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Of course the ESPYs are the biggest event for ESPN every year so you can imagine the plethora of network talent trolling the bowels of New York. ESPN.com cornered two of ESPN and ABC's anchors in Charley Steiner and John Saunders.

Check out this edited transcript from their chat from the ESPYs and find out where Steiner thinks Mike Tyson's career is headed and what sports Saunders claims as his favorites.

Go Charley?: Is it going to be possible for baseball to even come close to repeating last season?

Charley Steiner: The one thing baseball can't try to do is improve upon 1998, which was obviously an extraordinary season. They just have to go out and play. The toughest thing in the world to do is to try too hard. Players in general and the game itself -- just go out and play hard.

Chad: What sports personality have you most enjoyed interviewing or getting to know during your time at ESPN?

Charley Steiner: I have been enormously fortunate to have gotten to know two of the athletes that I admired the most -- Muhammad Ali and Sandy Koufax. And when I think of how it was that I got into this business and why it was -- and to have gotten to know these extraordinary men -- has been a great thrill.

Garret: Where do you think Tyson's career is headed now?

Charley Steiner: Where it has been heading for the past eight years -- downward and picking up pace. It's a sad story, but it is one that Tyson has authored and nobody else.

James G. Do you ever get star struck?

Charley Steiner: No, I really don't. One of things that I have learned in this business, and I've been at it for more than 30 years, is that these men and women are just that -- men and women. They just happen to have a great amount of talent in their chosen profession. That doesn't make them better or worse people. They are people. I admire their skills, but beyond that -- they are just people.

PSUfan: Have you ever had the opportunity to meet with or interview JoePa? If so, what is he like to talk with?

Charley Steiner: I had lunch with Joe Paterno in Happy Valley on a Friday afternoon before a Penn State game two years ago and he was just an absolute delight. You could see instantly why he has been as successful as he has been. He has a presence about him and a humility.

Dude: Who is your pick for the Bowler of the Year award?

Charley Steiner: Carmen Salvino.

Thanks for the questions. By the way, pitchers and catchers report Thursday.

Moderator: Next up is ABC sports anchor John Saunders.

Bigred: It seems like many of the ESPN broadcasters have played in college or semi pro sports, did you play anything?

John Saunders: I played college hockey at Western Michigan in the mid 70s. I played with Neil Smith -- President and GM of the New York Rangers. It keeps your involvement in sports when you're able to look at it as an athlete.

It gives you a better perspective especially in the bad times, it gives you a better idea of what they are going through.

Stan the Man: Do you think there is a player in the NBA right now that can even come close to measuring up to filling the shoes Michael Jordan left behind?

John Saunders: The answer is probably no -- but not just based on athletic ability. There are players in the league capable of the on-court abilities of Jordan. I think of Allen Iverson, Grant Hill, Stephon Marbury to name a few. But what remains in question is whether or not those players have the drive of Michael Jordan. When I do NBA games, you go to a NBA arena where Jordan's playing and you'll go two hours early and see one guy on the floor shooting jump shots -- and that's Jordan.

He absolutely hates to lose and accepts nothing less than greatness from himself. Add to that charisma, marketability and six championships and I don't think anyone will ever match that.

James: What sport do you enjoy the most?

John Saunders: I got two answers: my first love is hockey. I played it my whole life and understand it instinctually. I recognize and respect exactly how difficult it is to be good at it and because of that I think hockey will always be closest to my heart.

But . . . if I was to say which sport I enjoy covering the most it would be college basketball. There is no sport where the imagination of the fans, the pageantry and the excitement is matched. Go to a college basketball game regardless of whether or not you have an interest in the teams and you'll still walk away entertained.

Dave: Can't you tell Barry Melrose to cut his hair?

John Saunders: Asking Barry Melrose to cut his hair would be like asking Superman to get rid of the cape or asking Batman to get rid of the mask.

Melrose without his hair would not be Barry. You can't expect Gretzky to work his magic without his stick. You can't expect McGwire to hit home runs without his bat. And you can't expect Melrose to entertain without his hair.

Brian Haley: Who do you think will be the first black All-Star in hockey? I personally hope it is Jarome Iginlia or Mike Grier.

John Saunders: I'm not sure that Tony McKegney was never an All-Star. He scored in the neighborhood of 350 goals with Montreal, Buffalo and a few other teams. If he was never an All-Star, he should have been.

But currently I would think Anson Carter of the Boston Bruins is likely to be the next, or first, black All-Star.

Kevin: Will you be involved in ABC's coverage of the NHL next year? You did a great job a few years ago.

John Saunders: Yes, I will be the host of ABC's hockey coverage next year. This time around the coverage will be much more extensive than it was when ABC had hockey five or six years ago. On any given Sunday, we are likely to have five or six games running in separate regions. So there's a good chance you'll be able to see your favorite team in your home city.

Also this time around, I'll likely have my partner from ESPN, Barry Melrose, with me.


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