As we know, television has the say in sports. From when to take breaks to starting the game, TV is the all-encompassing presence. It doesn’t mean everyone has to like it and when it comes to the late start on Sunday Night Baseball, it can make some people grumpy. Announcer Howie Rose certainly wasn’t happy as he was waiting for the start of the Dodgers-Mets game as ESPN was holding up the start.
He let his listeners on WOR and the Mets Radio Network know his feelings. Rose was seething saying a “network stooge” was responsible for the delay:
I don't think Howie Rose enjoys broadcasting Sunday Night Baseball pic.twitter.com/XnGFKTnVmH
— bird hating account (@atf13atf) August 7, 2017
That rant was classic:
“Dodgers have won their first six and they’ll go for the season series sweep tonight just as soon as the network stooge down there says that it’s okay to play baseball. The pitcher Steven Matz is rubbing up the ball, he’s ready to go. The home plate umpire Tim Timmons, looking suitably disgusted, just took his mask off and kind of rests it against his left hip, as he helplessly stares near the Dodger dugout where said network stooge is holding all the cards. So, suspended animation on the field right now. You’ve got nine Mets standing around, you’ve got the Dodgers’ lead-off hitter Chris Taylor standing — it really is ludicrous! But now and only now do we get the okay, and so we’re going to have a baseball game here tonight, about seven hours later than we should have.”
Sunday Night Baseball is ESPN’s showcase, but playing at 8 p.m. ET isn’t ideal for teams especially when they have to travel the next day. And Rose wasn’t taking any excuses from ESPN or anyone on the delaying the start of the game.
