ESPN Executive Rejects Linda Cohn’s Proposed ‘Mike Piazza: Master Batter’ Catchphrase

Linda Cohn said she once proposed the line “Mike Piazza: master batter” for baseball highlights on SportsCenter, only for then-ESPN executive Norby Williamson to reject it the same day. ” She said the idea came from the pressure of finding catchphrases while preparing highlights. Cohn told listeners she first discussed the line with a friend in North Carolina who worked in graphics.

She said the friend suggested a home-run call that could apply to sluggers such as Mark McGwire, Mike Piazza or Barry Bonds. “When a guy is up at bat and he hits a home run, because you were so great with home run calls, I think I have an idea for a home run call and a catchphrase over a highlight,” Cohn recalled telling her friend.

Cohn said she planned to use the phrase whenever one of those players appeared in a highlight and hit a ball that was clearly leaving the park.

The suggestion reached Williamson quickly. ” Cohn told him she thought the line would be funny. Williamson replied, “Well, don’t ever do that again,” she said, ending the conversation. ” Rich Eisen, who hosted the podcast, anchored SportsCenter from 1996 to 2003, left for NFL Network, and returned to the program most recently in April.