Not that I’m an avid reader of Phil Mushnick, but I thought this was interesting today…

Monday, as several readers noted, ESPNews conducted phone interviews with some of Puckett’s distraught ex-teammates. As they spoke, the photo that appeared on the ESPN Mobile screen was Puckett’s. That’s right, shortly after learning of Puckett’s death, ESPN used him to sell ESPN cell phones.

That’s… that’s just not good. I really haven’t noticed if ESPN does the same thing for everyone they interview via telephone, but you know… you can’t put a dead guy’s picture on your cell phone. If you’re interviewing Kent Hrbek, put his picture in there. If you’re interviewing Gary Gaetti, put his picture in there. You can’t use Kirby Puckett’s picture to promote your cell phone. You just can’t. I don’t care how few people are buying it.

Mushnick also notes that a company called Stiner Sports, just hours after Kirby’s death, sent an e-mail to their customers selling baseball’s with Kirby’s Autograph for $800. “The sports world has lost a great one,” and Steiner Sports “still has five Batting Champ balls that have his signature.”

Just disgusting.