The Newest Breed of Social Sports Media
Bob Costas recently aired a live HBO special of CostasNOW that discussed in detail how the new era of media reports our sports. In segment two of the special, Costas focused on “The Internet and Impact of Bloggers”.
The special included video interviews with Deadspin.com editor Will Leitch as well as Pardon The Interruption host and Washington Post columnist Michael Wilbon, television writer/media critic Michael Schur. There was also a live panel that included Will Leitch, Braylon Edwards of the Cleveland Browns, and Pulitzer Prize-winning author H.G. “Buzz” Bissinger of the famed t.v. show “Friday Night Lights.
If you missed the special airing of CostasNOW, HBO and HBO2 will be showing repeats through the month of May as well as catching it on HBO on Demand.
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In relation to this, please check out a really cool spur-of-the-moment interview that Ethan Jaynes from NESW recently had with Bob Costas and Buzz Bissenger in regards to Deadspins Will Lietch. Here is an excerpt from the interview:
New Interview with Bob Costas and Buzz Bissenger, What makes a good writer?
Buzz Bissinger was recently on Costas Now on HBO. They ripped into Deadspins Will Leitch. Costas says he did not know Buzz would be so harsh, but it is obvious that he was a ringer. Costas is on record for not liking blogs. He is also on record for rethinking his stance on blogs. So, he brings in the left-hander Buzz to do his dirty work on his show.
I personally ran into Buzz Bissinger and did an impromptu interview. I call it “My Quest for a Good Sports Writer“. As we talked Bob Costas joined in. This was all a great surprise to me, but I was glad to get the great interview. It started off a little rocky, but then we got into a good debate.
- Ethan: Old newspaper writer,
- Buzz: Pulitzer Prize Winning Author.
- Ethan: Sorry I did not do my research for this interview. What makes a good writer?
- Buzz: I’m 53.
- Ethan : What?
- Buzz: I’m 53, I’m not old
- Ethan: Well, I can’t just call you “man”.
- Buzz: You could say Buzz.
- Ethan: I didn’t know you were called Buzz.
- Buzz: Well, You didn’t bother to find out did you?
- Ethan: I did say sorry about the old newspaper writer thing, but from behind…
- Buzz: What I object to, is you automatically treating me like an equal.
- Ethan: Well, I am a blogger.
This was just the tip of the interview, for the juiciest part of it please visit NESWSports.com!
Garret Anderson thrown out for arguing balls and strikes.
During today’s LA Angels game against the Baltimore Orioles, left fielder Garret Anderson was kicked out during the seventh inning. Home plate umpire Paul Emmel made the call after Anderson argued with him for calling a third strike against him. As he walked towards the Angels’ dugout, Anderson tossed his bat into the air in frustration, prompting Emmel to give the slugger the “heave-ho.”
LA Angels manager Mike Scioscia then argued with the home plate umpire regarding the ump’s decision, claiming that his hitter was a bit frustrated, and shouldn’t have been tossed in the first place. And it’s easy to see why Scioscia could feel that way - with only two homeruns and 11 RBI’s in 15 games, his star player Anderson is batting a lackluster .218 this season with the Angels.
Scioscia went to bat for him and said, “Garret’s trying. He’s searching. I think he’s made some strides in the batter’s box. This guy wants to compete, wants to achieve. He’s searching right now but he’ll find it.” This is only the third time during the past fourteen years that Garret Anderson has been thrown out of a game.
Juan Rivera replaced Anderson in the 8th inning out in Left Field as well as sixth in the batting order. The Angels came out on top against the Orioles 3 to 1.
Sports Gossip:
Living in the exclusive So Cal Gated Community of Shady Canyon in Irvine, Garret Anderson can often be spotted dining out with his wife at Mitsui Japanese Restaurant in the Quail Hill Village Center.
Could the MLB Trade rumors be true that that LA Angels might trade relief pitcher, Francisco Rodriguez?
Back in February, Rodriguez was not offered his requested 12.5 Million dollar salary but rather only was offered $10 Million to continue to playing for the Los Angeles Angels. The negotiations had the closer seeking a long-term contract for the first time with the Angels. Previous years had Rodriguez only signing one year contracts even though he was offered longer ones.
Perhaps the offer may have been a lot stronger for the 26 year old from Venezuela had he pitched a better 2007 season in which he didn’t fare to well.
It’s well known that Rodriguez is entertaining thoughts of becoming a free agent after the 2008 season. MLB rumors are abound whether or not other teams will be interested in signing him if they know he is going to be shopping himself around. The answer to that would be yes because after all Major Leaue Baseball is big business. The interested teams are going to be thinking about what they are going to do to outbid another team, how much they are going to offer him and bottom-line – is he worth it.
Sport Tidbits:
Last night’s game against the Cleveland Indians, found Francisco Rodriguez with weak legs and it affected his fastball. He told the Los Angeles Times, “I might need to give it a couple of days.” He’s suffering from soreness in both of his ankles from one injury back in August when he landed on a hole on the pitcher’s mound and another injury from of all things, a minor fall in the dugout.
Gotta watch out for those dugout steps! See my previous post, Random Injury Places Navarro Out of Baseball Commission.
