Re: Heath Bell: ESPN Bias
What makes you so sure E!SPN is following the story and not creating or deciding the story?
I see your point, and it doesn't make sense from a logical standpoint based on what sports fans would likely want.
BUT, while the Dodgers (and Angels) both do well in attendance they are second fiddle to the Lakers (who are also huge nationally), which is part of it. The other part of it is the Dodgers have been an 80 something win team with very few players of interest (I'm speaking in general terms...not specific to baseball fans). The Dodgers get fair highlights by comparison almost nightly now. Why? They have a draw in Manny's antics.
ESPN is technically "national" and only interested in the bigger draws from that standpoint. I just don't buy the "east coast bias" stuff as the rule (it's there for some reporters though, I agree). If it's anything, it's "front-runner bias" or "sensationalized story bias"...lol. The Red Sox were rarely covered before they started contending again. The only times they were was to run a piece on the dreaded curse drama.
ESPN is after stories, drama, etc. They are a prime example of the sensationalized, ratings hungry, national media "coverage" of today. You seem to be basing this from the false (sadly) standpoint that ESPN cares even remotely about the sports coverage. They don't. They just want the headline grabbing story.
Look at the Cowboys. They grabbed more coverage in an hour on ESPN than all the eastcoast teams combined for a week...lol. It was a zoo...and ESPN only jumped in the cage with the monkeys and started slinging their own crap.
Everyone jumped on the Yankees fan, but what did he say that was so untrue? I don't believe he ever said it was right from sports standpoint (or even that he agreed with it personally), only that it made sense for what they do. Think of ESPN and national outlets like it as mirrors to our nation's soul...lol...it ain't pretty.
Plus, the other point he made about us holy recievers of the bias is spot on. I'm a Red Sox fan and can't stomach ESPN most times...and half of their staff are considered Sox supporters...lol. On a side note, I miss my NESN.
It sucks, it is anti-intellectual (as someone mentioned), and completely useless to most diehard sportsfans, but, the main audience (casual observers, etc) of ESPN would probably lose interest if the major stories (whether real or senstationalized) aren't covered. ESPN is just taking advantage of the main base's interest in front runners and train wrecks (the two primary things most national media outlets focus on...not exclusive to sports and ESPN either).
Most sports diehards I know only view ESPN out of boredom or for a glance at the ticker. We all know the deal with them. For the real news, you've gotta rely on your local coverage.
Thankfully (I know I was long winded...but it's early
) we do have MLB Network which is a savior for me. ESPN is like Foxnews, MSNBC, etc. Out to grab their piece of the ratings through sensationalized media.
Unfortunately for you Padres fans...you aren't that dramatic or sensational. So go kill someone on the field during the 7th inning stretch...lol. (Or have your closer go on the show and sell out
)
BUT, while the Dodgers (and Angels) both do well in attendance they are second fiddle to the Lakers (who are also huge nationally), which is part of it. The other part of it is the Dodgers have been an 80 something win team with very few players of interest (I'm speaking in general terms...not specific to baseball fans). The Dodgers get fair highlights by comparison almost nightly now. Why? They have a draw in Manny's antics.
ESPN is technically "national" and only interested in the bigger draws from that standpoint. I just don't buy the "east coast bias" stuff as the rule (it's there for some reporters though, I agree). If it's anything, it's "front-runner bias" or "sensationalized story bias"...lol. The Red Sox were rarely covered before they started contending again. The only times they were was to run a piece on the dreaded curse drama.
ESPN is after stories, drama, etc. They are a prime example of the sensationalized, ratings hungry, national media "coverage" of today. You seem to be basing this from the false (sadly) standpoint that ESPN cares even remotely about the sports coverage. They don't. They just want the headline grabbing story.
Look at the Cowboys. They grabbed more coverage in an hour on ESPN than all the eastcoast teams combined for a week...lol. It was a zoo...and ESPN only jumped in the cage with the monkeys and started slinging their own crap.
Everyone jumped on the Yankees fan, but what did he say that was so untrue? I don't believe he ever said it was right from sports standpoint (or even that he agreed with it personally), only that it made sense for what they do. Think of ESPN and national outlets like it as mirrors to our nation's soul...lol...it ain't pretty.
Plus, the other point he made about us holy recievers of the bias is spot on. I'm a Red Sox fan and can't stomach ESPN most times...and half of their staff are considered Sox supporters...lol. On a side note, I miss my NESN.
It sucks, it is anti-intellectual (as someone mentioned), and completely useless to most diehard sportsfans, but, the main audience (casual observers, etc) of ESPN would probably lose interest if the major stories (whether real or senstationalized) aren't covered. ESPN is just taking advantage of the main base's interest in front runners and train wrecks (the two primary things most national media outlets focus on...not exclusive to sports and ESPN either).
Most sports diehards I know only view ESPN out of boredom or for a glance at the ticker. We all know the deal with them. For the real news, you've gotta rely on your local coverage.
Thankfully (I know I was long winded...but it's early
) we do have MLB Network which is a savior for me. ESPN is like Foxnews, MSNBC, etc. Out to grab their piece of the ratings through sensationalized media. Unfortunately for you Padres fans...you aren't that dramatic or sensational. So go kill someone on the field during the 7th inning stretch...lol. (Or have your closer go on the show and sell out
)
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