The View From Here: Moronic Media Meanderings

By Ken DeLaat


Given that I have transitioned  somewhat less than gracefully into old age, it seems an appropriate  time to embrace the inner curmudgeon with more enthusiasm. When I wore a younger man's clothes (thanks Billy Joel) few changes created conflict with my view of the world. Perhaps I adjusted more smoothly or just didn’t care but as I advance in birthdays there is considerably less patience with what is adjudged to be, well, stupid I guess.

I’ve never liked the media grabbing a coach at halftime to ask about the game, but we all know it’s about the money so while it was clear to me and anyone who has coached at any level what a pain in the ass this must be, I understood.

But of course this wasn't enough. No, we had to hear from them during timeouts as well. You know, when coaches are giving instructions and making changes in  the middle of a game? 
And why leave out the players? Snatching  a player in a close game as they headed for the lockerroom with their teammates and coach to work out what has occurred and what the plans would be for the second half became standard. To me this adds little to the game. Coaches and players just deliver coach-speak. 
“We just need to stay focused, improve on defense and yada yada yada.”

In baseball it started with miking up the manager. While it is now commonplace I recall a game in the early 80’s when Don (The Gerbil) Zimmer  was managing Texas and in a nationally broadcast game they had him miked. At one point I believe something happened to his substitute catcher and he said “Now where’s my F–ing 3rd catcher when I need him?”, then stared at the camera on him with a look of horror.  Maybe that killed the experiment for a while but of course it has long since returned.

Then last Thursday during the Tiger Dodger game they were interviewing one of the LA outfielders in the field while the game was going on. Really? Is this a thing now? Sure, baseball is a different kind of sport where there is time for reflection but they were chatting with him about the recent trip to Japan and the look of his shoes. It made my ongoing disdain for Joe (makes me want to stick an icepick in my ear) Buck crater even further.

What’s next? Mike up a lineman during a Lions game? Talk about adding color to the game. These shenanigans are why I’ve taken to watching games with the sound off. Try it. My hunch is you’ll find, like me, you really don’t miss a thing besides babbling broadcasters and obscure stats.

Ok That’s all for now. And in the meantime…
Get off my lawn!

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