Tennessee fans revel in the success of their Ranked #1 baseball team. And they are very sensitive to how their team is portrayed in the media.
For example, take my wife. Melinda had never watched an entire baseball game on television until Tennessee played Florida for the SEC Tournament Championship.
Although Tennessee won the game, she was upset that SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey was interviewed for 15 minutes in the middle of the game.
“Nobody cares what they think,” she said. “He just wants to hear himself talk. They wouldn’t interview him in the middle of an SEC championship football game.”
Other UT fans were furious at ESPN’s flawed report on why team captain Evan Russell didn’t play in Knoxville’s regional opener.
Rick writes: I saw a mad dog come out
After being stung by a bee
Smack Talk was used
In the game in Tennessee
Our backs were against the wall
When we reached the top of the nine
And as all the coaches say
We get them one at a time
Maybe it’s a walk
Or the occasional knock
How we got to the base
really didn’t matter
Maybe a defender played it wrong
As it rose above her head
Score six if necessary
Number one wasn’t dead
As for the haters
Who said JB knocked them down
You should stop watching baseball
and start watching the sport of golf
My answer: Jordan Beck has to point to the sky as if to say this team is above all others in the NCAA Tournament.
CONSTANT IN THE RANGE:What to know about Evan Russell, Tennessee baseball’s star catcher
WE ARE NO. 1:Tennessee baseball’s Jordan Beck sent a one-finger message to Georgia Tech during the ninth-inning rally
John writes: Once again, SEC/ESPN has slapped UT fans in the face.
The regional final with the country’s number 1 team is put on hold ESPNU; while on the SEC channel, we are stuffed with replaying Kentucky and Alabama football games.
Of course, if you subscribe to one of the very expensive Spectrum and Infinity packages or one of the sports streaming services, you can watch the Vols.
Even though I like the radio, it’s not the same as watching it.
My answer: I recommend ESPN+. It’s about $7 a month.
On a trip during the regional, I had to watch a game on my cell phone. I couldn’t always see the ball. But I could see the bat turn around.
Glenn writes: Explaining himself at the Evan Russell event, Troy Eklund said his comments were “…used in error”. There is a big difference between a mistake and a lie. His comments were nothing short of lying.
When ESPN donates a microphone to one of its broadcasters, it is putting its reputation on the line for accurate reporting. Observations and opinions are good if they are based on accuracy. Eklund had no basis to lie on and ESPN should immediately fire him.
My answer: ESPN is rarely accused of subscribing to the highest journalistic standards. But viewing a social media post as factual is inexcusable.
This column doesn’t even stoop to that.
Mark writes: Network of extremely stupid people. I hate to use the word hate so I won’t, but I absolutely despise espn. I could go on, but let’s just say I avoid this network’s programming like the plague. UT should sue them for defamation.
My answer: Blame the network. But don’t blame ESPN baseball analyst Chris Burke, a former Vols who is great at his job.
Hall writes: Best guess on which will come first… Football team winning national championship or NCAA closing UT 2021 survey?
My answer: If the Tennessee collective had paid enough money to Bryce Young and Will Anderson from Alabama for the transfer, I would have bet on a championship first.
Rodney writes: Thank you for your column. Do you remember when Instant Replay started? Advertisers would make a big deal out of it. I think they would only show two or three per game because of the production effort required.
Then came “Instant Slow-Motion Replay” and “Reverse-Angle Instant Slow-Motion Replay”, and so on to where we now have referees staring at a hooded monitor.
I guess that’s progress. All those ones and zeros.
I agree with you about setting a deadline. Maybe the referees could flip a coin after the time is up. It works to start the game, right? They might say, “Upon further examination, the tails are confirmed.”
My answer: Based on some review results, I’m not sure all reviewers can distinguish between heads and tails.
John Adams is senior columnist. He can be reached at 865-342-6284 or [email protected] Follow him at: twitter.com/johnadamskns.
