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Friday, October 21, 2011

Raissman: Mark McGwire receives less air-play than deserved during World Series broadcast

While Bob Raissman receives more JPEG image-play than deserves. (stacheio nuts!)

Is it possible Buck and McCarver were advised to make any discussion of McGwire’s past a low priority? Same holds true with McGwire’s connection to La Russa and the fact that he once managed several steroid abusers but saw no evil.

There’s no doubt that Seligula would not be thrilled if the voices spent a few minutes discussing McGwire’s past. The commissioner, obsessed with his legacy, doesn’t need steroid memories to be rekindled from sea to shining sea - especially during the World Series.

Fortunately, the lack of commentary from the Fox booth will not serve as an impediment, at least for those who care. For each time McGwire’s bearded face is on the screen, no one, not even the mighty Seligula, can stop millions from flashing back to the steroid slugger’s past and wondering how a baseball con man is allowed back into the game.

No words are necessary to know that in this World Series, McGwire is the elephant in the dugout.

Repoz Posted: October 21, 2011 at 09:43 AM | 35 comment(s) Login to Bookmark
Tags: announcers, business, cardinals, history, media, television

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1. Bhaakon Posted: October 21, 2011 at 10:27 AM (#3970336)

Just what the World Series needs, McCarver trying to analyze something more complex than a 6-4-3 double play. Better have Deion Sanders standing by in case his brain starts overheating.

OTOH, it would be oddly fascinating, in a car crash sort of way, to plumb the depths of tedium Buck's soulless monotone could reach in combination with yet another pointless rehashing of the steroid discussion.

2. Tricky Dick Posted: October 21, 2011 at 10:48 AM (#3970338)

And the broadcasters would bring up McGwire's steroids admission...why? What does it have to do with the World Series game? I doubt that Selig has to tell the broadcasters anything. If the broadcasters used the World Series as an opportunity to talk about McGwire's steroids use, it would look like they were going out of their way to embarrass him. And it probably would upset a lot of Cardinals' fans because of that; so why would they do it?

3. Downtown Bookie

Posted: October 21, 2011 at 11:34 AM (#3970347)

For each time McGwire’s bearded face is on the screen, no one, not even the mighty Seligula, can stop millions from flashing back to the steroid slugger’s past and wondering how a baseball con man is allowed back into the game.

I would be tempted to inquire further, to see exactly how Raissman can possibly equate Mark McGwire's accomplishments with the of the actions of a con man, but I'm sure Raissman's response would just make my head hurt.

DB

4. Jolly Old St. Nick Done Jumped The Ship

Posted: October 21, 2011 at 11:40 AM (#3970349)

This World Series needs a discussion of Mark McGwire about as much as it needs a discussion of Watergate.

5. AROM Posted: October 21, 2011 at 11:58 AM (#3970355)

Who's the Ranger's hitting coach?

How come he's being ignored? Could it be the focus here is on the players?

6. Ray (RDP)

Posted: October 21, 2011 at 01:21 PM (#3970390)

Would be funny if the hitting coach took the occasional trip to the plate, like pitching coaches do to the mound. So if Berkman falls behind 0-2, McGwire could hop out of the dugout to discuss what is going wrong.

7. The Most Interesting Man In The World Posted: October 21, 2011 at 01:23 PM (#3970392)

No words are necessary to know that in this World Series, McGwire is the elephant in the dugout.

Well, he did play for the A's. But so did Arthur Rhodes. So who's the real elephant?

8. BDC

Posted: October 21, 2011 at 01:28 PM (#3970395)

Who's the Ranger's hitting coach?

Gosh, I realized that I don't even know. It turns out to be Scott Coolbaugh. I've seen him at games but had no idea what he was doing there.

9. Don't want the truth; just wanna see some dingers Posted: October 21, 2011 at 01:39 PM (#3970412)

What happened to Rudy Jaramillo?

10. JJ1986 Posted: October 21, 2011 at 01:48 PM (#3970427)

What happened to Rudy Jaramillo?

Went to the Cubs.

11. Shooty is in the Trust Tree

Posted: October 21, 2011 at 02:05 PM (#3970448)

Well, he did play for the A's. But so did Arthur Rhodes. So who's the real elephant?

Arthur Rhodes never played for the A's. It NEVER ####### happened. And if Mac is so good, why can't he teach Nicky Punto to bunt? (Naw, I kid. Mac will be a manager one day, I think.)

12. Bob Tufts Posted: October 21, 2011 at 02:16 PM (#3970459)

McGwire exists as hitting coach for the Cardinals so that reporters write about steroids and not LaRussa's DUI. Washington exists as the Rangers manager so that fewer pepole ask Josh Hamilton why he blew a few million of Tampa's bonus money on "recreational" drugs and alcohol.

Will Hamilton ever experience an epiphany and pay back the $3.96mm he took from the Rays? It seems like the "religious" thing to do as part of a real apology for his excesses. One ad for Canada Dry would be a start in the repayment plan.

13. Shooty is in the Trust Tree

Posted: October 21, 2011 at 02:32 PM (#3970482)

Man, Bob, you put some extra cynicism on your muesli this morning. You're making me feel like a piker!

14. Bob Tufts Posted: October 21, 2011 at 02:40 PM (#3970497)

Words have no meaning without action. If Hamilton is truly a devout person, he should directly address the people he wronged along the way and square accounts, not just talk the talk. And the Rays are on that list.

15. Shooty is in the Trust Tree

Posted: October 21, 2011 at 02:47 PM (#3970510)

16. LionoftheSenate (feels sorry for the Pirates) Posted: October 21, 2011 at 03:02 PM (#3970531)

Beware, Bob Tufts angry pills are not Halloween treats kids.

17. LionoftheSenate (feels sorry for the Pirates) Posted: October 21, 2011 at 03:05 PM (#3970535)

Words have no meaning without action. If Hamilton is truly a devout person, he should directly address the people he wronged along the way and square accounts, not just talk the talk. And the Rays are on that list.

Frankly, you can say this about many players....such as Mike Hampton - Colorado, Oliver Perez - Mets, A-Rod - Yankees....on and on. Lot's of teams/fans have been wronged. I still think Bill Hall owes me money, when I see him I will ask for some.

18. dlf Posted: October 21, 2011 at 03:11 PM (#3970549)

Frankly, you can say this about many players....such as Mike Hampton - Colorado, Oliver Perez - Mets, A-Rod - Yankees....on and on.

There is a dramatic difference between a player who is injured on the field and one who decides to use recreational drugs to such a degree that he is no longer capable of performing. One is an accident that is part of the game, the other is deliberate misconduct that shouldn't be. Teams can and do take out insurance policies against Mike Hampton's eventual injuries; they can't insure against too much blow or smack.

19. SoSH U at work Posted: October 21, 2011 at 03:13 PM (#3970554)

Frankly, you can say this about many players....such as Mike Hampton - Colorado, Oliver Perez - Mets, A-Rod - Yankees....on and on. Lot's of teams/fans have been wronged. I still think Bill Hall owes me money, when I see him I will ask for some.

It depends. None of those guys chose to suck/get injured. No one really thinks they owe the Rockies or Mets an apology because of their results.

But Josh Hamilton has, on at least one occasion, apologized to the Rays for how his off-field behavior subverted his career. I don't know that he necessarily owes them money (actually, you might argue that he owes Vince Naimoli the money), but that case is more defensible than Hampton or Ollie doing likewise.

Edit: Coke to dlf. But, just to make sure we avoid the need to apologize to Furtado down the road, the carbonated kind.

20. AROM Posted: October 21, 2011 at 03:29 PM (#3970578)

If Josh Hamilton owes the Rays money for not playing up to the contract, then the Rays owe Evan Longoria about 20 million more per year for overperforming his.

21. Greg (U)K Posted: October 21, 2011 at 03:30 PM (#3970580)

Words have no meaning without action. If Hamilton is truly a devout person, he should directly address the people he wronged along the way and square accounts, not just talk the talk. And the Rays are on that list.

But it was a really nice sweater, and he didn't want Tampa's rather bulbous head stretching out the neckhole.

Tampa should be happy with that MetLife ball game giveaway windbreaker.

22. RoyalsRetro (AG#1F) Posted: October 21, 2011 at 03:39 PM (#3970591)

One ad for Canada Dry would be a start in the repayment plan.

I have no idea what this means but I absolutely love it!

23. Bob Tufts Posted: October 21, 2011 at 03:40 PM (#3970592)

Yes, he did a press conference earlier this year.

But what he did was only parts of steps 8 and 9 of AA - "Made a list of all persons we had harmed, and became willing to make amends to them all" and "Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others."

At least he did a better job than Randy Marsh on "South Park", but all of the apologies are tailored to Hamilton's needs, not those he wronged.

(The ginger ale reference is due to the fact that Texas celebrates with that and not champagne out of deference to Hamilton's addiction(s) )

24. Crispix Attacks 2: Swag Airlines Posted: October 21, 2011 at 03:41 PM (#3970595)

Speaking of Rangers coaches, Mike Maddux looks like he's about 65 years old right now. The night-time stadium lights and HD don't flatter TLR, Dave Duncan, or him.

25. Bob Tufts Posted: October 21, 2011 at 03:54 PM (#3970609)

Mike Maddux and Frank Zappa - separated at birth

26. The Good Face Posted: October 21, 2011 at 03:57 PM (#3970613)

If Josh Hamilton owes the Rays money for not playing up to the contract, then the Rays owe Evan Longoria about 20 million more per year for overperforming his.

Speaking of which, how big a bargain has Ian Kinsler been for the Rangers? 5/$22M, with one year still to go PLUS a team option for 2013.

27. Jose Can Still Seabiscuit Posted: October 21, 2011 at 03:57 PM (#3970614)

Made a list of all persons we had harmed, and became willing to make amends to them all

Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others.

I don't really know much how the 12 steps work but these two may mean Hamilton doesn't have to do anyhing. "Willing" to make amends suggests he needs to want to give the money back but to "injure...others" may mean that a violation of the CBA (by paying back money, not sure how the CBA works) and in so doing put other players in a position to have to pay money they can't or simply don't want to would injure those players.

I dunno, I'm just talking out my ass here but what the hell.

28. Bob Tufts Posted: October 21, 2011 at 04:19 PM (#3970638)

I always liked "The 39 Steps" more than the 12 steps.

Texas is a perfect place for Hamilton - play the Jesus card and the mouthbreathers all swoon!

29. Barry`s_Lazy_Boy Posted: October 21, 2011 at 04:25 PM (#3970643)

Its always easy to tell others what to do with their money.

30. Walks Clog Up the Bases Posted: October 21, 2011 at 04:33 PM (#3970654)

Went to the Cubs.

Which, as you can see, has been a stirring success.

31. Walks Clog Up the Bases Posted: October 21, 2011 at 04:35 PM (#3970655)

But it was a really nice sweater, and he didn't want Tampa's rather bulbous head stretching out the neckhole.

Tampa should be happy with that MetLife ball game giveaway windbreaker.

Just wanted to quote this so Greg would know that this reference did not go unrecognized / unappreciated.

32. Daunte Vicknabbit! Posted: October 21, 2011 at 04:44 PM (#3970663)

To get back to point 3, isn't McGuire sort of a failure as a con man if he is one at all? I mean, the con man is supposed to make the money, and yet if I had to guess McGuire did more than almost any other man on the planet to line the pockets of MLB and the owners.

33. PreservedFish Posted: October 21, 2011 at 05:13 PM (#3970696)

No words are necessary to know that in this World Series, McGwire is the elephant in the dugout.

I think that this is exactly why Buck and McCarver don't need to rehash old news about McGwire and steroids.

I hate - HATE - that sports talk radio hosts, columnists and talking heads spend 90% of their words on off-field gossip and controversy. I really don't need that #### creeping into the world series broadcast.

34. Bob Evans Posted: October 21, 2011 at 05:35 PM (#3970744)

Is it possible Buck and McCarver were advised to make any discussion of McGwire’s past a low priority?

Probably by McGwire...who said, "I'm gonna tell you what I told Congress..."

35. Walt Davis Posted: October 21, 2011 at 06:59 PM (#3970864)

I'm going to assume* that Buck and McCarver also aren't reliving 1998 whenever McGwire pops onto the screen which is the sort of thing they would be doing if, say, Greg Maddux was the pitching coach of the Rangers.

*I do MLB Audio down here.

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Friday, October 21, 2011

Raissman: Mark McGwire receives less air-play than deserved during World Series broadcast

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