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Valley broadcaster enjoyed tipping his cap
By Greg Gulas
BEAVER TOWNSHIP
For the past 53 years, John Caparanis has called more than 3,000 football, basketball and baseball games for Mahoning Valley audiences.
But Caparanis says the time that he spent as studio host for his “Tip of the Cap” call-in show as some of his most rewarding moments when seated behind a microphone.
Caparanis, who broadcasts Warren Harding football games on WHQZ-AM 1440, spoke at Monday’s Curbstone Coaches meeting.
The Yorkville native (a suburb of Steubenville) and Warren Harding graduate said that his show’s roots can be traced to his 1980s cable television talk show.
“I was doing a sports call-in show for Pilot 9 Cable in Niles,” Caparanis said. “It was called ‘Speaking of Sports’ and reached Trumbull, Ashtabula and Mahoning counties, as well as Jefferson County where our regional offices were housed.
“It was just an hour in duration, but truly a lot of fun because of the many guests we were able to interview.”
One of his first guests was Pro Football Hall of Famer and Warren Harding Panthers star Paul Warfield.
“When I asked Paul, his only question to me was how we could possibly fill an hour about him,” Caparanis said. “When the show was over, he told me that we probably could have gone another two or three hours so I knew we were onto something special.”
Caparanis eventually moved over to radio, first on WBBW-AM 1240, then WNIO-AM 1390. His “Tip of the Cap” show lasted 15 years.
Dan Peters, then Youngstown State University men’s basketball coach, christened the show.
“Whether he won or lost, Dan Peters made sure that he took care of the media because he understood our needs and the job that we had to do,” Caparanis said. “He was always approachable and like me, was a history buff.
“He enjoyed reading my book on Stonewall Jackson so it was only natural that he would be my first radio guest.”
Caparanis called local Major League Baseball players Floyd Baker and George “Shotgun” Shuba special repeat guests.
“Floyd recounted the time he got a pinch-hit off the Green Monster while with the Red Sox that tied their game with Detroit,” Caparanis said. “Ted Williams had just rejoined the team from his military obligation and manager Lou Boudreau wanted him to pinch-hit.
“When Williams said his timing wasn’t yet there, Boudreau called on Baker and he promptly delivered,” Caparanis said. “As for the ‘Shotgun’, his memory and wit was solid well into his late 80s and the stories he would tell were always so inspiring.
“He was always a willing guest, especially when it was time for the season to begin.”