Amy Gutierrez, affectionately known as Amy G., is normally a staple at San Francisco Giants games. This season, now that it’s confirmed that one will happen, will definitely be different. While it’s different, we’re all excited to see our favorite players back out on the diamond. Amy spoke with us about baseball, how players are passing the time in quarantine and her new Instagram series #WineWednesday.
Editor’s Note: This interview was conducted before MLB announced that the season would definitely resume.
Normally you are super busy during this time of the year. How are you and how has the reality of sports on pause been? Any advice for people struggling with sports withdrawal?
It’s definitely strange to have some downtime in the spring and summer
months, but I’m trying to make the most of it. Physically my family
and I are great. Everyone is safe and healthy and that is the priority.
Emotionally, I’m a rollercoaster. Not being sure if baseball will
return and IF it does, not knowing if my position as an in-game reporter
will still exist is fairly exhausting. My advice to those feeling a void
and missing sports is to get outside and do something physical while we
wait. We’re fortunate in some regard this pandemic plopped itself on
us during the warmer months so we CAN still get outside and exercise. If
this was the winter time, well, it’s not, so I won’t go there.
Last year we asked about balancing work and life. Now it’s work from home and family balance. How are you handling it?
I’m fortunate that my kids are a little older, 12 & 15. They have been
very self sufficient during Distance Learning and haven’t needed much
help. Paul and I are so proud of how they transitioned during this
unprecedented time. We’ve had to hold a lot of family meetings and get
everybody’s Zoom schedule plotted out. At times we’ve all been
Zooming at once and it’s taken a toll on the wi-fi for sure! We’ve
been able to have sit-down family dinners in the month of May which
hasn’t happened….ever! The kids are much more involved with the
household upkeep too. Helping with dinner, helping in the garden and
it’s really been nice to have this time with them when normally it’s
go, go, go to the next thing and no time to talk and connect.
How can young journalists, broadcasters, etc. who want to practice the craft during this time with not much happening in sports?
Even though sports is on hiatus there are still plenty of resources and
classes that aspiring journalists can take. I’m teaching a sports
journalism course at Sonoma State this fall and there are several sports
writers who have put together on-line content. I personally host a q&a
segment called ‘Ask Amy G’ and answer fan questions, many of which
ask ‘how did you get your job?’ Just be resourceful and think
outside of the box. See if you can set up some informational zooms with
your favorite broadcasters and be on the lookout for virtual
opportunities. Watching old games is also a great way to practice your
craft. How would you have called that play? What questions would you
have asked the hero of that game?
You started doing #WineWednesday segments on your social media. Tell us what inspired that and what’s your mission?
After Shelter In Place went into effect, I was approached with the idea
by a colleague, to start a weekly IG Live show. At first, it was just me
and Rich Aurilia talking ball and sipping wine. I thought, “why
not”? Richie and I met back in 2008 and have become good friends so
having an opportunity to chat with him every week made doing the show a no-brainer. We tweaked it and added a Giants guest for the first half-hour and the fans responded so positively. They love seeing someone new each week followed by the consistency of Aurilia each Wednesday. It’s a perfect combo and the guests that have joined have been amazing. From Bochy to Pence to Pablo and so many others, it’s a reflection of my
career every week and the relationships I’ve worked so hard to build
over 13 seasons. I love it. And I love wine, too. A definite win-win.
Do you know how athletes are coping with these unprecedented times? Any fun ways they are passing the time?
I can only imagine the toll this time is taking on the most competitive
people in the world. I would assume professional athletes and quarantine don’t mix, at least not for this amount of time. It’s been
interesting to see which athletes have taken to social media, likely to
hold themselves accountable to their workouts and to stay game-ready
versus those who went underground. We’re all navigating unchartered
territory so there is no right or wrong way to handle the situation.
I’m convinced there’s an emotional let-down to all of this too and
it’s likely been hard for many athletes to motivate. We all depend on
outside influences to encourage and motivate us. For athletes, the crowd
noise and clutch situations provide those much needed adrenaline rushes and that right now is just non-existent. There’s A LOT of TikTok
though and that’s been pretty entertaining.
What is your opinion about playing professional sports with no fans?
For now, just start playing. Fans or no fans. We have to start making
progress, as long as it’s deemed safe.
What is your best advice for women looking to get into the sports world?
For women looking to getting into sports broadcasting take your classes, get your internships, ask a lot of questions, be persistent, and KNOW your sport.
You can follow Amy G. on her Twitter, Instagram, or on NBC Sports Bay Area!
