For the Record
Markazi_arash
Views
5624
Comments
16

 

Magic-johnson-t1
Magic Johnson "faked AIDS" to gain sympathy? Ridiculous.
AP

Tim McCarver calls Manny Ramirez "despicable."

Two talk-show hosts in Minneapolis say Magic Johnson "faked AIDS."

They may seem like two totally separate stories, but the link between two of the biggest sports headlines this week is that they should have been non-stories in my book.

First of all, who didn't call out Ramirez for basically quitting on the Red Sox before being traded this summer? Calling his actions "despicable" would have been one of the kinder adjectives used by the Boston media around the time of his trade to Los Angeles. So why was McCarver's comment in a 455-word story in the Philadelphia Inquirer treated the same way as if it was coming out of the mouth of a Phillies player, or better yet, one of his former teammates in Boston?

So what if McCarver is on the broadcast team for the NLCS? Does that mean every criticism he makes about every player should be headline news?

Then you have a couple of idiots I've never heard of in Minneapolis saying Johnson "faked AIDS for sympathy." Why a comment that asinine would even deserve a response or any attention is beyond me. Forgot for a moment that Johnson has HIV and not AIDS and simply consider the absurdity of saying that a player in the prime of his career would fake contracting a sexually transmitted disease so he could retire and gain sympathy. Yeah, that makes sense.

Why is that news? Maybe if someone newsworthy said it is. But otherwise, it's just a couple of "shock jocks" trying to get some attention. And you know what? It worked. Not only are the station and the hosts being mentioned in countless stories, but Johnson has even had to address the comments in a statement and interviews. I'm sure there were better things Johnson could have done with his time than addressing a flippant remark made by a couple guys he's never heard of on a station he's probably never listened to.

Sure, people should be accountable for what they say on the air. But giving attention to anyone who makes controversial or idiotic comments is almost as reckless. After all, just because anyone can say anything on the air that doesn't necessarily make it newsworthy.

October 10, 2008  11:16 PM ET

I live in Minneapolis and have heard these two "radio hosts" in the past and plain and simply put...they are two **** who should be sacking groceries at a supermarket because that is about all they are qualified for.

October 10, 2008  11:35 PM ET

McCarver has always been known to shoot his mouth off, I remember even back in his playing days, but he is right about how Manny treated the Red Sox. If the dodgers lose watch Manny start the blame game

October 10, 2008  11:59 PM ET

And yet here you are talking about them. It is no-talent hack journalists like you AM who give them credit.

You must have done a fantastic job sorting through Pete Kings email to still be employed.

October 11, 2008  12:28 AM ET

Tim McCarver continues to be an idiot. I can't stand Manny and his issues but Tim McCarver opens his mouth and its news... Please... Remember when he blasted Dion Sanders for playing football and baseball for the Braves, his high and mighty condescending attitude during interviews has got to go. Come on Fox find someone else to replace McCarver. He out of touch with the game anyway.

October 11, 2008  04:58 AM ET

I don't get the motivation. Why would he fake such a thing?

October 11, 2008  06:26 AM ET

No offense Arash, but ASU dropouts should stick to writing about the "hot chicks" that go to games, and then go home w/ ASU grads...

October 11, 2008  09:11 AM ET

This is why he has his own website

http://www.shutuptimmccarver.com/

October 11, 2008  09:16 AM ET

I have also given up on hating McCarver, I just stopped listening to any Fox Broadcast he is part of. With a DVR and XM radio you can sync up the games to the Home team or Away teams radio broadcast. Unlike listening to McCarver it is very interesting listening to the different team annoucers call of the game,

October 11, 2008  09:29 AM ET

really would anyone believe some person just looking attention remark like this? No Magic Johnson doesnt have to even answere this questen........ wow how low the press is getting these days.

October 11, 2008  11:08 AM ET

It would be nice if people would be just as upset with the politicians in Washington who are turning us into a socialist nation as they are with McCarver. Go Tim, you are right on target

October 11, 2008  11:19 AM ET

Magic should just sue those guys

October 11, 2008  11:44 AM ET

tim mccarver is a poor excuse for anything.all he says is obvious things that anyone can state. why that "dispicable " piece of S$#% has a job is beyond reason. he has no knowledge of anything but repeating what we are all watching or already know. YOUR PATHETIC MCCARVER, NO ONE THINKS YOU HAVE ANY INTELLIGENCE OR TALENT.NOONE EVER DID. DONT FOOL YOURSELF. YOU MUST HAVE BLOWERS CRAMP,CUZ THATS THE ONLY WAY YOU GOT WHERE YOU ARE.

October 11, 2008  01:43 PM ET

Yeah, just let anybody say anything about you, don't respond, just let them talk... what, do you wear a skirt? Are you kidding? Words don't matter? Where are you from, dude? In America, words matter... somebody says something that evil about you, we respond. Go change your panty liner, Arash, something in here stinks, and it smells like it's coming from you.
Pathetic little b-

October 11, 2008  01:48 PM ET

McCarver is right. We never should let up on Manny for quitting on the team yet still taking his slaary. The piling on should never stop.

October 12, 2008  10:25 AM ET

Manny's behavior is a result of the what the Red Sox tolerated for years. I think McCarver really does not like Manny the person, not just Manny's behavior. Manny is like a kid, you let poor behavior go unpunished, a kid will push it to the next level until they do something that cannot be tolerated. Hell even assaulting another employee within the organization was tolerated by the Sox organization. I would have liked McCarver to mention what a shame it was that the Red Sox let his behavior go on for years without addressing it in any fashion which then ultimately led to behavior which could not be tolerated. But McCarver works for FOX and criticizing the Sox would probably get him in hot water.

 
Comment #16 has been removed

Comment

Remember to keep your posts clean. Profanity will get filtered, and offensive comments will be removed.


Send us feedback about the new site here Send us feedback about the new site here

Stub Hub

The 2008 schedule has been released. Search for tickets!

Truth & Rumors

MOST POPULAR

  1. 1
    Red Sox, Tigers talking deal
    Views
    10732
    Comments
    160
  2. 2
    T.O. stands by Cowboys criticism
    Views
    7520
    Comments
    145
  3. 3
    Notre Dame's bowl options
    Views
    9996
    Comments
    66
  4. 4
    Knicks make room for LeBron
    Views
    4628
    Comments
    62
  5. 5
    Marbury refuses to play, D'Antoni fumes
    Views
    7001
    Comments
    56

Most Active Users

Comments + Blog Posts + Throwdowns

  1. 1
    PimpyLooka
  2. 2
    bcoltrinari
  3. 3
    Epoch1
  4. 4
    Dyhard is PJ Hill
  5. 5
    Three Tracks In Dirt

Message Boards

  1. NCAAF > General NCAAF

    ALL OF TODAYS BLOWOUTS
    Views
    114
    Replies
    8
  2. NCAAF > General NCAAF

    Florida vs. Alabama
    Views
    58
    Replies
    5
  3. NCAAF > General NCAAF

    Politics vs a Playoff-which do…
    Views
    18
    Replies
    2

Blogs