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"It is the way of the world, and it pisses me off."
This makes you angry? That's what's so bizarre to me...that this bothers you so much. That, I dont understand. Your happiness in this world revolves around who is on Baseball Tonight? Very strange, young man. You are in for a world of disappointment, I'm afraid, if you continue to expect everyone else to conform to YOUR standards, because it isn't going to happen.
I have to say that I agree with both of you. I don't like the analysts in baseball in general, as I feel that their analysis is often (usually, even) too simplistic. It ruins my enjoyment of games and baseball related programs.
On the other hand, I'm hardly angry about it.
*shrug*
Sorry, you misunderstood me. You said:Quote:
Originally Posted by Swampdog
That's what pisses me off. That there is a lack of intelligence in the world in all areas of life.Quote:
If given some time....I could probably think of about a thousand things I have heard in my life that were supposed to pass for wise, insightful, information. Yet, so often this intelligence is erroneous, exaggerated, oversimplified, etc, etc. Often what you hear, or read, from "experts" in all areas of life, is downright false.
For baseball, I'm annoyed by it, because like ohms said, it ruins my enjoyment of the baseball programs, but it doesn't piss me off in any meaningful sense of the word.
Ok. I respect your views... and I do not entirely disagree. I admire anyone who is so passionate about things. I will repeat, however, that you are going to be bitterly disappointed...even disillusioned.... in the future.
I don't see how, considering I'm not expecting anything to change..Quote:
Originally Posted by Swampdog
I ‘ve been following this thread for some time, and I think that some of you have been unfair to t.v. baseball analysts, in general, and Joe Morgan in particular.
Since the 60’s and 70’s, I had watched little baseball on t.v. until this past week, when I forsook computer gameplay (except for BM), to take in some of the games on the tube.
I remembered, with pleasure, those commentators and colour-men of yore, particularly Tony Kubek; Joe Garagiola; Dave Van Horne; et al, who had instructed me, as a viewer, on the basics of the game, and regaled me with inside dope on the players, along with baseball anecdotes and lore.
After reading many of the negative posts in this thread about today’s t.v. broadcasters, I entered my week of viewing with a mind-set against these talking heads…expecting all kinds of blandness and banality.
I was pleasantly surprised…I found that most of them were as instructive and entertaining as ever, and while I can readily watch a hockey or soccer game with the sound off, I found that if I watched a single baseball play, sans commentary, I felt that I had missed something…that’s how important I deemed the interpretation/analysis of the guys behind the mike.
The capper came yesterday, when I tuned in to the Yankees-Mets game, and heard that the much-maligned Joe Morgan was the colour –man…after all the abuse in this, and other threads, laid upon the guy, I expected his work in the press-box, to be a succession of clichés and oxymorons stuff like “He gave 110 per cent, but shoulda hustled some more”
So I was amazed at the insight that Joe Morgan displayed, along with his awareness of what would interest the viewer. Certainly I caught him saying things like “That guy can play left field” and “he knows how to pitch” but Morgan immediately explained what he meant by that,(mebbe he'd read some of your posts!:)), referring to the fielder’s agility and accuracy, and the pitcher’s acumen and technique…I was particularly fascinated by his description of how one pitcher operates from different parts of the mound.
And, naturally, he had much to say about infielding and other playing techniques to watch for, which I found very helpful to my future baseball viewing – my appetite for which, hitherto diminished by much playing of computer ball, has been re-stimulated. His partner, Jon Miller, was no slouch, either, being fluent in his description of the actual game, and giving me the impression that he was on top of the technicalities, as was Joe.
That particular game was full of incident and interest, and I thought that both men explained the ins and outs very well.
Even before I watched this game, I deplored the sneer that one poster made about “failed baseball managers” being hired for broadcasts. It seems to me that no matter how abjectly a guy “failed” at managing a bunch of prima donnas like ball-players, it wasn’t for want of knowledge about the game - else why would anyone hire him to manage a team in the first place? …or employ him in a press-box, thereafter?
Indeed, the ex-managers “failure” might have been that he was too nice a guy…mebbe he didn’t bawl out his slackers, enough?…perhaps he forbore to video the other team’s signs? Could be, he frowned upon breaking of curfews; consuming of illegal substances; pointing of fingers at team-mates; interference by arrogant owners?
Whatever, I now respect t.v. play-by-play men and analysts…I assume that they know far more about baseball than I do…and I look forward to learning more about the game from them in the future.
Ask the Reds...and ESPN!Quote:
Originally Posted by Rongar
Most of the complaints about Joe Morgan are taking out of context. But he does say some wacky things :)
If Morgan was that bad, he would have lost his job 10 years ago...and if he wasn't good, there wouldn't be a website called firejoemorgan.
You sure about that?Quote:
Originally Posted by boomboom
Not following that logic.Quote:
and if he wasn't good, there wouldn't be a website called firejoemorgan.
I agree with some of what Rongar posted. Baseball telecasts and analysts are designed to appeal to the average, mainstream fan. I know a lot of casual fans that have no real problem with baseball analysts, ESPN, and Joe Morgan in particular. They do what they set out to do, from what I can see.
Joe Morgan frequently gets facts wrong. He frequently says that he can't give his thoughts on baseball players or teams because he hasn't seen a certain team play. Based on his ESPN online chats, it seems that the only teams that he has seen play are the teams he's covered on Sunday Night Baseball.
I just expect at least factual accuracy and relatively solid knowledge about the teams and players currently playing from the top analyst for the top sports network in the world.Quote:
Charlotte: Joe: You were such a great hitter. What would you do to help Andruw Jones get back on track. He's just lost up there. And I can't believe he's really this bad.
Joe Morgan: I can't either. I can't believe he's having the problems he's having. I have not seen him play this year, as we haven't done a Dodgers' game and he's never int the highlights, so I couldn't give him any specific advice, but I am shocked at how long this slump has extended.
Lol. You take issue with what he said about Jones? He responded honestly. I dont see a problem with that. You seem to think that he's supposed to have "the" answer to any baseball question. In fact, many baseball analysts seem to believe that they MUST have all the answers, so they act accordingly... and often provide the most absurd observations imaginable. Many talking heads have a clear inability to say "You, know... I really just dont know about that".
It was just an example of something he does VERY often.Quote:
Originally Posted by Swampdog
Agreed. However, an analyst not having a thought or opinion on something that he's paid to know about should be the exception, not the rule. If Joe Morgan said he didn't know something a couple times here and there, that's fine, he's only human. He claims to not know something OFTEN. Also, I more take issue with what seems to be a complete lack of watching baseball. As the top analyst on ESPN, he should watch more than just one game a week and the highlights. I'm sure he does, but it sure doesn't seem like it.Quote:
Many talking heads have a clear inability to say "You, know... I really just dont know about that".
Sorry, that wasn't meant as an example of a time he got facts wrong, but an example of how he doesn't seem to watch anything besides the games he covers.Quote:
Originally Posted by yankee hater
I don't think he has to know every player and every stat. He should at least have some knowledge about the majority of players and teams, though.Quote:
Do you think junior from FJM could do better? He doesn't have to know every player and every stat to do his job to most non nitpicky people.
It was an example of something he does often.Quote:
Originally Posted by yankee hater
I personally don't have any problems, really, with Joe Morgan. I tend to enjoy the games he does. Sure, he makes mistakes, so does every other commentator, whether good or bad. Overall, though, I find him to be pretty consistently good.
Mebbe Joe's "ignorance" of the current baseball scene stems from the same cause as mine...we play too much BM!:DQuote:
Originally Posted by HoustonGM
I must say that Morgan, himself, admitted that he was watching basketball before yesterday's Mets-Yankees game, whereas his colleague, Jon Miller was watching a Braves(?) game, somewhere.
Kill this thread already;
Sure hope PETA doesn't get a look at that; after the Derby they'll have your hide!