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Wednesday, June 25, 2008

The Sporting Blog: Joe Morgan Laughs at the Mention of Silly OPS (Video)

Cripes...Joe Morgan might need an annular grooved body noise detector implanted if VORP gets mentioned.

ESPN’s Joe Morgan has made it clear in the past that he has no use for statistics. I know this because a little over a year ago, he said, “My point is you can’t compare things with statistics.” That’s odd, because there is no better, more accurate, efficient way to compare players than with stats. This is especially true in baseball, where the stats are more meaningful and telling than in any other sport.

So, knowing this made Morgan’s reaction to Jon Miller bringing up Jim Edmonds’ OPS on Sunday night all the more hilarious:

Now, it would be presumptive and unfair for me to say that Mr. Morgan has no clue what OPS is, but I’m gonna go ahead and assume that anyway. At the least, he seems to be disgusted by Miller’s mere mention of this statistic. A statistic, which we should point out, that is one of the best measurements of a player’s offensive effectiveness considering it analyzes both their ability to reach base and hit for power. Unlike Morgan’s favorite stat, RBI, which, like wins, is a situational statistic that has as much to do with the ability of the rest of the team as it does with the individual player.

Repoz Posted: June 25, 2008 at 07:22 AM | 44 comment(s)
Related News: General, Announcers, Television

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1. kevin Posted: June 25, 2008 at 07:43 AM (#2831969)

Well, Miller said it like it was one word, rather than spelling it out. It's possible Morgan didn't know what he was saying, and just laughed because saying O-P-S like it was a word sounds funny.

2. Shooty: Now rated AAA by Moody's! Posted: June 25, 2008 at 08:06 AM (#2831980)

Morgan is a goof ball about some things, but you could just as easily parse one of his broadcasts and find some interesting or insightful analysis. Until he reaches the a Tim McCarver level of tool-ness, maybe we should limit our bashing of him to once a week or so.

3. CFiJ Posted: June 25, 2008 at 08:18 AM (#2831982)

I dunno. I likes me some OPS, and I'm not a fan of Morgan's at all. But putting down Morgan for not caring for OPS seems so...2002.

4. Elevate Phil Coorey Later Posted: June 25, 2008 at 08:26 AM (#2831983)

Agree kevin - Miller sounded pretty freaking sarcastic from where I was sitting. They both annoy the living piss out of me.

Imagine if they ever have a Joe Morgann day like todays wank fest in Boston for Remy...

5. Duffy Duff Posted: June 25, 2008 at 08:27 AM (#2831984)

I've pronounced OPS as a word (rather than 3 letters) since I first saw it 15 yrs ago.

6. Danny Posted: June 25, 2008 at 08:36 AM (#2831987)

A statistic, which we should point out, that is one of the best measurements of a player’s offensive effectiveness considering it analyzes both their ability to reach base and hit for power.

Baby steps...

7. Excel Hearts Choi Posted: June 25, 2008 at 08:55 AM (#2832000)

like todays wank fest in Boston for Remy...

Since moving to Boston, I watch most of my baseball on NESN. I thought that Remy would be a pretty big homer for the Sox; he's a former player, got a Dorchester accent (yes, that is just a stereotype), and president of Red Sox Nation. However, I was watching a Red Sox/Yankees broadcast late last season. Youk was up to bat and the pitch was rather high, but nowhere near his head. Youk, however, stepped towards the mound yelling obscenities and pointing his finger. Remy took one look at the replay and said (more or less), "Shut up, get back in the batter's box, and play some baseball." If ever there was a time to let an irrational adoration of a team make itself known, I think this would be it. From then on, I respect Remy a lot more. There might have been a wank fest for Remy, but I think he is a pretty good announcer in his own right.

8. Elevate Phil Coorey Later Posted: June 25, 2008 at 09:09 AM (#2832015)

Excel - funny you say that because you are right - Remy is a good announcer and does not not get too carried away with Bostons various heroics throughout the season. He is no where near as bad as the many other wankers in the booth and his commentary on idiots in a dating show is first class as well...

It just seems like every single game is not properly covered until about the 7th inning when they assume most people are taking notice of the game. NESN is treating the fans day in and out like idiots. Hence the my 'wank fest comment' & constant criticism of NESN for the last year or so with most of the guys in chatter, which was fueled today by the celebrations of Remy day. The highlight was undoubtably the annoying phone call from Rene Russo

9. Mattbert Posted: June 25, 2008 at 09:14 AM (#2832017)

It just seems like every single game is not properly covered until about the 7th inning when they assume most people are taking notice of the game. NESN is treating the fans day in and out like idiots. Hence the my 'wank fest comment' & constant criticism of NESN for the last year or so with most of the guys in chatter, which was fueled today by the celebrations of Remy day. The highlight was undoubtably the annoying phone call from Rene Russo

Coulda been worse...coulda been Chris.

10. Moscow Hiding In The Shadows Posted: June 25, 2008 at 09:22 AM (#2832019)

Remy looks like a mix of Marty Glickman and Hitler's friendly younger brother. It's possible I'm the only one who notices this.

11. The Marksist Posted: June 25, 2008 at 09:48 AM (#2832038)

Miller sounded pretty freaking sarcastic from where I was sitting.

Yeah. Ripping Morgan for this seems a little misplaced. He chuckled when Miller made a sarcastic reference to OPS. Whatev.

12. Slinger Francisco Barrios (Dr. Memory) Posted: June 25, 2008 at 09:50 AM (#2832042)

But putting down Morgan for not caring for OPS seems so...2002.

As long as he's dissing it, it's ever green.

13. amcg Posted: June 25, 2008 at 09:55 AM (#2832048)

Remy's very good. I'm not a Red Sox fan but I enjoy watching a NESN game. He's able to be very "Boston" without losing too much objectivity.

14. pthomas Posted: June 25, 2008 at 09:57 AM (#2832049)

http://www.firejoemorgan.com/

15. McCoy Posted: June 25, 2008 at 11:03 AM (#2832112)

why do all the whiny biatches come out during Cubs games?

First they whine and complain that ESPN doesn't air enough Cubs stuff and now when they do all they do is kvetch.

16. Joe C isn't Posted: June 25, 2008 at 11:11 AM (#2832119)

got a Dorchester accent

Small nitpick - he's actually got a Fall River/New Bedford accent. Carry on.

17. Red Juice Posted: June 25, 2008 at 11:12 AM (#2832120)

#14, i just read the whole piece and I didn't laugh or crack a smile once.
curious as to what part of that piece you found funny?

18. Danny Posted: June 25, 2008 at 11:20 AM (#2832128)

I used to think Remy wasn't that good. Then I got Extra Innings and heard everyone else.

19. tribefan Posted: June 25, 2008 at 11:25 AM (#2832137)

Remy is a good announcer and does not not get too carried away with Bostons various heroics throughout the season.

Agree with this. I loathe the Red Sox, but quite enjoy Remy on Extra Innings. In fact I'd rate him as one of the better television announcers working out there right now. He actually says nice things about players on other teams, unlike the douches on YES network who can't mention any opposing player's accomplishments without attempting to diminish it by comparing them unfavorably to a Yankee.

Then there was the comment from Matt Underwood last night during the Indians game, something to the effect that the only two "lights out" closers in baseball have been Jose Mesa and Mariano Rivera.

20. Edmundo, survivor of 7 right-sourcings Posted: June 25, 2008 at 11:59 AM (#2832165)

something to the effect that the only two "lights out" closers in baseball have been Jose Mesa and Mariano Rivera.
But he missed the key difference between the two. With Mesa, once the lights are out you also have to cover your head with your blankee.

21. willcarrollsux Posted: June 25, 2008 at 12:02 PM (#2832167)

As you know, Jon, I don't read books.

22. Shock Posted: June 25, 2008 at 01:44 PM (#2832237)

Pretty obvious he was laughing at/with Miller. Miller was laughing too. Frankly, the way Miller said it it was pretty funny.

23. Randy Jones Posted: June 25, 2008 at 01:52 PM (#2832246)

unlike the douches on YES network who can't mention any opposing player's accomplishments without attempting to diminish it by comparing them unfavorably to a Yankee.

I watch nearly every Yankees game and I find Michael Kay to be mildy annoying at his best and frustratingly moronic at his worst, but this is a completely untrue statement.

24. Los Angeles Waterloo of Black Hawk Posted: June 25, 2008 at 03:51 PM (#2832321)

I've pronounced OPS as a word (rather than 3 letters) since I first saw it 15 yrs ago.

Me too. I think it sounds horrible the other way.

25. SoSH U at work Posted: June 25, 2008 at 03:55 PM (#2832324)

Me too. I think it sounds horrible the other way.

In contrast, as a word, it sounds special.

26. Master of Karate and Friendship (Kyle C) Posted: June 25, 2008 at 04:02 PM (#2832330)

I'm glad I'm not the only one that pronounces it as a word.

As for Remy, I'm a Yankees fan and I would much rather listen to him call a Yanks/Sox game than most of the guys on YES. I think he's one of the best out there.

27. AJM Misses Brodeur Posted: June 25, 2008 at 04:06 PM (#2832332)

I'm glad I'm not the only one that pronounces it as a word.

You people are weird.

28. Master of the small sample size Posted: June 25, 2008 at 04:09 PM (#2832338)

So if someone is discreetly accumulating great rate stats, does that consist of covert OPS?

29. Shooty: Now rated AAA by Moody's! Posted: June 25, 2008 at 04:12 PM (#2832339)

I'm glad I'm not the only one that pronounces it as a word.

You people are weird.

Am I the only one that pronounces this w-e-i-r-d?

30. Softball-Playing Human Refuses to Be Walked Posted: June 25, 2008 at 04:39 PM (#2832357)

Do you guys also say CIA, FBI and CDC as a word as well? Strangeness.

31. scotto Posted: June 25, 2008 at 04:49 PM (#2832365)

I thought that Remy would be a pretty big homer for the Sox; he's a former player, got a Dorchester accent (yes, that is just a stereotype), and president of Red Sox Nation.

Small nitpick - he's actually got a Fall River/New Bedford accent. Carry on.

Smaller nitpick? While born there, he grew up in Weston. Still I agree, to my west suburban ear he sounds more New Bedford than Weston.

Edited to add: Hmm, his 100 Greatest Red Sox bio is flawed. It says this:

Born November 8th, 1952 in Fall River, MA, Gerald Peter Remy grew up in the heart of Red Sox Nation just outside of Boston in Weston, MA where a young Remy was introduced to the game of baseball by his father and grandfather.

and it says this, quoting Remy:

"When I was traded to Boston, I was going to my home team, the club I grew up watching when I was a kid in Somerset, MA. The idea of playing at Fenway Park with guys I admired made it a nice trade for me." - Jerry Remy, Watching Baseball

32. Biff, Red Sox Jinx Posted: June 25, 2008 at 05:04 PM (#2832373)

I hate Remy.

33. Los Angeles Waterloo of Black Hawk Posted: June 25, 2008 at 06:11 PM (#2832408)

Do you guys also say CIA, FBI and CDC as a word as well? Strangeness.

Interestingly, those abbreviations don't correspond to easily-pronounced words.

There is no tradition with "OPS", as there is with "ERA" or "RBI", etc. I've heard someone refer to "OPS" in speech (by either pronunciation) less than 10 times total in my whole life, probably. Maybe 15. I just think "Oh Pee Ess" sounds horrible, aesthetically.

34. Johnny Clash Posted: June 25, 2008 at 06:37 PM (#2832422)

So if someone is discreetly accumulating great rate stats, does that consist of covert OPS?

Nice one.

This Miller/Morgan clip is the first time I've ever heard it pronounced as just one word/syllable.

35. Kiko Sakata Posted: June 25, 2008 at 07:11 PM (#2832441)

I've heard someone refer to "OPS" in speech (by either pronunciation) less than 10 times total in my whole life, probably.

My first reaction to this conversation was, "Who the heck wouldn't say O-P-S?" My second reaction, upon further reflection was, "I'm not sure that I've ever referred to OPS out loud."

36. Teddy F. Ballgame Posted: June 25, 2008 at 07:15 PM (#2832448)

I've always pronounced it, mentally or otherwise, as a word.

37. Eraser-X is dominating this site! Posted: June 25, 2008 at 08:00 PM (#2832558)

When people say, "as one word" do they mean (covert) "ops" or "Oh piss!"?

38. Baseballing powerhouse Crispix Attacks Posted: June 25, 2008 at 08:07 PM (#2832577)

My first reaction to this conversation was, "Who the heck wouldn't say O-P-S?" My second reaction, upon further reflection was, "I'm not sure that I've ever referred to OPS out loud."

Exactly my response.

I wouldn't pronounce something like this as one syllable if there was the slightest chance that it might get confused with the actual word "Ops". Which it might be.

39. Danny Posted: June 25, 2008 at 08:34 PM (#2832640)

I had never even considered pronouncing it as a word, though I guess WHIP is.

40. Teddy F. Ballgame Posted: June 25, 2008 at 08:40 PM (#2832659)

When people say, "as one word" do they mean (covert) "ops" or "Oh piss!"?

For me, that'd be as in (covert) ops. Now that this issue has been brought up, it's weird that I've never really thought about why. I'm usually really attuned to usage issues like this, and I have no idea why I choose to pronounce OPS as a word while spelling out most other baseball abbreviations. I suppose I may have heard someone influential pronounce it that way early on, although I can't think who that would have been, since I've hardly ever encountered the term other than on the web.

Thinking about it now, spelling out O-P-S sounds a little awkward, and not just because I'm not used to doing it. Nobody spells out VORP, right?

41. ghost of perros Posted: June 25, 2008 at 08:52 PM (#2832685)

If you're going to post the 1,000,001st bash Joe Morgan article, at least make sure it's more substantial than his chuckling at Miller's pronunciation of OPS.

How goddamned original to criticize Joe Morgan. It's not like there aren't bigger idiots out there on the airwaves.

Besides, OPS is a great "stat" primarily because it makes you sound like you know something beyond RBI and ERA.

All the pissant bloggers need to find something new to get their panties in a wad about.

42. Shock Posted: June 25, 2008 at 09:04 PM (#2832706)

I've never liked OPS for this reason.

To say Oooh-Peee-Esss just sounds incredibly nerdy to me. But "Ops" sounds just stupid. We need a stat that measures offense well that we can actually say with pride. "Linear Weights?" Uh, no. And certainly not "Super Linear Weights." I like "Batting Runs" though.

43. Slinger Francisco Barrios (Dr. Memory) Posted: June 26, 2008 at 08:40 AM (#2833147)

I like "Batting Runs" though.

Problem is that one makes you sound like your mom. "Dear, how many batting runs did the Cubs end up with today? I heard it was one to three in the fifth inning."

44. Shooty: Now rated AAA by Moody's! Posted: June 26, 2008 at 08:43 AM (#2833149)

I always liked "Total Average". Can we bring that back or is it copyrighted?

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Wednesday, June 25, 2008

The Sporting Blog: Joe Morgan Laughs at the Mention of Silly OPS (Video)

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