July 20, 2010
Do you remember when The Worldwide Leader purchased BASS about a decade ago?
We had visions of Roland flinging Helicopter Lures on SportsCenter, dreams of Basil Bacon waking a blade in prime time, and fantasies of the first Lingerie Fish-Off.
ESPN placated us for a while. Now we’re nobodies again.
The proof is in the ESPYs
In 2002 and 2003, they awarded the ESPY for “Best Outdoor Sportsman” to KVD and Jay Yelas, respectively.
In 2004, it went to Tina Bosworth, a log roller. I could live with that, a little love for the timbersports crowd. Then in 2005, another splinter jockey, JR Salzman (lumberjack), took home the title. All was forgiven in 2006 when they created the “Best Angler” category, which WBT Angler Tammy Richardson took home. I don’t know if she would have been my choice, but hey, at least we had a home of our own.
In 2007, the category was switched to “Best Outdoor Athlete” which seemed a little bit odd to me. Note that it wasn’t “Best Outdoor Sportsman.” Does “outdoor athlete” refer to anyone who plays outside, thus eliminating only the NBA, most hockey and any baseball or football players who play in domes? I guess poker is out, too, although ESPN finds plenty of time to reward those dudes in the bad shades. The 2007 trophy went to Dean Karnazes, a marathoner who no doubt deserved a title of some sort, but why lump him in with us cast for cash types?
In 2008, it was still “Best Outdoor Athlete.” Even though a mountain climber won it, at least Skeet was nominated. We hadn’t quite been forgotten….
Actually, we had been forgotten. No category for us in 2009, no nominations. Same again this year.
Unless Drew Brees can flip a jig under a pier or
I’m just sayin’.
*Actually, the ESPY’s were given out last week. I’m a little slow.
