Famed Sportscasters Shine at JCC

For decades, sports fans in the Greater Boston area have religiously followed their favorite sports teams and relied on local sports newscasts for the information they crave. More often than not, the two men they would tune in to watch were Mike Lynch of Channel 5 Sports and Bob Lobel, formerly of Channel 4.

On Monday night the two local sports broadcast icons were joined by Sports Huddle host Billy Fairweather, who mediated a Sports Talk event at the Jewish Community Center in Marblehead. Residents listened attentively as they two talked about the local sports scene and their years of respectful competition as two of the area's most watched sports anchors.

For the better part of an hour, the two men offered residents a glimpse of what goes on behind the scenes of local sports and expressed their opinions on the changing sports media environment.

It would be impossible here to impart every bit of the discussion to readers who did not make it to the event, but suffice it to say that Lynch and Lobel were every bit as likeable and gregarious as they have always seemed when reporting on sports for their respective stations.

What follows are a some of the highlights of the evening and how the two sports experts think the local teams will fare this year.

Lobel on his relationship with Lynch:

"I always thought that we could have just as easily have worked together, as we did working for different stations. . .The business can be tough and competitive, but I felt like we let the business people take care of the business and we stayed above the fray."

Lynch on Boston sports newscasts from the 1980's on:

"We were lucky, there was never a night when we said ,'Gee, what are going to fill the time with?' Usually, we were trying to figure out how to fit it all in."

Lynch on the impact of new technology on sports reporting now:

"It was pretty big to have a scoop in the days before cell phones. You just kind of sat there biting your fingernails until 6 p.m., hoping that it didn't show up on Channel 4 or Channel 7 first."

Lobel's story about being offered the job to replace Brent Musberger at CBS, and turning it down:

"It just didn't feel right, so we decided to stay here and the network turned around and offered the job to Jim Nantz and he's been there ever since. . .but there is a very good chance that had I taken it I would have failed. I respect what Jim does, but he's very even-keeled and I'm too full of energy, I probably would have flamed out in three years."

Lynch on working in his hometown:

"When I was growing up if someone had told me that I'd have Don Gillis' job someday, I'd have said where do I sign up. . .If my time here came to an end, I couldn't go to another city and do this, because my passion is natural, it's not feigned.I always want the Boston teams to win."

On the Red Sox chances this year:

Lobel : "Their problem this year is expectations. The only way they can win is to win the whole thing."

Lynch: "They went out and loaded up in the offseason to try and cover their weaknesses and if they can stay healthy, they should be alright."

On whether there will be an NFL season next year:

Lobel: "I can't imagine it not happening. I think somewhere three owners and three players are meeting in secret trying to figure out how to split up $9 billion, I mean they have to be."

Lynch: "If this were August 28 instead of March 28, I'd be a little worried, but again, they're arguing about how to split up $9 billion. I have to figure that they'll get it done. I'd be stunned if they even missed on preseason game."

On the Bruins' chances to win the Stanley Cup this year:

Lobel: "I don't think so. . . I don't think they're good enough."

Lynch: "I think they have a good chance, it all depends on their goaltending."

On the Celtics' recent struggles:

Lynch: "One word Rondo. His head is a bit messed up right now by the trade of Kendrick Perkins and he has to grow out of that a bit."

Lobel:  "Oh, he's (Rondo) got to grow up and move on already."