IN the scheme of things, it’s the scheme of things.
Of course Sid Rosenberg, on the Imus In The Morning WFAN/MSNBC simulcast, this week had a good time with the tragedy that killed two of Mariano Rivera’s wife’s relatives. Rosenberg suggested that the electrocutions were the result of a failed set-up that was supposed to have rid Rivera of his wife.
Of course, it wasn’t the least bit funny nor clever, even to the most desensitized, long-time Imus show listener. Rosenberg’s act is rarely amusing and no longer as shocking as it is obligatory, desperate and worn.
Of course, Imus, after Rosenberg’s crack, feigned horror – and chuckled. It’s the old keep resisting/keep insisting formula. Rosenberg, after all, had once again met the terms of his engagement. He has no discernable talent other than to play the adolescent punk creep, to serve as Imus’ low-brow lapdog. And Imus must fake his disapproval.
In fact, Rosenberg never says such things on the WFAN show that he co-hosts, the one right after the Imus show. He only says such things on the Imus show. Or is that just a daily coincidence?
And, of course, Rosenberg provides some of the shock content that Imus, himself, used to daily provide. But that was before Imus would regularly interview Sen. John McCain, Sen. Joe Lieberman, Tom Brokaw, Tim Russert and other big shots. And they discuss, among other righteous issues, American society in decline.
And those big shots, in return for the spotlight and promotion, lend their presence while pretending not to know what the Imus show, at other times, regularly and by design contains.
Yep, Rosenberg’s job is to do Imus’ dirtiest work. He’s there to say something topically stupid, hateful and so low that no one else will. Thus, Monday, he toyed with the deaths of Rivera’s wife’s kin. Then he had fun with the death of Christopher Reeve. Atta boy. Good boy.
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Oh, to return to the days of excessive sports productions. These days of overly excessive productions are just too much.
Wednesday, during Game 2 of Red Sox-Yanks, Fox wanted to underscore Johnny Damon’s lengthy at-bat, so, in its “Pitch By Pitch” insert, it replayed all 15 pitches thrown to him. Damon would fly out on the 16th pitch, but we never saw that pitch live because we were watching tape of the first 15.
More from Wednesday: Steve Lyons, during Astros-Cards, after noting that Reggie Sanders annually puts up great numbers, added, “and what a great guy.” So then, please explain: How is it that a great guy who puts up great numbers has played for seven teams in the last seven years?
In the first inning, Charley Steiner, on WCBS radio, reported that Derek Jeter was able to score from second on a base hit because, “the play was in front of him.” Huh? Jeter took a few steps toward third, then had to turn around to see if the ball fell before he ran. And that was because the play was behind him.
Sean McDonough, a second-generation first cousin to Boston sports, particularly the Red Sox, didn’t watch Game 2. He was calling the WVU-UConn football game on ESPN.
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We’re heading toward the cliff and they keep flooring the gas pedal. The Ravens, as if not already synonymous with sinister, on Nov. 7th – in conjunction with an ESPN Sunday nighter – will debut their all-black, third jerseys. Jamal Lewis, that night, is scheduled to return from his two-game, pre-prison suspension.
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While every fan in this country is by now supposed to consider third-down conversion stats significant, consider that Ohio State, after three games – all wins – was 112th out of 117 Division I teams at 20 percent on third down. In its next two games, OSU improved to 34 percent – and lost both games.
While improving its third-down efficiency, OSU has slipped from the No. 6-ranked team to 23rd. (And thanks to ESPN’s N.Y. Bureau producer Willie Weinbaum for both the heads-up, and proof that someone in TV gets it).
