E:60 Season Premiere

ESPN has grown over the last 15 years into a media empire. As they continue to expand, cranking out daytime shows, multiple channels, and expansive radio coverage, the thing I have enjoyed the most is their commitment to true journalism through the "E:60" series and the documentaries presented in their "30 for 30" line.

E:60 premiered the first episode of its new season last night, and it was phenomenal. The story of Ryan Westmoreland hits home for me; the kid was a baseball player that only wanted to be a pro for his hometown team. Growing up in St. Louis, most kids have that dream and it is hardly ever realized, but for Westmoreland, it was a real possibility. As a fifth round pick of the Boston Red Sox, Westmoreland was quickly rising through their minor league system as an 18-year old, but a strange growth on his brainstem thwarted his dream. He could have died in surgery, but is now working his way back into baseball, albeit battling his fine motor skills. The ultimate story of courage and strength.

Ryan Westmoreland,  courtesy of: Projo

There were a couple of very interesting and redeeming stories of Dwayne Wade and his mother's struggles, as well as the story of Anil Kane, an aspiring golfer from the slums of Mumbai, India. Wade's mother battled through heroin, crack, and alcohol addictions to become a Baptist minister in inner-city Chicago. Kane lives on less than $2 per day, dropped out of high school in the 9th grade to become a caddy at an upscale club, and earns less than $900 a year, but still has dreams of becoming the next great Indian golfer.

Preview of Mumbai Masters

Courtesy of: YouTube

The story that was really outstanding was a piece by Chris Connelly about Christina-Taylor Green, the youngest victim in the Tucson shootings in January. Green was the granddaughter of Dallas Green, a World Series champion manager for the Philadelphia Phillies in 1980. Her father also works as an advanced scout for the Dodgers, making this a sports family. However, it was Christina's ambition as a little leaguer that connects this story to our sports world. She was a symbol of courage, hope, and competitive nature. The story is outstanding an I encourage everyone to take a look at it; it will bring you to your knees.

Christina-Taylor Green, courtesy of: CSU Pueblo Today

From a journalistic standpoint, ESPN does a great job with this series. The interviews brings questions from every angle, and most of the stories come full circle. However, there were a couple things in this first episode that I had a problem with. On two separate occasions, interviews were distracting because the camera was moving. It happened during the Ryan Westmoreland piece during an interview with Theo Epsetin (GM of the Boston Red Sox) and also during the interview with Jolinda Wade. The camera was shaky, zooming in and out, and it was very distracting. For such powerful stories, such minor mistakes cannot be made. The soundbites were important to the story, but I couldn't focus on what was being said because of the movement.