Checking In From Cali

This originally appeared on my Medium and Twitter (@BFBaumgartner) accounts on May 17, 2020.

It was the first time the names of Brooks Koepka, Nick Faldo and Blake Baumgartner were in the same train of thought.

And that alone encapsulates the consummate kindness of Jim Nantz.

In the thrust of prepping Zoom calls with Koepka and Faldo for a look back at Koepka’s 2018 PGA Championship, Nantz wanted to check in on me.

After exchanging greetings and sharing my hope that his Mother’s Day with wife Courtney and his two kids was good, Nantz cut to the chase.

“I’m more concerned with how you’re doing,” Nantz said as our phone conversation began May 11. “You doing okay?”

Over the last several months, I engaged in an interview process with ESPN and its entry-level PA program — ESPN Next (https://tacontentcentral-espn.thismomentone.com/espn-next).

Ten days had elapsed since two HR reps from ESPN informed me I wasn’t moving to the third step in the process — an on-site interview in Bristol.

A near hour-long phone screen with HR commenced on March 13 while a BlueJeans session with a ESPN Next manager followed one week later on March 20.

ESPN “really appreciated” my time, effort and patience throughout the application process, I was told on May 1.

They thought it was “pretty darn impressive” I made it as far as I did, given my extensive writing background.

I was also told the people at ESPN continue to take note of my extensive knowledge of leagues, sports, players and my “exceptional” writing skills.

Nantz and I have kept in touch through e-mail on occasion since last July, which I appreciate.

His e-mail reply on May 1 did put a smile on my face, even if for a brief moment.

“Blake — I’m so sorry it’s not working out at this time,” he wrote. “I urge you not to give up. There will be another door to open. Keep the faith. JN”

With Faldo and Koepka waiting in the wings last Monday, Nantz sought to pick me up.

“Don’t despair,” Nantz said. “It wasn’t meant to be this time around with ESPN. It sounded like you were so close. I honestly don’t know what else to tell you, except just trying to give you an encouraging word.

“But I believe in you. I hope you know that. And I believe there was something better that was meant to come your way. I really do.”

It’s now been over a year since I stepped foot on ESPN’s campus for a two-day interview for a job in its Stats & Information Group.

Mike Breen, ESPN’s lead NBA play-by-play voice, and Leslie Cummings, the HR rep I met last year, both heavily encouraged me to apply for ESPN Next.

It took me eight months to mentally get there because it was a risk given my writing background and lack of TV experience.

I’m glad I did it and went through the process.

Should the hiring process resume and they’re able to bring in a new cohort group for 13 months, I won’t be a part of it.

At the end of the day, I’m okay with that.

Why?

I know where I’d fit in like a glove at ESPN, if the opportunity ever came to pass — research.

Since my first conversation about a job within that group with Samantha Rudolph back in July 2008, that feeling hasn’t changed.

Perhaps it’s only gotten stronger after having been out on campus last year and having just gone through the ESPN Next process.

It was 15 years ago this month that I received my journalism degree from Michigan State.

My job search still goes on while trying to show people I’m more than capable despite my cerebral palsy.

With what’s going on with the coronavirus and the sports media landscape, I’m scared and worried about what I’ll do next.

“It’s just a hard thing sometimes,” Nantz said. “I hear from so many people that are looking for that opportunity but there’s no one that I’d rather see get that opportunity than you.”

If someone wants to look past my writing experience and not hire me because I’ve just been a prep freelancer, that’s their prerogative.

But someone would be smart to hire me in a sports research role, whether it’s ESPN or somebody else.

Why?

I was born for it.

That aside for the moment, my sincere hope is I can keep a line of communication open with Nantz as I continue to climb up the mountain.

Even though it’s kind of clear he can’t help directly, it’s clear he cares after squeezing me in between his chats with Faldo and Koepka.

And I’m forever grateful.

“I’m pulling for you, bud,” Nantz said. “I wanted to catch you and just give you a word to hang in there and wish you all the best. Take care of yourself, Blake. Don’t give up on this.”