Pardon the Interruption...

ESPN, but I made arrangements to tune into your network on Sunday night, and I didn’t get what I expected.

I looked at my TV Guide on Saturday, and written into the program at 8 PM was “Fresh Pizza” with Jon Miller and Joe Morgan: hard hitting analysis, news updates and exclusive interviews. I can’t believe you guys try to squeeze this into just three hours, they need a huge block for their insight.

Compounding the problem is your desire to cut into their show with a baseball game. I believe the Phillies and Braves were playing. I didn’t tune in to see America’s pastime tonight. The NL East had little to do with the topics at hand, it’s inexcusable to cut away from Joe Morgan’s thoughts to show Buddy Carlyle throw a curveball.

The John Smoltz interview ended far too soon. This guy does it all: he talks about Pedro Martinez, and he even has a bet with Tiger Woods! What’s that poorly executed double play attempt by Atlanta got to do with the PGA Championship? When I see Martin Prado hitting the links with Woody Austin, then show him botch a one hopper. You’re lucky you had the time to talk with John. He’s a busy man, especially on a day like today when he’s doing his rigorous workouts in the dugout to stay in top shape. Couldn’t you have chatted with him just a little bit more?

In case you haven’t noticed, ESPN, but Barry Bonds made history this week. He hit his 756^th career home run, which made him the all-time leader in dingers. He passed the legendary Hammerin’ Hank Aaron, who although didn’t want to attend the game in which Bonds set the new bar for taters, was able to film a moving congratulatory tribute speech. Frankly, your lack of coverage to the tribute was deplorable. Next take Aaron takes his own time to put together a video, you better show the entire thing. Not only that, I want fan reaction and the democratic rebuttal.

Ryan Howard? He’s had his moments, and he’s knocked a few out of the park, but come on. We’re talking about two incredible players here. I don’t need to be bothered to see Howard put one in the 5^th row of a small stadium. You saw Bonds’ record breaker; he destroyed it into the gap in right center. Once Ryan Howard hits 755, then we can show his bombs.

Run scoring plays? Who cares? I need Sports Center 30 and 30 updates from an anchor that’s so good, he’s not available at a set time like prima donnas such as Stu Scott. Scott shows up at the studio at the same time every night and does the same show at the same time. Not 30 and 30. He needs to be ready to go at a moment’s notice, whether it’s 8:29 or even the unfathomable 9:31. This guy deserves all the air time he can get, not meaningless RBI doubles in the 7^th inning.

Joe Morgan, there’s a guy you want on your TV. He knows the game inside and out, the ups and downs and any other cliché you can use. Why should his commentating prowess be contained to just one thing? Why are Jon Miller and Joe Morgan just talking about a single baseball game when they know so much about stuff off the field? Did you know that Hank Aaron is a good citizen? No one would have had this team not brought it to light.

So ESPN, I hope you reconfigure your Sunday night lineup after tonight’s abomination. You have three prime hours on Sunday night that could be put to much better use than pennant race baseball.