7
2010
ESPN Is As “Fair and Balanced” As FOX News
An article by 
This morning I was genuinely touched by the sheer thoughtfulness and care exhibited by Buster Olney of ESPN.com, who took it upon himself to seek out not one, but two talent evaluators to give us an assessment of our catcher Omir Santos.
For those of you who don’t subscribe to ESPN Insider, here is what the two evaluators concluded,
“I think Santos is more like an up/down guy for a good club… Santos is decent emergency protection at AAA for a good club and a backup catcher for a club that isn’t going to contend. He can run into a fastball, but the more action he sees, the more that his aggressive approach at the plate is likely to be exposed at the big league level.”
“You’d think they’d be more than willing to give Josh Thole a shot to see regular at-bats”, said the other evaluator, “at least he has some upside.”
Gimme a freaking break Buster… Was this your idea of solid investigating reporting? What have we learned that we didn’t already know?
Did we really ned you to seek out two evaluators to tell Mets fans that Omir Santos is best suited to be a backup catcher?
What a waste of your time and ours on something that we already knew that ended up adding nothing to the discussion.
Why didn’t Buster ask those talent evaluators about new Blue Jays starting catcher John Buck who has allowed 100 stolen bases in the last two seasons?
John Buck sports a .16 caught stealing rating and had a woeful .976 fielding percentage last season, not to mention his career .235 batting average.
The Mets are only paying Omir Santos $400K… why not compare that to the $2 million dollars John Buck is getting this year?
Also, after beating up the Mets for pursuing Bengie Molina, where’s the follow up article pounding the Giants for re-signing him? What’s that old saying… “Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me.”
It looks like ESPN is beginning to take on the same fair and balanced approach as FOX News, and the Mets have become the FOX equivalent of Bill Clinton these days, with Olney taking on the part of FOX News contributor, Joe the Plumber.
About the Author: Joe DeCaro
Went to my first Mets game, a Mayors Trophy game at Shea, in '73. We beat the Yankees 8-4 and I was hooked. I marched in two Banner Day parades, and before the Grand Slam single, there was the "Hendu Can Do" grand slam - I was there. I've collected Mets memorabilia all my life and started Mets Merized Online to feed my addiction.
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NL East Standings
| Team | W | L | Pct. | GB |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nationals | 26 | 18 | .591 | - |
| Braves | 26 | 20 | .565 | 1.0 |
| Mets | 24 | 21 | .533 | 2.5 |
| Marlins | 24 | 21 | .533 | 2.5 |
| Phillies | 23 | 23 | .500 | 4.0 |
Last updated: 05/25/2012
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Write Your Own Mets Post
Everybody picks on the Mets. Bernazard would still be here if the media hadn’t made a big deal out of a little discretion. Omar would still be in charge and able to make deals. Their care of injured players wouldn’t be in question and free agents wouldn’t be reluctant to come here. Darn m4dia!
You’ve obviously have never watched Fox “News” programs. Don’t confuse opinion shows with news shows. who even gives ESPN and their ilk consideration? Lazy people watch CNN and Lazy sports fans watch ESPN. Seriously Santos hits one big HR and now we all of a sudden can’t live without him?
Hey Joe, when’s the last time you unclogged a drain or fixed a leak? Just because McCain and Palin called you a plumber, it doesn’t make you one. Take it from a real plumber, me.
Ouch! I look to sports as my escape from the harsh realities of life, political polarization being one of those harsh realities. So I’ll try and carefully skirt your analogy and say I agree completely that Olney’s endeavor was a waste of his and everybody else involved’s time, and a waste of money spent for such keen insider access.
I guess the best word is “unfortunately” but unfortunately we live in a vastly populated area known as “the media capital of the world.” What is ho hum in Toronto, Kansas City, Pittsburgh, and even Chicago and LA is a media ratings bonanza here and Olney and his ilk respond like Pavlov’s dogs to the bell ring of our very existence.
The truly talented sports commentators of the world understand that Buck’s contract and performance are just as relevant if not more so to true sports fans than Santos’ roster status, and I commend you for being one of them. Olney, not so much.
But they are out there and thanks to the internet we can find their work and digest it, becoming better more well rounded sports fans, and eschew the pablum that Olney and friends put forth. The best ones don’t work for huge media conglomerates that worship the almighty dollar, they do what they love because they love it and report on what matters to sports fans at large, not just those in large media markets.
I noticed last summer that ESPN has a lot of hostility towards the Mets, especially John Kruk. He claimed that Jose Reyes didn’t want to play last year. He thinks Reyes was faking his hamstring injuries. ESPN took a lot of shots at the Mets last year. I know the Mets had a horrible year but ESPN didn’t take as many shots at the Nationals, Pirates, Diamondbacks, or any other team that had a bad year last year, just the Mets. It got to the point where I couldn’t watch ESPN for the rest of the baseball season.
I am not a big fan of Omir Santos but I think ESPN’s criticisim has to be taken with a grain of salt because they hate the Mets. I am saying this as a big Mets fan who has not been very happy with the lack of moves that the Mets organization made in the offseason. I think the jury is still out when it comes to Omir Santos. We will have to see how he progresses. I am hoping for the best.
FOX is NOT ‘news’; it’s a slanted right wing rant. Far worse than the liberal-leaning MSNBC stuff. You can enjoy it, i don’t give a damn, but KNOW what it is, pal. And if ‘Joe’ wants to be called “Joe the Plumber”..he should be one..like if FOX wants to label itself ‘fair and balanced’…it shouldn’t be ‘slanted and pathetic rant’. End of story.
Joe D…that’s a bad headline. You shouldn’t go there.
Bob L if you think FoxNews is more slanted right then MSNBC is slanted left then you’re drinking Drano my friend. Enjoy life while your kidneys are still working.
I’m with GravediggerHebner on sports is an escape from the insanity that is the news. I personally can’t stand Tim Robbins political views and if he and I were ever to speak it would be heated beyond words.
Yet we could sit down and talk about the Mets for hours and get along just fine. Why? Because we’re Met fans that bleed blue and orange.
Sports is just that, an escape.
Know what you are, pal. You like FOX. Go for it. Just don’t expect ANYBODY with a clear mind to think it’s anything BUT fascist rotgut.
And go stuff that bottle of Drano up your arse.
You do realize by many TV critics that MSNBC is ranked as the most bias and showed that during the Massachusetts Senate race. Not to mention Keith Olbermann’s downright lies and nasty name-calling that became a new joke by Jon Stewart.
If you are going to condemn Fox, you better damn well condemn MSNBC. There is no way in hell you can tell me that MSNBC is right now the middle with guys like Chris Matthews and Olbermann constantly acting ANY on the libertarian or right-side and praising anyone on the left.
Did I forget to mention Maddows BS? My point is, you if condemn Fox, you better condemn MSNBC. It swings both ways but according to the Miami Herald and many other newspapers with TV critics, MSNBC was the worst and most bias with covering the said Senate Race.
i agree that MSNBC is biased. But FOX truly takes the cake for slanted coveraage because their bias is an all-day affair, from the AM’s first cup of java to the last rant by O’Reilly at night. Whereas, Matthews may be annoying but he swivels and has been milquetoast for many right wing guys/gals he’s had on. Olbermann and Madow are over the top lefties; Ed Schultze (sp?) is liberal but more open-minded and has Repubs and right wingers on his show that he treats with respect.
MSNBC is BAD journalism; FOX is an unforgiving, mean-spirited right-wwing rant, period.
Bob, I know this isn’t my fight; but I believe you may be painting an entire network with a brush dipped in only 1 or 2 cans. I have no difficulty agreeing that “FAIR & BALANCED” are difficult concepts applied to either Sean Hannity or Glenn Beck; but since both are clearly editorial entertainment shows & NOT NEWS BROADCASTS the appearance as one-sidedness is practical, both hosts are clearly defined as very right of center in their views of the World. What I prefer about FOX programming is the time & space allocated to opposing views on the shows that feature such spots. Perhaps you should actually take the time to sit & watch more than 1 of Van Susteren’s & O’Reilly’s shows. You may be suprised with the quality of Left leaning protagonists given an opportunity to rebutt. Just a thought, excuse me if I misread the situation, I was actually here looking to respond to another of your posts…’62
Hey ’62. Thanks man. i feel strongly about responsible journalism. i can detect the bias in Olbermann and Madow. i just believe that FOX is plain bias from the Am to the PM. Even Brit Hume reads from a tilted right wing script. But i am exhausted and embarrassed by this exchange of venom i;ve engaged in the past few days.
We have enough to worry about. Our beloved Mets. Take care and thanks for your thoughts.
Bob, Hang in there, Bro. It’s not nearly as bad as we’re being told it is despite the incompetancies of the Wilpon Boys.
While we’re being told it’s unlikely that SO MANY OF OUR TWENTY SOMETHING YEAR OLD PLAYERS WILL RECOVER AS THEY WERE.
We’re also being warned that the Phl & Atl are overpowering forces despite leaning heavily on older players returning from major injuries such as:
MOYER(48),HUDSON(35),LIDGE(34),WAGNER(39/40),SAITO(40/41).
Few pundits ask the simple question, “Are recovering older players likely to return better when healthy?” Yet, they’re adamerntly claiming “our injured younger players are automatic questionmarks & not only won’t be better; but will be worse!”despite ever single ione being in 20s
When our rotation featured Pedro & Glavine those schills @ the NEWS & POST caled our rotation unreliable due to age & untested youth in other spots. Yet somehow Atlanta is a THREAT featuring Lowe(37),Hudson(35)Kawakami(35) alongside unproven young prospect Hanson(24). Let’s not forget the oldest pitcher in the division, Phl’s Moyer @ 48! coming off injury. his most likely replacement 39 yr old Contreras.
Bob, I’m going out on a limb right now & telling you, “I BELIEVE OUR PITCHING WILL BE A SUPRISING STRENGTH THIS YEAR!, mainly because it is the first FULL spring training all of our rotation will experience under Warthen’s tutelage & WITHOUT PETERSONIZED RECEIVERS BEHIND THE DISH CALLING THE GAMES!
NO WBC “ALL”PITCHERS HEALTHY TO BEGIN! NIRVANA!
Thanks ’62! You’ve made me feel better! And man, i do hope and pray you’re right! You make great points about the Phillies and Braves.
Fox news does lean to the right and there is nothing worng with that. All the other News shows are left wing and Fox is the only one that is not. So why can’t there be news shows that support conservitve ideas?
I wouldn’t call “MSNBC liberal leaning” I would call them crazy. They don’t even give you another point of view and There isn’t any show that is more slanted than their 8pm show. It is so insane it is laughable.
Wes83 is right. Let’s talk baseball. But right wing fanatics like Pedro, and apologists like Vinny B tick me off. FOX is the most biased and slanted TV Network in the USA–in ANY direction. Period. They’re about as freakazoid right wing as Rush Limbaugh. Next, you’ll be calling Hanratty, O’Reilly, Beck, Caputo, et al, nonpartisan commentators.
Olbermann of MSNBC is a biased liberal and he’s annoying, but not more biased than the FOX cabal. However, Chris Matthews is a wimp and his ‘Hardball’ show is more like Squeejee ball…i’ve seen him cave in to right wing spin. CNN is scared to say anything meaningful on any issue. Too soft and mindless. FOX is an odious network. Evil.
We need straight talk in politics, and straight baseball talk.
Back to baseball.
You’re funny Bob, a typical progressive. You agree with Wes83 about sticking to baseball here, yet you rip me and Vinny B in a two paragraph rant. Well people like you honk me off. You say one thing and do another.
All the names you mentioned I have no particular affinity for but I draw the line at Glenn Beck. He’s the only guy who speaks the truth and backs it up with research and facts. He doesn’t give anyone a pass. You claim you want straight talk listen to Beck for a week. But I’ll warn you that the truth is something you may not be able to handle.
I apologize to anyone who doesn’t approve of the discussion but I’m not going to read this and say nothing.
Pitchers and catchers report in 10 days. Hallelujah!!!
Baloney Pedro: you’re the guy that sits transfixed to right wing rant and Beck is a looney. i’ve listened to him. And i don’t like Olbermann; he fixates on stuff that’s liberal rant and is not germane to vital issues (like ALL of FOX chimes FASCIST themes). But, you’re the guy that got miffed about Joe D’s headline (which was ‘right’ on) and you’re the guy that made the crack about me drinking Drano and my kidneys failing. So here’s to you, ******&%#!!!!!!!
Like I said, typical progressive weeny. Name call and cry when you’re wrong. I’m done with this.
Proverbs 26:5
“Answer a fool according to his folly, or he will be wise in his own eyes.”
I pity this fool.
You, pal, are an insipid ass. And a dupe for ideologues that play your prejudices against you and yours. Talk about a fool: you’ll turn into what you ‘follow’, if you’re not already ‘there’: chi va con sopo, para suppi ca.
Like I said, typical progressive. Name call and cry when you’re wrong.
I rest my case your honor.
I think some of you taking this post to seriously and I find this to be spot on. Both sides agree FOX isn’t fair and balanced and noether is MSNBC, that’s the whole point. Zooommm, it went over your heads. ESPN is also not fair and balanced either. Dont forget Gammons before he left said Bay would rather play in Beirut and after he was proven wrong he tried softening the blow by saying the Mets got damaged goods. And Neyer said the Bay signing was a disaster for the Mets. The analogy is perfect.
Yes for me also. The Mets is my biggest escape from the real world. Which is coming close to the middle class end time.
So play ball you all, while I still have a chance to enjoy it. Because when the end time comes, the game will be over.
I really feel that the trading power was taken from Omar because of the hole he dug for the Mets with Pertez and Castillo contracts. It was 2 bad contract years in a row. But holding back in getting a FA or trading for a pitcher or catcher will cost the Wilpons more in $$$$$S because of ticket sales will be way off…..spend the $$$ to make the $$$$—Prospect421
The thing of it is that MSNBC makes no claim they are fair and balanced, and FOX does. Why lie through your teeth? Why keep up the pretense of fairness and deceive the american listening public?
Come on, all of you guys are better than this discussion. The Mets are polarizing enough.
You don’t go to NBC, CBS, ABC, or FOX for news. You go there to hear what YOU want to hear. They know that because that’s how THEY make money. ESPN is the same way. Grave put it best in an article for TRDM last week. NY is a cow and ESPN knows how to milk it for everything it’s worth.
FOX ROCKS
A new poll Public Policy Polling (a Democrat poller) asking Americans whether they trust each of the major television news operations in the country finds that the only one getting a positive review is Fox News. CNN does next best followed by NBC News, then CBS News, and finally ABC News.
49% of Americans say they trust Fox News to 37% who disagree. Predictably there is a large party split on this with 74% of Republicans but only 30% of Democrats saying they trust the right leaning network.
CNN does next best because it is the second most trusted of Democrats, Republicans, and independents. 39% say they trust it compared to 41% who do not, with 59% of Democrats, 33% of independents and 23% of Republicans saying it carries credibility with them.
Once upon a time, people supported the Iraq fiasco also (which FOX still supports). In my humble view, 49% of the people that ;trust’ FOX are delusional. i just hope they don’t suffer too much from the hangover, when it’s proved that FOX is a mud-slinging, one-sided, muckraking, ideological right wing , quasi-Fascist, cyclops.
Bob, you are starting to get really annoying with this. You keep saying how horrible Fox is. So tell me what have they said that was so horrible?
What exactly was the point of this article?
Because I once saw/heard a report(source unknown) that Blanco was siogned at Johan’s request. I’d like to see Blanco behind the dish for Santana,Pelfrey,Perez and the better of Santos/Thole for the last 2 spots likely Maine,Niese/Nieve.
Pelfrey’s yips I tend to believe more due to lack of communication/trust w/cather where I believe vet. Blanco best suited to encourage trust & lead him to success. Perez mostly due to the experienced better defensive backstop able to corral any pitches gone awry.and he speaks the same language(lol). The backend pitchers are fairly straight forward for the lesser experienced options. I also believe that in only exceptional cases should u count on offense produced consistantly by injured hands of a catcher