This isn't something new, then again maybe it is. It seems that it's now vogue to bash those who cheat, have run-ins with the law, or use performance enhancing drugs. Suddenly all the talking heads are taking the supposed "high road". Dan Patrick, Steve Lyons, Jim Gray, Stuart Scott and Tony Kornheiser come to mind immediately. Within the last five years, these poor excuses for "journalists" have espoused the talents of Barry Bonds, Michael Vick, Jason Giambi and almost every young cornerback or wide receiver with a troubled background. Now they seem to be changing their tune.
Steroids for baseball was the 500 pound elephant in the room you didn't talk about or mention. The broadcasters, owners and players all turned a blind eye, but now Dan Patrick through his nationally broadcast radio show is acting like he is the lone crusader towards cleaning up the game and that he had been fighting the good fight all this time. Between Mr. Patrick, Steve Lyons, Jim Gray and Stuart Scott there isn't sports news being presented, it's more like social commentary by jumping on the hot-button topic and taking the cheap shots. Where were they 5 years ago, bashing Pete Rose probably, but they certainly weren't addressing the issues, they were turning a blind eye.
In my 2 year minor league baseball career I saw major league talent shooting crap into their veins. While I was content to hit .340, steal 40 bases and have 5 homeruns per year, other guys were juicing up hitting .300, stealing 20 bases and bashing 30 homers. At least I know my accomplishments were on talent. The fans finally got fed up, some beat reporters did enough digging and after a federal investigation this had to become a story.
Now the NFL, they are the most popular sport and have established their own network, and pretty soon will be establishing their own prison system. Darryl Boston, Shawn Merriman, Michael Vick, Chris Henry, Adam "Pacman" Jones. There are about 5% of the players creating the negative publicity for the NFL. Roger Gooddell has to be the one to step in because the player's association tries to get the player's to step in line, uniform solidarity. But again the talking heads weren't doing much until lately, they may have touched on it, but none of them wanted to take on the NFL even with cold, hard facts until lately again.
Wow, it must be difficult for all these "journalists" to pat themselves on the back, like they are the Lone Ranger, riding triumphantly into battle against drugs and crime.
On a final note, Dan Patrick is a blow-hard, hot-button topic ESPN apologist who carries the company torch wherever they ask, and he does so without any integrity what so ever.
Jim Gray is a two-faced, no account attack artist who has made his career out of being an antagonist and finger pointer who makes public attacks, then hides behind the guise of being a "journalist".
Stuart Scott can take his "hugs and hand pounds" and shove them up his hypocritical ass. He has been a NFL and NBA apologist for his entire career.
Steve Lyons is a back pedaler who needs to quit acting like he is without blame when it comes to woes that baseball is facing. Remember folks he was a union rep for some of the teams he was on.
Tony Kornheiser is a blow-hard, bandwagon-jumper and a terrible commentator/analyst. I wouldn't let him commentate on a Pop Warner game if it was my decision.
