- 12/14/2010
- Posted by: Mike O'Malley
- Category: radio, storytelling
Sometimes it’s not about the “best” or “most” or any superlative. Sometimes it’s not about anything tangible at all. Sometimes it’s just about how you “feel.”
Like Cliff Lee’s decision to sign with the Philadelphia Phillies instead of going for the (presumably) best location (closest to home) or the most (no presumption here – 7 years’ worth of it) money.
Along this road to Citizen’s Bank Park there was plenty of spectacle – although these didn’t stem from the physical either. Instead, it was silence-driven, suspense fueled talk and theories that drove attention to the sport, the teams involved, and Lee.
Listeners love stories, spectacle, and content that makes them feel something. This story had all that plus a surprise ending.
Baseball may not be your listeners’ passion, but the Cliff Lee saga contained the tenets of what makes a great radio story: a journey that unfolded a chapter at a time, engaging listeners, stirring passion, creating mystery, and causing talk.
Oh, and one more thing – it temporarily took the spotlight off the New York Jets.