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Friday, April 04, 2008

The Big Lead: Newspaper Buyouts Come in Threes

Or…how Murray Chass finally got tossed out of Mnook-in High.

Somebody, somewhere, once stated that major events happen in threes, and in the sports newspaper world, a sad trifecta is about to take place: On the heels of Chicago Tribune NBA encyclopedia Sam Smith taking a buyout, and Boston Globe sports staple Jackie MacMullan doing the same, multiple sources tell us that venerable New York Times baseball scribe Murray Chass is in the final stages of accepting a buyout.

Multiple sources say that Chass’s impending departure is involuntary (read: He doesn’t want to leave, but they want him out), and about 98 percent done. We emailed New York Times sports editor Tom Jolly to get confirmation, but have not heard back. Sources we spoke with anticipate Smith and MacMullan quickly being snapped up by online entities for their impeccable sources and the ability to break news; the sources are unsure whether or not Chass will be as fortunate.

Thanks to Can’t Stop the Bleeding...of gushing newspaper deaths.

Repoz Posted: April 04, 2008 at 01:08 AM | 13 comment(s) | Login to Bookmark
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1. Bruce Markusen Posted: April 04, 2008 at 02:00 AM (#2730085)

Without getting into the whole Chass vs. SABR debate, I think there's some cosmic justice here. This is the same Murray Chass who tried to prevent his colleague at the Times, Joseph Durso, from receiving the Hall of Fame's Spink Award several years back. When it appeared that Durso would receive the award, Durso and at least two other writers led a campaign to try to make sure that Durso did not win the award. It struck me as one of the most mean-spirited things that someone could ever do, especially to someone representing the same newspaper.

Durso ended up winning the award, as did Chass several years ago. Well, I guess they got one of the selections right.

2. Frank McCourt's Gold Stars are in bankruptcy court Posted: April 04, 2008 at 03:02 AM (#2730105)

Shirley Povich, our nation turns its lonely eyes to you.
Woo woo woo.

3. Lassus: Posted: April 04, 2008 at 03:39 AM (#2730114)

Wasn't Kornheiser talking today on PTI about HIM being bought out by the Post?

4. jwb Posted: April 04, 2008 at 05:06 AM (#2730148)

Gold Star, That Shirley Povich bio is awful. Here's a better one. Even this doesn't quite do him justice, but it's an improvement. He had similar job offers from Ned McLean (WaPo) and Joseph Pulitzer (NYPo), both of whom had summer homes in Bar Harbor (Povich's family ran a used furniture store there and Shirley caddied at the local golf course). Shirley chose the DC offer because he had two brothers who worked for the government and had an apartment there. Best sports columnist I have ever had the pleasure to read.

5. schuey Posted: April 04, 2008 at 08:42 AM (#2730178)

Murray Chass is a bigot with an intense dislike for Christian players holding voluntary prayer meetings and teams holding Christian music nights after ball games. I am only surprised that he isn't being named to the Times editorial board.

6. bob gaj Posted: April 04, 2008 at 11:02 AM (#2730190)

well, he does have one benefit from this - at least he'll be able to spend some more time down at hot bagels..

sam smith tends to have more rumors in a month than peter gammons would in a year. that's not a positive. and he is (was) cranky towards blogs [url="http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sports/basketball/bulls/askthewriter/cs-070214asksamsmith,1,4765986.story?coll=cs-bulls-headlines"]
(click here) [/url]

7. villageidiom Posted: April 04, 2008 at 11:07 AM (#2730192)

When it appeared that Durso would receive the award, Durso and at least two other writers led a campaign to try to make sure that Durso did not win the award.

Durso = Marklar?

8. Vaux, A.B.D. Posted: April 04, 2008 at 11:10 AM (#2730193)

If what Schuey says is true, that's one good thing about Chass.

9. TOLAXOR Posted: April 04, 2008 at 11:58 AM (#2730223)

VAUX,

I SEE WHAT YOU DID THERE, THE DELICIOUS IRONY OF YOUR POST-MODERN APPLICATION OF TOLERANCE!!!

JUST FOR THE RECORD - PEOPLE TOLAXOR IS INTOLERANT OF? PAT SUMMERALL, MICHAEL STIPE, GRUNGE MUSICIANS, AND PEOPLE WHO DRIVE IN THE SNOW LIKE THEIR SUV'S DON'T OBEY THE LAWS OF PHYSICS!!!

I AM GUILTY, I AM PREJUDICED!!!

10. Dr Love Posted: April 04, 2008 at 12:11 PM (#2730242)

Wasn't Kornheiser talking today on PTI about HIM being bought out by the Post?

Yes, he said he got a buyout offer and was considering it. I didn't realize he was still employed there with all the other work he does.

11. Jolly Old St. Neck Wound, Moral Idiot

Posted: April 04, 2008 at 12:18 PM (#2730253)

Kornheiser writes approximately 75 words a day for the Post, several times a week, essentially a condensation of what he said on PTI the night before. He doesn't have either a sports column or a Style column any more. Which is no loss, since his virtues are much more apparent on PTI and the radio than they ever were in print.

12. Shooty: Applying to be Fearless Leader

Posted: April 04, 2008 at 12:44 PM (#2730280)

If what Schuey says is true, that's one good thing about Chass.

I proclaim Vaux the hero of this thread. Who has given me the right to proclaim who is a hero and who is not?

Yes.

13. karkface killah Posted: April 04, 2008 at 07:18 PM (#2730785)

The Tribune Sports page has gone to sh*t in the past ten years. Hopefully Smith and his Monday "Geez, lemme make up some crappy Eddy Curry trade rumors" waste-of-space columns leaving will improve it.

The best thing about Smith's lame Monday columns is that, even though he filled an entire column once a week during the season with made-up trades, he whiffed on the Curry and Chandler deals.

Smith's favorite subject his last 8 years was his own rumors. Good riddance.

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The Big Lead: Newspaper Buyouts Come in Threes

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