…seems to be Topping Francesa As The East Coast’s Formost Megalomaniac. Eskin lit into Phillies ace Roy Halladay last night for the failing to honor “the media” (ie. Eskin) and his role as the all-important conduit between the great unwashed and the sports universe’s leading lights. Philly Burbs’ Patrick Berkery takes issue with Eskin’s claims of Halladay showing the high hat to the Fourth Estate, pointing out numerous examples of the pitcher, while not quite a quote machine, being relatively professional with his time.
This is all about you, Howard. You feel slighted because Halladay wouldn’t talk to you. You’ve enjoyed unprecedented access to Philly sports stars like Charles Barkley and Mike Schmidt, but Doc’s not letting you in. Too bad. Shame on you for filling a slow news cycle with your own petty grievances.
Halladay is a model citizen and teammate. Works harder than any Philadelphia athlete I’ve ever seen. Best pitcher we’ve had in this town in a generation. Talks to the media after he pitches. That’s more than enough for me, and I suspect it’s more than enough for most fans and other members of the media.
I will concur with Pat Berkerys article and will add that with Eskin, it has just come down to him lashing out in frustration at what has been his increasing irrelevance along with declining listenership on WIP. Eskin painted himself into a corner with drawing out his axe grinding with the Phillies long after they became the toast of the town and in particular his brutal savaging of Charlie Manuel has backfired on him with players (who to a man are loyal to Manuel) and fans alike. For the last 2-3 years Philadelphia has been in a pretty good place as far as professional sports, (it has even got to the point where there is a glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel for the 76ers) and the historical Philly pessimism that Eskin exploited and manipulated is just not in effect at this juncture. Eskin cant fall back on straight sports analysis as he is just not adept in that dept. Eskin has always been schtick, drama and bomb throwing without substance and its just not playing in Philly these days