Oh Steve Phillips, how do you surprise us?

[Kyyle23]

He was the Sean Salisbury of baseball, good riddance.

 

Watch what you say, Salisbury is suing Deadspin for defamation and slander, and it directly involves the allegations that Salisbury took pics of himself and sent them to a staffer.

 

he just might sue you too!

[JPN366]

Watch what you say, Salisbury is suing Deadspin for defamation and slander, and it directly involves the allegations that Salisbury took pics of himself and sent them to a staffer.

 

he just might sue you too!

 

I don't care what he did or didn't do with his ding-a-ling, I just thought he was the worst football commentator ever.

[Kyyle23]

I don't care what he did or didn't do with his ding-a-ling, I just thought he was the worst football commentator ever.

 

 

I have gotten to the point where I believe that about just about every sports commentator/analyst that ESPN employs.

[elrockinMT]

Supposedly his wife is really hot.

 

former wife maybe?

[JPN366]

I have gotten to the point where I believe that about just about every sports commentator/analyst that ESPN employs.

 

True, but he was especially bad. I'm still to this day flabbergasted about some of the things he said. According to him, Tom Brady was the most mobile QB in the NFL because he could move around in the pocket.

[Kyyle23]

Have you guys seen the pics of the fling that got Phillips fired from the Mets? He has a pattern of hunting down less-than-models

[Nokona]

Slumming makes him feel like hes still in high school

[JPN366]

Like I said, the only explanation is that they're giving him a free pass to fifth base.

[Chisoxfn]

Well, I'm sure he'll eventually land on his feet over at MLB Network. Harold Reynolds did.

[Wanne]

I have gotten to the point where I believe that about just about every sports commentator/analyst that ESPN employs.

 

Agreed. Anybody that employs Lou Holtz to actually speak in front of a camera really doesn't have a clue.

[CanOfCorn]

The Meg Griffin look-alike has been fired as well. No surprise there, but in the Sun-Times article about the whole thing, here's the best part:

 

“If you can say, ’I’m getting treated for this,’ it can be a way of saying, ’It’s not my fault that I did it,”’ said Lori Brown, an associate professor of sociology at Meredith College in Raleigh, N.C.

 

“We as a society are trying to ’medicalize’ almost everything, even criminal or immoral behavior or behavior that’s socially inept — but being a jerk is being a jerk,” Brown said. “For people who are in the rehab field, it can be irritating to know that someone really needs the resources and can’t get them, when someone else may use it just to hide away for a while.”

[JPN366]

Well, I'm sure he'll eventually land on his feet over at MLB Network. Harold Reynolds did.

 

That would be a disaster.

[Chisoxfn]

That would be a disaster.

Phillips is good at what he does, so while he's a creap, I think he brings up good points and would make the MLB Network casts even better, imo. I think he brings a very unique perspective to the table having being a former GM.

[iamshack]

Again, I love how you guys rip on every single tv commentator.

 

I would love to see a list populated of who you guys actually respect and believe to be good at what they do.

[Kalapse]

Phillips is good at what he does, so while he's a creap, I think he brings up good points and would make the MLB Network casts even better, imo. I think he brings a very unique perspective to the table having being a former GM.

That's why they have John Hart who could run circles around Steve Phillips in a baseball discussion.

[Kalapse]

Again, I love how you guys rip on every single tv commentator.

 

I would love to see a list populated of who you guys actually respect and believe to be good at what they do.

I absolutely love Mitch Williams, lots of guys on the MLB Network. Leiter and Plesac are outstanding as well. Dave Campbell is also very good. Rob Dibble might be the most entertaining color guy in the game, basically the only reason to watch the Nationals this past season.

 

I have no use for Steve Phillips.

[iamshack]

I absolutely love Mitch Williams, lots of guys on the MLB Network. Leiter and Plesac are outstanding as well. Dave Campbell is also very good. Rob Dibble might be the most entertaining color guy in the game, basically the only reason to watch the Nationals this past season.

 

I have no use for Steve Phillips.

I like Soup as well. Plesac and Leiter I have to disagree with you about - they seem run of the mill to me. Agree about Dibble, he is very entertaining.

I like Harold Reynolds a lot.

 

I think many people have the instinct to rip on the guys at the top of the totem pole, but cheer on your Dan Plesac's that you watched start out at the bottom.

 

 

[Kalapse]

I like Soup as well. Plesac and Leiter I have to disagree with you about - they seem run of the mill to me. Agree about Dibble, he is very entertaining.

I like Harold Reynolds a lot.

 

I think many people have the instinct to rip on the guys at the top of the totem pole, but cheer on your Dan Plesac's that you watched start out at the bottom.

There's nothing run of the mill about either, when he was with Comcast I'd probably agree that Plesac was nothing special but he's done a 180 with the MLBN his energy is incredible. I have a tough time thinking up negatives about Leiter, he's just as solid as they come. Reynolds is alright, he's a little cliche for my tastes.

 

If the top of the totem pole is McCarver and Morgan then count me in and it has absolutely nothing to do with their success in the field, they're just far past their expiration date. Both should have been purged from the airwaves years ago before they lost their minds. Though in all fairness McCarver is far less offensive than Morgan. I don't know who else qualifies as "the top of the totem pole" but if Phillips is up there then Leiter is higher.

[iamshack]

There's nothing run of the mill about either, when he was with Comcast I'd probably agree that Plesac was nothing special but he's done a 180 with the MLBN his energy is incredible. I have a tough time thinking up negatives about Leiter, he's just as solid as they come. Reynolds is alright, he's a little cliche for my tastes.

 

If the top of the totem pole is McCarver and Morgan then count me in and it has absolutely nothing to do with their success in the field, they're just far past their expiration date. Both should have been purged from the airwaves years ago before they lost their minds. Though in all fairness McCarver is far less offensive than Morgan. I don't know who else qualifies as "the top of the totem pole" but if Phillips is up there then Leiter is higher.

 

When I say top of the totem pole, I mean they work for the top networks or do their work on the prime stage.

So they have the best jobs, not that they are necessarily the best at what they do.

 

Why you are bringing up Joe Morgan, I have no idea. At no point has anyone in this thread mentioned he was good at anything. Personally, I find McCarver to be solid. But obviously I am in the minority there.

 

The point I am trying to make is that when you are on a network or in a job that is seen as much as ESPN or Fox during the postseason games, people start making comments and they tend to stick. But far fewer people watch Dan Plesac or Rob Dibble and so they don't immediately say stupid s*** like "So and so can't form a coherent sentence."

[Kalapse]

When I say top of the totem pole, I mean they work for the top networks or do their work on the prime stage.

So they have the best jobs, not that they are necessarily the best at what they do.

 

Why you are bringing up Joe Morgan, I have no idea. At no point has anyone in this thread mentioned he was good at anything. Personally, I find McCarver to be solid. But obviously I am in the minority there.

 

The point I am trying to make is that when you are on a network or in a job that is seen as much as ESPN or Fox during the postseason games, people start making comments and they tend to stick. But far fewer people watch Dan Plesac or Rob Dibble and so they don't immediately say stupid s*** like "So and so can't form a coherent sentence."

Joe Morgan is the number 1 color guy on ESPN and has been for something like 20 years now, I'd say that's a pretty good job. So his name wasn't brought up directly but he does qualify. I get what you were saying by "top of the totem pole" and that's why I mentioned Leiter, he's done playoff games for FOX and was a color guy for the YES network, that's pretty big time and I think he's great at his job. This was an attempt to eliminate bias.

 

Saying McCarver can't form a coherent sentence is hyperbolic foolishness, I just don't think he brings great insight to the game at this point in his career unlike say 15 years ago when he was really good. He misses a lot of opportunities to expound on in game situations, things that your average broadcaster picks up on.

[iamshack]

Joe Morgan is the number 1 color guy on ESPN and has been for something like 20 years now, I'd say that's a pretty good job. So his name wasn't brought up directly but he does qualify. I get what you were saying by "top of the totem pole" and that's why I mentioned Leiter, he's done playoff games for FOX and was a color guy for the YES network, that's pretty big time and I think he's great at his job. This was an attempt to eliminate bias.

 

Saying McCarver can't form a coherent sentence is hyperbolic foolishness, I just don't think he brings great insight to the game at this point in his career unlike say 15 years ago when he was really good. He misses a lot of opportunities to expound on in game situations, things that your average broadcaster picks up on.

 

But the point is no one defended Morgan. I made a general statement and you're attempting to lump everyone into it when I did not. I think we both agree that for the most part, his knowledge is antiquated and therefore inaccurate.

 

Obviously this is entirely subjective, so there is no point in arguing over it. Leiter talks about pitching and is entirely biased by the fact that he was a pitcher, much like Phil Simms and Ron Jaworski are because they were quarterbacks. I know McCarver was a catcher, but he manages to talk about all facets of the game, not just things limited to calling a baseball game. I enjoy his perspective.

 

But again, there is no point is arguing over something so subjective.

 

The point I have been TRYING to make in this thread is that NOTHING worthwhile is communicated when people post or say Steve Phillips or Tim McCarver or whomever "cannot form a coherent sentence" or similar absolutely worthless commmentary.

[Kalapse]

But the point is no one defended Morgan. I made a general statement and you're attempting to lump everyone into it when I did not. I think we both agree that for the most part, his knowledge is antiquated and therefore inaccurate.

Didn't mean to confuse matters or anything, you're coming at this from a much grander scale than myself, I don't really care what anyone else said in this thread, I'm strictly speaking for myself here. You were upset that people were just ripping on TV commentators without offering the names of analysts they DO like and since I did state my dislike for Phillips I figured I'd fill your request and offer up a few personalities that I do enjoy.

 

The point I have been TRYING to make in this thread is that NOTHING worthwhile is communicated when people post or say Steve Phillips or Tim McCarver or whomever "cannot form a coherent sentence" or similar absolutely worthless commmentary.

Yeah I agree. When you start getting responses like that usually what you're dealing with is someone who doesn't have any real personal feelings on the matter so they go ahead and parrot the popular opinion on the subject and because of this you're not going to get particularly satisfying reasoning when you call them on it.

[iamshack]

Didn't mean to confuse matters or anything, you're coming at this from a much grander scale than myself, I don't really care what anyone else said in this thread, I'm strictly speaking for myself here. You were upset that people were just ripping on TV commentators without offering the names of analysts they DO like and since I did state my dislike for Phillips I figured I'd fill your request and offer up a few personalities that I do enjoy.

 

 

Yeah I agree. When you start getting responses like that usually what you're dealing with is someone who doesn't have any real personal feelings on the matter so they go ahead and parrot the popular opinion on the subject and because of this you're not going to get particularly satisfying reasoning when you call them on it.

 

No, I am glad you added a few guys you enjoy. I share your opinion on a few of them. Just wanted to make it clear that I was not sticking up for Morgan here.

 

I would love to hear some of the other commentators that are well-liked.

 

Personally, I enjoy McCarver, Phillips, Hershiser, Tom Grieve (Rangers color commentator), Bob Brenly, Steve Stone, of course Vin Scully, and as you mentioned, Dave Campbell and Rob Dibble.

 

I think the two worst I have heard are Morgan and Dick Stockton.

[Milkman delivers]

When I say top of the totem pole, I mean they work for the top networks or do their work on the prime stage.

So they have the best jobs, not that they are necessarily the best at what they do.

 

Why you are bringing up Joe Morgan, I have no idea. At no point has anyone in this thread mentioned he was good at anything. Personally, I find McCarver to be solid. But obviously I am in the minority there.

 

The point I am trying to make is that when you are on a network or in a job that is seen as much as ESPN or Fox during the postseason games, people start making comments and they tend to stick. But far fewer people watch Dan Plesac or Rob Dibble and so they don't immediately say stupid s*** like "So and so can't form a coherent sentence."

 

Wow, you're going to take a jab at me days later? I thought you got it off of your chest and we left it alone like adults. You're a forum moderator.

[iamshack]

Wow, you're going to take a jab at me days later? I thought you got it off of your chest and we left it alone like adults. You're a forum moderator.

 

I've been taking jabs at posts like those for a long time.

 

I'm sorry, but when you make comments like that all the time, without backing them up with anything, I'm going to take shots. I take no issue with people who seem to be negative the majority of the time, but I at least ask that you explain your commentary. Take fathom, for instance. He is admittedly pessimistic about nearly everything. But he takes a sentence or two to at least explain his position, usually with fairly good reason, and so I can respect that.

 

However, when a poster jumps in and merely reiterates something negative, without adding anything of substance to the thread, it becomes tiresome.

 

You may think this is personal, but it's more coincidental; you have a habit of posting this way and I have a habit of calling you out on it.

 

And yes, I understand I am a forum moderator. That does not prohibit me from being harsh at times. On the contrary, I have a duty to call out posts such as yours because I AM a forum moderator - that is part of my job here.

Edited October 26, 2009 by iamshack