Comcast SportsNet reporter and anchor Kelli Johnson is in her ninth year with the network. She is best known for her role as the Redskins beat reporter, but she also is in her third year covering the Nationals. We discussed the NL East-leading ballclub. Is baseball your favorite sport?
Johnson »
“Yes, my dad was a baseball guy. He coached in all levels of youth baseball, and I loved the game and followed it as a kid. My favorite team was the St. Louis Cardinals, and my favorite player was Ozzie Smith.”
What do you like about this Nationals team?
Johnson »
“It all starts with Davey Johnson. When he sat with me on air in our first live interview in spring training this year and said that ‘if we don’t make the playoffs then management should fire me,’ he meant it. The players love him because he enjoys teaching them, and he will stick with them and give them the time they need to prove themselves. This Nationals team … really believes that they will win every time they take the field, and with such an outstanding pitching staff they have a good reason to feel that way.”
Is it still a challenge to be a woman reporter in sports?
Johnson » “We need to make sure we are always prepared, in control and know what we are talking about. We women often are tough on ourselves, and in some cases there are female reporters getting on each other. To be honest, here in Washington the women of the sports press corps have each other’s back, and we are all good friends. I really have to say, my female and male coworkers at CSN are really a family.”
Examiner columnist Jim Williams is a seven-time Emmy Award-winning TV producer, director and writer. Check out his blog, Watch this!
