Echoing the sentiments of Always Amazin’s Ryan McConnell, the New York Daily News’ Bob Raissman is unimpressed by Tim Robbins’ visit to Shea yesterday, perhaps disregarding the simple fact the actor’s on-air stint neatly coincided with Joe Morgan being shuttled to a rained out ballgame in the Bronx.
The anxiety level was high. Seventh inning. Nomar Garciaparra at the plate facing Guillermo Mota. Mets 4, Dodgers 2. Two outs. Bases loaded.Gary Thorne, ESPN’s play-by-play man, called it one of “those key” moments in a playoff game and perhaps the entire Dodgers-Mets division series. On the screen, the familiar sight of Garciaparra adjusting his batting gloves.
“Tim,” Thorne said. “A little bit about the movie.”
Were we watching a key moment of a playoff game or “Inside the Actors Studio”?
Considering ESPN’s curious/moronic decision to put actor Tim Robbins in the booth during the seventh inning of yesterday’s playoff game, the question is valid.
The calendar said it was October – not August, didn’t it?
Having a celebrity in the booth to plug his latest project during the regular season is lame. Putting one in the booth during a playoff game – in a late inning to boot – shows the Faculty at Bristol Clown Community College has neither regard nor respect for baseball fans.
With the Dodgers threatening in the seventh, did anyone care what Robbins would say when Thorne asked: “You got a favorite Met player, Tim?”
And with Garciaparra at the plate, Steve Phillips asked: “In the (new) movie are you a good guy or a bad guy?”
“A complicated bad guy,” Robbins answered.
Phillips: “You play the sinister role pretty good.”
Judging by his performance yesterday, perhaps Phillips should become a movie critic. His baseball analysis left much to be desired. The former Mets GM went in the tank after Willie Randolph did not pinch-hit for Mota with the bases loaded in the sixth inning.
Instead, Phillips explained how Mota was originally signed by the Mets as a shortstop and was “a pretty good hitter.” Big deal. What did Phillips think of the move? Analysts are paid for their opinions. In this key instance, Phillips did not offer one.
Raissman has a tin ear. “Bristol Community Clown College” is far more mellifluous, plus it almost makes sense.