Miller thinks and speaks

By Mel Bracht

Published: June 16, 2006

NBC golf analyst Johnny Miller's brutally honest commentary is a refreshing contrast to some other network announcers who have been known to kowtow to golfers and tournament officials.

Miller's off-the-wall remarks can raise the blood pressure of normally staid golfers.

Just ask Craig Parry.

In the 2004 U.S. Open, Miller said Craig Parry's swing "would make Ben Hogan puke" during a playoff that Parry won with an eagle on the first hole.

Or Justin Leonard.

In the 1999 Ryder Cup, he said Leonard was playing so poorly that he should have just "stayed home and watched on TV."

"He has no filter between his brain and his mouth," NBC producer Tommy Roy said. "Whatever he's thinking comes out."

Some golfers, including Parry, have complained to PGA Tour officials, and a few even threatened to run him off the track during a celebrity racing event last year at Miami-Homestead (Fla.) Speedway.

But Miller's humor, frankness and unpredictability have earned him high marks with viewers. In a fan survey in Sports Illustrated, Miller was named favorite golf analyst. Readers of Golf Digest perennially name him best TV analyst.

This week, NBC rewarded Miller with a long-term contract extension, only months after Sports Illustrated reported that he intended to work only two to four years and then go on a religious mission.

"Johnny understands better than almost anyone else in sports television that he is there to serve not the players he covers, but the viewers," said Dick Ebersol, president of NBC Universal Sports.

In a conference call Wednesday, Miller admitted that sometimes he doesn't know what he will say.

"I do my homework, and if something happens and it comes into my head, I try to tell you guys the real deal," Miller said. "Be true to the listeners.

"There's nothing tricky about it. Sometimes I wish I didn't think so crazily, but that's just the way I am. My dad was the same way."

Miller, 59, said he is accepted better by golfers 25 and younger than the older generation.

"They think it's kind of cool, sort of X Games," he said. " I don't try to run anybody over, but I feel that's sort of my style."

In his PGA career, Miller won 24 tournaments. He is best known for winning the 1973 U.S. Open at Oakmont (Pa.) Country Club with a 63, a final-round record for a major championship.

A new 'Contender'

Lawton boxer Grady "Bad Boy" Brewer, 34, is among the 16 contestants for the second series of ESPN's "The Contender" reality series.

Raised in a family with brothers and relatives who boxed, Brewer started boxing at age 11 and went on to become a state Golden Gloves champion. He won 40 of his 45 amateur fights.

Since turning pro in 1999, he has an 18-11 pro record, including 12 knockouts, with victories over highly ranked boxers Jermain Taylor and Sechew Powell.

Brewer, who with his wife, Brandi, has four children, works as a tire curer at the Lawton Goodyear Tire factory.

"The Contender" follows the lives of 16 professional boxers as they compete for the chance to change their lives. It will debut at 9 p.m. July 18 with a two-hour premiere.

Each episode culminates in a five-round professional bout where the winner moves one step closer to the grand prize and a shot at the title of Contender Champion. The series will conclude with a live finale from the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Sept. 26.

Boxing legend Sugar Ray Leonard will serve as host and mentor, guiding the boxers through intense training sessions.

Media notebook

Stoops doubleheader on TBS
TBS will open its 2006 college football schedule Sept. 2 with a Stoops brothers doubleheader.

Bob Stoops' Oklahoma team will host Alabama-Birmingham at 6 p.m. Mike Stoops' Arizona team will host Brigham Young University in the second game at 9:15 p.m.

TBS also has announced two other telecasts: Minnesota at California, 6 p.m., Sept. 9; Arizona State at Colorado, 6 p.m., Sept. 16.

Ron Thulin (play-by-play), Charles Davis (analyst) and Craig Sager (sideline) will return as TBS' main broadcast team.

Tracking the Rocket
ESPNEWS (Cox 254) will present coverage of Roger Clemens' third and final minor-league tuneup with the Houston Astros Triple-A affiliate team, the Round Rock Express, at 7 tonight against the New Orleans Zephyrs.

FSN Southwest (Cox 37) will provide a delayed broadcast of the game at 12:30 p.m. Saturday with the Cox Sports Television broadcast team of Paul Crane, Tim Grubbs and Ron Swoboda.

In anticipation of Clemens' season debut with the Astros, ESPN Classic (Cox 255) will televise "Classic Flamethrowers: Roger Clemens" at 1 p.m. Sunday. The six-hour marathon will feature five of the future Hall of Famer's greatest performances.

Briefly

"Citgo Bassmasters," 11:30 a.m. Saturday on ESPN2, will look back at the final day of the Sooner Run from Grand Lake. Bella Vista, Ark., angler Mike McClelland won the Elite Series tournament and earned $100,000.

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