TV MONITOR: Last night's 11:00pm ET edition of ESPN's
"SportsCenter" (after "Sunday Night Baseball") led with an
update on the condition of Astros Manager Larry Dierker,
followed by highlights of the Indians-Reds. "FSN Primetime"
(Fox Sports South) led with Dierker, followed by Yankees-
Marlins. CNN/SI's "Sports Tonight" led with Dierker,
followed by Giants-Mariners (THE DAILY).
STATE OF THE GAMES: In Milwaukee, Michael Bauman wrote
that it has become "just about impossible" to watch ESPN's
"SportsCenter." Bauman: "What used to be a sports news
program now appears to be a haven for Keith Olbermann
wannabes" (MILWAUKEE JOURNAL-SENTINEL, 6/12). "Arli$$"'
Robert Wuhl appeared on "The Late, Late Show with Craig
Kilborn." After talking about today's sportscasters,
Kilborn said, "Let me just say something, Robert. All the
guys at 'SportsCenter' bother the heck out of me now. You
know? ... Where's [Keith] Olbermann?" (CBS, 6/11).
Olbermann, on the "current comic style in vogue" in
sportscasting: "Guys giving the scores is likely to make a
comeback soon, simply because nothing ever stays permanent
in sportscasting" (New Orleans TIMES-PICAYUNE, 6/13).
NOTE: Jurors ruled that Time Warner must pay former
boxer Tex Cobb $2.2M in punitive damages, in addition to the
$8.7M in compensatory damages awarded, for a '93 SI article
saying he "fixed a fight." CNN/SI Managing Editor Steve
Robinson said the verdict "shocked us," adding, "We're very
confident we will prevail on appeal" (K.C. STAR, 6/12).
