540 ESPN Milwaukee

Mitch Nelles

On Air: Producer for Homer's Show Mon-Fri 2:00pm-6:00pm

College?

The University of Wisconsin

Hometown?

Boston, MA

Favorite sport? Why?

Baseball – for its pacing and lack of clock. The fact that you can get lost in the game, and not worry about anything else in the world going on.

Favorite team?

Boston Red Sox

Favorite athletes?

Larry Bird, Dwight Evans, Ray Allen

Most memorable sports moment?

Being at the game, in St. Louis, Game 4 of the 2004 World Series when the Red Sox beat the Cardinals. Talking to my dad on the phone when it happened, then turning my phone off and enjoying the moment.

Favorite thing about sports?

The fact that anything can happen. The outcomes are not determined – nothing is scripted. It’s real.

If you could change one thing/rule about any league, what would you change?

I’d make the playoffs for every sport based on records, without regard to division. Division winners shouldn’t get a higher playoff seeding over a team with a better record.

If you could live the life of one pro athlete for a day, whose life would you choose? For one day?

Probably LeBron James.

Years in broadcast?

First job? First job in the business?

I was a member of the Bucks HOOP TROOP, and I used to drive around the Red Bull minicar. In the biz? I covered the UW women’s softball team for The Wisconsin State Journal.

First, or best, childhood sports memory?

As a softball pitcher for my camp softball team, I remember beating the heavily favored team in a tournament for the championship, and having my coach rush the mound, pick me up and carry me to centerfield, where we all piled on each other in celebration.

Favorite non-sport related activity?

Is playing poker a sport-related activity?

Favorite Milwaukee spot? Alterra – all of them!

Nickname? Origin of nickname? Nelly, from my last name Nelles. Thunder, because Homer says I bring the Thunder.

Advice to listeners?

Our job is to inform and entertain you. Without you, we have no job – so please let us know what we are doing well, and what we can do better. You want some? Come get some!

E-mail me at mitch@espnmilwaukee.com or instant message me at AIM: Manelles or Gchat: mitchell.nelles