ESPN addresses Morgan's Comments
In today's (6/27) Baseball Today podcast, ESPN's analysts Peter Pascarelli and Eric Kausilius addressed Morgan's comments on the basket at Wrigley. You can D/L the podcast from here if you're interested. They didn't say much, its about 16 minutes into it, they read an email from a Giants fan coming out to Wrigley for the Cubs/Giants series and asked for tips about Wrigley (what to do, etc):
Peter: Get there early if you're sitting in the bleachers so you can sit near the basket and grab cheap home runs....
Eric: You hear about the "cheap home run thing" that Joe Morgan said, right?
Peter: Yeah I think he was misunderstood a tad.
Eric: You understood the intention?
Peter: He wasn't dissing Ernie Banks. Its just a fact of life, its the ball park. You play to the ball park. Jim Edmonds has hit 6 home runs there, 5 of them to the opposite field at Wrigley Field. He has his swing grooved that way, which is the right way to play. Its no cheaper than the left center field in Philadelphia, its just the way the park is built. They didn't criticize Babe Ruth in Yankee Stadium when they built him a right field porch. So Joe certainly wasn't dissing Ernie Banks, I know some of the blogosphere is saying that, that was hardly the case. He was just saying you can hit a cheap home run at Wrigley, its not exactly a revelation.
So, there you go. Make of it what you will. The transcipt was done by me, so if its inaccurate, I'm very sorry. Edited for clarity.
This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of SB Nation or Al Yellon, managing editor (unless it's a FanPost posted by Al). FanPost opinions are valued expressions of opinion by passionate and knowledgeable baseball fans.
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31 comments
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Excellent job with the editing for clarity
as you have clearly shown these two guys appear to be blathering idiots who didn’t do their research to fully understand what Morgan said, as well as what the ‘blogosphere’ was reacting to.
Based on the title of this fanpost, I was hoping this would have been some sort of response from the ESPN Ombudsman. What was I thinking…
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
by ballhawk on Jun 28, 2008 12:36 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
sorry
should i change the title?
frankly i was just excited that anyone mentioned something iffy said by Dr Morgan.
by halfblindcubbiegirl on Jun 28, 2008 12:46 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I thought that ESPN
reprimanded Morgan or something based on the title. Just sayin’.
"Prince Fielder Dies Of Inside-The-Park Homerun" - The Onion
by DTJchris on Jun 28, 2008 3:01 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
nah, it's not that big a deal
I was just expressing my disgust with ESPN for failing to address the situation in a professional manner. Again, what was I thinking…
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
by ballhawk on Jun 28, 2008 9:42 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Okay, I'll bite....
“He was saying you can hit a cheap home run at Wrigley” – Peter
That’s a true statement. What is a complete and total fabrication is the naming of this mythical landing place as “Banks Boulevard” by Joe Morgan. What has also been concretely revealed as a fabrication is this notion that Ernie hit “many” home runs there – proven to be false by this here website.
The Ombudsman should hear about this one. Telling lies is one thing. Constructing them and executing is another level of idiocy.
WOXY.com - The Future of Rock and Roll
by Gibbon Jockey on Jun 28, 2008 1:45 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Thanks ballhawk....
It was from your suggestion that I found the tapper in the building on Sheffield. No beer, of course, but it’s little tidbits of knowledge like that that give the entire experience the necessary seasoning.
Thanks for sharing.
cheers.
WOXY.com - The Future of Rock and Roll
by Gibbon Jockey on Jun 28, 2008 1:46 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
you're welcome
although reading your post, I can’t help but feel a tinge of sadness. While it’s personally rewarding to help other Cubs fans enjoy the true Wrigley experience, it pains me to realize that though I lead you to a tapper, there was no beer…
a moment of silence, please…
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
by ballhawk on Jun 28, 2008 9:47 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
pah
more tools support the tool…
"We expect to win. We go out to win. So we're just living up to our own expectations." Derrek Lee, 5/29/08
by drewishdrewid on Jun 28, 2008 12:39 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
yep
that’s pretty much espn modus operandi
by PrincetonCubs on Jun 28, 2008 12:33 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Could it be that Edmonds, being up there in baseball years, can't pull it like he used to?
Who cares if he goes oppo? Doesn’t mean he’s purposely “aiming” for the LF seats….I mean, it’s not RF is just SO far away.
Alan Trammell: Assistant (to the) Manager
by northsider on Jun 28, 2008 2:25 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Edmonds has always gone oppo...
With that swing of his, his sweet spot has always been left-center. Of course in his younger days every now and then he get around on it and pull some mighty long homers to right, but his consistent home run swing was always to left-center – with power, I might add. He put one across Waveland ON THE FLY several years ago. Bounced up against the fence in front of the Budweiser house. I got the ball, and yes, I was playing him there. We ballhawks have our scouting reports too… ;-)
I’d say the only thing that’s changed now that he’s up in baseball years is the amount of power. His homers are landing in the bottom half of the bleachers in left-center, instead of top half like before.
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
by ballhawk on Jun 28, 2008 9:52 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Nonsense.
Yes, you can hit a cheap HR at Wrigley. But that’s not what Morgan said.
And let’s see. He said it on a national TV broadcast, watched by millions. They respond on a podcast… heard by … tens.
Doesn’t add up, to me.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
by Al on Jun 28, 2008 4:03 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Typical
ESPN and there heirs. Heaven forbid if anyone at ESPN, THE higher than almighty network has some guts to speak out on one of there own. What a bunch of nonsense, It is like there saying “well we have to answer this so we will say nothing to apease the masses”. So now if they are called on the carpet again about this issue, they can say ” we already addressed this issue” and like Al said heard by 12 people.
I am not a big fan of Obermann, but at least he spoke his mind, the rest of them are all chisled out of granite.
ESPN continues to gradually become a network not worth viewing.
"Have You heard of the Boom on Mizar 5?"
by Grockcubs on Jun 28, 2008 6:44 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Sorry, Mr. Pascarelli, but that's not what Morgan said or meant.
Morgan was talking about Ernie Banks, not about cheap HR at Wrigley Field. “Banks Boulevard” never existed and Ernie didn’t hit a lot of homers to the basket in Wrigley. Got it, Mr. Pascarelli? And BTW, this is fact, not a matter of opinion.
by Fraggin Judge on Jun 28, 2008 8:42 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
I just can't believe that these ESPN guys are as thick-headed
as they come off here. It seems pretty obvious to me that no one at that network is going to go anywhere near addressing what Morgan actually said because of how bad that would make him look. The’re much more invested in protecting him than being accurate.
What kills me is that I have a close friend-a lifelong Cardinals fan-who automatically believed Morgan’s b.s. until I set him straight. I suppose in the whole scheme of things this isn’t all that important but it still drives me crazy to think that there are otherwise knowledgeable baseball fans who will automatically accept these inacurracies just because the come from a “reputable” source.
by bluekoolaide on Jun 28, 2008 8:56 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
That's exactly the point.
We know Morgan is an idiot who spouts off misinformation. But many others don’t.
They still owe Ernie and Cub fans an apology. Watch the intro to tomorrow night’s game REAL carefully to see if we get one.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
by Al on Jun 28, 2008 10:45 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
We certainly deserve an apology
but how can they issue a genuine one without making Morgan look like the idiot most of know that he is?
by bluekoolaide on Jun 28, 2008 10:55 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Point taken.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
by Al on Jun 28, 2008 11:07 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
It will Never happen.
n/t
by San Diego Smooth Jazz Man on Jun 28, 2008 10:51 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
The Basket
My wife and I were watching last Sunday and had I not stepped in to correct Morgan’s idiocy she would’ve bought the whole “they built the basket so Ernie could hit home runs into it” drivel hook-line-sinker.
They first built it all the way back in 1970 to keep the drunks and a-holes from jumping onto the field, and sad I am to say that within the past couple years there was another drunken Neanderthal who toppled over the side of the bleachers and into the basket. When I’m king, I’m ditching the basket and putting armed security in the front row with orders to “shoot to kill” if anyone so much as looks funny at the edge of the wall.
“Banks Boulevard”....omg….just go back to the Bay Area with your partner and give lip service to Barry Bonds and the Giants all day long.
Eat More Katsui
by CaliCub on Jun 28, 2008 11:20 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Interesting post.
Doubt most of us would have been aware of this otherwise.
"We have a pretty strong belief that we are going to win those types of games. It's our confidence. "--Cubs pitcher Ted Lilly
by Madison Cub Fan on Jun 28, 2008 11:21 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Can't wait till tomorrow for more Morgan-isms!
An apology? Doubt it.
by JFCubFan on Jun 28, 2008 11:31 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Morgan and ESPN do belong together...
... because they are both full of garbage. That’s my thoughts, I have respect for neither. I don’t watch ESPN, nor do I ever listen/read anything Joe Morgan has to say. Sure, I’m John Nobody, but at least I don’t have to pollute my brain with corporate ignorance.
by TheHawkRules on Jun 28, 2008 3:46 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Both Have Agendas
ESPN = making money
Joe = self-aggrandization
That’s why it’s best to get your info from sources who can’t be bought, who don’t have axes to grind, and who don’t use sports in the service of promoting themselves. Stick with Bruce Miles and the fine folks here for the actual 4-1-1.
Eat More Katsui
by CaliCub on Jun 28, 2008 6:53 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Easy solution to ESPN
Turn the sound off and listen to Pat and Ron. Or shut the TV off altogether and enjoy a baseball game the good old fashioned way on the radio. ESPN doesn’t have a single good baseball announcing crew. They all suck.
GET Rich Harden !!! 11 starts, 5-0, 57 IP, 83 Ks, 2.15 ERA !!!
by MDBNIU on Jun 28, 2008 9:20 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
They should get Rich Harden to broadcast games on the days he isn't starting.
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on Jun 30, 2008 12:11 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
lol
Alan Trammell: Assistant (to the) Manager
by northsider on Jun 30, 2008 12:21 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
They never even addressed the issue.
“Banks Boulevard” never existed except in Joe Morgan’s fuzzy mind. They never explained the real reason for the basket, or that it existed only during the last two seasons of Ernie’s career.
by Clark Addison on Jun 29, 2008 9:52 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
And they're not going to because that would make Morgan look like...
A) a complete moron or B) a liar.
by bluekoolaide on Jun 29, 2008 2:56 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
King Morgan
Can anybody explain how Joe Morgan became the great oracle of baseball?
After playing half his career in Houston and having several decent, but not spectacular, seasons, he comes to a very good Cincy team and has some very good if not great seasons.
Now he wants to make up stories about Ernie Banks? He isn’t fit to carry Banks jockstrap. Compare Ernies 19 years’ to Morgans 22 seasons-Banks beats him in every category and Ernie played for some truly lousy Cubs teams during his prime.
If you don’t think Joe Morgan is great just stick around and he’ll tell you how wonderful his is.
by Arden on Jul 4, 2008 12:03 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

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