Turn It Up/Turn It Down: A Weekly Review of the Media

Week of June 30 – July 6

Every week I write a media column, giving the good, the bad, and the ugly of the week in media.  Print, radio, internet, and television are all considered.  Enjoy—and as always, feel free to comment and nominate your favorites too.

The Good

Marcellus Wiley (ESPN Radio)

Filling in Monday on Mike and Mike, Wiley displayed his hilarious personality.  When discussing the CBS Sports Top 50 players in the NFL, Wiley disagreed with No. 30 on the list, New England Patriots defensive end Richard Seymour.  Wiley let America know his Seymour’s new name should be “Richard See-less.” 

Wiley also during the show said he prefers when men check out his “girl,” because he likes to be associated with high-profile women that make men turn their heads.  With Wiley’s unique personality and experience in the NFL, maybe ESPN can change the show to: “Mike, Mike, and Marcellus.”

Joel Sherman (New York Post)

A lot of MLB Mid-Season Reviews are flowing in among the many baseball writers.  Sherman wrote an insightful article about his choices for the mid-season awards, as well as his anti-awards. 

For those of you who haven’t read Sherman before, he really has become one of the best baseball writers in America.  Being in a major market like New York helps Sherman get the best stories available, and he is respected in the game by both the players and the managers.  He is honest, funny, and insightful, all at the same time—and specializes in keeping his readers informed with the latest news.

Tom Verducci (Sports Illustrated)

Not only does Verducci introduce readers to one of the most underrated pitchers in the game, San Francisco Giants pitcher Tim Lincecum, he also goes into extreme detail on the intricacies of pitching mechanics. This is one of the most fascinating pieces the senior baseball writer has ever written. 

Any time a writer can describe each frame of a pitching motion is a success in itself, but Verducci has such a vast knowledge of the game that his descriptions are essentially of the quality of video anaylsis through writing.

The Bad

Mike North (Unemployed)

First, North appeared on Chicago Tribune Live Tuesday to try to explain his side of why he rejected a reported $800,000 per year extension.  During the show, North couldn’t stop using the term “paper,” and seemed to have this hidden obsession with money. 

Second, he appeared on the Mac, Jurko, and Harry Show on ESPN Radio Wednesday afternoon—and again couldn’t avoid talking about money.  Thanks, Mike—now we know what kept you motivated to wake up before 3:00am for work the past 16 years.

Rob Stone (ESPN Television)

With star host Tony Reali getting married last week, Stone was assigned to fill in on the popular weekday show Around the Horn.  Unfortunately, Stone had little television personality, and made the show a gigantic blur by failing to entertain in any sort of way. 

During an interview on Bill Simmons’ podcast on Wednesday, Stone admitted he used the famous “mute button” once the entire week because he had so much respect for the columnists who debate on the show.  No wonder this guy specializes in Major League Soccer... 

The Ugly

Anonymous Columnists (Their Local Newspaper)

Get ready for an explosion of complaints from all of the local writers making a case for their hometown players getting “snubbed” by the Major League Baseball All Star Team. 

This happens every year, with each snubbed player being compared to the ones who made the team.  ESPN’s Keith Law already has begun the bashing. 

The best part about all of the ongoing debate is how irrelevant the entire story becomes the day the game is over.  You’ve been warned!