Thomas Baldrick Highlights – Thomas Baldrick

“If you are going to think… think positively.” That’s why we’ll stick to some Thomas Baldrick Highlights here.

Either verbally or mentally, I have repeated my positive thinking mantra to myself more times than I can count. And I’m packing some pretty strong and speedy skills in doing basic math. But algebra, calculus, trigonometry, and their friends? Not so much. I’m positive they overwhelm my creative brain faster than the brutal Arizona summer heat shuts down my iPhone.

However, in still thinking positively, I’m wondering if a long page reviewing my lowlights might be inspirational. I am absolutely positive many would find it funny.

Thomas Baldrick – News

I worked for ABC News as a Field Producer. World News Tonight. Good Morning America. This Week. 20/20. Prime Time, Nightline. Working out of New York and Los Angeles Bureaus, I basically covered everything on the scene. Breaking news, politics, military, extreme weather events, investigations, feature stories, pre-arranged interviews, and more.

Yes, the 4 photos in the graphic above show you a snapshot of my work in news. However, for me, they represent a sample of the many questions I still have from covering various stories.

1. In the historic 2000 Florida Recount deciding George W. Bush as the 43rd U.S. President, how in the world was I the daily representative for ABC News? Being 1 of only 164 people in that small Florida Supreme Court room including judicial staff and attorneys blows my mind.

2. Mainers knows it. This Philly kid didn’t. Do my eyes actually see a real-life waterfall frozen solid? If so, what was I thinking when I agreed to go work in a remote part of the state knowing it was approaching nearly 50 degrees below zero?

3. How on earth where those 9 Pennsylvania miners trapped deep in the earth rescued while they were still alive? What were the astronomical odds of that happening?

4. A photo from working with David Muir’s team the morning after the mass shooting at an El Paso Walmart. How many of these types of events must I cover before they stop? How does someone get so lost that a mass shooting is… the thing to do?

Voted by my media peers on the scene, I was the only live reporter, the pool reporter at the rescue site to eyewitness the extraordinary “Miracle of the Miners” in Somerset, Pennsylvania. A timeless Thomas Baldrick highlight.

Beginning with human kindness, I landed the first interview with an American POW in the Iraq War, group leader, U.S. Army Sgt. James Riley. Saved the interview until the next morning for ABC News colleague, Diane Sawyer.

When the legendary Diane Sawyer calls you, “The Legend,” trust me. You remember it.

I spent 7 days a week for nearly 2 months covering the September 11th tragedies. Starting in NYC that awful day to ending worlds apart in Shanksville, Pennsylvania. This experience has changed my life forever.

I am grateful to ABC News for providing so many opportunities to be an eyewitness to history.. the good, bad, and ugly of it. FACT: Personally, I do not recall a single conversation with any ABC News colleague where our political beliefs were ever discussed. Not once. I also never witnessed or heard political bias. I knew of no “Fake News.” None. Zero. It simply had no place, no power, and no purpose. We were professional journalists who took our role and ethics seriously. It was required.

Our only agendas were getting the story, making sure to get the facts right, and if possible… getting the story first. Today, I am not in any position to say how it is in this moment. Besides, 1 out of 2 would agree. 1 out of 2 would disagree. I can only say without hesitation, I will take to my grave knowing this is how I was and all of ABC News always was.

Thomas Baldrick – Entertainment

Interviewing celebrities is often fun. I will admit sometimes I was in awe. Other times, I was in agony. However, you should know it goes way beyond the celebrity status of the person. For me, the best memories come down to who have I enjoyed spending time with, as well as was there a connection. It is no different than your life journey. Some you click with, others you don’t.

Overall, my experience in working with stars from television, movies, music, and more, shows a line much longer than I can remember. I have many celebrity photos from which to choose. But in this moment, I chose the 3 above for a reason. I’ll share the brief back stories of these Thomas Baldrick highlights for you.

Media

Oprah Winfrey. C’mon now. There is only one Oprah. We never spent alone time in the times I’ve done stories with her. But her story, success, professionalism, and kind heart have always had my respect and admiration.

Walter Cronkite. Yes siree. There was only one of him, too. I worked with him one day. For crying out loud, he delivered the live announcement to America that President John F. Kennedy was assassinated. I worked with him one day (of course I made him laugh). Yet, everyone at CBS in Philadelphia was in sheer awe of the legend. My colleagues and I treated the man who was CBS News like television royalty because he was. Oops, except for that one production assistant who uttered a Philly gaffe for the ages.

Howard Cosell. No doubt about it. “Humble Howard” is another broadcasting legend. But also, he was one of my main childhood idols and reasons I wanted to work in television. I was beyond nervous going to interview in his ABC Sports office in New York City. Because I was worried about getting there early, I got clocked by a New Jersey State Trooper at an interesting rate of speed. Telling the truth not only got me off with a warning, the cool officer had me follow him to the Lincoln Tunnel to get there safely.

Mike Douglas. When I was a wee lad in Philadelphia, The Mike Douglas Show aired weekday afternoons. The big impression it made on me was all the greats, everybody who was anybody, came to Philadelphia to be on television. I fueled my passion. In fact, I originally wanted to work at KYW-TV Channel 3 because of the influence Mike Douglas had on me. I was briefly on the air there years later. And when I met Mike Douglas, I was able to thank him big time. For the record, I was never a Mike Douglas groupie, like my friend and Buffalo television legend, John DiSciullo.

Howard Stern. Yes, it seems odd to put Howard Stern in here. But this Howard was also humble even though he changed radio. He me such a powerful reminder how the person and their persona can be quite different. Howard Stern was the first celebrity to invite me to ride along in his limo. And he also allowed the camera crew as well. We spent a day together when his book was published. It was big. Still, I can’t think of another celebrity who made more effort to ensure our entire crew (not just me) was getting everything we needed. I’m not talking about just good shots and sounds. I mean food, drink, and breaks.

Movies

Bo Derek. I’m still shake my head in embarrassment. This is here as a Thomas Baldrick highlight because I practice self-deprecating humor. Bo Derek was sweet and lovely in our interview. The issue was I simply could not manage my butterflies. My heart was thumping through my shirt as I pretended to be calm. To me, Bo was exquisite in her stunning beauty. Her face and her skin. Her eyes and her smile. Staring and studying a pristine painting is fine if you’re in an art gallery. It’s not the same in real life. I think I know exactly how Dudley Moore felt in the movie he did with her, “10.”

Jerry Lewis. I never met him. But I almost met him AND my maker at the same time. One day I was working in Hollywood, Jerry Lewis ran a red light in a Ferrari. I attempted a roll and tumble to either brace for impact or get out of the way. How did I know it was him you ask? Because I was THAT close and THAT terrified how could I not notice? Later, I proudly served as Philadelphia television host of the annual Jerry Lewis MDA Labor Day Telethon. But never got to speak to him.

Billy Crystal. I know. This forever favorite of mine is a star of the big screen, small screen, and stage. We were having so much fun in my interview with him, he told his manager it was okay to leave. That was a first for me. So was Billy Crystal asking to talk to my boss just to tell him how talented I was and how much he enjoyed me. They met.

Hal Holbrook: Like Billy Crystal, Hal Holbrook was an accomplished actor in his own right. He starred and shined on television, in movies, and on Broadway. Aside from being an interesting guy, Hal was very gracious in talking to me off-camera about working with Clint Eastwood in “Magnum Force.” The moment I will forever treasure is when Hal honored my personal request to re-enact how as Lt. Briggs, he yelled at Dirty Harry. “CALLAHAN!”

Music

Alicia Keys. If they come any more genuine, sweet, humble, and radiant, than her, do tell. I’d like to know. I’m so happy for her success. Alicia’s great voice fits… her.

Phil Collins. Apparently, I got lost with him for a few hours in his dressing room before a concert. What’s funny is we didn’t know others were searching for us. Phil was on top of the world at the time. He always wanted his fans to know he was a regular guy. He is, and a cool one.

Travis Barker. Nope. The Blink 182 star He’s not only here because he married into the Kardashian Family. I’ve never seen their shows. I spent time with Travis at the Detroit Auto Show and couldn’t have possibly enjoyed it more. We spoke about his deep love of cars and laughed about cars we had. Above that, Travis spoke with so much love for his Dad, it made me incredibly happy for him. But afterward, also wishing I knew the same, amazing bond he did. To this day, Travis Barker is one of the greatest personal examples I know to “never judge a book by its cover.”

B.B. King. I’m on the list of those who enjoyed an ice cream cone and conversation with the legendary “King of the Blues.” But the quintessential cherry on top of this Thomas Baldrick highlight is I was basically the third wheel in an epic meeting of kings. You see, the other person was none other than the legendary boxing promoter, Don King.

I am grateful to the shows Access Hollywood, Entertainment Tonight, and Extra for all the front row seats to work with so many talented celebrities. ABC News and NBC 10 in Philadelphia provided me with plenty of opportunities as well. Those sure were interesting, up close and personal star-filled nights.

Thomas Baldrick – Sports

Wayne Gretzky. I played street hockey for most of childhood in Philadelphia. Ice hockey in high school. Of course, I was in awe sitting down with Wayne Gretzky when I was reporting for ESPN. Unlike with Bo Derek, my nerves were melted by fun with the greatest ever on ice.

Pete Rose. The phone rang one evening. It was after months of hustle bugging to “Charley Hustle” to do an interview with me. “Tommy Baldrick! Pete Rose. I’ll do the interview. Tomorrow morning.” It was the only interview Pete Rose did before going to prison. It was also one of the most amazing days of my life.

Mike Tyson. I punched “Iron Mike Tyson” multiple times. Really. Including as hard as I could. It seemed like the best option at the time. A death defying Thomas Baldrick highlight indeed.

Billie Jean King & Martina Navratilova. What a special moment for me to be the courtside reporter for a telecast with these two legends of women’s tennis.

Lisa Leslie. I did a feature piece with one of the faces on a Mount Rushmore of Women’s Basketball.” To this day, the piece as the staff reporter for “Billy Packer’s College Basketball” still inspires me and makes me smile.

Philly Phenoms. I was a sports nut as a kid. So, there remains immeasurable gratitude for meeting and working with most of my hometown childhood heroes. My goodness, I used to stop by Joe Frazier’s Gym sometimes just to catch up with the former Heavyweight Boxing Champion of the World. He was quite funny. There was also Wilt Chamberlain to “Dr. J” Julius Erving in NBA basketball. Countless players and coaches of the Philadelphia Eagles in NFL football. Many of the Philadelphia Flyers “Broad Street Bullies” in NHL hockey. Plus, Mike Schmidt and others from the Philadelphia Phillies in Major League Baseball.

This was like my Super Bowl, World Series, Stanley Cup, NBA Championship and boxing title belt all in one.

Awards and Rewards

Let’s quickly talk animals with Thomas Baldrick awards. This will show you why some think I am a different cat, an odd duck, or a rare bird. For instance, I am currently in possession of only 3 of the 7 Emmy Awards I won in my television career. One of those statues is broken. I think one is missing (hopefully not stolen). I gave away 3.

Don’t get me wrong. I feel blessed and honored to have won those awards. I do. No one can know or take away the significance I hold inside for succeeding in television. It was my childhood dream. Besides, in my humble opinion, some of my best TV work never earned awards.

“Outstanding Television Host.” Won Emmy Award in National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Northeast Region.

“Outstanding Sports Reporter.” Won Emmy Award in National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Northeast Region.

Produced and wrote, “Doc: The Julius Erving Story,” a TV documentary on the life and career of NBA Hall of Famer, “Dr. J” Julius Erving. Won Emmy Award in National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Northeast Region.

“Outstanding Documentary.” Produced and wrote, “One Day in the Delaware Valley,” a TV documentary using roughly 50 camera crews to cover everyday life in the Greater Philadelphia, New Jersey, Delaware area. Won Emmy Award in National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Northeast Region.

“Outstanding Live Programming.” Philadelphia Mummers New Year’s Day Parade. Won Emmy Award in National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Northeast Region. Hosting this Philadelphia tradition for years when the ratings were sky high was a thrill for a hometown boy.

Wrote and produced feature piece on actor and great guy, Tony Plana. Won a Telly Award.

Worked as lead show producer on “A Wedding Story” for Discovery. I’m proud to have played a key role in quickly transforming a series at risk of cancellation into becoming the #1 rated program on TLC Network.

Furthermore, as my life has unfolded, the gifts of award statues have been replaced. Today, the rewards of fatherhood and other human connections with extraordinary people through my work as an author and speaker. Here are some highlights :

Heroic Choices. I was the host of this mentoring program by the Todd Beamer Foundation (The 9-11 hero heard saying, “Let’s Roll” on Flight 93. We served children who lost loved ones in the World Trade Center.

The 9-11 Wall of Hope. Created this powerful project with Shanksville Elementary following crash of United Flight 93 on September 11th. Displayed at Pennsylvania State Capitol and in U.S. National Park archives at Flight 93 Memorial in Shanksville, PA.

Sharla Feldscher. An amazing woman and publicist who was above and beyond exceptional during my time as an author and speaker. She may have believed in me more than anyone.

Rebecca Veeck. Special thanks to Libby and Mike Veeck for allowing me to have priceless memories with their daughter who was one of the most courageous and unique souls I’ve ever known.

Jack Holder. Being the longtime caretaker of a Pearl Harbor Survivor and World War II was a unique honor and real-life history lesson.