Shank aka CHB calls out David Price calling out Eck

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Captaincoop

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You can hate CHB and still recognize that he probably has the facts substantially correct here. This wasn't a private conversation he's piecing together, it's an incident that happened in front of about 50 witnesses.

But let's wait and see what happens with Price's libel lawsuit he'll soon be filing, since everything was made up and he's really a class act who is being targeted unfairly.
 

JohntheBaptist

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You can hate CHB and still recognize that he probably has the facts substantially correct here. This wasn't a private conversation he's piecing together, it's an incident that happened in front of about 50 witnesses.
So it's confirmed that a peanut bag was thrown at Jones. Is the part that actually involved racism confirmed?

Because throwing stuff at players is poor form, but it's not a Klan activity. It feels like there's lots of racing to accept Jones' claims and trash Boston fans here without any real corroboration.
Interesting.
 

E5 Yaz

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I am not a fan of CHB but the paper he writes for is owned by John Henry. If this story was verifiable nonsense it would never have made it to print --- CHB has a sports editor, an editor in chief and some managing editors in between. All of these superiors have the ability to spike a story and they all get paychecks signed by Mr. Henry, owner of the Red Sox. If this column wasn't rock-solid it would not have run, even if CHB is a troll.
 

Captaincoop

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Really? Like, in one case was there a specific claim made about specific people, published by the newspaper that also owns the team? And in the other, did a guy say that he heard someone in a crowd of 30,000 people use a slur?

Or do I have any of that wrong?
 

HomeBrew1901

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Show my work? Seriously? The fact that you ask this question is exactly why the CHB has a job. He has written an entire column about tension between two black players on the current team and a retired white Hall of Famer. Price is loudmouthed, profane, emotionally volatile, "grandstanding" and "thin-skinned" (the last an accusation that makes no sense, given that he's defending a teammate). JBJ is sneaky and two-faced. Neither of them has the proper respect for their white elder Eckersley, despite his HOF career and difficult life experiences and--oh, yeah--his fairly pointed criticism, as a member of the media, of their professional failings.

If Shaughnessy wants to write a story about how players don't like Eck's criticisms, maybe he should try to cast the net a little wider (interview ONE white player, maybe), so people don't see through to his unconscious motives, the way they did back in 2013 when he wrote that David Ortiz might be juicing for no reason other than that he was having an excellent season. Ortiz was, at the time, a known Dominican, and, as every sportswriter of long standing who does his homework knows, pretty much all of those Dominican players do steroids.

Incidentally, I can't imagine Eck is any happier with this piece than Price and JBJ are. It's only going to make his job harder to be a pawn in Shaughnessy's latest racial-strife-on-the-Red-Sox story.
So you're just full of shit
 

JohntheBaptist

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Really? Like, in one case was there a specific claim made about specific people, published by the newspaper that also owns the team? And in the other, did a guy say that he heard someone in a crowd of 30,000 people use a slur?

Or do I have any of that wrong?
You didn't believe the simple claim of a black man experiencing racism in Boston, which happened in front of way more than 50 witnesses, because it might tarnish Beantown baseball fans and because you didn't feel like believing it.

But Shag's got it dead to rights, because this time it's about yet another athlete you've decided isn't sufficiently classy. 50 witnesses and all.

I'm sure it makes sense in your head though man.
 

Captaincoop

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You didn't believe the simple claim of a black man experiencing racism in Boston, which happened in front of way more than 50 witnesses, because it might tarnish Beantown baseball fans and because you didn't feel like believing it.

But Shag's got it dead to rights, because this time it's about yet another athlete you've decided isn't sufficiently classy.

I'm sure it makes sense in your head though man.
Wow, it's amazing that you know more about my private thoughts than I do.

Literally every word above is incorrect, but that never seems to slow you down.

If you feel like you need to continue, let's take your little agenda to PM so you can stop polluting the thread.
 

Byrdbrain

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Pti had a solid point. Why are these guys flying together?
Most reporters don't anymore(they used to) but the two broadcast teams do travel with the team. I have no idea if that is unusual in MLB. I know in the other major sports it is common, I've heard Zo talk about it on the radio.
 

JohntheBaptist

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Wow, it's amazing that you know more about my private thoughts than I do.

Literally every word above is incorrect, but that never seems to slow you down.

If you feel like you need to continue, let's take your little agenda to PM so you can stop polluting the thread.
Nah, PMs are boring. Lol your "private thoughts."

I don't really have an agenda, just pointing out the obvious--that it is laughable to read you extend someone the benefit of belief (particularly for the reasons you gave) considering your hot take on the Jones incident, which happened to stick out for its sheer stupidity. Not every day you can beat Curt Schilling to the punch.

Anyway, they're totally different though, for sure.
 

charlieoscar

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I seldom read Shaughnessy but this article was almost at the top of the website today. The only thing I will say about it is we are fans and we don't have access to locker room/behind-the-scenes things, just what we hear from sports writers/broadcasters. I agree with those in this discussion who say that players are spoiled nowadays.

However, given all the vituperative comments I see on this board about Shaughnessy, I will echo the comment or two that was written about "The Colonel" Dave Egan. I read his columns as a kid and was appalled by his comments.

From David Halberstam's book, Summer of '49:

The senior executives at the Record were warned by their layers that Egan's writings were so vitriolic and personal that Williams had, with the tighter libel laws of those days, cause for a libel action. "I wouldn't give those bastards the satisfaction of a lawsuit," Williams told friends.
 

Captaincoop

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No, you're making a great point. Those two situations are exactly the same and it was totally relevant to bring the Adam Jones incident into this thread, because everyone who disagrees with you is probably a racist.
 

OurF'ingCity

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Until a player on a team openly criticizes another player or manager/coach on the team (e.g. Montero) - everything else is just noise. Who gives a fuck if a player "disrespects" a broadcaster (or a player on another team). Think about that for a second.
Yeah, I think it's pretty telling that, according to CHB, a bunch of the players were laughing along with Price which suggests that many of the players really do (rightly or wrongly - probably wrongly, in my opinion) dislike Eck and Price was just playing it up for his teammates' benefit. I.e., this doesn't sound like a situation where Price was a loose cannon but rather one where he is expressing long-standing feelings of a bunch of Red Sox players

So while it wasn't the most polite thing to do it does sound like Price and his teammates are on the same page and frankly that's all that should really matter. Heck, if the players want to use Eck as motivation to do better more power to them. I think some are being overly critical of Price because we generally like Eck and we associate him with Boston - what if a similar situation happened but it was Aaron Boone instead of Eck? Guessing people would feel very differently then.

The real issue is whether Price lets all the nonsense effect his in-game performance and although I'm not sure if the numbers back me up my impression is that they do, which needless to say is not good for a star player in Boston on a massive contract. Might be best for all parties if he opts out and goes to pitch in a more relaxed market like Miami or wherever.
 
Yes. Seriously. There was zero mention of race in the CHB's piece. None. You said that this was a racial-biased piece. So, yeah, show your work.

>>>C'mon, man. Do you not know how to read between the lines? He criticizes only black players in this piece and defends an old-school white guy. Not only that, but he sees the need to write this piece, and assert those values, in the first place. And he does that because he knows his readers will respond--get their Irish up, Boston style!

The hell are you talking about?

>>>Your demand that I illuminate the subtext of this piece, because you don't see it, is why Shaughnessy has a job--because nobody calls him on this shit. Incidentally, I don't hate Shaughnessy. During his career he's written some good, trenchant pieces, I think;
he's also written some infuriating ones in which he projects a truculent and deliberately dense point of view--as if he wants to personify his most unenlightened readers rather than illuminate them. Right now you're acting like one of those readers.

You're projecting. Majorly. David Price is thin-skinned

>>>Again, this is just Shaughnessy, and you, belaboring the idea that Price is thin-skinned. This episode is not an example of his being thin-skinned. But Shaughnessy pulls a sleight of hand that you don't notice here. "Oh, it's David Price being David Price again!" No, it's not. Price is not objecting to being criticized. He's defending a teammate, which is what good teammates do. No wonder they applauded him for it. Shaughnessy is horrified by this, as if there's the remotest chance Red Sox players would side with the TV announcer guy over E-Rod.

and it doesn't matter what color that skin is.

>>>To who? To you? Congratulations on your color-blindness, which has prevented you from seeing the obvious subtext of this story. Because I guarantee that his skin color does matter to David Price, as a black athlete in Boston, and to Jackie Bradley and every other black player on the team. Boston isn't just any other city, as you well know. It's a place with a racist legacy that lives vividly into the present, as Adam Jones can testify.

He takes every slight as a personal affront to his honor. Which, if that's what he needs to become a good pitcher, that's cool. I'm down with it.

>>>Make up your mind. Do you agree with Shaughnessy that Price is thin-skinned and deserves to be raked over the coals for it (even if the episode in question isn't about Price being thin-skinned)? Or don't you?

But at the same time, Eduardo Rodriguez goes to AAA and puts up some pretty pedestrian numbers (which is being diplomatic) and Eckersley says, "Yuck." You know, that I reread what I wrote, you're right. I mean, this is way worse than Eckersley talking crap about their moms. I mean, can you imagine the anguish and turmoil that Eduardo Rodriguez had to go through that night? Yuck. Now that's a four-letter word that we can all agree, hurts like a fist.

>>>Price's point was that Eckersley knows that pitching is hard and that he should know better than to crap on a young player's rehab start in the minors. Did he overreact? Almost certainly. Should he be blamed for being so passionate in his support of his teammate? Apparently you and Shaughnessy think so. And Shaughnessy thinks it's worth writing a piece about not just this episode, but also another one involving JBJ, in order to show us that black players in Boston are "thin-skinned" and don't give an older white commentator the respect he deserves.

So is Shaughnessy doing this on purpose (like you said in the first paragraph)

>>>Where did I use the words "on purpose," or any word or combination of words that has that meaning? I will say that I think Shaughnessy knows exactly what he's doing. He's a vaguely racist guy writing for a vaguely racist audience and he knows just what he can get away with. And as far as you're concerned, he did get away with it, because there's nothing offensive to you about this column.

or is this an unconscious subtext that he's slinging? Because there is a very, very big difference.

>>>Just two verys? Three would be even more condescending!

And this piece isn't about how players don't like Eck's criticisms, it's about how one player (Price) got into a shouting matching with Eckersley over a very mundane comment.

>>>As I've said, I don't think that's what the piece is about.

Let me ask you this question, if Chris Sale got into a fight with Dennis Eckersley, would you be okay with it?

>>>You're not making any sense here. I'm not taking issue with what happened. I'm taking issue with Shaughnessy's dogwhistley account of it.

BTW, I think that David Ortiz was always a known Dominican. I remember the early days of his Red Sox tenure when he tried to hide it; but once it became known, all bets were off!

I think that you're giving Dan Shaughnessy way too much credit here.

>>>I don't. He's the city's marquee sportswriter, and its longest tenured, I believe. In Fenway's press box his seat is in the front row, dead center. There's no other sportswriter in town with his authority and readership.

Shaughnessy is a lot of things: professional shit-stirrer, seller of stupid books, afro enthusiast; but I don't believe that facts add up to him being a racist. You're the one that's trying to connect the dots.

>>>I feel I've done that. You want to defend Shaughnessy. I'm happy with the side I'm on, and I assume you are too.

BTW, you still haven't proven anything other than you read way too deeply into a column of man you claim to hate.

>>>Sorry to disappoint you. I guess you're too smart for me.
 

Reverend

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Yeah, I think it's pretty telling that, according to CHB, a bunch of the players were laughing along with Price which suggests that many of the players really do (rightly or wrongly - probably wrongly, in my opinion) dislike Eck and Price was just playing it up for his teammates' benefit. I.e., this doesn't sound like a situation where Price was a loose cannon but rather one where he is expressing long-standing feelings of a bunch of Red Sox players

So while it wasn't the most polite thing to do it does sound like Price and his teammates are on the same page and frankly that's all that should really matter. Heck, if the players want to use Eck as motivation to do better more power to them. I think some are being overly critical of Price because we generally like Eck and we associate him with Boston - what if a similar situation happened but it was Aaron Boone instead of Eck? Guessing people would feel very differently then.

The real issue is whether Price lets all the nonsense effect his in-game performance and although I'm not sure if the numbers back me up my impression is that they do, which needless to say is not good for a star player in Boston on a massive contract. Might be best for all parties if he opts out and goes to pitch in a more relaxed market like Miami or wherever.
I feel like Belichick would go scorched earth on a bunch of guys grousing about someone who doesn't affect the outcomes of games and then convert it into a teaching moment about do your job. Like, I can't imagine Patriots players publicly getting into it with an analyst right in front of Belichick.

I'm not a Farrell hater, but this seems to me a red flag. Like, I don't think we want hot headed guy to be the clubhouse leader? On the team? Sure. But clubhouse leader without any kind of steadier, Varitekesque counterpoint? I don't think so.

Maybe it doesn't matter on this particular issue, but I feel like this is suggestive of a clubhouse that might not weather other, more baseball relevant issues particularly well. Yelling at someone at work doesn't strike me as a sign of the kind of fortitude I want to see--I wonder what Henry thinks of all this.
 

TheoShmeo

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Add him to the list! This team is full of such unlikeable characters!
That Pedey isn't a fan of Eck doesn't make him unlikable.

And in general, it's hard not to REALLY like Pedroia given the way he plays the game and the success that he's enjoyed. Two rings is nothing to sneeze at and it's not like he was along for the ride either time.

But yeah, I don't like the "it wasn't me" bullshit, and if Pedey was cheering while Price played tough guy with Eck, that's a pretty crappy thing to do.

It's not black and white. There's massively more good than bad with Dustin. But that doesn't mean he gets a white wash.

(Oh noes! Was that racist?)
 

Snodgrass'Muff

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That Pedey isn't a fan of Eck doesn't make him unlikable.

And in general, it's hard not to REALLY like Pedroia given the way he plays the game and the success that he's enjoyed. Two rings is nothing to sneeze at and it's not like he was along for the ride either time.

But yeah, I don't like the "it wasn't me" bullshit, and if Pedey was cheering while Price played tough guy with Eck, that's a pretty crappy thing to do.

It's not black and white. There's massively more good than bad with Dustin. But that doesn't mean he gets a white wash.

(Oh noes! Was that racist?)
You and I butt heads very often, but this made me laugh.
 

Pinchrunner#2

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I can only say that I love the way Eckersley is commenting baseball games and I hope that this episode does not slow him down in any way. It seems that there is a professional distance between Eck and the players which distinguishes him from a lot of other broadcasters. I find his work refreshing in contrast to all the other co-broadcasters on NESN.

If the story is true, I think no one can defend David Price or others who applauded in that given situation. A leader with maturity and balls does not act like a childish gang leader and standing up for teammates is not a good reason to mock a broadcaster whose job is to authentically comment on what you are doing. Being able to cope with media criticism is part of professional sports and Eck is working for the audience not for Mr. Price.
 

Sampo Gida

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It occurs to me the Red Sox and its controlled media are doing everything to encourage Price to opt out when the time comes. Storys such as this would be muzzled or at least toned down if Price had been pitching like Sales his first two seasons. Price has thin skin, its easy to push his buttons. He sounds like a Dick too so his exit cant come anytime too soon for me although if he can continue to dominate the MFY I may change my mind.
 

RedOctober3829

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I can't tell if this is criticism of people who believe the article without question or for people who are dismissing it because of the source. Which means it was well done.

So... well done.
More towards the people who are dismissing it because of the source. Like I said when I began this discussion I am no fan of CHB. But, I don't think this is the hit piece some are making it out to be.

On a side note, if ownership is apologizing to Eck for what happened and players/Farrell aren't, it's a really bad look.
 

mauidano

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Price stepped over the line with this confrontation. If he has a beef with Eck he should have been man enough to address him one to one. But it seems like he had to make his point with a crew behind him and drag them into the fray. Kind of an immature prick move.
Price wanted to show up Eck with "I got your back fellas" by sticking up for EdRo. Bottom line is "If you can't stand the heat get out of the kitchen." Seems like the heat has been climbing on Price.

Me? I'm giving the benefit of the doubt to Eck. This is his job to add color and opinion. David Price unlikely will never attain the level of professional achievement Eck has. If Price wants to start jumping on everyone who doesn't like him or his team mates, he's going to be very preoccupied for a long time to come. This distraction is on him. And now that everyone else has to answer questions about it is really going to suck. None of us are having this discussion if Price shows a little more maturity.
 

Hank Scorpio

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I love Eck's edginess in the booth, and his bluntness. He'll say a player "stunk" or something to that effect, rather than he had a "tough day" or something equally weak. Not exactly sure why it makes Eck more enjoyable, but it does.

At the same time, he's not exactly out there tearing into players, tossing around phrases like "gutless performance" or anything to that effect. It's a bit strange and oddly irritating that the players take such exception with Eck's relatively harmless remarks. I certainly don't think he's come close to crossing any lines.
 

chawson

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Me? I'm giving the benefit of the doubt to Eck. This is his job to add color and opinion. David Price unlikely will never attain the level of professional achievement Eck has. If Price wants to start jumping on everyone who doesn't like him or his team mates, he's going to be very preoccupied for a long time to come. This distraction is on him. And now that everyone else has to answer questions about it is really going to suck. None of us are having this discussion if Price shows a little more maturity.
I'm loving these sudden calls for "maturity" for Sox players. It must have been so hard for you to watch Jonny Gomes, Kevin Millar, Johnny Damon...

Here's a piece about the time Chris Sale cut up his team's throwback jerseys with a pair of scissors on game day: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog-whistle_politics
 

Devizier

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I see no reason to doubt the veracity of this story, Shank or no. This doesn't really change my opinion of Price or Eckersley, though. Like them both, would like to see them continue performing in their current roles. There are a lot of games in a season and shit like this should be reasonably expected to happen.
 

BillMuellerFanClub

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if you replace eck in this situation with steve lyons, does SoSH discuss it at this length?

echo the points of:

- sosh/eck blind spot
- considering the source
- professional athletes being divas

if the sox were playing out of their mind and had the division by 8+ games, i think the time spent discussing it here would be significantly lower. not to say this is a bad thing, just an observation.
 

RedOctober3829

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if you replace eck in this situation with steve lyons, does SoSH discuss it at this length?

echo the points of:

- sosh/eck blind spot
- considering the source
- professional athletes being divas

if the sox were playing out of their mind and had the division by 8+ games, i think the time spent discussing it here would be significantly lower. not to say this is a bad thing, just an observation.
I dont think there's an Eck blind spot. That sounds as if people are ignoring some irrational criticism he gave out. In reality, he hardly said anything remotely taken as harsh and the players are reacting way over the top. That's why there's discussion.
 

Rough Carrigan

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On MLB network, Ken Rosenthal's take was to wonder why the Red Sox players have any time for or interest in this at all. Eck said "Yuck" when Eduardo Rodriguez's lousy pitching line in a rehab start was shown on the screen. That's it. They really don't have anything more relevant with which to concern themselves?
 

chawson

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On MLB network, Ken Rosenthal's take was to wonder why the Red Sox players have any time for or interest in this at all. Eck said "Yuck" when Eduardo Rodriguez's lousy pitching line in a rehab start was shown on the screen. That's it. They really don't have anything more relevant with which to concern themselves?
If numerous players were applauding, why would you think the "yuck" was a drop in the bucket?
 

keninten

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I dont think there's an Eck blind spot. That sounds as if people are ignoring some irrational criticism he gave out. In reality, he hardly said anything remotely taken as harsh and the players are reacting way over the top. That's why there's discussion.
No, there`s a discussion because people like to gossip. Who the f@#$ knows what went on? Why would anyone care to know what went on? I`m just interested in the playing baseball aspect of baseball. I don`t watch soap operas either but it`s not wrong too either. I`m very surprised these discussions are the bigger topics on SOSH. I`m in no way singling you out, just laugh at these "discussions".
 

AMS25

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Who the f@#$ knows what went on? Why would anyone care to know what went on? I`m just interested in the playing baseball aspect of baseball.
This is where I'm at. I stopped reading the Boston media after the "chicken and beer" fiasco. Following the Red Sox is a potato chip for the mind after a long day of work and caregiving.
 

Rough Carrigan

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If numerous players were applauding, why would you think the "yuck" was a drop in the bucket?
I don't think it was a drop in the bucket. I think it was ridiculously inconsequential to be the catalyst of this and I don't recognize a series of other incidents having taken place that would constitute the other contents of the bucket. What other gripes are there? If the players did have real gripes with Eck's commentary I suspect we probably would have heard about it by now. They have plenty of opportunities to get word out as to what their gripe is. We've heard nothing. They look a bit ridiculous to a significant part of the fan base. If they have a whole series of other comments by Eck that were unfair, why aren't they being cited? A good part of the press would *love* to start a back and forth fight over this, or at least serve as a conduit for it and have someone write their next column for them. Still waiting.
 

TonyPenaNeverJuiced

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Eck being a HoFer has absolutely nothing to do with this - he's not in the HoF for every 6th word being "salad," he's in there for non-verbal contributions he made years ago.

When did getting inducted mean you can be a pompous jerk and get away with it? When did it make you an expert on the game? Hiring a HOFer to do commentary is a marketing ploy so somebody who's not as rabid a fan as all of us on this board might tune in and think they're getting the real poop. We all have opinions on how good he is in the booth, but being a first ballot HOFer didn't bestow upon him some great knowledge - there's a reason he's in the booth while Kevin Cash is in a dugout.

And if anyone thinks this is about "yuck" then you're not watching the same games I am - Eck may be fun because he's willing to be more biting than others in his critiques, but if he doesn't want to face the music for all of his little slights against players up and down the roster, maybe he should look into alternative transportation between series. The player in that dugout and on that plane owe him nothing, not for his commentary, not for his career, and certainly not for his plaque.
 

Buzzkill Pauley

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More towards the people who are dismissing it because of the source. Like I said when I began this discussion I am no fan of CHB. But, I don't think this is the hit piece some are making it out to be.

On a side note, if ownership is apologizing to Eck for what happened and players/Farrell aren't, it's a really bad look.
One of the absolutely best parts of following the Red Sox from a significant geographic distance is never having to read or listen to CHB.

I think you guys who are crazy for devoting any bit of concern to his so-called journalism.
 

Rough Carrigan

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Eck being a HoFer has absolutely nothing to do with this - he's not in the HoF for every 6th word being "salad," he's in there for non-verbal contributions he made years ago.

When did getting inducted mean you can be a pompous jerk and get away with it? When did it make you an expert on the game? Hiring a HOFer to do commentary is a marketing ploy so somebody who's not as rabid a fan as all of us on this board might tune in and think they're getting the real poop. We all have opinions on how good he is in the booth, but being a first ballot HOFer didn't bestow upon him some great knowledge - there's a reason he's in the booth while Kevin Cash is in a dugout.

And if anyone thinks this is about "yuck" then you're not watching the same games I am - Eck may be fun because he's willing to be more biting than others in his critiques, but if he doesn't want to face the music for all of his little slights against players up and down the roster, maybe he should look into alternative transportation between series. The player in that dugout and on that plane owe him nothing, not for his commentary, not for his career, and certainly not for his plaque.
Do you have any examples of Eck being unfair to Red Sox players in his commentary?
 

UncleStinkfinger

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I think this whole atmosphere is directly related to ownerships need to have a PR spokesman in the dugout and not a baseball manager. Farrell is just as sensitive as these spoiled players. Need a grown up like Tito.
 
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reggiecleveland

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The fact the NESN guys are on the same plane puts them apart from other media. So CHB's anecdote about Brooks Robinson has little relevance. So Eck works for the Sox, not NBC or Ap. Maybe it would be best if didn't piss off the players. Of course I can't see what he does that pissed them off.
 

jayhoz

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Eck being a HoFer has absolutely nothing to do with this - he's not in the HoF for every 6th word being "salad," he's in there for non-verbal contributions he made years ago.

When did getting inducted mean you can be a pompous jerk and get away with it? When did it make you an expert on the game? Hiring a HOFer to do commentary is a marketing ploy so somebody who's not as rabid a fan as all of us on this board might tune in and think they're getting the real poop. We all have opinions on how good he is in the booth, but being a first ballot HOFer didn't bestow upon him some great knowledge - there's a reason he's in the booth while Kevin Cash is in a dugout.

And if anyone thinks this is about "yuck" then you're not watching the same games I am - Eck may be fun because he's willing to be more biting than others in his critiques, but if he doesn't want to face the music for all of his little slights against players up and down the roster, maybe he should look into alternative transportation between series. The player in that dugout and on that plane owe him nothing, not for his commentary, not for his career, and certainly not for his plaque.
You are right. Playing the game at the highest level and performing at an ultra-elite level gives you no insight and credibility beyond your average commentator. Once you step off that mound you lose all your knowledge of the game and you should recognize that all you are good for is blowing smoke up the ass of the home town team.
 

jayhoz

Ronald Bartel
SoSH Member
Jul 19, 2005
17,368
I think this whole atmosphere is directly related to ownerships need to have a PR spokesman in the dugout and not a baseball manager. Farrell is just as sensitive as these fruity players. Need a grown up like Tito.
They might want to teach him how to not sound like a buffoon in front of the media if he is going to keep his PR job.
 

E5 Yaz

Transcends message boarding
Lifetime Member
SoSH Member
Apr 25, 2002
90,030
Oregon
Eck being a HoFer has absolutely nothing to do with this - he's not in the HoF for every 6th word being "salad," he's in there for non-verbal contributions he made years ago.

When did getting inducted mean you can be a pompous jerk and get away with it? When did it make you an expert on the game? Hiring a HOFer to do commentary is a marketing ploy so somebody who's not as rabid a fan as all of us on this board might tune in and think they're getting the real poop. We all have opinions on how good he is in the booth, but being a first ballot HOFer didn't bestow upon him some great knowledge - there's a reason he's in the booth while Kevin Cash is in a dugout.

And if anyone thinks this is about "yuck" then you're not watching the same games I am - Eck may be fun because he's willing to be more biting than others in his critiques, but if he doesn't want to face the music for all of his little slights against players up and down the roster, maybe he should look into alternative transportation between series. The player in that dugout and on that plane owe him nothing, not for his commentary, not for his career, and certainly not for his plaque.
So, what you want is a commentator who will do nothing but blow smoke up the players asses ... regardless of how they perform or what we, as fans, can see.
 

chawson

Member
SoSH Member
Aug 1, 2006
4,662
I don't think it was a drop in the bucket. I think it was ridiculously inconsequential to be the catalyst of this and I don't recognize a series of other incidents having taken place that would constitute the other contents of the bucket. What other gripes are there? If the players did have real gripes with Eck's commentary I suspect we probably would have heard about it by now. They have plenty of opportunities to get word out as to what their gripe is. We've heard nothing. They look a bit ridiculous to a significant part of the fan base. If they have a whole series of other comments by Eck that were unfair, why aren't they being cited? A good part of the press would *love* to start a back and forth fight over this, or at least serve as a conduit for it and have someone write their next column for them. Still waiting.
La Russa, Pedroia, and Dave Henderson have all been cited within this thread as having problems with him. Eck has even been quoted in baseball books describing himself as "intense" and "cocky."

One of the reasons we haven't heard more about that is that the Boston media — not to mention half this board — is quick to lionize Eck in every piece they write about this. He's oddball and entertaining and was an incredible pitcher, and probably reminds people of someone they know, or themselves.

You'll notice that Price doesn't get that treatment. Just look how quickly people rush to Eck's defense when a confrontation occurs — a piece that blames this mouthy pitcher who tweets too much gets a lot more traffic.
 

Rough Carrigan

reasons within Reason
Lifetime Member
SoSH Member
La Russa, Pedroia, and Dave Henderson have all been cited within this thread as having problems with him. Eck has even been quoted in baseball books describing himself as "intense" and "cocky."

One of the reasons we haven't heard more about that is that the Boston media — not to mention half this board — is quick to lionize Eck in every piece they write about this. He's oddball and entertaining and was an incredible pitcher, and probably reminds people of someone they know, or themselves.

You'll notice that Price doesn't get that treatment. Just look how quickly people rush to Eck's defense when a confrontation occurs — a piece that blames this mouthy pitcher who tweets too much gets a lot more traffic.
How is Eck's behavior on the mound relevant to his demeanor as a color commentator. The guy's been quite honest that he put on a bit of a front while pitching to get past his intense fear and anxiety. To use the phrasing that came up in the first article about this, he was acutely aware of how hard it is to play the game and how easily he might fail. And having problems with Tony LaRussa isn't a black mark on anyone's record. It confirms that they're a human being. But really, it's irrelevant. He's either saying things that are unfair about Red Sox players or he isn't. It's true or not irrespective of whether or not he had issues with Tony LaRussa or anyone else as a pitcher.

Could you please cite some examples of things he said about Sox players that were untrue or unfair?
 
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