David Kaplan: Man on the move wearing many hats
Posted by Ed S. at 1/26/2011 2:29 AM CST on Chicago Business
It's a good thing David Kaplan has a good-sized head because nobody in this town wears more media hats. He touches all four bases: TV, radio, print and the Internet.

Here's his rundown:

Host of "Chicago Tribune Live" on Comcast SportsNet.

Host of "Sports Night" on WGN-AM 720. Also does afternoon drive sports reports for the station.

Host of Cubs pre and post-games shows on Comcast SportsNet.

Serves as an analyst for college basketball games for the Horizon League.

Teams with Fred Mitchell to write "Around Town" column in Tribune.

Writes blogs for ChicagoNow and naturally he is a Twitter fiend.

"I like to stay busy," he said.

"Kap" recently had a stretch that included doing his radio show on WGN from 7-10 p.m. Then he jumped in his car and drove six hours to work a college basketball game the following night in Detroit. Immediately after the game, he drove another six hours back to Chicago, arriving in time the next morning to host three sessions at the Cubs convention.

"You couldn't tell me that's tough," he said. "Sleep is way overrated."

Mr. Kaplan says overcoming a significant heart issue in the early '90s makes him feel blessed and determined to make sure he doesn't get cheated in anything. That's why he embraces a schedule that leaves no room for rest.

Mr. Kaplan's bucket got fuller at the end of last year. A contract extension with Comcast SportsNet saw his duties expanded to handle the Cubs' studio shows during games for the network. Not bad for the lifelong Cubs fan.

A new radio deal with WGN saw him return to his old post at night. He had been the host of the long-running "SportsCentral." However, the show was pulled in the spring, adding to the string of incredibly bad decisions by program director Kevin Metheny.

When Mr. Metheny got the boot in the fall, WGN General Manager Tom Langmeyer quickly moved to reverse the mistake.

"I stayed close to Tom and (sports director Dave Eanet) the whole time," Mr. Kaplan said. "So many people told me to be patient, you'll get the show back. They were right."

The new show calls for him to have rotating co-hosts and it gives him the freedom to delve into other topics than sports. That's fine with Mr. Kaplan.

"I'm as passionate about politics as I am about sports," Mr. Kaplan said.

Sports, though, always will be his obsession, and he's maximizing it at every level. The kid from Skokie is on quite a run.

"I consider myself to be the most blessed guy in the world," Mr. Kaplan said. "I get to talk sports and write sports in my hometown. How can it be any better? Believe me, I know how lucky I am."

Read more: http://www.chicagobusiness.com/section/ ... z1C9RzBSVz
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