http://disqus.com/by/MKBKF/enSat, 18 Jul 2009 18:43:48 -0000https://www.staatalent.com/Headlines/09/07/17padres.htm#comment-12890926<p>It is refreshing to see a sports writer, who agrees with me, that Mark Grant too often acts like a clown. However, I would add to what you wrote, that Grant not only over does the clown routine when the games are dull, but does his tired act at some point during EVERY game. Some playfulness or comic relief can add to the entertainment value of a game but because he is a class clown show off he doesn't know when enough is enough.</p><p>Also, I differ from you concerning his skill as an analyst. Granted, like all players with major league experience he is able to offer some insights but too often he offers too much commentary, apparently because he needs so much attention and especially validation! The quantity of his insights, would perhaps be acceptable if they didn't distract from the game, as they do, or if they were as perceptive as the insights offered by other analysts such as Tony Gwynn and Bob Scanlan. An example of Grants less perceptive analysis, is the claim he made in a recent broadcast that the Padres right field fence should not be moved in, because other ball parks have outfields as deep or deeper than Petco Park. This view is ridiculous, when you consider the fact that the Padres production on the road has been much better then their production at home, since the construction of Petco Park. This disparity shows that Petco Park doesn't just favor pitching but that the advantage to the pitcher is extreme! It isn't just the distance of the right field wall, that inhibits even the good hitters it is also a fact that the ball doesn't carry very well. Several major league ball players have complained about the difficulty of hitting in Petco Park. Tape measure home run hitter Barry Bonds referred to Petco Park as the Grand Canyon and Adrian Gonzalez has been so bothered by the unfairness of the park to hitters, that he escorted former CEO of the Padres Sandy Alderson into the outfield one day, to make his case. I believe that Padres and other players have provided better insight concerning this issue than the EX pitcher in the booth who may have shown more bias than perceptive analysis.</p>MKBKFSat, 18 Jul 2009 18:43:48 -0000