Padres closer Heath Bell sick of ESPN's East Coast bias
It's not just West Coast baseball fans who complain about ESPN's tiresome focus on the Yankees, Red Sox and Mets. Padres closer Heath Bell spoke out to the San Diego Union-Tribune after his team beat the Mets in the inaugural game at Citi Field.
“I saw ESPN's promo for tonight's game. They mention the Mets are opening Citi Field, they mentioned the starting time, but nowhere did they mention the Padres. . . .
“I truly believe ESPN only cares about promoting the Red Sox and Yankees and Mets – and nobody else,” said the closer, a former Met. “That's why I like the MLB Network, because they promote everybody. I'm really turned off by ESPN and 'Baseball Tonight.' When Jake Peavy threw 8 1/3 innings on Saturday, they showed one pitch in the third inning and that was it. It's all about the Red Sox, Yankees and Mets.”
-- Bill Shaikin
Photo: San Diego's Heath Bell pitches against the New York Mets on Monday. Credit: Nick Laham / Getty Images
I agree with Heath Bell, ESPN is way to east coast for me. If it's a California team in any sport i have to go online and find out the results. ESPN sucks!
Posted by: Rezz909 | April 15, 2009 at 06:37 AM
I could not agree more with the above comment. I live in Philadelphia and I think Heath Bell was absolutely correct with his comments that ESPN is obsessed with those 3 teams.
Posted by: DL | April 18, 2009 at 07:18 PM
ESPN focuses on them more to drive ratings up. I believe this hurts baseball because young kids will become Yankees and Red Sox fans naturally because all they see on TV is the same teams over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over.....anyways you get the point. This also helps drive merchandise sells and keeps these clubs able to stay good. Zack Grienke is having one of the best starts to a season ever and the only people who know about it are the hardcore fans and fantasy players. I have to get the MLB package if I want to watch him...it sucks!!
GO GIANTS!!!
Posted by: Jesse Bernal | May 10, 2009 at 07:47 PM
It's also funny to note that as I wrote my previous comment, I turned on ESPN and wouldn't you know it........ it's the RED SOX!!! at least they are playing the Rays. GO RAYS!! LOL
Posted by: Jesse Bernal | May 10, 2009 at 07:59 PM
Is ESPN biased to the east coast?
Answer: Yes
Is ESPN located on the east coast?
Answer: Yes
Are Padres fan the most boring and unenthusiastic fans?
Answer: Yes
Essentially, no one cares about the Padres, not even their own fans. I went to a game there before deployment, place was sold out, but there wasn't one person cheering. Awfully pathetic.
Posted by: Eric | October 25, 2009 at 06:37 PM