Let’s play ball already!
That was the sentiment voiced by Mets radio broadcaster Howie Rose, whose patience wore noticeably thin with the “network stooge” who delayed Sunday night’s first pitch against the Dodgers.
ESPN’s coverage of the Mets’ 8-0 loss in Queens started a bit too slowly for Rose’s liking. Though he didn’t mention the Worldwide Leader by name, Rose expressed his thoughts of the network without any difficulty, combining sardonic commentary with some memorable quips.
Howie Rose wanted things to move a little quicker at the start of the Mets’ game Sunday night.
(Chris Chambers/Getty Images)
“The Dodgers have won their first six, and they’ll go for the season series sweep tonight just as soon as the network stooge down there says that it’s OK to play baseball,” Rose began.
“The pitcher, Steven Matz, is rubbing up the ball, he’s ready to go. The home plate umpire, Tim Timmons, looking suitably disgusted, just took his mask off and kind of rests it against his left hip as he helplessly stares near the Dodger dugout where said network stooge is holding all the cards.
“So, suspended animation on the field right now. You’ve got nine Mets standing around, you’ve got the Dodgers’ leadoff hitter, Chris Taylor, standing — it really is ludicrous — but now, and only now, do we get the OK, and so we’re gonna have a baseball game here tonight, about seven hours later than we should have.”
The lag surely may have felt like seven hours to Rose, but his call also suggests he’s had enough of Sunday night games that enable ESPN to overmanage its primetime slot.
An earlier Sunday start time is one pace of play initiative Rose can likely get behind.
