Greed is good — but not for the fans
WONDER whether while watching that repetitive slimy, getrichquick DraftKings commercial — the young man in the Tom
Brady lookalike jersey and cap turned backwards wins $1 million while watching a TV in a bar — public trust men such as Rob
Manfred and Gary Bettman feel good about investing their names and games in such a gambling operation.
But how can you lose? According to the ad, seen all week over and over (and over) during baseball telecasts and the PGA Championship, it’s easy: “Pick your sport. Pick your players. Pick up your cash!” Easy money!
But a requisite for modern sports leadership and guardianship is a willingness to allow the game’s good senses, heart and soul to be bought and sold at the drop of a dime.
Next Sunday’s GiantsPirates game was promoted and sold as a “Kids Pirates Lunch Bag” afternoon game. But ESPN’s purchased authority over MLB lateswitched it to an 8:10 p.m. start. Maybe the Pirates can rework it to a “Back To Night School” promotion.
I know. It’s a business — the shameless greed business.
David Cone on YES on Saturday, knew he had run into an artifact from an ancient era. So he began the bottom of the eighth with, “For those just tuning in, yes, this is a Yankee starting pitcher still in the game in the eighth inning.” Fabulous!
Other than Masahiro Tanaka’s complete game, it was another by The Book week: one pitcher for every inning, sixth through the ninth — even if the games are close or tied and appear headed to extra innings, even if the previous reliever was perfect.
How long before teams carry pitchers designated to pitch the 10th, another for the 11th …?
As per John Sterling’s reminders, Yankees radio has so many official sponsors of the fourth inning that the fourth in
ning must be close to sold out.
Gary Cohen won the week’s diction award with, “Pittsburgh Pirates’ probable pitchers” — on the first try! Why would Blue Jays fans boo
Alex Rodriguez so loudly on Sunday? His former doctor, drugconvicted Anthony Galea, is from Toronto.
Tried to watch some JetsLions on Ch. 2 on Thursday, but the moment Greg Buttle said, “That’s what [Jets defensive back] Dexter
McDougle must do — make plays,” I knew I wasn’t ready for some football.