering. You never want that to happen.
Brandon: What do you want to do in the future?
Gary Miller: Amongst my dreams is to do play-by-play with the Cubs, but Chip Caray just signed a four-year extension! I would love to do documentaries. I love historical and biographical stuff. I love to write as well. Those areas have some possibilities. And I'm always open to suggestions.
Keith: Do you get recognized in public?
Gary Miller: Occasionaly. But it's not at the Chris Berman level! I've walked with him through ballparks and it is amazing. I don't think I would be comfortable with that. The people that do come up are usually very complimentary and sincere. Not having catch phrases means people aren't running up to me and screaming at me to say something special. I'm grateful for that.
Callie: Hey Gary, love the show!! Do you ever talk to Roy Firestone?
Gary Miller: Occasionaly. Moreso before I took over the show. He rarely comes into the office because his show goes to the guest instead of them coming here. I realize I wouldn't have had this opportunity if he hadn't created this show back in the early 80s.
Peter Huisking: Where do you see Alex Rodriguez next season?
Gary Miller: If Harold Reynolds who is really chummy with ARod couldn't get a straight answer, I don't think ARod knows himself. I think NY is a likely destination. To see him and Jeter playing cross town from each other would be interesting.
Will: Is The Replacements worth seeing? I know you talked to Gene Hackman.
Gary Miller: I hate to be honest because I really enjoyed the interview and it was one of the big thrills of my career. The movie looked good, the cinematography, etc., but the script and storyline was pretty predicatable. Other people thought it was funny though.
Matt: Do you think the NFL will figure out Kurt Warner this year?
Gary Miller: Something tells me yes. It just seems inconceivable that a guy could get that lost in the shuffle in terms of playing Arena ball and World League and then becoming the best QB in the NFL. If he does continue and have the kind of career that a Marino has, it would be a first. Danny Wuerffel is coming back so we'll see if anybody follows his route. I just have to be skeptical.
Roger: Don't you ever just not want to smile during those interviews? You always look so damn happy, c'mon, admit it, that's gotta be forced when you're talking to Tonya Harding or one of those types.
Gary Miller: It's not forced. It's not phony. If you want to see me not smile look at the Jim Brown show. The only times I don't smile are the ones that are really emotionally touching. Generally, I treat the shows as a conversation. As if you sat next to them on a plane or happened to have lunch with them. I try to make them feel comfortable but safe yet asking them the qustions that need to be asked. That is not the phony TV smile that Dan Patrick and I used to kid about!
It has been a privelage to talk to you. Thanks for watching and I'm sorry we couldn't get to all the questions. Please come back next time!
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