I used to like Steve Stone

On the Texas-Detroit game on ESPN Thursday night, Stone sounded like he was pitching a job with Detroit. I couldn't count how many times he bellowed the owner's name & how smart he was. But the coup de gras was his enshrinement of Detroit's closer. These guys really need to get their notes together about closers--you see,

• ESPN powerhouses Jayson Stark and Karl Ravetch have said countless times, "TOTAL SAVES DON'T COUNT--IT JUST MEANS THE GUY'S HAD MORE OPPORTUNITIES." I documented on this blog Jayson cutting off Charley Steiner when he mentioned the number of saves Mariano had--Stark put Mariano down & cut off any discussion by informing Charley 'he's had more opportunities.' Unfortunately, Charley didn't keep on his point. 100% of the time, radio & tv people are intimidated enough by this simple, empty & meaningless retort that they stop pursuing the conversation about Mariano. (Oddly, they've not objected to use of the stat in praising pitchers not named Mariano). The very loud bully Karl Ravetch would die before allowing a favorable discourse about Rivera to take place on his airwaves. (As would his bosses at ESPN & other New England locations).

Poor Steve Stone tried to say Todd Jones was the best by using the stat "total saves." God help me. He said Jones' ERA might not be too terrific and some of his saves don't look too pretty, but Stone says, "THEY SAY WHAT REALLY MATTERS IS TOTAL SAVES!" STEVE'S ESPN SIDE KICK AGREES. (STEVE, WHO IN GOD'S NAME IS 'THEY'?) What has gone wrong with ESPN?

• Steve, hasn't Jayson or Karl told you Total Saves doesn't count? That it just shows "opportunitiesssss?"
• Or is this just another example of total lack of accountability and professionalism by management at ESPN, The Monopoly?

Another formerly good guy, a guy who gave me some hope, has gone in the trash can with the rest of them. I trust Steve Stone will get the job he's seeking.

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