You can't beat the local beat
UPDATED: Wednesday, July 16, 2008
CHIP SHOT
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You can't beat the local beat
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I recently read an online article by Pat Jordan on Slate (slate.com) about the trouble with sports journalism today.
Jordan has been a sports writer for over 40 years and has spent much of his career writing for Sports Illustrated and other national magazines, where he often did athlete profiles.
Back in the day, as Jordan explained, he could call up any athlete no matter how famous (Mets Hall of Fame pitcher Tom Seaver is the prime example) and the athlete would be happy to talk with Jordan and get the publicity. Seaver even had Jordan over to his house and grilled him steaks.
Back then the writers and athletes realized that sports writing was a two-way street. Writers needed the athletes to talk to them to get stories for their editors, and athletes needed the free publicity to get sponsorship deals and heighten their popularity. And, accordingly, each treated the other with dignity and respect.
