OBEYING HIS OWNERS
Mad Dog, on league’s payroll, nips at players, media over MLB lockout
That well-known arbiter of fairness, Christopher (Mad Dog) Russo, is waging a campaign against the baseball media, contending its coverage of the contract negotiations is entirely tilted in the players’ direction.
Russo has taken the owner’s side. He believes the players should set their sights on making up the losses from their last negotiated contract “incrementally” and not all in one fell swoop; he thinks the last offer the owners put on the table is a fair one.
For days and days, on his SiriusXM gabfest, Russo has also slammed the players for — he claims — being manipulated by super-agent Scott Boras, who he referred to as “the pied piper” of the MLBPA. The Dog is on the owners’ payroll, as he hosts “High Heat” on MLB Network, which is owned by the league. The daily show has been on hiatus since the lockout began. He said his support of the Lords of Baseball, leaves a distinct, unescapable perception with anyone who supports the players.
“They are going to say that I’m in the tank for the owners,” Doggie proclaimed last week during his SXM Gabfest.
In the next breath, Russo said that perception — especially from the players — will be a lasting one.
“This is really going to hurt me more than anybody,” Russo continued, pointing out that High Heat often relies on player and media interviews.
“I do a TV show. Do you think anybody is going to come on?” All that was missing was the sad violin. Yet this was no Pity Party. Throughout his baseball commentary, Russo’s tones were more angry and defiant — personal too.
He’s accused the baseball media of not balancing out their stories with quotes from sources in the owner’s camp. Russo said he has tried to book MLBPA reps on his SXM soiree and has been flatly and summarily turned down. Dog has called out baseball scribes and electronic types by name. The list included his SXM colleague Adam Schein, Fox/ The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal (who was dropped from MLBN after ripping Rob Manfred) and ESPN’s Jeff
Passan.
“I could put in a thimble what Jeff Passan knows about contract negotiations,” Russo said on the air. “These writers should be ashamed of themselves.”
Russo’s stance is not surprising, as history tells us he often has sided with the owners and commissioners. Bud Selig was a regular on his radio shows; so was the late NBA boss David Stern. While he has been critical of Rob Manfred, Dog has recently referred to him as a “good guy.”
As far as him taking the baseball media to task in a somewhat personal manner, it’s not the first time he’s done that either. On these occasions, Dog ripping the coverage is part of his typical, feud-fellow reaction.
Besides, it’s a lot more entertaining than attempting to follow the technical machinations of the actual negotiations. Or listening to Gasbags ponder whether “the fans will return to the ballparks” when the lockout ends.
CAMERAS OVERRULED
It’s no secret Aaron Judge does not like YES cameras focusing on him in the dugout. Industry sources said the face of the Yankees has not softened his stance on that matter and it’s still an issue with the Bombers outfielder.
Whenever (or if) the lockout ends, and whatever bad blood is still boiling between the MLBPA and ownership, will players like Judge be even more reluctant to participate in activities benefiting the organization’s bottom line — like cooperating with team-owned regional sports networks?
Will they find a way NOT to participate in “exclusive” RSN interviews?
Will they return to autographing bushels of baseballs for sponsors? Or participate in corporate-related activities? Will players even extend any perceived “boycotts” to the media who are an essential part of the marketing process?
Back to Judge: If he wasn’t digging having the camera on him during “normal” times, how is he going to like it when YES has his mug in focus while voices in the booth are opining about his own current contract situation?
FEWER GAMES, SAME CABLE BILL
If the lockout continues, and more and more games are tossed, don’t hold your breath waiting for your cable bill to be reduced.
The cable companies work out their own deals with the SNYs and YESs of the world. It’s unclear at exactly what point the regional sports networks do/don’t get paid during a work stoppage, although a report from The Athletic suggested that some channels can call in rebates from teams after about 25 games are canceled. If any rebate is ever passed down to consumers remains one of the mysteries of life.
And those who have a problem with this might consider forcing the issue and deducting what YOU think the lost games are worth from your monthly cable bill. Just say it’s your own form of a lockout.
Maybe that will force the RSN’s and Cable Creeps to figure this all out. Or some politician to get involved.
NO, JEETS
Please don’t!
That’s what we would tell Derek Jeter if he asked about giving TV a try. Published reports say ESPN has interest. This makes Jeter the latest in a list of stars (in all sports) ESPN is alleged to be interested in. Who isn’t ESPN interested in?
Anyway, Jeter is not made for TV. He is reserved and never been inclined to show his true self, which is essential in front of the camera. Most of all, despite of him making baseball a career, Jeter is not interested in watching the game. He’s not a baseball junkie.
Unlike his pal Alex Rodriguez, who wouldn’t mind working a Little League game — he may be headed to Williamsport if this Sunday Night thing with Michael Kay doesn’t work out — we doubt Jeter would be motivated by the preparation broadcasters must put in, in return for the hollow feeling (no adrenaline rush) before and after a telecast.
Sadly, if Jeter confounds us and does mistakenly want to take a shot at TV, he should pursue a studio role. Outside of the clown shtick that is part of that gig, the studio would give Jeter a better chance to carve out a unique, and actually thoughtful perspective from someone who played and already owned a piece of a team.
AROUND THE DIAL
Stephen A. Smith is urging the Yankees to “hire” Jeter in a yet to be determined role. SAS must know that Jeter and Bombers brass are not exactly buddy-buddy...
ESPN sent out a missive touting the growth in “First Take” viewership in February. The Bristol Faculty included the debut of Mad Dog Russo in their propaganda proclamation. It did not matter Doggie only made one appearance in February.