Sofa Awards 2000

Derrick Thomas' vehicle slid off an icy highway last January, and his resulting death left fans and teammates shaken. Tamarick Vanover's and Bam Morris' arrests angered the city. Roy Williams flirted with his beloved North Carolina before painfully deciding to stay and coach the Jayhawks -- his Jayhawks. Tony Muser's Royals enjoyed one of the most prolific offensive years in the team's history and still couldn't win more than they lost. UMKC canned Bob Sundvold, Mizzou ousted Larry Smith, and K-State canceled Tom Asbury's ticket.

These events have all been chronicled and debated. But the people who bring you these stories are rarely judged -- except each January when I roll off my couch to present my annual SOFA (Sports media's Outstanding and Forgettable Achievements) Awards. My 2000 edition of the SOFA Awards represents one guy's opinion of the local sports media's work over the past year. This is the sixth year for my SOFA Awards and the first time they have graced the pages of the Pitch. Dig in and enjoy.

Dave Stewart, KMBC Channel 9
Channel 9 has one of the weakest sports lineups in Kansas City, but Dave Stewart shines with his ability to understand what makes a good story and how to tell it. His monotone delivery has always bugged me, but the guy can write ... and even read -- something Len Dawson has trouble doing.

Honorable Mention: Jack Harry, KCTV Channel 5

Many people hate it when TV anchors include their own commentary with the news. Jack Harry has no qualms about stating his opinions as he reports the scores. Thumbs up to the management at Channel 5 for allowing Harry to have a personality in an industry where cloning became popular far before it was a hit with the sheep.

Len Dawson, Channel 9
Lenny the Cool is a local sports icon and has a hit show on HBO, but the guy was awful as the lead sports anchor at Channel 9 in 2000. He mispronounces more names than Les Nessman ... or is it Nes Lessman?

Honorable Mention: Kansas City's version of Charlie's Angels

Karen Kornacki, Lisa Holbrook, and Ann Carroll make up Kansas City's female sportscasting trifecta. Each has her own appeal to certain viewers, but none delivers what I want from my TV sportscasters: good work. With the quality of women sportscasters at an all-time high on the network level, it's time Kansas City started producing more than just politically correct figures.

Metro Sports
Time Warner's Metro Sports dedicates more time to covering the Kansas City sports scene than all four of the other local television channels combined. What it lacks in polish and presentation it more than makes up for in sheer volume, covering everything from the high school level to the professional ranks.

Honorable Mention: Channel 5

Over the past two years, WDAF Channel 4 has slipped as the local leader in covering area sports. This past year Channel 5 surpassed the Fox affiliate as the station to watch for your evening sports. Despite William Jackson's screeching, used-car-salesman approach, Channel 5 has the best lineup of TV sports talent.

KSHB Channel 41
Channel 41 has sliced its sports staff to only two people, making it almost impossible to compete with the other stations. Todd Romero tries hard but doesn't really have a feel for this city yet. Lisa Holbrook, Channel 41's only other sports reporter, might have the most annoying television voice since Howard Cosell.

William Jackson, Channel 5
I've been handing out these awards for six years, and Action Jackson has won this award for style every year. He is a clotheshorse who looks much better in the paddock than on the track.

Rich Baldinger, Metro Sports
With his 1970s haircut and his disdain for a coat and tie, Rich Baldinger has won this dubious award almost as many times as William Jackson has been named best-dressed sportscaster. But Baldinger makes up for his lack of panache with journalistic punch. He's one of the better informed Chiefs analysts in Kansas City.

Metro Sports
The camera work and editing that goes on at Metro Sports borders on art. Whether they're covering a high school highlight package or a Royals TV broadcast, these people understand how to package pictures and send them to your television set.

Metro Sports' Total Access
Total Access takes its cameras and microphones where no other TV station has ever trodden when it comes to covering high school sports. For example, Metro Sports took a week and interviewed local businesspeople about the Rockhurst/Liberty playoff game, then shot video of both locker rooms before, during, and after the game, miked the coaches and some players, and produced an hourlong documentary that first aired December 2. It was great stuff that gave viewers a chance to see high school football from a perspective usually hidden from the public. I hope we see more risks like this from area TV stations.

Channel 4
Channel 4 eliminated sports segments from its early evening and 9 p.m. newscasts, leaving only its 10 p.m. sportscast. What was once the best sports news station in town is now on the verge of being branded inconsequential. Four minutes of sports news in a 24-hour day will do that.