ESPN is obviously the biggest whore ever.

It struck me after No. 713 last night on Sunday Night Baseball.. all I hear about all weekend is that Barry is playing on Sunday Night Baseball.. every commercial, every chance in Sports Center or Baseball Tonight. Sure enough, he hits a homer Sunday night, and it dominates every show on ESPN on Monday like I've never seen. Then I think, this whole steroids in baseball thing, in sports in general.. this whole press indignation and moral righteousness.. the charge has been led by ESPN all the way. Granted, they're pretty much the only "National Voice" in Sports (with SI playing a role of extremely distant competition).. but still, the unsaid position I hear is that Barry is a cheater. and i hear it loud and clear.

I wouldn't have even thought 'conspiracy' between Bonds and ESPN however, if it were not for that re-god-damn-diculous "Bonds on Bonds" show. That piece of work is the linchpin that fell out of the bullshit machine and caused it's wheels to pop off. Why would the network who has made it's programming and its money from doing 'investigative' reporting on the Bonds/Steroids/Why are we fascinated by home runs? topic for upwards of two years suddenly provide, no.. PRODUCE a highly crafted Barry Bonds appeal for sympathy, just as he is about to surpass Ruth?

ESPN is obviously the biggest whore ever. By presenting another 'side' to the story, they make the story even more provocative, and allow the conversation to go on longer, and at a more fevered pitch.. not that it necessarily should go on. And by making it at this time, they aim to reach the highest national pitch possible. It is 100 percent pure opportunism. That, to me, completely and totally undermines any editorial voice they claim to have. The same goes for Bonds: he claims to have a sincere opinion, a heart-felt point of view that the viewer should take in earnest to reflect upon. But Bonds, like ESPN, are simply out to garner the most attention for themselves possible. For ESPN, attention means money.. for Bonds, it means importance. in this situation, both sides can use the other to that end. We go about debating steroids and 'integrity' in sports, and ESPN and Bonds, they hold hands and skip down the street headed towards the bank, giggling, pouches with dollar signs on them in hand. And after they've made their deposits, they steal away to a motel on the edge of town and make love.. because really, the whole thing started as a physical attraction.