The loss and score aside (honestly, I'm happy to have taken two at Fenway. I pretty much resolved myself to the fact that Ponson was going to throw batting practice), the ESPN commentary from Jon Miller, Steve Phillips, and Orel Hershiser was abysmal. So abysmal that it sent me into fits of laughter. Yanks fans like to call ESPN NESN2 or NESpN, but it's actually more New England than the station's official channel. Witness, if you will, the following three gems:
- Jeter doesn't begin a potential (and I mean VERY potential) double play, and ultimately runs score. Steve Phillips blames the entire Sox rally on Derek Jeter. Next inning, fill-in Alex Cora successfully helps to turn two, and Phillip says, "Alex Cora MAKES plays to help his team win." Yes. Alex Cora is so GREAT that he's a benchwarmer. And Jeter never does anything good.
- JON LESTER JON LESTER JON LESTER. They had a corny graphic (a stupid "checklist" from some fan blog. Great sources there, ESPN) and a powerpoint slideshow to highlight His Greatness. It was vomit-inducing.
- Arod gets a double that bounces off the Monster, and Miller and Phillips ignore the hit and instead talk about how good Manny is at reading the ball off the wall. THAT cracked me up. Manny doesn't makes a catch and gets praise anyway. Just wow.
Gotta love it!
