Starting off

One of my favorite quotes is "I do not agree with what you have to say, but I'll defend to the death your right to say it." While that may not be universally true, it is the reason we have the first amendment and the reason I can have this blog, to say whatever I want.

While a Voltaire reference may go over the head of most people, especially the sports fans I am attempting to reach, it is important to remember the only reason PTI and Around the Horn are successful is because society allows sports writers to be hypercritical even when writing "objectively." No one would ever allow a writer for the New York Times to show overt political bias in an article about Bush. That is the reason people view Fox News as a less than credible news source. Local sportswriters are the worst kind of hypocrites. They are masters at twisting words to achieve their own means.

While in the post game press conference for Brewers skipper Ned Yost, a local sports writer asked Yost about his starting pitcher Chris Capuano who had lost 10 straight decisions and 15 straight overall. That writer inquired as to how long Yost could stay with Cappy in the starting rotation. Not 5 minutes later that same writer was talking to that very pitcher. He had the nerve to say that SOMEONE in the press conference had brought up the issue of his spot in the rotation.

All the articles in the paper the next day were about the pitcher's precarious situation and the seemingly untenable position of Yost keeping Capuano in the line up. Certainly sports writers CAN say whatever they want. Yost did seem to hint that taking Capuano out of the rotation was a possibility, but sure enough that very next day Yost announced he would make his next start.

Sportswriters are the ultimate in applying the credo "Never let the facts get in the way of a good story." All you have to do is look at headlines. Most of verbiage is subjective language. This time of year with NFL training camps in full swing most of the football related articles are speculative evaluations of rookies and veterans alike.

Unfortunately for many, those are the only way the public can get that knowledge they seek. Everyone wants to know how their teams first round draft choice is doing. The Jaguars fans want desperately to learn that Reggie Nelson is ready to be the starting safety. Browns fans want Brady Quinn to be ready for September. The only way short of going to practice to find out if that is the case is to read local newspapers. The only problem is, no matter how many practices a sports writer has seen, he or she is still a sports WRITER, not a talent scout. It is a sports writers obligation to give the facts unless it is clear he or she is giving his or her opinion.

Now that I've gone on and on I will get to the point. This blog is my thoughts, my opinions, my feelings, as related to facts. I will do my best to research and present valid factual accounts of events, but the reason you have a blog is to give your opinion. If someone wants facts they read the Times (or a whatever your news source of choice may be)

Feel free to disagree with what I say; chances are, I'll disagree with you at some point. Let me know! Feedback, opinions, comments, they're always appreciated. We're started, let's roll