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Harlan says he wasn’t about being a homer for KU in games at Omaha
But Harlan, a Kansas grad, thinks any notion that he’s a KU homer on the air is misguided.
“Well, you have to show some energy in your voice when there’s a good play being made,” Harlan said by phone. “And the truth is, there were more good plays made by Kansas than were made by Portland State or UNLV.
“Just because you show some energy in your call doesn’t mean you’re rooting for any particular team. I didn’t hear anything from CBS about it. I always go back and listen to the playback, and I didn’t notice anything out of the norm.”
If anything, Harlan said, he was kind of pulling for KU’s opponents just to make the games more interesting.
“Let’s face it, we didn’t have very good games in Omaha, mostly blowouts,” he said. “What we’re rooting for are compelling games for CBS. Other regions got those, and we didn’t.”
Harlan said he understands that some fans take his broadcasting style the wrong way.
“I have an enthusiastic call anyway,” he said. “And maybe when you know a team a little more … it’s kind of like now when I do a Chiefs game for CBS. I live here, and I know the story lines of these teams. People then assume that maybe I’m rooting for the Chiefs on the air.
“I understand that fans are fickle and they can be pretty sensitive. If you don’t show enthusiasm, then there’ll be fans who say, ‘Oh, he hates KU,’ or ‘He hates my team.’ You’re not going to please everyone.”
Royals TV
The high-def debut of the Royals for Monday’s season opener on FSN Kansas City (12:05 p.m.) will be preceded by a 30-minute preview of the season at 11 a.m. and by a live pregame show at 11:30 a.m. with Joel Goldberg.
FSN Kansas City also will show a replay of the opener at 7 p.m. Monday night.
More Royals
How many games will the Royals win in 2008? Well, the oddsmakers at www.Bodoglife.com put the over-under at 72.5.
Another interesting over-under was Mark Teahen’s home-run total, which was put at 10.5. I like the over there.
One more Royals note: If you simply can’t get enough Royals discussion these days — and not even Sam Mellinger’s “Ball Star” fills you up — check out www.ranyontheroyals.com. Good reading.
Chiefs pick
Numerous mock NFL drafts have the Chiefs taking Boston College quarterback Matt Ryan if he’s available. But interestingly, nfl.com’s Vic Carucci has the Chiefs passing on Ryan (whom he has going to the Ravens at No. 8) and taking Boise State offensive tackle Ryan Clady.