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Friday, August 27, 2010

Moser: On Jay Mariotti: After I Get Sick I Just Get Sad

And Then I Got Even.

That’s a rare hatred. And it’s really ####### sad all around, both that it got to this point, and that Mariotti fed off it to the extent that his last real star turn revolved around an almost citywide hostility. Not surprising—I knew from the minute I heard Mariotti had been arrested that a shitstorm of grim joy would follow—just bottomlessly horrid.

And I think something else is going on. Mariotti’s style—loud, hectoring, and aggressive—is on its way out. There’s a revenge of the nerds happening in the genre. Thoughtful statheads like Nate Silver, Christina Kahrl, and Rob Neyer are ascendant, as baseball fans nerd out over articles like an analysis of Mariano Rivera’s mastery complete with a data-based multimedia presentation. Even a master of traditional, elegiac literary sports journalism like Joe Posnanski is well-versed in the arcane numerology of baseball. The swaggering, two-fisted, TV shouter is burning out, as was probably inevitable. It stopped being fun, if it ever was, and the knives are out.

Mariotti hasn’t just been abandoned by colleagues and readers, he’s been left behind by sportswriting, like the mirror of a Deford or Updike creation, and this story is about as depressing. He spent so long trafficking in joyless, wearying schadenfreude, and is now surrounded by the ghosts of his own spiteful history. There are lessons here, in writing and life, but no glee.

Repoz Posted: August 27, 2010 at 08:19 PM | 21 comment(s) Login to Bookmark
Tags: announcers, media, sabermetrics, television

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1. Bring Me the Head of Alfredo Griffin (Vlad) Posted: August 27, 2010 at 09:10 PM (#3628036)

There are lessons here, in writing and life, but no glee.

I think there's at least a little glee.

Taking joy from Mariotti's pain might get old if/when he dies. But even then, I kind of doubt it.

2. Hang down your head, Tom Foley Posted: August 27, 2010 at 09:20 PM (#3628065)

Taking joy from Mariotti's pain might get old if/when he dies. But even then, I kind of doubt it.

It depends on how he dies.

3. thread killer Posted: August 27, 2010 at 09:28 PM (#3628078)

Let me know when Skip Bayless's 15 min's are up.

4. robinred

Posted: August 27, 2010 at 09:30 PM (#3628082)

And I think something else is going on. Mariotti’s style—loud, hectoring, and aggressive—is on its way out. There’s a revenge of the nerds happening in the genre. Thoughtful statheads like Nate Silver, Christina Kahrl, and Rob Neyer are ascendant, as baseball fans nerd out over articles like an analysis of Mariano Rivera’s mastery complete with a data-based multimedia presentation. Even a master of traditional, elegiac literary sports journalism like Joe Posnanski is well-versed in the arcane numerology of baseball. The swaggering, two-fisted, TV shouter is burning out, as was probably inevitable. It stopped being fun, if it ever was, and the knives are out.

Hmmm. This is obviously true to an extent, but I think there will always be a place for bombthrowers, in the media and in politics.

Michael Miner on Mariotti, from the piece: Jocks despised him. Readers despised him. His colleagues despised him.

5. Sam Hutcheson is the Rickey Henderson of... Posted: August 27, 2010 at 09:32 PM (#3628085)

Hmmm. This is obviously true to an extent, but I think there will always be a place for bombthrowers, in the media and in politics.

Christ, I sure hope so.

6. RJ in TO Posted: August 27, 2010 at 09:34 PM (#3628092)

Michael Miner on Mariotti, from the piece: Jocks despised him. Readers despised him. His colleagues despised him.

Especially Ebert.

7. robinred

Posted: August 27, 2010 at 09:37 PM (#3628096)

Especially Ebert.

Yeah. The piece also quotes Rick Telander at length, and a couple of other guys. Apparently Mariotti's writing is truly an extension of his personality.

8. Greg Goosen at 30 Posted: August 27, 2010 at 09:38 PM (#3628099)

Mariotti and his loud, hectoring and aggressive style can always get him a job on MSDNC with Olbermann, Matthews and Maddow.

9. robinred

Posted: August 27, 2010 at 09:46 PM (#3628112)

I am thinking GG at 30, like "Phenomenal Smith", is a parody.

10. Dewey, Steven Wright Wannabe and Soupuss Posted: August 27, 2010 at 09:49 PM (#3628116)

Yeah. The piece also quotes Rick Telander at length, and a couple of other guys. Apparently Mariotti's writing is truly an extension of his personality.

The Sun-Times staff openly celebrated when Mariotti left. The headline the next day was (I'm not kidding) "HE GONE: Readers react to Mariotti". They put together a quick campaign telling those who had stopped reading because of Mariotti that it was okay to come back.

11. Dewey, Steven Wright Wannabe and Soupuss Posted: August 27, 2010 at 09:51 PM (#3628121)

Incidentally, today is the two-year anniversary of Mariotti's resignation/firing from the Sun-Times.

12. Jarrod HypnerotomachiaPoliphili(Teddy F. Ballgame) Posted: August 27, 2010 at 09:52 PM (#3628122)

Rachel Maddow has a loud, hectoring and aggressive style?

13. SoSHially Unacceptable Posted: August 27, 2010 at 09:55 PM (#3628128)

Don't encourage him Teddy.

14. TerpNats Posted: August 27, 2010 at 09:55 PM (#3628130)

Mariotti and his loud, hectoring and aggressive style can always get him a job on MSDNC with Olbermann, Matthews and Maddow.

Anyone who's read Olbermann's blog at mlb.com knows he probably would have nothing to do with Mariotti.

I wonder if anyone can tell me more about Dave Egan, the acerbic Boston writer and Mariotti of his time; he once wrote the driver who hit Braves manager Casey Stengel did the most to help Boston baseball that year. I understand Egan later fell on hard times, and Stengel actually showed some concern for him.

15. Bring Me the Head of Alfredo Griffin (Vlad) Posted: August 27, 2010 at 10:05 PM (#3628142)

I am thinking GG at 30, like "Phenomenal Smith", is a parody.

Only now, you are thinking this?

16. Flynn Posted: August 27, 2010 at 10:05 PM (#3628143)

Here is a brief excerpt from Leigh Montville's Ted Williams bio about Egan. He sounds considerably more likable than Mariotti.

17. Rich Rifkin Posted: August 28, 2010 at 04:03 AM (#3628408)

A domestic abuser is not a hero in any arena. When a group of crude, drunken fans in Boston taunted (Jason Kidd) with chants of "Wife Beater! Wife Beater!" last week, I felt bad that Kidd's wife, Joumana, and the couple's 3-year-old son, T.J., had to endure such courtside harassment. Victims of violence shouldn't be subjected to cruel reminders.

That said, did I feel bad for Kidd? Not really. This is the baggage he inherited, the scrutiny that never will fade.

--Jay Mariotti, Domestic Violence Activist

Do as I say, not as I do.

18. base ball chick Posted: August 28, 2010 at 04:53 AM (#3628441)

robinred Posted: August 27, 2010 at 05:46 PM (#3628112)

I am thinking GG at 30, like "Phenomenal Smith", is a parody.

- i don't know bout GG, but Phenominal Smith is NOT a parody, he's for real. i know. he's shown up on my blog (not for 3 or 4 years now) and on other astros boards.

19. Phil Coorey. Posted: August 28, 2010 at 09:46 AM (#3628491)

So the author of the article is a Hold Steady fan? Awesome

oh - and #### you Mariotti

20. Matt Clement of Alexandria Posted: August 28, 2010 at 11:02 AM (#3628499)

- i don't know bout GG, but Phenominal Smith is NOT a parody, he's for real. i know. he's shown up on my blog (not for 3 or 4 years now) and on other astros boards.

I mean, I believe you, but the claim that Phenomenal Smith was a parody isn't just based on his posting style. Dan S. revealed after one of Phenomenal's political hijack posts that he was actually another BTF poster (a liberal) putting everyone on.

21. robinred

Posted: August 29, 2010 at 02:16 AM (#3628946)

Only now, you are thinking this?

The Reds' four-game lead has left me too giddy to think either straight or quickly.

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Friday, August 27, 2010

Moser: On Jay Mariotti: After I Get Sick I Just Get Sad

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