Charlottesville is roughly 116 miles to Washington DC--where the Giants were playing ball over the weekend and near the center of the riots and mayhem that killed three people and set off another racial storm that is at the center of the news domain today.
Yet, the Giants broadcasters; Jon Miller, Dave Flemming and Jeremy Affeldt did not mention a word about what took place in Charlottesville ---NOT A WORD. That is simply out of bounds and incredibly, shockingly, unprofessional at best and irresponsible at worst.Why do baseball announcers have a responsibility to mention something such as Charlottesville? (and I do mean mention, at the very least) Because as broadcasters YOU JUST DO SO. This was not some fire or small-scale disaster like a flood or inclement weather--THIS was a major news event that received world-wide coverage and involved everyone from the White House (maybe not so much) to the Nation's conscience --it certainly touched a nerve and therefore not even acknowledging it, represented a major disconnect from life and reality --yes, it was only a baseball game but it was a baseball game in the Nation's Capital a few hours from the center of the storm.
Miller is a Hall of Fame announcer and should know better. Flemming is younger but quite capable too. He also should have at least said something but was silent. Jeremy Affeldt, I really don't care. 
Nah. Oh, maybe they could have acknowledged the sadness of the event, but dwelling on it would have not been cool. Unless MLB made a statement they were under no obligation to comment
ReplyDeleteWhy do you hate the Giants broadcasters?
ReplyDeleteMaybe it's because they suck. They're overrated.
DeleteI don't see that was either the place or time to mention it. Its a fucking BASEBALL GAME, not a State Visit, or the like. You are just splitting hairs because you have a bug up your ass for the Giant Announcers.
ReplyDeleteHairpiece Orders via the Cloud Clowns? Took two days for you-know-who to get this right.
ReplyDeleteWhy? Baseball is escape. This wasn't 9-11 or November 22nd. Never wreck the game with outside shit.
ReplyDeleteI tune into baseball to see a game, not to hear sports announcers takes on a political situation. I can't imagine a local newscast trying to crowbar in a mention about a perfect game when they're discussing politics. Seriously, Rich. Less with the nitpicking and more with breaking stories and behind the scenes stuff. These posts just make you look like you have a personal grudge against Miller, Flemming, etc.
ReplyDeleteThose Three Stooges wouldn't know their rear end from The Hideaway bar in Petaluma. Now that's nasty.
ReplyDeleteRich, thanks for your new perspective as host of this great blog. You are finally posting all comment-even if they might be critical- and offering an open dialogue. It's great that you're allowing a discussion to happen. Well done!!!
ReplyDeleteWtf? They were all on assignment any way.
ReplyDeleteI disagree - They had no idea how "big" the story was. A President gets shot? A major disaster in SF? Sure. Something like this? Maybe bring it up the next day once the full scope of what happened is known.
ReplyDeleteIt's Baseball, not the evening news, glad they stayed on subject!!
ReplyDeleteSome of us just don't care to hear about "racial incidents."
ReplyDeleteAgreed 110%. Go stir up the lemmings elsewhere.
DeleteThe Giants aren't relevant this year. No matter what the idiots on KNBR and NBCSN Bay Area are forced to tell you.
ReplyDeleteAll absurd takes and comments here so far...
ReplyDeleteFirst, Flemming did mention the violence on Sunday's broadcast, between the games. It was appropriate and acknowledged what we all were thinking and saying.
Second, Rich is correct, game announcers have, and do, mention situations of national news during broadcasts, and, could have said something, however brief, on Saturday.
Acknowledging news doesn't wreck the game. It's not a matter of dwelling on it or time constraints either. It's part of the job of professional broadcasters to inform their audience, in appropriate and dignified manners, baseball game or not.
I don't think they should have mentioned it. Why? What is the purpose? They are not covering it. They are at a baseball game. Now, if the game was being held in same city, sure.
ReplyDeleteI agree. Anything they said would have been reacting to second or third hand accounts, so likely would have been at least partially wrong and incomplete.
DeleteAgree that baseball is an escape and if anyone wants an update on news it's readily available elsewhere. If a baseball personality had direct involvement with an outside event then it's okay to mention it but otherwise let's focus on the game. That's why we are tuned in.
ReplyDeleteRich's animosity toward the Giants is running wild. Criticizing their broadcasters for this is nonsensical.
ReplyDeleteof course you don't wan't to hear about ''racial incidents''. it forcesw you to examine yourself. not a thing many americans want to do. any way, seems they are making it 'The Game 2'' with new format of frandsen and co. the Game 2 '' coming to theaters near you. maybe they wanted a more ''sportscenter'' atmosphere instead of old fashioned parlor talk and reminiscing of Woodson , ''Pump It Up'' like elvis(Costello) said. it's always "ramp It Up'' in America. More Faster Better(?) ''More Faster Better Only Applies When We're With Raquel of any Kind.
ReplyDeletethe only thing I can think of is that KNBR and The Giants front office TOLD both Fleming and Miller (as well as Krukow, Kuiper and Affeldt) not to say anything.
ReplyDeleteTime and a place. NOT the time and the place.
ReplyDeleteBullshit, Rich. What would those guys know about what was going on live? It was up to the radio station to break in with news bulletins, updates etc. It was not for baseball announcers to report. As for showing sympathy, that could come as reaction to news coverage. The ball was dropped by people back at the station.
ReplyDelete