SSD Exclusive: Tom Helmer is replacing Gary Miller at CBS 4
“Vic Lombardi’s long time sports life partner Gary Miller recently left Denver’s Channel 4 after 22 years at the sports desk to accept a position broadcasting CSU athletics. The move broke up Denver’s most popular sports anchor duo and left Lombardi to wonder who would be hired to replace Miller and settle into the seat next to him…”
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Vic Lombardi’s long time sports life partner Gary Miller recently left Denver’s Channel 4 after 22 years at the sports desk to accept a position broadcasting CSU athletics. The move broke up Denver’s most popular sports anchor duo and left Lombardi to wonder who would be hired to replace Miller and settle into the seat next to him…
Today love is in the air. Lombardi finally has a new partner – somebody that Denver sports fans are wild about and have been waiting for nearly two years to see offered a new gig. Tom Helmer, formerly of Root Sports Rocky Mountain, who was unceremoniously relieved from duty only weeks before the start of the 2012 Rockies season, is to be Vic’s new right hand man.
Tom Helmer will handle weekend sports anchor duties for Channel 4. He will also tackle locker room assignments and be featured in “packages” involving all Colorado Sports. His familiarity with the teams and existing friendships within Channel 4 will make his transition a smooth one. Hundreds of people doubtlessly pursued the position. We feel that the station made a wonderful choice.
Helmer, who was beloved by Rockies fans for his desk-jumping antics and every- man appeal, has been seeking work in the Denver market. He steadfastly resisted the urge to move away to. Meanwhile he has tried his hand at stand up comedy, made numerous in-studio appearances with various radio shows and even visited the concrete bunker for a recording of the South Stands Denver Fancast.
Now we can say we “knew Tom when”. He is joining the most respected sports desk in Colorado.
When Joel Klatt left Root Sports to join Fox Sports 1 in Los Angeles many wondered if Tom Helmer would be invited to rejoin the crew at Root. He was not; probably because he had not concealed his feelings about being let go in the first place. Now Helmer gets to have the last laugh – and we think that’s great.
We at South Stands Denver are big Helmer fans. We’re rather fond of Lombardi, too. This pairing should work out well for Channel 4 and be a boon for Denver Sports fans. Despite not being the “official” Broncos channel, the local CBS affiliate offers the best Broncos coverage – and, with camp coming up in two weeks, Tom Helmer will need to hit the ground running. He starts July 22.
