As soon as I saw 19-year-old Julio Osegueda ask President Obama a question Tuesday at a town hall meeting in Florida, I knew he was going to be a media hit (see video here). He was ultra-hyper and a bit goofy in an endearing way as he asked about getting benefits for his job at McDonald’s. He told Obama that he was a student and wanted to go into broadcasting. Shortly after the town hall, Osegueda was besieged by the media and then offered the chance to do color commentary for a local minor league baseball team.
“I contacted some people who I knew who were at the event, and said ‘Find this guy, and get his phone number,’ ” explained [Gary] Sharp, promotions manager for the Fort Myers Miracle. “I gave [Julio] a call, and he was as excited talking to me as he was talking to the President. I offered Julio the chance to do color commentary during our home opener [on April 10], and he was like ‘This is incredible! This is great!’ There was no negotiating.”
Osegueda has never done any sports broadcasting before, but he’s up for the challenge.“I was on the air at a local radio station once, but I’ve never done anything like this,” he said in a phone interview, speaking with the same amount of energy and enthusiasm he displayed at the town hall meeting. “This gives me a good reason to get some books and keep working hard. I want to do a great broadcast, and I’m going to do everything I can to make it as memorable as today was.”
Osegueda told Keith Olbermann that he wasn’t a big baseball fan, though he does root for the Yankees. I hope he does well and brings the same enthusiasm to his commentary as he did to his question. And it is nice that he has his priorities in order:
“This is the greatest time of my life,” he said. “[Obama] picked me in person. I have never felt this good except maybe when I got my Playstation3 for Christmas.”
on Feb 11th, 2009 at 2:42 am
Oy. In his interview with CNN afterward I thought he was annoying and obnoxious. I’ll be steering clear of any announcing crew he’s a part of.
on Feb 11th, 2009 at 8:01 am
It was a little strange but some people are better on-air waves like radio than on TV. I know guys who have great Radio personalities but when it comes to Camra interviews they Suck! The kids young have faith he might surprise you!
on Feb 11th, 2009 at 3:44 pm
I’m sorry, but he’s not just “goofy”, there’s something… not right about him. And I thought it was painful to watch him being interviewed by CNN, Olbermann, etc. Sad, actually.
on Feb 11th, 2009 at 8:29 pm
He seems goofy but harmless. It seems like a natural goofiness, also. It’s not a phony act like we see with so many of the clowns on ESPN and other outlets.
on Feb 12th, 2009 at 2:07 am
Julio is goofy and annoying. Steering clear of this muckup.
on Feb 12th, 2009 at 12:15 pm
tweakers unite!