Shut Up, Homer
Posted by BMT on July 6th, 2009
If I have to listen to one more local-ass homer bitch about how FOX is out to get the Phillies, I’m going to put my head through a wall. Apparently, Saturday’s nationally-televised game between the Phils and Mets on FOX featured cut-away shots to Manny Ramirez’s at-bats against San Diego. And this, of course, prompted the level-headed fan base and sports media here in Philadelphia to act as if North Korea had us as the bullseye on their nuclear dartboard.
Bob Ford was “totally appalled” as he tells us in his article entitled “Fox Cheated Phillies Fans.” Really? The production team at FOX conspired to “cheat” Phillies fans in order to please the other 99% of the national audience? As it turns out, FOX’s interest in presenting a broadcast that is not 100% bent toward the Phillies (as are 150+ annual broadcasts on local TV, which is what fans become used to) shows an intentional and sinister hatred of Philadelphia, the Phillies, their fans and butterscotch crumpet Tasty Cakes.
Moreso than any other sport (because there are 162 games played), baseball coverage is favored in the home team’s advantage because fans everywhere watch almost every game on locally-produced telecasts that are clearly and purposely aimed at the hometown audience. So when a nationally-televised game comes around, fans don’t get the homers in the booth calling the game and therefore they don’t get a hometown-leaning broadcast. Here in Philly, of course, fans take this as an intentional affront.
I have no interest in going to bat for Joe Buck, Tim McCarver or the rest of the FOX team but when I have to listen to crap like this I get annoyed. Seriously, having to endure a few split-screen shots during a game should not be construed as cheating fans. Everybody’s got to share on national coverage; that’s the price you pay for finally reaching national prominence. If people are so put-off by this maybe we should go back to pre-World Series backwater status.
July 6th, 2009 at 12:17 pm
I wouldn’t say I was appalled by the cut aways to Manny’s at bats, but I did think it was bullshit. It’s not like he is in the middle of some record breaking attempt. It was just an at bad not McGuire, Sosa, Bonds, whoever. I wasn’t offended by it. I look at it more along the lines of FOX (and ESPN is guilty too) of creating a news story where there isn’t one.
July 6th, 2009 at 12:19 pm
I agree with Bad Andy 100%. At least he has the sense to take it for what it is, a no-call which doesn’t deserve aggrieved newspaper column space.
July 6th, 2009 at 12:39 pm
Larry Andersen was also guilty of this behavior during the radio broadcast. FWIW, he used stronger language than ‘appalled’, and I did think his reaction smacked of Joe Buck-esque outrage.
I did think that cutting to Manny’s ABs was unnecessary, though. What’s the significance of these at-bats? Is Manny trying to extend a hitting streak? Is a perfect game in progress? A no-hitter? Are the Phillies or the Mets battling one of the teams in the split screen for a shot at the division? The wild card? Is Manny about to reach a milestone?
Or is it a typical Fox ratings grab that, by focusing on the relatively meaningless at-bats of a media whoring, PED policy-violating assclown, cheapens the experience for fans of the game being shown?
As an aside: ‘Cheater’ and ‘Crappy broadcasting decision’ may be spelled with Cs, but ‘Tastykakes’ is spelled with Ks.
July 6th, 2009 at 1:23 pm
Yeah, and those are “krimpets” not “crumpets”. Why don’t you go cool off and take a dip in Niagara Falls or wherever the hell you’re from!
July 6th, 2009 at 1:33 pm
My upbringing has revealed a fundamental misunderstanding of regional snack kakes. For that I am truly sorry.