Root Sports keeps whiffing
Everyone’s talking about yesterday’s Rockies / Indians game that nobody saw.
Read more
Root Sports, the television home of your Colorado Rockies, appears not to care much about Rockies fans.
First, the network failed to renew the contract of Tom Helmer, the incredibly popular host of the Rockies pre and post-game shows who was known for his antics and for his close relationship with Rox faithful. Tom was replaced by Joel Klatt. Klatt might do a fantastic job, but he will never replace Helmer. In fact, if he tries to jump up on the desk and replicate Helmer’s routine he will look like a moron. The move could only have been motivated by money. Klatt will work for less of it. Take it to the bank.
South Stands Denver and 5280 Shirt Shop held a farewell rally for Helmer earlier this year at the Blake Street Tavern.
Now Root is under fire for failing to broadcast Spring Training games – including Sunday’s match-up with the Cleveland Indians at Salt River Fields. The game was not free of drama, as you might have heard. While the Rockies were playing Root was broadcasting a very random College Baseball game. Why? Again, follow the money. The network was obviously being compensated for carrying a game nobody in Colorado cared to see. How ever many dollars it was able to generate meant more than the wishes of Rockies fans.
Today Root is airing the Rockies pre-season game against the Mariners – but not live. It’s on a tape delay. It’s almost impossible to fathom.
Root is off to a pretty shabby start in 2012. Let’s hope the team they are entrusted to broadcast gets out of the gates better.
