And I’ll be nice about both. ESPN launched 25 years ago today, and it essentially defined what it means to be a sports fan for myself and for much of my generation. The network may have gone off the rails in recent years, what with reality shows, game-show segments, and Stephen A. Smith, but nonetheless- the network’s given me a lot of happiness over the years, and I’m glad it’s there. So I celebrated the anniversary tonight by watching Keith Olbermann on MSNBC.
Also, it was 20 years ago today that Carl Pohlad bought the Minnesota Twins from Calvin Griffith. True, we may know Pohlad today as the 90-ish, miserly billionaire who emerges every couple years to bitch about the team’s stadium situation, looking a lot like one of the evil bankers from “It’s a Wonderful Life.” But lest we forget- he did indeed save the team from relocation by buying them in 1984, and presided over two world championships in five years. Which is almost enough to forgive Pohlad for conspiring with Bud Selig to try to dissolve the team three years ago. Almost.
Posted by Stephen Silver at September 7, 2004 11:26 PMI watched the ESPN silver special. Only a couple of clips of Keith - and they weren't even his best ones.
Clearly, the glory days are over. I still like Dan Patrick, though.
And I would have liked the special a lot more if it hadn't turned into a Chris Berman love-fest.
Posted by: zoey at September 8, 2004 04:49 PM