ESPN Anchors Said To Occasionally Have Contact With Public in Nation's Airports

by Freneau on Dec 12, 2007 9:57 PM EST in Kansas City Royals News

Is anyone else watching the "Best of This is Sportscenter" special right now? I'm willing to admit that quite a few of the old one-offs are still funny, and a dash of self-deprecation still goes a long way with this viewer.

Still, after about twenty minutes -- 8:30-8:50 roughly -- I couldn't take it anymore. Why? By my count I'd heard no less than four people, in those fake, 20-second retrospective things, lay out with a variation of "after all these years, people in airports will still say __ to me".

Then it hit me. No, our airports aren't hotbeds of stranger-to-stranger conversation. Rather, the airport must stick out to the Stu Scotts and Karl Ravechs of the world because its their last bit of contact with us little people, non-20-year-olds on South Beach division.

Former Labor Secretary Robert Reich actually wrote about this awhile back, locating airports as a fairly unique site in American life where even the Lords of the Realm are forced to share social space, however briefly, with the other 99% of us.

It must be so quaint for Steve Levy to eat at a Chili's 2 in O'Hare!

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Anymore, I find SportsCenter unwatchable

It isn't the coast bias and big city bias, although I don't enjoy that. That show used to be about wall-to-wall highlights with some analysis. Now there is much less time devoted to highlights, too much time given to shallow analysis and much too much time with goofy attempts at humor and infotainment like "Who's Now." If I want to see a highlight, I Tivo SC so I can just fast forward to it and ignore the rest of the BS.

I probably disagree with you.

by Scott McKinney on Dec 12, 2007 10:04 PM EST reply actions

A propo of nothing . . .

Right now on BP there is a profile up of our own Mark Teahen. I'd be interested in how they project him to do next year, but I have not paid the price for the BP articles. Could someone summarize it in a diary?

by Eppenweb on Dec 12, 2007 10:42 PM EST reply actions

I'll give you a short summary

They don't project him from last year. In those profiles, they spend the vast majority of the article talking about his long past and recent past. They break down his stats, hitting charts, and batted ball data. Basically the analysis was that he changed his approach at the plate in 2007. He went from hitting fly balls to hitting line drives. That doesn't work for him. The article says that he could hit like he did in 2006 if he tries to lift the ball again, putting the ball in the air and getting more HR's. It is long on analysis and short on predictions.

I probably disagree with you.

by Scott McKinney on Dec 12, 2007 10:47 PM EST up reply actions

its cool to see Marc doing well there

he's a self-made man...

here's the conclusion:

Teahen is a hitter better served by trying to get loft under pitches in order to drive them deep into the outfield, as he just doesn't do enough with the ball when he tries to poke it with a line-drive swing. If he were still in the infield and getting on base while hitting for a decent average, you might be able to put up with the lack of power to some degree.

His defense helps his cause, but only to a point. The Davenport Translations love him defensively in right field, and John Dewan's Revised Zone Rating sees him as a bit above-average, but that doesn't change the fact that he can't out-slug Yuniesky Betancourt while playing an offensive position. The most frustrating thing about Teahen is that after seeing his 2006 season and noting the apparent changes in his style during 2007, we know he can perform better than he did in '07, but unless he sticks with what works for him offensively--and not what he prefers to do--we won't see that production again.

by Freneau on Dec 12, 2007 10:54 PM EST up reply actions

That's What I Saw

Teahen doing in the last months of '07, getting the ball in the air more. He still had his liners, but fewer grounders, particularly to the left side. The GIDP's to SS in the first half drove me nuts.

I'm not getting older....oh, wait, yes I am....and slower.... and weaker. God, this is great!

by philofthenorth on Dec 12, 2007 10:57 PM EST up reply actions

Any chance

...that residual effects from his injury changed his swing somewhat and he was working it out and improving it through the season? Certainly his slugging percentage was higher in August and September, although certainly not at 2006 levels.

Hopefully it was something both physical and temporary and we'll see a better Teahen in 2008. It's possible

I probably disagree with you.

by Scott McKinney on Dec 12, 2007 11:12 PM EST up reply actions

Airports Are

What bus stations were in the 40's and 50's. I once listened to a NWA pilot bemoan this fact at length in Norfolk as we sat and waited to see if we had any non-rev seats available on the Detroit flight. He longed for the "jet set" days when the planes were half empty and the PAX were "respectable". The asshole got the last seat, and I had to rent a car and drive back to Elizabeth City, NC for the night. That was 1994.

I'm not getting older....oh, wait, yes I am....and slower.... and weaker. God, this is great!

by philofthenorth on Dec 12, 2007 10:47 PM EST reply actions

If I run into Scott Van Pelt, Karl Ravech,

or Kenny Mayne at an airport, I'll say hi. The rest of them are beneath my dignity.

It's fine to disagree with anything I type, but I'm currently running on energy drinks. Be warned.

by NHZ on Dec 12, 2007 11:25 PM EST reply actions

If I ran into Stuart Scott

...I'd say "Boo-yah!" and punch him in the face. He is the poster boy for ESPN going for style over substance. All the cute little catch phrases and faux urbanisms drive me nuts. Cooler than the other side of the pillow? He's about as cool as my nut sack.

I probably disagree with you.

by Scott McKinney on Dec 12, 2007 11:28 PM EST up reply actions

Thanks.

I really needed a comparison between your nut sack and Stuart Scott before I went to sleep. Now I remember why I usually disagree with you. :P

It's fine to disagree with anything I type, but I'm currently running on energy drinks. Be warned.

by NHZ on Dec 12, 2007 11:30 PM EST up reply actions

I could go into more detail

about the many similarities between Mr. Scott and my nut sack, but I'll save that for Opening Day as a special present to the site.

I'd like to see Stu bring his faux urban hip BS to my Harlem neighborhood. He's long overdue for a stomping.

I probably disagree with you.

by Scott McKinney on Dec 12, 2007 11:32 PM EST up reply actions

Let him bring his faux urban

hip BS to my stupid rich town (why yes, I'm not rich). He can hang out with all the faux urban morons who roam the streets and then I'll run them all over.

We're going to have to hold you to that special event.

It's fine to disagree with anything I type, but I'm currently running on energy drinks. Be warned.

by NHZ on Dec 12, 2007 11:34 PM EST up reply actions

I'm going to start composing it now

Given the literary bent of this site, I think I'll write it in the form of an epic poem.

I probably disagree with you.

by Scott McKinney on Dec 12, 2007 11:37 PM EST up reply actions

Haha

I have a feeling it will bear significant similarities to the cinematic version of Beowulf.

Speaking of literary, I am absolutely dying because I haven't got my hands on the latest book in my favorite series. Gaaaaaah stupid final exams week.

It's fine to disagree with anything I type, but I'm currently running on energy drinks. Be warned.

by NHZ on Dec 12, 2007 11:39 PM EST up reply actions

Sucker!

I'm happy to be out of school. After high school, I was in school for 9 years. I liked it, but after a while it just drove me crazy. I was sick of writing endless papers. But, I guess I kind of miss it now. One of my best friends is a PhD. candidate at Columbia. He's a year older than me (38) and a professional student. That's not a bad life.

I probably disagree with you.

by Scott McKinney on Dec 12, 2007 11:42 PM EST up reply actions

Heh, I like it here.

I abhorred high school, but college has been a much better environment for me. This is my third year now--christ, I'm old--and this semester was by far the most fun I've had in a while. By "a while" I mean "since I was too little to care about anything" so it's been fun. :)

The thing is, at the end of every semester, you're ready for it to hurry and die, even if you've had a great time and have good grades and are dating your campus's equivalent of Scarlett Jo*, you're ready for it to end. And sadly, I still have a presentation tomorrow and a final exam next Wednesday that I have to hang around for before heading home.

*I am not. :P

It's fine to disagree with anything I type, but I'm currently running on energy drinks. Be warned.

by NHZ on Dec 12, 2007 11:48 PM EST up reply actions

i used to try to stay around

a few extra days even after i was done to take it all in

by Freneau on Dec 12, 2007 11:53 PM EST up reply actions

BTW

When you do start dating your campus's version of SJ, do the right thing and post some pictures of her on here. Something tasteful, please.

I probably disagree with you.

by Scott McKinney on Dec 12, 2007 11:59 PM EST up reply actions

Naturally

It's fine to disagree with anything I type, but I'm currently running on energy drinks. Be warned.

by NHZ on Dec 13, 2007 12:00 AM EST up reply actions

Please Do The Right

Thing and refrain from posting pictures when you do your epic Stuart Scott/scrotum feature. I've seen enough (too much/none) of both.

I'm not getting older....oh, wait, yes I am....and slower.... and weaker. God, this is great!

by philofthenorth on Dec 13, 2007 12:31 AM EST up reply actions

But you haven't seen mine yet

I've been told it can be a life changing experience. Several women have changed religions shortly after the "big reveal."

I probably disagree with you.

by Scott McKinney on Dec 13, 2007 12:33 AM EST up reply actions

You keep it up

and you're going to have to change your sig to lyrics from that ACDC song...

It's fine to disagree with anything I type, but I'm currently running on energy drinks. Be warned.

by NHZ on Dec 13, 2007 12:39 AM EST up reply actions

I was thinking "Put 'em on the Glass"

by Sir Mix-A-Lot (one of the late 20th century's most underrated musical geniuses)

I probably disagree with you.

by Scott McKinney on Dec 13, 2007 12:42 AM EST up reply actions

The Convent?

I'm not getting older....oh, wait, yes I am....and slower.... and weaker. God, this is great!

by philofthenorth on Dec 13, 2007 12:45 AM EST up reply actions

Is Lesbianism a religion?

I probably disagree with you.

by Scott McKinney on Dec 13, 2007 12:50 AM EST up reply actions

Maybe In

Some Convents.

I'm not getting older....oh, wait, yes I am....and slower.... and weaker. God, this is great!

by philofthenorth on Dec 13, 2007 12:53 AM EST up reply actions

i've lost all perspective on it

you dont have the annoying things about having a job, but you also dont have the positive things either

by Freneau on Dec 12, 2007 11:50 PM EST up reply actions

But dude,

I've GOT a job! I'm a lifeguard! :P

It's fine to disagree with anything I type, but I'm currently running on energy drinks. Be warned.

by NHZ on Dec 12, 2007 11:57 PM EST up reply actions

"Boo-yah!"

Let's Go Blues!

by powderbluesfor08 on Dec 13, 2007 11:55 AM EST up reply actions

(Let's try again)...."Boo-yah!"

Let's Go Blues!

by powderbluesfor08 on Dec 13, 2007 12:01 PM EST up reply actions

The same Karl Ravech

who obnoxiously dismisses the Royals every time they're mentioned? I believe the last thing I heard him say about them was "Isn't that cute the way the widdle Royals have won 8 of their last 12?"

Okay, his words weren't that derogatory, but his tone was.

by mazoboom on Dec 13, 2007 1:10 AM EST up reply actions

I recognize most people on this blog

find Ravech a bit condescending. I like him because he's well-prepared, well-spoken, calls some of the analysts on their bullshit, and does not show off.

It's fine to disagree with anything I type, but I'm currently running on energy drinks. Be warned.

by NHZ on Dec 13, 2007 1:18 AM EST up reply actions

I'm Annoyed

At the tone most sports journalists take when discussing the Royals, but face it, we need to put together at least a .500 season, or a few in a row even, before this will change. We're not the only team to receive this treatment.

I'm not getting older....oh, wait, yes I am....and slower.... and weaker. God, this is great!

by philofthenorth on Dec 13, 2007 1:33 AM EST up reply actions

Yeah, I suppose

I'd rather him just not mention the Royals then say things in disbelieving tones like, "But they're the ROYALS!" Can't you praise a team when they do well?

But yes, I agree completely on how great it is when he's there to call the BS. I do like when he starts his sentences with "But don't you think..." because then I know he's about to disagree with something stupid somebody said.

by mazoboom on Dec 13, 2007 1:49 AM EST up reply actions

ravech is good sometimes

but i really find him cocky as hell

but then, i find them all cocky

i actually like Linda Cohn the best

by Freneau on Dec 13, 2007 12:07 PM EST up reply actions

argh

I can't stand Cohn. To each his own, though.

It's fine to disagree with anything I type, but I'm currently running on energy drinks. Be warned.

by NHZ on Dec 13, 2007 3:57 PM EST up reply actions

Prior

This whole Prior business might be worty of a diary. But can someone give me a reason that the Cubs wouldn't be willing to take Prior to arbitration and end up paying him probably around $3.5M? They aren't short on money and Prior is worth a $3.5M gamble for just about any team.

I probably disagree with you.

by Scott McKinney on Dec 12, 2007 11:44 PM EST reply actions

i suspect its some pettiness

isn't there a big perception that Prior is a slacker? i have no idea, but i think i heard people arguing about it before

teams are REALLY cowardly about offering arb... i mean, how many times does it ever backfire? like 1%?

by Freneau on Dec 12, 2007 11:52 PM EST up reply actions

Could be

I don't know what the knock on Prior is, other than his injuries. It could be emotional. I know some fans certainly got pissed off at Sweeney for his injuries, even though he's not to blame for them. It does get under one's skin when you count on a guy to be good and he just doesn't get the job done because he's out with injuries. But front offices aren't supposed to think that way. They are supposed to think not emote. Maybe the think/feel that a lack of work ethic and physical training has led to his injuries and they are just fed up with him. Maybe they are sick of hoping.

Regardless, I hope Dayton Moore is taking a serious look at him. In this market, some team(s) may go wild with money and throw a hell of a lot of guaranteed money at him, but he's still worth a look and an offer.

I probably disagree with you.

by Scott McKinney on Dec 12, 2007 11:58 PM EST up reply actions

Yeah, I get the sense

that the Cubs FO doesn't like that Prior can never be counted on despite his immense talent. He could very well part ways with them.

It's fine to disagree with anything I type, but I'm currently running on energy drinks. Be warned.

by NHZ on Dec 13, 2007 12:03 AM EST up reply actions

One obvious possible reason

It seems like I must be missing something. Of course one thing that we could all be missing is that they know that he's still so injured that they don't think he'll play much, if any in 2008.

I probably disagree with you.

by Scott McKinney on Dec 13, 2007 12:04 AM EST up reply actions

A slightly deeper look

Maybe everyone knew this, but... Prior had major shoulder surgery in the spring of 2007. No one knows quite how long he'll be out. From what I've seen, estimates go from the ASB to September. So he probably won't play much in 2008 and probably won't be back at 100% until 2009. I was excited about the Royals taking a flyer on him. Now, I'd only do it if he got paid very little for 2008 and a more significant salary for 2009. I'd go for a total of $7M over the two years.

I probably disagree with you.

by Scott McKinney on Dec 13, 2007 12:19 AM EST up reply actions

The good ol'

"one year and an option where you actually pitch" rehab contract sounds good.

It's fine to disagree with anything I type, but I'm currently running on energy drinks. Be warned.

by NHZ on Dec 13, 2007 12:21 AM EST up reply actions

that changes my original

"offer"

by marbotty on Dec 13, 2007 12:27 AM EST up reply actions

I actually did see Kenny Mayne

once at the Hartford airport (BDL for codetalkers like me)a few years back. I didn't say anything to him, though. We stood by each other waiting to pick up our bags.

I tend to like him, especially his horse racing coverage. His bit on Kentucky Derby sponsor Yum! Brands (the company that owns KFC, Pizza Hut, Taco Bell, LJS, A&W), or as he says it "Yum Exclamation Point Brands," was pretty good.

by mikewormdog on Dec 13, 2007 3:29 AM EST reply actions