White Sox TV voice John Schriffen appeared on Chicago-based WSCR-AM’s “Inside the Clubhouse” on Saturday, “seemingly putting aside a conflict with the station that arose during his first season” as an MLB broadcaster last year, according to Jeff Agrest of the CHICAGO SUN-TIMES. Schriffen reflected on a year in which station hosts “noted his mistakes and criticized his broadcasting.” The “Parkins & Spiegel” show in particular “discussed and played Schriffen’s mistakes on the air.” Schriffen responded during a game, calling them “those radio losers.” Schiffren said he “came in as the new guy and obviously I didn’t know Chicago and I let that be known that I wanted to learn the city.” He added, “I felt like when people were taking jabs and throwing shots at me, I felt like that was my competitiveness going back at people, like, hey, I understood what the assignment was and I’m trying to get to know the city.” Schiffren said he “realized halfway through the season that that wasn’t the best approach.” Schiffren: “When people were dissecting the broadcasts and playing clips, I felt like I was so nervous to make a mistake.” Schriffen added that he “changed his approach around the All-Star break, making an effort to enjoy his job and not focus on the criticism” (CHICAGO SUN-TIMES, 2/22).
TRYING TO GET BETTER: Schiffren said last season was a “huge growing year for me, not only as a broadcaster but as a person.” He added, “It was a tough season because of what I walked into. … Taking over for a broadcaster (Jason Benetti) that everybody loved. We had a network that was changing hands, so they weren’t involved as (they normally would be).” Schiffren: “I came in a little too hot. I was so excited, and I wanted everyone to feel that -- the passion I had for baseball. And for some it probably came off wrong. It was a different tone.” In Chicago, Paul Sullivan wrote “slapping back at his critics on the broadcasts was probably” Schiffren’s “biggest mistake.” Sullivan: “Why not just ignore them?” Schiffren said, “It’s easier said than done, right?” He added, “I’ve learned that’s not the best stance. It’s not the best way to go about things. That’s part of the growth.” Schriffen said that he would be “more approachable now that he’s ‘more comfortable,’” likening it to a “student at a new school figuring things out in his second year” (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 2/22).
