MORE than eight years into Mike Greenberg’s and Mike Golic’s ESPN morning drive partnership, only one thing prevents the “Mike & Mike” show from being habit-formed, must-hear sports radio: ESPN.
The secret has been declassified; most ESPN endeavors exist to promote other ESPN endeavors. ESPN direction signals generally point in circle. To that end, the “Mike & Mike” show daily loads up on ESPN guests and the sale of Disney goods and destinations. And that eventually makes for transparent, that’s-enough radio. Senseless radio, too.
Friday morning, the Detroit Tigers, who this season were supposed to be loaded, stood 1-8, the worst record in the majors. Would I like to hear what’s going on with the Tigers? Absolutely. And the man chosen to tell us that topic with Greenberg and Golic was ESPN baseball man and “Mike & Mike” regular Tim Kurkjian.
And that’s where ESPN’s self and cross-promotional slickness hurts the “Mike & Mike” show. Instead of having Kurkjian discuss the Tigers Friday morning (or the A’s on Monday morning, or the Braves on Tuesday . . .), why not hook up with a Tigers beat reporter, someone who is with the team day and night, indoors and out?
Who would you have preferred to hear from on what’s up with the Tigers, an ESPN baseball reporter/analyst or a reporter assigned to cover the Tigers?
Though Kurkjian is hardly a know-nothing, it’s clear that his presence on the show, as well as sessions with many other ESPN staffers, is in large part promotional. And that’s often at odds with providing the best possible sports radio.
That’s why, instead of trying to produce indispensable sports talk radio – the kind that will bring you back, morning after morning – “Mike & Mike” plays more like an ESPN vending machine.
It’s a pity. Golic and Greenberg seem naturally likable, guys you would be eager to swear allegiance to, if only you could. By now their ESPN show should be habit-formed, must-hear, morning-drive radio. If only ESPN didn’t prevent that from happening.
*
Fabulous CBS-on-ESPN coverage from The Masters, Friday, of when American amateur Michael Thompson, smack on the cut-line while about to putt for birdie on 15, called a penalty on himself after his ball moved a fraction while he was in his address.
David Feherty knew what was up right away – “He’s the only one who would know [if it moved]” he said of Thompson – then Nick Faldo, Jim Nantz and a tell-all, slo-mo close-up replay of the ball moving about a quarter-inch finished the story.
Heartbreaking-yet-noble stuff for Thompson, who missed the cut. As for CBS, now that’s TV!
*
Though we wouldn’t expect Gary Cohennot to emote on behalf of Mets’ successes, there are times when he grows unnaturally enthused when a Met performs what’s minimally expected of any player.
With two outs and the bases loaded Thursday, first baseman Carlos Delgado, moving to his right, fielded a task-simple grounder, then threw to second for the force. On SNY, Cohen grew excited, suggesting that Delgado, by throwing to second, where his momentum was carrying him, had done something special. “Smartly done!” Cohen exclaimed.
Come on. Had Delgado, or any first baseman, done anything other than throw to second – the direction he was headed – he’d be the new pinch hitter.
*
Sign of the Times: Who wouldn’t want Chase Utley on their team? The Phils’ second baseman not only plays hard, he does everything well. He gives ticket-buyers their money’s worth; he’s a pleasure to watch. And so as Utley batted at Shea, Thursday, it came as small surprise that an obscene chant aimed at Utley was heard.
Arnie Wexler, for year’s the media’s go-to-guy on issues of problem and compulsive gambling, Thursday celebrated his 40th anniversary since making his last bet. Since then only penicillin has helped save more lives. A good on ya, Arnie.
Josh Prager‘s 550-page, wonder-filled “The Echoing Green: The Untold Story of Bobby Thomson, Ralph Branca and The Shot Heard ‘Round The World,” is now out in paperback ($16, Vintage Books).
I fueled a false impression here last Sunday, that NBC chose a worthless NHL game – Red Wings-Blackhawks – for its last regular season telecast. NBC got stuck with what the NHL gave it. . . . David Wright will be a guest tomorrow on David Letterman‘s CBS “Late Show.”
George Kalinsky, the last 40 years Madison Square Garden’s superb photographer, recently found his never-published photos of Elvis Presley‘s 1972 show at The Garden. They will be on display Memorial Day weekend at Graceland. Thank you, thank you very much.