Tim Lemke's blog

How Will ESPN Move Forward with their Sunday Night MLB Coverage?

10 November, 2010 by Tim Lemke

When it comes to broadcasters in baseball, fans like continuity. If you’re a Dodgers fan, it’s unimaginable that you’d listen to a game without the voice of Vin Scully. Phillies fans are still getting used to the notion of games without Harry Kalas, and Tigers fans will take some time to adjust to a post-Ernie Harwell world.

Fox seems to understand this, as its gone with the same duo of Joe Buck and Tim McCarver now for more than a decade. The pair has its detractors, but we now have a generation that’s grown up knowing nothing else, and that’s good for the network and the game.

That brings us to the situation at ESPN, where Jon Miller and Joe Morgan will no longer be working together as the “Sunday Night Baseball” team. The network’s decision to cut ties with the men after 20 years might seem like a slap to the consistency fans enjoy, but it says as much about the “SNB” franchise as much as the broadcasters.

Rays Fans: What's Your Problem?

30 September, 2010 by Tim Lemke

There are some very valid reasons why some baseball teams don’t draw big crowds. Poor play is probably the most valid excuse, but many franchises also have to deal with small markets, bad local economies, unattractive ballparks and competition from other teams and entertainment outlets. It’s easy to understand the small crowds in Pittsburgh and Kansas City. One can appreciate the challenge of generating big attendance for Orioles or Marlins games. Even the lackluster attendance in Washington is somewhat understandable.

The case of the Tampa Bay Rays, who rank 22nd in the league with just 23,000 fans per game, is much more baffling.

The Yankees and Jeter: Just Pay the Man

21 September, 2010 by Tim Lemke

The New York Yankees do a number of things well. They win games. They pull in a lot of revenue. And they do a superb job of embracing tradition. 

 
Yes, there is an arrogance to how the Yankees carry themselves as an organization, reminding people of their 27 championships whenever they can. But they also do a good job of taking care of the legendary players from the past. For the Yankees organization, it is not enough for players to feel honored to play in that pinstripe uniform. They must also feel honored to have played for the Yankees. No team has more old-timers days. No team incorporates their past players in events like they do. 
 
Which brings us to the case of Derek Jeter. At the end of this season, Jeter will have nearly 3,000 hits. He'll have nearly 240 home runs. He'll have a career batting average well over .300. He will also be a free agent. 

Golf Killing Itself with Dumb Rules?

24 August, 2010 by Tim Lemke

Sports have rules for a reason. They provide a framework to allow for organized competition. When enforced appropriately, they ensure fair and honest play. They keep athletes safe.

Golf, however, is killing itself with rules.

The only constant in life, it seems, is change

31 July, 2010 by Tim Lemke

LeBron James changes teams. Nebraska changes conferences. Floyd Landis changes his story. Tiger Woods falls from grace. The NCAA Men's Basketball tournament adds some teams and a cable network.

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