Lisa Guerrero: Not just on the sidelines

Lisa Guerrero has covered Super Bowls, NBA championships and the World Series, along with the Oscars, Emmys and Grammys. As an actress, she has appeared on "Frasier,'' "The George Lopez Show'' and as Billy Baldwin's long-suffering wife in the award-winning family film, "A Plumm Summer,'' which she executive-produced.

When I told a friend that I'd be writing for the L.A. Times, she told her husband. His response was, "Really? Did she get fat?''

Now I know from experience that the camera adds 15 pounds, but I had no idea that picking up a pen and pad would give me a big butt. However, one glance at the sportswriters in the Dodgers press box would confirm that theory.

When you're hidden behind a laptop instead of preening in front of a camera, there's a natural tendency to inhale a few more Dodger Dogs and let those pounds add up.

So at this point after noticing the byline and not-at-all retouched photo, you may be asking yourself, "Hey, isn't that the chick that used to cover sports, got fired by 'Monday Night Football' and stripped down for Playboy?''

Um, yes, But despite these stellar qualifications, allow me to explain how I ended up here.

One day last June after muddling through yet another one of T.J. Simers' rants -- this time targeting me -- I picked up a pen and delivered a shot of my own.

Inspired by Barack Obama and his "Change We Can Believe In,'' I proposed my change for Page 2. I asked The Times to please allow me to go head to head with T.J. in a write-off. We would each write one column a week for one month and let your readers decide who should write for Page 2. I wasn't kidding!

Amazingly, Sports Editor Randy Harvey contacted me and asked if I was really serious about wanting to write for The Times.

Yup.

In weeks to come, I'll be writing about sports from an entertainment and pop culture perspective in the Fabulous Forum on latimes.com.

So here I am, armed with pen and paper and fueled by a strong cup of joe. But mostly strong opinions.

--Lisa Guerrero

Comments

[Walter C]

Lisa, I'm sure you will bring a breath of fresh air and a new perspective to the sports pages. I've read some of your previous columns in Sports Zebra and a national sports magazine. I also remember reading some of those really cheap shots about you and your husband written by TJ Simers, that #@$%$. Hasn't he gotten the axe yet?

You are not only insightful, but very funny. I'll look forward to reading you.

[Cindy]

Great points, Lisa!! Keep it up.

[Brittany]

It is about time that you got your say Lisa! Can't wait to hear what you bring to the table....or blogasphere, that is.

Good luck!

[Sarah]

Very cool! Looking forward to more.

[Kevin Kent]

Lisa has a wonderful sensibility about life and great sense of humor about it. This should be a wonderful column, I look forward to seeing where it leads.
Kevin

[Eric]

Lisa,

I hope you destroy T.J. While I do read his column on a fairly regular basis, I'll admit that most often I'm annoyed by his sarcastic tone and choppy transitions from one subject to another. So, welcome to the Times, and best of luck in the write-off! I remember your days as a Fox Sports reporter, and I'm looking forward to reading your writing style. Have a good one!

[Clarence Woods]

This should be fun! It's about time somebody tried to take on T.J. Simers pen to pen!

[Benjamin Maldonado]

Hey Lisa

Wow Writing for the times huh!........ Very cool….
I have been watching your career for a very long time at first it was because you were so hot. But later on I was listening to what you had to say. So to make a long story short

You are still hot but I’m listening

Benjamin

[brenda hayward]

Normally, I read Plasche and peruse the rest for whatever catches my eye. I look forward to the "write-off" between TJ and Lisa. A fresh perspective from the clever Guerrero pen would be most welcome.

[Carol Cronenweth-Lieu]

Lisa,
I am a woman who loves sports, loved your article, look forward to more.
Carol

[Peggy Holst]

She is great - a total asset to your company.

[lorraine berglund]

Lisa, as always, your writing is clever, succint and informative. Can't wait to see how the write-off unfolds.

[Frank Antonelli]

Great column! ...funny and clever... my whole staff (most of whom don't know a baseball from a shotput) are now reading it and I can hear laughter down the halls. Smart move for the Sports section and something to look forward to.

[Florian Haertel]

Have followed Lisa's career now for a while and are pleased to see that the LA Times gives her this forum. She knows her sports. Go girl!

[Robert Dean Klein]

Lisa,

As a writer I just wanted to say that your column is terrific...well-written, funny and to the point...I am very much looking forward to reading the next and the next and the next...

rob

[Trentano]

TJ Simers cynicism, although refreshing at times has gotten stale and repetitive. Page 2 deserves better. Plus, what is Simers to do when Jeff Kent leaves next year? Who will talk to him and what will he have to write about?

[Penny Ronning]

Excellent, Lisa! I look forward to your articles.

[Melissa Ferreira]

You Rock!!!!!!

[cherie roberts]

Can't get enough of your sparky opinions. Get busy and write some more.

[Priscilla]

Looking forward to reading more of the strong, passionate thoughts that Lisa has to share. Intelligent and witty, I'll be clicking on daily.

[DD]

I love that you've got a blog with the LA Times! Hopefully we'll be able to read a weekly column from you soon, too.

What some people may not know is that you've been a terriffic writer for a very long time. I've always enjoyed your unique perspective and your strong opinions, which are always very insightful. Your humor, experience and style are greatly admired and appreciated. Keep up the good work!

DD

[DD]

I'm so glad you've got a blog! When can we look forward to your own column in the Times?

What some people may not know is you've been a terrific writer for a long time. I've followed your multifaceted career for some time, and love your strong opinions, sharp wit and amazing talent.

Kudos to Randy Harvey for pursuing you.

[Ian Toporoff]

I am so pleased to read that Lisa will, once again, have a voice in LA sports. One can easily miss her quick-witted, acutely insightful and deadly accurate style of reporting because of the distraction of her considerable visual charms. On paper, readers will see just how powerful a sports analyst she is, never softening a comment to maintain relationships with players and management, always asking the tough questions we would ask if we were there and had the guts to do it. Congratulations to the LA Times for bringing excellence back to sports reporting.

[Patrick Yarrow]

Can't wait to get read a fresh though. Simers is full of crap 90% of the time. good luck to you, and welcome back!

[Lynda E]

FINALLY! There, I've said it....FINALLY!! Good job Lisa, no doubt whose corner I'll be in for the "write off".