Two Under-The-Radar Baseball Headlines
by Al on Jan 21, 2009 5:22 PM CST
in News
48 comments
Despite rumors, Joe Morgan is apparently not being taken off ESPN's Sunday Night baseball telecasts. According to this USA Today article, Morgan and Jon Miller are getting a third booth partner -- Steve Phillips.
I fail to see how this improves their broadcast. According to the article:
In baseball, ESPN's MLB deal includes its Baseball Tonight having rights to show highlights from games still in progress — a right MLB has granted to its own channel. After responding to the MLB Network with moves like beefing up its MLB winter-meetings coverage, ESPN is likely to keep shaking up coverage beyond adding Phillips to its Sunday games. One possibility: having MLB studio shows air year-round.
"No question ESPN is taking the MLB Network seriously," Phillips says. "But competition is always good."
So far, they haven't convinced me they're doing anything to really improve their on-air product. It's also interesting that I found this info via USA Today's website; there's nothing at ESPN.com about this at all.
Also via USA Today, we learn that at last week's owners meetings, new procedures for tiebreaker games were instituted:
MLB also adopted the recommendation made by general managers in November that coin tosses no longer determine home-field advantage in a tiebreaker game for a playoff berth. The Chicago White Sox won a flip last year and beat the Minnesota Twins 1-0 for the American League Central.
The tiebreaker now will be decided by performance-based criteria beginning with head-to-head records, intra-division records and records the last half of the season in intra-league games.
The article also says that MLB formalized the proposal made after last year's World Series game 5, that all postseason games will be played in their entirety. Smart moves on both parts. Now if they could only do that best record thing for World Series home field...
0 recs |
48 comments
|
Email
Print
Comments
Dear ESPN,
The Turdburger you serve with your Sunday Night Baseball telecasts cannot be made more enjoyable by simply adding fresher turds.
Thank you,
SWL
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on Jan 21, 2009 5:28 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Clearly
you haven’t seen the South Park episode about turd sandwiches and a giant douche.
Dan
Evey Hammond: Vi Veri Veniversum Vivus Vici. V: By the power of truth, I, while living, have conquered the universe.
by dtpollitt on Jan 21, 2009 10:39 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Expelliarmus!
"That’s the great thing about baseball, you never know what’s going to happen till you get the final out." — Lou Piniella
by drewishdrewid on Jan 22, 2009 10:31 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Goody, Steve Phillips can talk even more about how he drafted David Wright and Jose Reyes
Erm, well if we are going to call Milton Bradley nicknames, mine is Fischer Price: yes, you heard it here first..
by Chanman25 on Jan 21, 2009 5:41 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Tiebreaker
Well, it’s good to see MLB get something right. That third tiebreaker of record in intraleague games in the second half of the season is as good as any after the first two tiebreakers. That coin flip business was silly. The Cubs would have had home field against the Giants in the 1998 wildcard playoff with the head-to-head tiebreaker. Of course, the Cubs had the good fortune of winning a coin flip to have the game at Wrigley Field.
"The big possum walks late." - Harry Caray
by memphiscub on Jan 21, 2009 5:43 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Umm... Al?
How would the head-to-head record thing work? Most years, I’d expect the two WS teams to have not played each other at all, since they’re in different leagues. Unless you’re also proposing to have overall record be a determining factor.
by false cognate on Jan 21, 2009 5:43 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
This isn't for determining home-field for the WS...
that’s what the ALL STAR GAME is for!
This is just to help sort out the rare event that a playoff game needs to be played to determine a divisional or WC winner. I think.
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on Jan 21, 2009 5:48 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Overall Interleague Head-to-Head Play (AL v. NL)
I’ve heard of that as a way to determine home field advantage in the World Series.
"The big possum walks late." - Harry Caray
by memphiscub on Jan 21, 2009 5:49 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Sorry...
… I meant best overall record for the WS.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
by Al on Jan 21, 2009 5:49 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I'll fix the post.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
by Al on Jan 21, 2009 5:52 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Here comes a self-serving whine
You poo-poohed my ASG post in April, when I suggested we all vote for the worst A.L. players because of the ridiculous rule. Glad to see you’ve come around.
In 2009, we vote for scrubs! Let’s turn this farce into a farce!
Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! --Homer J. Simpson
by Shanghai Badger on Jan 21, 2009 9:01 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I am in
"I like coconuts, you can break them open and they smell like ladies lying in the sun" Widespread Panic
by Cubbie-Tim on Jan 22, 2009 8:07 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Need to
post the players to vote for, so we all vote the same, instead of voting against each other so to speak. or we could just vote the Royals alone
"I like coconuts, you can break them open and they smell like ladies lying in the sun" Widespread Panic
by Cubbie-Tim on Jan 22, 2009 8:08 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Will do.
I’ll post a proposed list sometime in late April.
Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! --Homer J. Simpson
by Shanghai Badger on Jan 22, 2009 12:43 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I can see...
how adding Steve Phillips to the booth is an improvement. There’s 50% more guys calling the game. That has to mean at least a 20% reduction in time JOE-I’M-THE-GREATEST-EVER-MORGAN is blathering.
Sweet Lou for Mayor in '11.
by blackhawk24 on Jan 21, 2009 5:52 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Add MORE announcers, then!
Heck, have one for every inning! Morgan might never get a word in edgewise!
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
by Al on Jan 21, 2009 5:53 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Sorry blackhawk...
but I’m going to totally disagree here…Phillips’ inane “insights” about what’s “really going on inside these player’s heads” are going to only spark more chances for Morgan to waste 3 minutes talking about how unbelievably heroic and fantastic he was in those very same situations.
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on Jan 21, 2009 5:58 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Yes, in theory...
However, there’s a finite number of minutes and seconds for a game. The time anyone else spent talking means Joe is not.
I agree with your assessment on Phillips, however since he’s not the conceded asshole Joe Morgan is, I’ll take anyone else I can get in the booth.
But now to think of it, I’ll just turn down the TV audio and sync ’GN 720 to the video.
Sweet Lou for Mayor in '11.
by blackhawk24 on Jan 21, 2009 6:27 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Joe Morgan is
about the worst excuse for an announcer. I will generally change the chanel to watch the other guys feed on DTV if Len and Bob are not available.
Just wondering if espn has really learned??
Going from one rambling idiot to having TWO rambliing idiots is just way too much for me.
by chrisw95 on Jan 21, 2009 6:18 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
ESPN has far and away the worst baseball coverage
why don’t you just put Buster Olney in the booth so we can listen to his insufferable rants of how incredible the red sox/yankees are
by SamuraiMike50 on Jan 21, 2009 7:20 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
GREAT INVENTION--- REMOTE CONTROL.....
To change the chnl when I see JOE MORGAN and JON MILLER on ….Can’t ESPN do better than this duo ??? THings won’t change with STEVE PHILLIPS either….
by cubs north on Jan 21, 2009 7:27 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
The volume button works better
Unfortunately there usually isn’t another baseball option on Sunday night.
by rlpete on Jan 21, 2009 8:43 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I disagree.
I nominate:
—Combustion engine
and
—Surround sound home theatre systems
as better inventions.
Evey Hammond: Vi Veri Veniversum Vivus Vici. V: By the power of truth, I, while living, have conquered the universe.
by dtpollitt on Jan 21, 2009 10:40 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
or the bikini
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on Jan 21, 2009 10:42 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
ESPN hopes...
… that Phillips ineptitude will help distract the audience from Morgan’s incompetence.
In the middle of a good time, Truth gave me her icy kiss. Look around, you must be joking. All that way, all that way for this? -Oysterband
by Ross on Jan 21, 2009 8:46 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
that won't distract me
from hitting myself in the head during Sunday Night Baseball
by SamuraiMike50 on Jan 21, 2009 9:49 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Just hit the mute button.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
by Al on Jan 22, 2009 4:20 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Hey guys
I’m new here. Looks like a pretty cool website for Cubs fans. As for this Steve Phillips addition to SNB, I think it is good. I’ve always liked Phillips and I think he has a valued and respected opinion around the league.
Chicago Cubs 2009 World Series Champions
by CUBSfaninYANKEEcountry on Jan 21, 2009 9:09 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Um....
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on Jan 21, 2009 9:29 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Don't listen to SWL.
He’s about to be banned for “Insufficient BCB Points”. He hasn’t had a positive BCB Points balance for years.
WELCOME TO THE CLUB! Best site for Cubs info anywhere.
Dan
Evey Hammond: Vi Veri Veniversum Vivus Vici. V: By the power of truth, I, while living, have conquered the universe.
by dtpollitt on Jan 21, 2009 10:42 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
There will be a reckoning between us Mr. Pollitt....a RECKONING!
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on Jan 21, 2009 10:49 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
that's a fantastic
pleather tie you have there…
"That’s the great thing about baseball, you never know what’s going to happen till you get the final out." — Lou Piniella
by drewishdrewid on Jan 22, 2009 10:35 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Steve Phillips is a blowhard!
All he ever talks about, it would seem, is what he would do with such and such team if he were the GM.
You notice how all the owners are bullying past each other in an attempt to make him THEIR GM! I swear, the guy thinks he is the only one who knows anything about baseball.
He and Morgan deserve each other. I wonder how long it will take Miller to explode!
"I lof to hit de home ron!"
by Tekboy on Jan 21, 2009 9:25 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Agree
I do agree with you, Phillips does tend to ramble.
Chicago Cubs 2009 World Series Champions
by CUBSfaninYANKEEcountry on Jan 21, 2009 10:13 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
On ESPN Radio...
They said Phillips would be the on-field reporter, NOT in the booth. Which is sort of verified by the article mentioning Gammons no longer being a part of the SNB broadcasts. But we’ll see.
by bison on Jan 22, 2009 12:14 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
Then they really haven't changed anything, just rearranged the deck chairs on the Titanic.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
by Al on Jan 22, 2009 4:21 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
True
but IMO, Gammons was the only one who had a real clue about what he was speaking.
SO, with the revelation, will I be able to get the WGN radio broadcasts via the internet??
by chrisw95 on Jan 22, 2009 7:04 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Only if you pay for MLB Audio.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
by Al on Jan 22, 2009 7:07 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Ugh
I think I just need to move to Chicago and bear the winters. Seems a moot point to pay for the DTV package, and still be forced to listen to the espn crew.
by chrisw95 on Jan 22, 2009 7:09 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
That would be for a maximum of five Sundays a year.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
by Al on Jan 22, 2009 7:36 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
For the record, the Titanic floated until it hit the iceberg. This crew is underwater
before launch.
by N Oakley on Jan 22, 2009 7:56 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I don't know how good of a tv personality he'd be...
but I wish they’d have people like Rob Neyer in the booth. Or someone of similar baseball acumen. Though that would interrupt the flow of Red Sox Nation Celebration programming coming out of Bristol…
I actually like Jon Miller (though he’s better on radio). And I do have to say that while I am loathe to hear Joe Morgan on the tv, I do kind of feel sorry for him in the sense that it seems pretty clear that everyone save his mother hates his soul. He may have earned it, but it’s still kind of sad. Also, while it may be some sort of masochistic gene of mine, I’m so used to hearing him that it’s almost comforting to hear his arrogent blather. Like the inanities put forth by Tim McCarver, it’s a clear reminder that it’s baseball season. And it’s hard to be upset about that…
by CubsWin!Oregon on Jan 22, 2009 1:52 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
Everyone?
I’m sure the Devil would love to claim his soul. Must be pretty tasty.
by northernsails on Jan 22, 2009 2:00 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I don't watch baseball when Morgan and Miller are in the booth
unless the Cubs are playing. I have the greatest respect for Morgan’s accomplishments on the field but as a broadcaster, and I use that term extremely loosely, he is very incompetent. I think he just sits there and makes stats up to fit what ever he’s talking about.
"A child of five would understand this. Send someone to fetch a child of five." ~Groucho Marx
by Jettero2112 on Jan 22, 2009 6:06 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
With Morgan its hard enough to watch a full game
Phillips is god awful too, I’d take MLB Network over ESPN anyday
Lets Go Hawks!
by CubsBall2202 on Jan 22, 2009 8:38 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
Great, that means
more Banks Blvd. comments. :-(
by sue369 on Jan 22, 2009 1:18 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
and the nets were put in for Ernie too!
Don’t forget that nugget of Jackassery from Mr. Morgan.
Check out my Cubs shrine: http://picasaweb.google.com/vegascubfan/CubsRooms#
by VegasCubFan on Jan 22, 2009 11:48 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
Related FanPosts on Bleed Cubbie Blue
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recommended FanPosts
Recent FanPosts
FanShots
Quick hits of video, photos, quotes, chats, links and lists that you find around the web.
Recommended FanShots
Recent FanShots
Cubs By The Numbers
Cubs By The Numbers is a history of the ballclub by uniform number, but the biographies help trace the history of our beloved team in a new way. For everyone who's a Cubs fan, anyone who ever wore the uniform is like family. Cubs By The Numbers reintroduces readers to some of their long-lost ancestors, even ones they think they already know.
Click here to order your copy, available now!
Certain photos copyright © 2009 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
