ESPNNewsHD Screenshots

So it looks like ESPN is launching ESPNNewsHD on March 30th and from looks of the screen shots that have been released, it going to be fantastic. From the official Press Release:

ESPN will launch its third HD service on March 30, 2008, when ESPNEWS begins telecasting in high definition. The shift to HD will enable ESPNEWS to make the most of the 16 x 9 high-definition television viewing area, offering fans an enhanced viewing experience. ESPNEWS HD will also afford new graphic sponsorship placement opportunities for advertisers.

ESPN’s innovative new HD Sideline graphic, which will debut on ESPNEWS HD, will wrap around the top, left and bottom of the HD screen. The HD Sideline will offer the display of textual information, headshots, news, and scores, while still delivering a window to accommodate all video highlights in 16×9 HD. It will also offer additional content not available on ESPNEWS SD, which will also contain a redesigned bottom line graphic. Both the high-definition and standard-definition services will have increased capacity to display breaking news and news of the day.

And here are the screen shots courtesy of daddah.

 

Awkwarrrrrrrrrrd

But seriously, ESPN should be given credit for putting together a great studio team that consists of Reece Davis, Hubert Davis, Digger Phelps, Bob Knight and Jay Bilas. Loved every minute of their preview of the tournament last night, but I couldn’t help but notice that Digger might have an innocent crush on The General.

                                                (courtesy of College Hoops Journal and Fanhouse)

 

ESPN “Celebrates” Yankee Stadium

So word came out last week that ESPN will celebrate the memory of Yankee Stadium by running a series of 30 vignettes to mark the final season of the current Yankee Stadium. The series, called “Remembering the House that Ruth Built,” will feature 10 episodes (one each day) starting March 22 and leading up to Opening Day, another 10 before the All-Star Game and another 10 before the regular-season finale.

Now hearing this news, I was ecstatic to hear that I would see some classic moments of the most storied team winning some Pennants and World Titles at Yankee Stadium. And then I saw the list of the first 10 subjects:

April 18, 1923 – first game at Stadium; Babe homers, Bosox lose. Okay, first game at the Stadium, good choice.
Sept. 30, 1927 – Babe hits his record 60th home run of the season. A historical moment in baseball history, good choice as well.
Nov. 10, 1928 – Knute Rockne urges a win for Gipper; Irish respond. What the fuck ?
June 19, 1936/June 22, 1938 – Schmeling upsets Louis; Louis KOs Schmeling. What the fuck ? x2
July 4, 1939 – Lou Gehrig considers himself lucky. Oh yes, can’t leave out a dying man’s speech.
Nov. 9, 1946 – Army and Notre Dame play to a scoreless tie. Holy fucking shit. A scoreless tie ??? How was that left off the top SportsCenter highlites of all time ?
June 13, 1948 – Babe Ruth makes his final public appearance in a Yankees uniform. A moment every Yankee fan loves to celebrate.
Aug. 17, 1948 – Ruth lays in state for two days. Can’t leave out Ruth’s dead body laying at Yankee Stadium for 2 days.
June 25, 1952 – Sugar Ray Robinson loses to Joe Maxim. Are you fucking kidding me ?
Oct. 4, 1955 – Johnny Podres tosses a shutout; Dodgers win Series. Yankees losing game 7 to Brooklyn.

So let’s recap:
4 things that don’t even involve the Yankees.
3 moments of Yankee deaths/farewell.
2 Babe Ruth homers in fairly meaningless games.
1 game 7 loss by the Yankees.

It’s not like the Yankees won the World Series 16 times in those first 32 years or anything.

And I’ll tell you what. I can’t wait for Game 6 & 7 of the 2004 ALCS to be shown in entirety, uncut with special commentary by Matt Damon and Ben Affleck.

Fuck you ESPN.

 

Joba Chamberlain on Jim Rome’s show