rec

I’m glad the truth is out

Thing is that phase started as “Grover being Grover,” but Jim Henson threatened a lawsuit.

Agreed.

Wait. Rocco Baldelli is Italian?

AND HERE COME THE YANKEES!

What is this Rhode Island of which you speak? There are only three islands – Manhattan, Long and Staten. And what’s with the silent “h”? Clearly unnecessary.

I think this is all true. It becomes even more galling when you discuss the numbers involved. TBS pays 104 million a year in broadcast rights and God knows how much these dudes in the booth get paid. You would think that there would be an emphasis on getting the commentators to do their jobs.

At this point, it seems sports announcers are paid to be the sports equivalent of morning show hosts as opposed to evening news anchors.

I’ll play. You raise a solid point in a lot of respects, however, I think there’s a clear parry here.

If Casey Blake was asked by somebody how he felt about curtain calls and big crowds it’s not unlikely that he would give an answer every bit as inane. Athletes constantly give exactly these sorts of quotes:

“Casey, why didn’t you want to take the curtain call?”

“Well, you know, I’m not much for the bright lights.”

Or something else incredibly stupid. The media has created a system in which athletes are far more afraid of saying something interesting than they are excited by the idea of saying something interesting. And, frankly Tyler, if the guy had said “Casey’s too modest” or the thing about a solo shot, it would’ve been just as boring as what the commentator did say.

If Rocco Baldelli refuses to make a curtain call, are they going to tell me it’s because he’s from Rhode Island? Or because he’s Italian?

Probably or they’re going to mention mitochondria. And when Pedroia makes a play they’re going to say something about his stature. And when Lester makes a K they’re going to say something about cancer.

It appears to be true that sportswriters work harder at getting more out of the Boston/NY guys. Still, a lot of what we hear about David Ortiz, Pedroia, Lester, Beckett, Manny whoever is just as stupid-I’ve heard a million times about Manny growing up next to Yankee Stadium, Manny’s hairdresser, Beckett being from Texas and idolizing Clemens, Bernie Williams playing guitar, Andy Pettite being friends with Clemens, Youkilis being featured in Moneyball, Youkilis’ batting stance, Robinson Cano’s dad and Jeter’s racial makeup. It’s not like we’re constantly getting new stuff about these guys either. Granted, I’m not listening very hard.

Should we explore why Hargrove, Manny’s boss, would create or repeat such nonsense? How effective is your boss when he dismisses any kind of insane behavior with this nonsense? “it’s just Manson being Manson” or “it’s just Albert being Albert”.

He also makes up the hometowns of people who catch fouls. There’s something quaint about that.

I enjoyed listening to Vin during this series, but he tends to be over-prepared, to force facts into the narrative that aren’t needed. He’s great at calling the game, establishing the flow, turning a phrase. But I really don’t care that Cole Hamels and his wife alphabetize their canned goods.

That said, Vinnie can’t change, nor should he. I just hope he retires before he reaches Harry Carey Land.