This from the “ChattaBox” blog in Philadelphia about a story we brought you last week:
A private swim club in suburban Philadelphia, besieged with charges of racism and national negative media attention, has decided to reinstate the membership of a group of minority campers who were refunded their money and told not to return, after swimming at the pool on the first day of their membership.
The Creative Steps day camp in Northeastern Philadelphia, contracted with the Valley Swim Club in Huntingdon Valley for its 65 minority campers to use the club’s pool for 90 minutes every Monday afternoon throughout the summer.
However, once the minority children arrived to swim at the mostly white pool, the children overhead racial slurs directed towards them and the white parents removed their children from the pool. Days later, club president, John Duesler returned the money to Creative Steps day camp and asked them not to return.
National outrage ensued over the Valley Swim Club’s actions, after Duesler issued a statement indicating racism was at play in booting minority children from the pool. “There was concern that a lot of kids would change the complexion … and the atmosphere of the club,” said Duesler.
Community organizers formed protests at the club deriding its racism and the state Human Relations Commission is conducting an investigation into the pool’s actions. U.S. Sen. Arlen Specter, D-Pa., asked the U.S. Department of Justice to investigate into the matter.
Amid the harsh media attention and upcoming investigation into unlawful racism, pool members called a meeting on Sunday and voted unanimously to reinstate the memberships of the Creative Steps day camp and two other camps.
Amy Goldman, a member of the pool club for two-years, rejected claims made by the Valley Swim Club that it had a diverse and multi-ethnic membership, commenting that she has not seen a black member at the pool this year.
Creative Steps day camp director Alethea Wright was not available to comment on Sunday evening, but previously announced that Girard College, a private Philadelphia boarding school, had offered the use of its outdoor pool to the campers, after being kicked out by the Valley Swim Club.
Meanwhile, parents of the minority campers may be unwilling to return their children to a facility that humiliated and hurt the campers with insensitive racial remarks.
Gee, you think? I can’t believe that parents wouldn’t want their kids to return to the place they were shunned from because of the color of their skin. Face it, Valley Swim Club – you’re toast.
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Speechless. Dumbfounded. Appalled. Sickened.
This story is so appalling, it speaks for itself.
From the Philadelphia Inquirer:
More than 60 campers from Northeast Philadelphia were turned away from a private swim club and left to wonder if their race was the reason.
"I heard this lady, she was like, 'Uh, what are all these black kids doing here?' She's like, 'I'm scared they might do something to my child,'" said camper Dymire Baylor.
The Creative Steps Day Camp paid more than $1900 to The Valley Swim Club. The Valley Swim Club is a private club that advertises open membership. But the campers' first visit to the pool suggested otherwise.
"When the minority children got in the pool all of the Caucasian children immediately exited the pool," Horace Gibson, parent of a day camp child, wrote in an email. "The pool attendants came and told the black children that they did not allow minorities in the club and needed the children to leave immediately."
The next day the club told the camp director that the camp's membership was being suspended and their money would be refunded.
"I said, 'The parents don't want the refund. They want a place for their children to swim,'" camp director Aetha Wright said.
Campers remain unsure why they're no longer welcome.
"They just kicked us out. And we were about to go. Had our swim things and everything," said camper Simer Burwell.
The explanation they got was either dishearteningly honest or poorly worded.
"There was concern that a lot of kids would change the complexion … and the atmosphere of the club," John Duesler, President of The Valley Swim Club said in a statement.
Changing the “complexion” or “atmosphere” of the club? I don’t even know what to say. I’m speechless. By the way, if you would like to contact The Valley Swim Club, please feel free. Their number is (215) 947-0700.
Friday, June 26, 2009
Monday I had the chance to play in Davey Nelson’s first annual charity golf event at Blackwolf Run in Kohler…more on that in a minute.
What you see from Davey Nelson isn’t always what you get. Nelson spent 10 years as a Major League player from 1968-1977 and began his coaching career in 1981 with the Chicago White Sox. His resume also includes coaching stints in Montreal, Oakland, and Cleveland, and he was the Brewers first-base coach from 2003-2006.
Today, Davey is Craig Coshun’s analyst on Fox Sports Wisconsin’s “Brewers Live” and works in the team’s front office as their Director of Alumni Affairs and heads up their speaker’s bureau.
That’s what the resume says. What it never touches are the hearts that he does.
Davey sits on the Board of Directors for Open Arms School for Children in South Africa, an orphanage that takes in kids who have lost their parents due to the scourge of AIDS in that part of the world. Davey doesn’t donate so much of himself for a tax write-off or for publicity. Davey Nelson saw a need and rolled up his sleeves and asked “what can I do?”
Today we see so many empty gestures done for publicity’s sake. Too many athletes and entertainers simply show up for the photo op, then they cop out of the goodwill they claim to engender. They get their picture in a newsletter, get the tax write-off, and never think about their charity again. We see it all the time. But how many of them travel to the other side of the world to a disease-infested area to try to just do some good, as Davey has done on numerous occasions.
It’s refreshing to know that there is at least someone that couldn’t care less that I’m writing this about him. Because for Davey Nelson, it’s truly not about him, it’s about the kids.
Friday, June 19, 2009
Off to Cooperstown?
You probably have never heard of Steve Wilstein. Until today, neither had I - or I had at least forgotten about him.
Wilstein was a feature writer for the Associated Press in 1998 when he was assigned the task of writing about the great home run chase between Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa. There he was, in the Cardinals clubhouse, when he discovered a bottle he did not recognize among the trinkets usually found in a players locker. Among the family pictures, caps, gum, and the like was a small, brown bottle with a long, ominous looking word he had never seen before.
Androsteindione.
Steve asked everyone about it. McGwire himself dismissed it as 'no big deal'. The Cardinals PR staff laughed it off telling the veteran journalist that it was 'nothing'.
However, his own research uncovered the truth: That "Andro" had been banned by the NFL, NCAA, and by the Olympics. A chemist friend of his said that it was every bit an anabolic steroid as he had seen, but for whatever reason it was not yet classified as such by the federal government.
Steve was the first person to ask the tough questions and to actually do some investigative journalism in the steroid case. For this, he is under consideration for the Taylor Spink Award, given annually to the writer that is to be enshrined into the National Baseball Hall of Fame.
Is this one act alone enough to get him in Cooperstown?
I say NO, and here's why.
Steve, while doing the sport a favor by exposing the truth, would only serve as an homage to an era in which there is nothing to celebrate - at least in hindsight.
The Hall of Fame should be for those that not only were great at baseball, but also for those that transcended the sport. Whether that is Robin Yount for playing, Bob Uecker for broadcasting, or Tracy Ringolsby for writing,
One act, while important, does not make someone a Hall of Famer.
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Stallworth v. Vick
Donte Stallworth yesterday was sentenced to 30 days in jail for killing a man. Michael Vick was sentenced to 2 years because he killed some dogs. That's the argument, right?
Except the two cases have almost nothing in common.
Let me begin by saying that Stallworth got off light. 30 days for killing a pedestrian while driving drunk is a crime that needs to have some sort of real punishment. 30 days in jail is beyond absurd and an insult to the value of life. Then again, I also think Vick got off light.
"But Doug, Stallworth killed a human being, and they're just dogs that Vick killed!"
I've heard that tired, played line of reasoning far, far too much this week. Here's the difference: Donte Stallworth did something that many of you have done in our past. He had too much to drink and then got behind the wheel of a car. Criminal? Without question. But did he intend to hurt anyone? Of course not.
The difference is intent.
From what I know, it has never been in Donte Stallworth's heart to hurt anyone. Man, woman, child, 59-year old construction worker.
On the other hand, there was so mcuh malice and evil in Michael Vick's heart, he tortured a living breathing being. Yes, they were "just" dogs, and not a human being. But I would submit to you that there are some dogs, such as service animals (seeing eye-dogs, rescue dogs, etc...) that do far more for society than **some** human beings.
The difference is malice. The difference is intent. So the next time you hear someone debate Vick vs. Stallworth you can be the smartest guy (or girl) in the room and walk away. Because they have nothing to do with each other.
Friday, June 12, 2009
The Next Greatest Thing
You know you transcend your genre as a public figure when you are known by just your first name. Madonna. Angelina. Oprah. Justin. Mariah. In sports we have LeBron, Michael, Kobe, and Tiger.
Dwight? Not yet.
Maybe it’s a matter of his name being rather common (do YOU know anyone else named "LeBron?"). For fans of NBC’s "The Office", Dwight is their most recognized character (sorry, Steve Carrell).
Dwight Howard is 23 years old. If you listen to the radio show, you know that I think he’ll be considered one of the greatest talents at his position (if he stays healthy) by the time his career is over. After all, Dwight is just 23 years old, the youngest player to be named the NBA’s Defensive Player of the Year.
But Dwight Howard is still just that: Dwight Howard.
For Dwight to be simply "Dwight" he has to learn how to be a better offensive threat. Never has that been more evident than in this Finals series with Kobe and the Lakers. Why I believe that someday Dwight Howard will be able to drop his surname someday…because unlike most elite athletes, he KNOWS what he has to do, and will work as hard as he has to – to accomplish his goal.
And then, watch out world…here’s DWIGHT.
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Doug vs. Tom
Yesterday we had the notion of getting former Marquette coach Tom Crean on the program to talk about Brewers draftee Eric Arnett. Arnett, you see, played for Crean last season at Indiana as well as for baseball coach Tracy Smith. To be more precise, Arnett was a practice player who just loved the game and Crean allowed him to be with the team. Our thought was that this would be a nice, fluffy, "hey, how’s Milwaukee?" kind of interview.
Nope.
Apparently because of "disparaging remarks" that I evidently made about Coach Crean in (of all places) the Bucks media room, he declined to be interviewed on the radio. I suppose that is his prerogative, but I find it amusing that he cannot – even one year removed from telling Marquette that they’re not good enough for him – face anything other than an interview in where he is fawned over.
When Tom Crean was at Marquette, he was the boss. Judge, jury, and executioner. Maybe that’s the way it has to be in college sports. But Tom Crean will never be able to do what his successor does: accept criticism and if warranted, learn from his mistakes. Judging by the comments left on my Facebook page (some names used NOT by me to describe Crean: snake, thin-skinned, 3rd-grader, lame – and those are just the ones I can repeat)
For the record, I don’t deny that I said whatever got back to Crean. I probably did. I do wonder who his mole in the Bucks media room, though. And while it is obvious that Tom Crean still has some loyal minions here in Milwaukee, it is equally obvious he has those that are just glad he is finally gone.
Coghlan's home run was caught Wednesday night by a Milwaukee Brewers fan who refers to himself as "The Happy Youngster" and claims on his blog to have caught nearly 50 homers.
And while Coghlan said the fan was willing to give the ball back, the man's original asking price was a lot higher than the Marlins rookie outfielder anticipated.
"He wasn't the most polite or respectful guy about the whole process," Coghlan said Thursday. "He told me he goes around a lot and catches these balls and holds them for ransom — even though he doesn't say that he does, it seems that way."
But the fan, Nick Yohanek, insisted Coghlan could have been more respectful to him.
"I explained that ball hawking is my hobby and that what I was asking in return was fair," Yohanek said Thursday, in an e-mail to The Associated Press. "I told him I make $50,000 a year working in law enforcement and that I didn't feel like I was asking for too much. He responded, 'Good for you.' Real classy. Way to respect law enforcement. Way to respect a fan."
First of all, "The Happy Youngster" is under no legal obligation to fork over the ball for any price. If he wants to keep it, that is his prerogative. That having been said, there was a right way - and a wrong way - to handle this. Unfortunately, it appears the WRONG way was handled by both sides.
First of all, the Marlins are under the microscope for strong-arming Nick...or at least trying to. Don't get into a PR battle on the road, because you're never, ever going to win. Locally no, nationally yes. As I write this, on FOXSports.com, Coghlin's story was deemed more believable by 73% of the 16,604 poll respondents.
As for Nick, (full disclosure - I've met Nick on several occasions, and he is a regular listener to our radio shows. He has donated to the WSSP Toy Drive, and has been very supportive of what we do) the only piece of advice I would give him is to stop asking for equipment of other players - in this case, a Hanley Ramirez bat. First of all, Chris Coghlin is a rookie just trying to make his way through the Majors. The last thing he needs to do is beg for a bat from his All-Star teammate.
But moreover, it sets a really bad tone. As in "you're not good enough - get me his bat, too." It's just off-putting. It's like meeting Mike Wickett at a bar and asking him to get you Gary Ellerson's autograph. Just bad form.
What do I think is fair compensation? One signed Chris Coghlin bat (NOT the one he used for the home run) and one picture with Coghlin himself. Maybe if you're going to see the Marlins on the road, a couple of tickets would be a nice throw in (it's not like they're ever sold out). But that's it. That is fair compensation. But, Nick can do what he pleases with the ball. If he wants more, he has that option. But he also has to know that the more attention he draws to himself, the harder his ball hawking passion will become.
Players talk. One final piece of advice for "THY" - watch it, because when players that feel (rightly or wrongly) that they've been burned, talk, they'll say to "watch out for the guy in the yellow shirt. Don't throw him anything."
Just play it cool - like Waukesha's Erinn Lobdell on 'Survivor' - lay low and you just might come out on top.
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Tweet!
I'm Twittering now. Or is it Tweeting? Well, whatever it is, as long as you don't call me a twit, we're cool.
First it was athletes having their own websites. The it was the Blog (short for "web log" - as in a written account from the player/entertainer him/herself. Then it was MySpace, which allowed for the YouTube "Vlog" - or video log. However, since MySpace is so 2006, it was then on to Facebook.
Now, it's Twitter.
Charlie Villanueva really brought Twitter to the forefront a couple of months ago in the Bucks win over the Celtics. His halftime "tweet" was the one that reverberated througout the NBA. It became a matter of technology vs. respect of the game; connecting with your fans vs. focusing on the task at hand. And while it wasn't the end of the world by a longshot, we were put on notice that the way those in the public eye communicated with the public was changing.
So, if you are so inclined, I can be found (or is it followed...which is kind of cyber-creepy, but nevertheless) at http://www.twitter.com/1250dougrussell.
I'll Tweet you soon!
Saturday, April 25, 2009
The Sizzler Strikes!
Well, well, well...so Ted Thompson trades up and drafts Clay Matthews with the #26 overall selection? He drafts based on need and not the supposed "best player available" in B.J. Raji?
I've got nothing. I need to lie down. I'll have more tomorrow. Ted might just be starting to change my mind about him...
Friday, May 15, 2009 The Angry Youngster?
Major League rules state that if you catch a ball in the stands, it is yours to keep. But what if that ball has some personal historical significance for the player that hit the ball?
Case in point: Wednesday night at the Brewers - Marlins game in the case of Chris Coghlan vs. Nick Yohanek.
From the AP:
Thursday, April 23, 2009
The "Done" Club
Over the last several days, some so-called Brewers "fans" have been so pessimistic about the prospects for the 2009 season that they have taken upon themselves to join the "Done Club" - prompted by Tim and Sparky here on SportsRadio1250.com.
If you are in the Dumb Club I feel sorry for you. The Brewers may or may not make the playoffs this season, but barring major injury, they will be competitive. If the Brewers can pattern themselves after the A's or Twins, I think most Brewers fans will be satisfied. But to think that this team is going to go on a Yankees late 1990's run is unrealistic. The Twins are looked at as the gold standard of small market teams because of their success. The Twins have had a run of four postseason appearances in the last decade. But also in that last 10 years, Minnesota has had four losing seasons.
How have Brewers fans become so spoiled? Do you not remember the mid to late-1990's? Have we all forgotten the lost year of 2002 and its 106 losses? That's when Doug Melvin took over. In 6 years, the Brewers went from doormat to playoff contestant.
Get some perspective, people. Right now, you are nothing more than the lunatic fringe. Good riddance.
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Journalism in College - DOA
I came across this article today, and it sickened me. The "thought police" have run rampant throughout our history, but I'll let it speak for itself. The story comes to us from TCU's "The Daily Skiff" and is written by student reporter Jordan Smith.
-----------------------------
Reporters are sometimes asked to share their opinions, but a student reporter may be on the hook for giving his.
Brian Smith, a senior broadcast journalism major, was told this week that he is no longer allowed to use camera equipment owned by the MountainWest Sports Network to appear on the channel after he made what the university's Athletics Media Relations department considered to be a critical comment about Frogs' starting quarterback Andy Dalton on the network.
The decision to ban Smith from using the camera, which will effectively keep him from appearing on The Mtn., came last week. Mark Cohen, director of athletic media relations, sent an e-mail to the network on Saturday notifying it of the decision.
In the e-mail, Cohen wrote that he did not want Smith appearing on The Mtn. anymore if he was going to be critical of Dalton.
"My office will not take time out of its busy schedule to assist in putting TCU students on the air to make negative comments about our student athletes," Cohen wrote.
The controversy started after Smith appeared on the April 14 broadcast of "On Campus Cam," a talking-heads style show on The Mtn. where student reporters from conference schools are asked to give their thoughts. During the broadcast, Smith said that Casey Pachall, the freshman quarterback who graduated early from high school to enroll at the university is good. Good enough, he said, to unseat Dalton as the starter.
"I think it's going to be tough to tell if Andy's really as solid a starter as everybody believes he is," Smith, a TCU News Now reporter, said. "And I think the reason for that is because Casey Pachall, a true freshman who enrolled in January really looked good during drills and during the Purple and White game, and in my opinion he really could challenge Dalton for that starting spot.
"He can manage a game and he can play not to lose, but I don't really think he's the kind of guy who can win you a game," Smith said. "And Casey Pachall is that kind of guy."
Smith, a former Skiff reporter, was scheduled to make another appearance on The Mtn. on Tuesday evening, but said he did not go to the recording because Frank Martin, a producer for the network who received Cohen's e-mail, had informed him that he would not be allowed to use the camera.
Smith said he was disappointed in Cohen's decision because "On Campus Cam" is an opinion show, and his right to be there was revoked after he gave his opinion.
"My problem is, it's censorship to a degree, but if they own (the camera) there's nothing I can do about it," Smith said.
But according to Hayne Ellis, a public relations employee for The Mtn., the university doesn't own the camera.
"It is property of The Mtn.," Ellis said. "It is property of the network."
Ellis said The Mtn. provided the university with the camera so that reporters, including students like Smith, could reach the network.
"We have a show that brings in reporters, writers, radio and TV personalities from around the conference who express their opinions and have a friendly debate on topics around the Mountain West Conference," Ellis said. "'On Campus Cam' is our student version of that.
"We utilize the campus cam chiefly for schools that aren't within easy driving distance of our studios in Denver. We certainly have students who come down from Colorado State and Wyoming all the time. But from TCU, San Diego State, UNLV, that's not really practical, so they go on the campus cam."
Smith said it's not a matter of simply finding another camera to use either, since this particular camera is set up specifically to broadcast to The Mtn.
When contacted, Cohen declined to comment on the decision his department reached.
"All I can tell you is, (Smith) was a student reporter for The Mtn., and that position for The Mtn. runs through the media relations office," Cohen said. "We appreciate (Smith's) service but just felt it was time to go in another direction."
Ellis said The Mtn. would not intervene in the dispute. He said Cohen and senior producer Brian Trip discussed the issue and The Mtn. considers the issue to be an internal affair.
"Long story short, they agreed to disagree on the subject matter," Ellis said. "But while it is our camera, it is under (Cohen's) supervision and, like I said before, he has the keys to the car. So we're going to abide by his decision."
Smith said he doesn't agree with the decision.
"I don't think it's fair to the viewers," Smith said. "It's strictly a public relations move and I feel like if that's the direction it wants to go in then they should have someone from their own department ... rather than a reporter doing it. There's a difference between being in media relations and being a reporter."
I was so appalled, I sought out Mr. Cohen via e-mail to express my distaste for his unilateral decision:
Dear Mr. Cohen,
You should be ashamed of yourself.
I have no 'dog in this fight'. I live and work in Milwaukee, and have never met or spoken to Brian Smith. However, as a journalist, I am appalled at your handling of the entire situation. I believe this to be an egregious error on your part if the following statement from Brian is accurate:
"I think it's going to be tough to tell if Andy's really as solid a starter as everybody believes he is," Smith said. "And I think the reason for that is because Casey Pachall, a true freshman who enrolled in January, really looked good during drills and during the Purple and White game, and in my opinion he really could challenge Dalton for that starting spot.
"He can manage a game and he can play not to lose, but I don't really think he's the kind of guy who can win you a game. And Casey Pachall is that kind of guy."
As someone who deals with the media, I believe you have damaged your reputation in the eyes of professional journalists everywhere. I urge you to correct this situation and allow Brian back on the air. As someone who is employed by an institution of higher learning, you should be encouraging, not discouraging, such analysis. In no way, shape, or form did Brian go out of line in his statement. He was voicing his opinion, of which the first amendment guarantees.
I implore you to right this wrong.
Doug Russell
Sports Director
Co-Host, "The Doug and Mike Show" (Weekdays 5-9 am CT)
Milwaukee's Sportsradio 1250 WSSP
To his credit, he DID respond with a quick "thanks for your thoughts", but as of this writing, there has been no change in his decision. Let's hope he sees the light soon.
Friday, April 3, 2009
A Bold Move Down South Someone asked me today if the Bears were the new favorites in the NFC North now that Jay Cutler is in the fold. I don't think they're the favorite, but they certainly did make a bold move towards getting to that position.
Unlike one of our callers on the sound-off line this week, I would NOT have traded Cutler for Aaron Rodgers straight-up. Aaron has been on the job for only one year as a starter, Cutler has been starting for three seasons. Rodgers numbers last season were statistically better, but Cutler has been to the Pro Bowl. What the Bears did, however, is something the Packers haven't done in all of Ted Thompson's tenure: they made a bold move.
I can't even count Charles Woodson as a "bold move" - he fell into Ted's lap because everyone else passed on him. Don't get me wrong - Woodson was the right move and has been a great addition to the Packers. But it's not like "The Sizzler" actually went out and recruited him to come to Green Bay. It was just Woodson's last-best option.
I **HOPE** the Packers can get back to the playoffs this year after a terrible 2008 season. But for that to happen, I really believe this team needs bolder, more dynamic leadership. We all agreed after the end of last year that Ted needed to fill the porous holes on both lines...perhaps go out and splurge on some big-name defensive end either through a trade or free agency. Who were we kidding? "That's just not what Ted does" is all I hear from the apologists, including my co-host in the morning.
One more year - that's all he gets before the walls will close in upon him. It's win, or else. Don't Packers fans deserve at least that?
Thursday, April 2, 2009
A Whole New Experience
I always wanted to be a writer. Not necessarily a blog writer, not necessarily a novelist, but maybe somewhere in between. Many of you are familiar with Howie Magner from Milwaukee Magazine, who's weekly online column you can link to here at www.sportsradio1250.com. Howie joins Mike and I in studio every Tuesday morning at 6:25. A couple of months ago I had mentioned that I wanted to try my hand at actually writing something of substance again (I wrote an online column for The Sporting News for a couple of years in the early 2000's), and he said he would look into it.
About a month ago, I got an e-mail with Howie's boss, Milwaukee Magazine editor Bruce Murphy, who was looking for a writer to do a piece on why golf is so popular here in Wisconsin. Not knowing entirely what I was getting myself into, I jumped in with both feet. After all, this is what I had been wanting to try - although I pitched a different story to Bruce when we first met the month prior.
Bruce has been in the newspaper and magazine business for over 30 years. He has been the editor of Milwaukee Magazine for the last five. Bruce has a wall full of awards. I last wrote regularly in 2002. To call me a neophyte would be a gross understatement.
Nevertheless, I jumped right in. I drove up to Kohler and scored a one hour face to face with Whistling Straits baron Herb Kohler in his office. Surrounded by pictures of him with various Presidents. He can be intimidating (think Donald Trump without the television cameras, bad haircut, or legion of flunkies), but nevertheless I found Mr. Kohler to be open, engaging, and honestly one of the most fascinating interview subjects I have ever interviews I have ever done...and I've literally done thousands of them.
I spoke with Bob Lang, the most important person in golf in Wisconsin that you've ever heard of. Land owns Erin Hills, who will probably host the 2017 U.S. Open. I got the latest on the future of the U.S. Bank Championship from Executive Director Dan Croak and what Wisconsin's players are doing about it from Jerry Kelly and Skip Kendall. There are more transcribed quotes than I'll ever know what to do with - unless I write a book. Which I'm beginning to consider.
The funny thing about writing a magazine feature is that the parameters are fairly rigid. I mean, I had the freedom to write in my own voice, but 3,000 words means just that. Bruce will take it from there with the organization and craft it to what fits his vision. Every word MUST mean something. This blog, for example, is however long I make it. The only thing I wanted when I began this was the freedom to NOT be edited. Whereas every single word that you read in Milwaukee Magazine has a specific purpose, that's not necessarily the same situation here. Pencil. Magnet. Driven. Horseshoe. Nonsense...see what I mean?
I have FAR more respect for features writers than ever before. It's like building a house. The first draft is the framework, then every additional draft is like painting the walls and moving the furniture around. Bruce Murphy is the decorator, and his incredible creative and graphics team makes it all come to life.
It was an incredible challenge that took far, far more time than I could have possibly imagined. But...deadline day was Wednesday. All Bruce sent back to me was a request for three additional paragraphs and some "City box" info. I've been green lit, and I'm anxious for the feature to come out. In about 3 months. Perhaps July.
That's the other difference. I wrote this blog and had it online in 25 minutes. Literally months of preparation go into monthly magazine features. From conception to gathering information, to conducting (and then transcribing) interviews, to first draft, second and third drafts, to submitting on deadline day to your editor, to the magazine magic I have no clue about, there is a ton of work that goes into reading the written word.
Was it worth it? Without question. I can't wait for my next assignment!
Friday, March 13, 2009
A Braves New World
I know I have said this both on the radio program and video blog, but I just wanted to take one more opportunity to invite you to watch the newest entry into the Milwaukee Braves historical chronicles, A Braves New World, an hour-long documentary chronicling Milwaukee's only World Series Championship team.
But the 1957 season is little more than a footnote to this re-telling of the Braves 13-year run here in Milwaukee. A Braves New World, and its accompanying book, Milwaukee Braves: Heroes and Heartbreak, focus not on the successes on the field, but rather on the how and why of both the team's arrival and departure. Most Braves fans will come to realize that the reason for both arrival and departure is the same. Many will be surprised to learn that Milwaukee fans of that era are the ones to blame, not Bill Bartholomay; he was merely the scapegoat.
The hour long PBS documentary focuses on how the franchise's relocation from Boston to Milwaukee in 1953 served as the catalyst for baseball to reexamine itself as a big business – resulting in a flurry of franchises relocating west, multi-league expansion and teams cooperating with cities to build civically funded stadiums and tax subsidies.
The documentary includes on-camera interviews with former Braves players Del Crandall, Ernie Johnson, Phil Niekro, Felix Mantilla and Joe Torre; team executive Bill Bartholomay; sportswriters Furman Bisher, Don Walker and Howard Bryant; along with David Perini, son of former Braves owner Lou Perini and Bob Quinn, grandson of Braves general manager John Quinn.
The documentary coincides with the release of Povletich’s book Milwaukee Braves: Heroes and Heartbreakfrom the Wisconsin Historical Society Press.
DVDs will be available through the Wisconsin Historical Society beginning April 1, 2009.
UPCOMING BROADCASTS:
Sunday, March 15, 2009 WMVS-Milwaukee, Channel 10 @ 3:00pm
Thursday, March 26, 2009 WMVS-Milwaukee, Channel 10 @ 9:00pm
Monday, March 9, 2009
1,034 Days and Counting
Did you know it has been 2 years, 2 months, 1 week, and 2 days since an impact free agent was brought in by Packers General Manager Ted Thompson? Am I the only one that finds that astounding? I know that I am not the only who find it disturbing and unacceptable, but until I ran the math, even I didn’t think it had been longer than the Kennedy Administration.
The overwhelming concern to me is that there is a total erosion of national respect for the Packers. Where Green Bay was sought out as a destination because of excellence just a decade ago, Thompson’s frugal ways have eliminated the Packers from being thought of as a place where anyone worth noting has wanted to play. The tired excuses don’t hold water for me anymore. The Packers have the money to spend. They have holes to fill. Simple logic dictates Thompson do some actual recruiting rather than just sit back and see what the market dictates.
Cases in point: Chris Canty is better than Brady Poppinga. So is Bart Scott. Tre Thomas is better than Jason Spitz. Brain Dawkins is better than Aaron Rouse. Matt Birk is better than Scott Wells. Rocky Bernard is better than Justin Harrell. So is Igor Olshansky. So is this year’s biggest free agent prize, Albert Haynesworth.
All of these players and more were allowed to switch teams this off-season and not surprisingly, none of them came to Green Bay. But much more disturbing to me is that not one single player mentioned above ever even thought of Green Bay as a potential destination, and that squarely rests on Ted Thompson’s shoulders.
If the Packers have to endure another losing season on Thompson’s watch, Green Bay will soon be known, once again, as the NFL’s Siberia. Brett Favre and Reggie White turned Green Bay into a destination, but neither one was drafted by the Packers. It is so far beyond time to be aggressive it astounds not only me, but other NFL obsevers around the league.
Ted, for our sake and yours, please don’t make it another 1,034 days until another impact player is brought in from another team.
Friday, March 6, 2009
I’m Baaaack!!
OK, so I’m the first one to admit that the written word blog has sort of been neglected in the last few weeks – and I apologize. But, hopefully this will shed some light on the matter.
Shortly before I left on my vacation to Mexico, I was approached about recording a video recap of that morning’s "Doug and Mike Show". It was quick and simple, using a "flip" camera. I, being somewhat technically inept, learned quickly how to record onto the mini-camcorder. To be fair, a trained monkey can hit two buttons, so I’m not exactly patting myself on the back.
Anyway, I recorded about 2-3 minutes of video, handed the camera to Ryan "Mini-Me" Reker, and he would process the video – cleaning it up, getting it ready for inclusion on the front page of the WSSP web page you are currently on. For me, it was quick, simple, and almost effortless.
It was my intention to return from Mexico with a renewed sense of purpose, not only "Vlogging" (as they call it) but also returning to this "Blog".
The Ryan announced he was moving back to his old station in Ohio.
You have to understand that Mini-Me was a technical savant. He knows this website inside and out. Clearly, I do not. Ryan spent the next two weeks teaching Monkey-Boy here the ins and outs of internet video processing. Not surprising to anyone who knows me, but it took quite a bit of time and frustration.
Yesterday, I finally got it!
The last two video logs, or "Vlogs" were shot, voiced, edited, and processed by yours truly. But what to call the Vlog? "Doug’s Vlog" seems a bit boring, until logic smacked me in the face.
About two months ago, the title of the WSSP morning show changed to better reflect Mike Wickett’s contribution. "The Doug Russell Show" rightfully became "The Doug and Mike Show". After all, Mike is as engaged as any co-host and deserved to have his name there. Since the old moniker wasn’t currently being used, like the Phoenix rising from the ashes, "The Doug Russell Show" is reborn…this time, as a mini-television show on the internet.
Wednesday, February 11rd, 2009
who knows, it might just get read on-camera! Meanwhile, since I finally know what I’m doing, I’ll come back to blogging the written word as well.
The new DRS has no format. It is free-flowing and unscripted. It has few time perimeters. If you ever have any comments about the show, feel free to e-mail me at drussell@sportsradio1250.com
–
I guess you can teach an old dog new tricks, after all.
One Last Thing
One final item before I head on out for Mexico:
This coming Sunday, February 15, at 1:00, the Marquette Women's basketball team will be holding its fourth annual "Pink Out" to help raise awareness and money to help the fight against breast and cervical cancer.
Guys: we are all touched by these horrific diseases. Be it your wife, your mother, your sister, your daughter...one woman in your life is likely to one day be affected by cancer. That's why we have to act NOW.
For my interview with Marquette women's basketball coach Terri Mitchell, click here:
Thanks for taking the time to read this. Hopefully one day "Pink Out" games won't be necessary. But only with research dollars may that dream become a reality.
This is a very simple and fun way for YOU to do YOUR part.
I'm at my desk listening to former Brewers infielder Mark Loretta carry an hour on the Jim Rome Show and I am reminded of September 10, 1995. That was the day Mark Loretta got his first Major League hit - a solid single to center field off Kenny Rogers in the bottom of the ninth inning in a 5-2 Texas Rangers win at County Stadium.
If you listen to the morning show on WSSP, you know that I a complete baseball nerd, and proud of it. For whatever reason, I have certain rituals and notations that I write on my scorecard that I find interesting, including scribbling down inside the "game notes" section when a player reaches a milestone. I didn't think much of it at the time, but when Brewers Media Relations Director Jon Greenberg announced that Loretta's base hit was his first, I wrote it down, having no idea what kind of career he would have - or if he would ever even get another hit.
1,670 hits later, Mark is still going strong. Not that he'll ever be enshrined in Cooperstown, but Mark Loretta should be a shining example of what you can be if you respect the game. With a limited skill set, Mark Loretta became one of the most reliable, steady infielders in baseball for more than a decade. Through it all, he remained an even-keel type of player who has gotten the most out of his talent. Sometimes I can just tell who is destined for a career in baseball after their playing days are over. I call them the guys that "get it". Mark Loretta has that "it" quality in spades.
Good luck in Los Angeles this season, Mark. Any team in baseball would be lucky to have you.
I'm not sure if you know this but there is a huge basketball game being played downtown tonight. UWM, who is 5-0 in conference!, is hosting rival UWGB. Now, the game is "nationally" televised on ESPNU. It would be nice if the 1250 boys could give Coach Jeter and the Panthers some love. They need a large crowd for this game. Large crowd means more nationally televised games, which helps with recruiting. This team is really good this year, with our own Agent 0, Avery Smith, leading the way. Also, check out James Eayrs. He's 300+ lbs. and lights it up from 3.
Thanks for helping the Panthers out. Hopefully, we'll see you guys there.
Matt from West Allis
As someone who takes all e-mails seriously, I actually spent a good portion of the weekend thinking about UWM basketball. Have we been ignoring them unjustly? How much time should we spend covering the Panthers? If we did topics on them, would it motivate a fan base that is small but vocal?
It is the classic "chicken and egg" debate. What came first? What needs to happen before UWM can again reach the Sweet 16? Must they be treated the same by the media as Marquette or Wisconsin because they are both Division 1 schools?
So, this morning, Mike and I debated the merits of covering Panther basketball. Opened the phone lines.
(cue the sound of crickets chirping)
So, we tried. I gave it a shot. But I cannot make you care about Panthers basketball. I wish I could, because they’re having a great season, Friday’s overtime loss to Green Bay aside. UWM has worked hard to provide a quality arena for the Panthers to play in, and they have a chance every year to make it to the NCAA Tournament. Moreover, the team provides an affordable sports option in times where Americans need to stretch their dollar further than ever before.
But until more than 2,200 fans show up for a game (last night’s crowd), it’s going to be a difficult sell to convince me that we need to be talking them up.
So the Packers play their version of "Black Monday" by firing their defensive coaching staff. Some would view the bloodletting out of 1265 Lombardi Ave. as covering a gunshot wound with a Band-Aid, but something had to give.
In 2007, everything that could have gone right for the Packers did. They got the key breaks, the ball bounced their way, and they stayed away from injuries. Not at all coincidentally, the Packers finished 13-3 and wound up in the NFC Championship Game.
This past year, everything that could have gone wrong, did. But was it a matter of bad luck or bad coaching and/or personnel? I would submit that based on reports of unrest among former defensive coordinator Jim Bates’ holdovers vs. Mike McCarthy’s new hires since 2005, coaching changes were in order.
I knew there was trouble after the Packers lost to the Texans and I asked Aaron Kampman whether or not he and his teammates were put in their best position to succeed by the coaches. Perhaps taken aback by the question, he thought about it for what seemed like 5 seconds before simply answering "yes." Knowing Aaron Kampman as a player who would rather brush his teeth with shards of glass from broken beer bottles that throw anyone under the bus, the silence before the denial was deafening.
When I asked Aaron Rodgers if his teammates were giving the same effort as he was, his answer a month ago was simply, "I think there are some in this room that have to play with more urgency." Considering this was in the midst of the Packers late-season defensive swoon, it was pretty clear whom he was talking about.
And when Brady Poppinga and Al Harris got into it over coverage assignments during the Titans loss on November 2, it was clear the defense was in array.
Is the answer Mike Nolan? With Nolan comes instant credibility, but a likely change of scheme from the 4-3 to the 3-4. Right now the Packers simply don’t have the personnel to pull that off. Kampman, while outstanding as a rush defensive end, lacks the size necessary to stuff the run on a regular basis. A 3-4 means that either Desmond Bishop or Brady Poppinga will be counted on for big plays on the strong side. Can Brandon Chillar be an every-down starter in the NFL? Can Nick Barnett come back from both an injury-plagued and ineffective 2008?
There are way more questions than answers. But at least the Packers got their first decisions of 2009 out of the way. Cleaning house was the only thing they could have done.
We just wait for what lies ahead.
Monday, January 5th, 2009
So the football season has ended. Christmas has come and gone. It is no longer 2008.
Wednesday, November 19th, 2008
Contrats to Dustin Pedroia and his AL MVP honor. NOW that everything has been awarded... How did Doug and Mike do with their pre-season predictions? Eh, not as good... take a listen:
As I sit here at the United Center awaiting the Bucks season opener against the Chicago Bulls, I find myself praying that this isn't an exercise in futility.
For years, even when I was living and working at Sporting News Radio, my allegiances never strayed from my Milwaukee Bucks. With the exception of the 2001 playoffs, I was always - ALWAYS - disappointed in the lack of energy and waste of talent they put out on the floor.
The series of moves made this off-season I hope will spell the end of that. I emphasize "hope" because a rocky preseason is leading many to think "here we go again".
John Hammond brings big-time credentials and a winning attitude to town. Scott Skiles will demand his players don't quit. Mo Williams is gone. Richard Jefferson has been brought in. Mo Williams is gone. Luke Ridnour is a pass-first point guard with an arsenal of scorers. Did I mention Mo Williams is gone?
The beginning of every season beings renewed hope and optimism. My hopes for the Bucks are pretty simple: Don't quit and make basketball meaningful in March. To play both sides of the ball. To not give up easy basket after easy basket.
If they can do that and just play up to their own talent, there is no reason whatsoever that they cannot make the playoffs in a league that is harder to NOT play in the postseason than it is to get there.
For those that do not know, Danyelle was the FOX sideline reporter working Sunday's 49ers - Seahawks game and conducted a taped interview with news San Francisco coach Mike Singletary. The unaired clip had Sargent saying to Singletary, "I hear that your mentor Bill Walsh was one of the first phone calls you made when you found out you had the job. What does it mean to you to be the head coach of the 49ers?"
A legitimate question. If only Bill Walsh were still alive.
One of the greatest football minds of all time died more than a year ago - so that begs the question: "Where did that question even come from?" Danyelle tried to explain the gaffe away, claiming she knew immediately she had made a mistake. The tape suggests otherwise - that she was informed through the producer in her earpiece that Walsh was in fact, not longer with us. She also makes the assertion that the footage was never released and was broadcast illegally. To me, that is not the point. She had it in her head that Bill Walsh and Mike Singletary spoke last week. How does a rookie make that mistake, much less a network-level broadcaster?
Again - where did that question even come from?
Look, all of us that have been in broadcasting have made errors. I got hung up on by Jerry Porter on a live national broadcast because I incorrectly identified him as "Joey" Porter. To be fair, the Raiders were playing the Steelers that night, but the damage was already done - so much so that it appeared in Rudy Martzke's column in USA Today the next morning. It happens. It was an honest mistake. But that pales in comparison to being so inept as to the living status of one of the greatest minds in NFL history. It calls into question how much Danyelle Sargent actually knows about football - and if that is called into question, then why in the world is she on a national television broadcast?
Women in sports media face a double-edged sword. They often times get jobs because of their looks, but are then expected to work twice as hard to actually earn the credibility of viewers at home. Then, after they begin to show a wrinkle or two, they're gone in the blink of an eye - just as they were actually beginning to get good at the jobs they were hired to do.
At the Big Ten Network, a disturbing trend is seeing Ashley Russell (no relation) and Melanie Collins being hired right out of college without paying any "dues" because they happen to be swimsuit-model gorgeous. Meanwhile, my morning show partner, Mike Wickett, knows more about Big Ten football than just about anyone I know. He does his homework...he does follow the games and the players involved - but because he looks like he is wearing his dad's suit on television, he has what should be a legitimate career avenue cut off to him.
But who said life was fair?
We are fortunate to be blessed with three women in sports television that have both paid their dues and happen to be attractive: FOX 6's Jen Lada, Channel 12's Stephanie Sutton, and Fox Sports Wisconsin's Trenni Kusinerek. I've never worked closely with Stephanie, but she has a sterling reputation in the industry. I could (and have) talked baseball for hours with Trenni, and she most certainly does not need cue cards or prompts to know what she is talking about. Of the three, I have worked closest with Jen (on the FOX 6 Blitz!) and of me, Pip, and Tim, Jen brings more handwritten notes to the broadcast than all of us combined. She does her homework, but unfortunately risks being limped in with the football spokesmodels because she happens to be attractive. To Jen, that is unfair, because I can tell you from experience that she is outstanding at what she does.
But who is to blame for the dumbing down of sideline reporters? The girls themselves? They're just trying to make a living. The executive producers, who hire them in the first place? They're just trying to drive ratings. What about all of us - the sports television consumers? Until we demand more, there will be more cheerleaders with microphones telling you about the players you root for, journalism be damned.
I would just assume the cheerleaders stay in their crop tops and hotpants - until they can actually tell me something I don't already know. e-mail doug
Monday, October 27th, 2008
MORE Charlie Murphy... talking about what he knows best... Sports!
Friday, October 24th, 2008
Some Charlie Murphy... talking Sports...
Monday, October 13th, 2008
On the set at Fox 6.
What a smile... YOU sit with Jen and keep a straight face. It doesn't happen.
If you missed it this morning, here are more books that we'll never see:
"Patient Hitting Philosophies" by Corey Hart "Pass the Rock" by Mo Willams
"Small Ball" by Ned Yost
"Moderation" by Mike Wickett
"Using Humor to win Friends and Influence People" by Cliff Saunders
"Canton is Calling" by Gary Ellerson
"'D' 'em Up" by Michael Redd
"Humility" by Deion Sanders
"Manlieness - The Legend of Matt Mieske"
"Patriotism" by Josh Howard
"Responsible Parenting" by Jason Caffey
"Teaching Clutch Hitting" by Jim Skaalen Hear that segment here:
I'm sitting in the press box here at Miller Park as I write this, having witnessed something I haven't seen in 26 years.
In 1982, I was a mere 9 years old. The Brewers were a team on the brink - a team many feel were the better of the two that played in the Fall Classic. But alas, it was not to be. Little did any of us realize it would be a full generation before playoff baseball would happen again in our fair city - but then again, few thought that it would take 29 years in between Super Bowl appearances for the Packers.
I've been contemplating what would be bigger - the Super Bowl XXXI win or a Brewers World Championship. I suppose it depends on where you live. Having lived through the Packers return to glory, I became all too aware of the statewide reach of the Packers. I'm not sure the Brewers will ever have that appeal. After all, on game day at Lambeau Field, the Wisconsin sports media descends on that patch of perfection surrounded by Ashwaubenon known as Lambeau Field. At Miller Park, the only time we ever see our out-of-town media friends are on Opening Day and...well...nope, that's about it. Opening Day.
I use this point to illustrate that while the Green Bay Packers are without question Wisconsin's team the Milwaukee Brewers are just that...the Milwaukee Brewers. We take pride and ownership of them because honestly, no one else will. That to m is what makes this ride all the sweeter. This is our team. This special ride hopefully isn't a once-in-a-lifetime proposition, but we have to treat it as such.
I’ve never been more disgusted than after yesterday’s game and have a sinking feeling that it is going to be another year of waiting. And hoping. And praying to the baseball gods.
But blowing a 4-run lead with two outs and no one on base in the bottom of the ninth is inexcusable for any time of the year. For September 18, trailing the wild card by ½ game it is a deathblow. I’m almost at empty right now.
If I were Dale Sveum, Mike Cameron wouldn’t bat leadoff, Jason Kendall wouldn’t bat after the 7th inning, and everyone would take an extra hour of bunting and baserunning drills.
An idiot and a fool. In a video posted on YouTube, Howard is shown on a football field at a charity flag football game. As the national anthem plays in the background, Howard approaches a camera and says: "‘The Star Spangled Banner’ is going on right now. I don't even celebrate that (expletive). I'm black."
He then went on to babble something unintelligible about Sen. Barack Obama, an endorsement the Democratic presidential nominee probably would just have rather not had. When Josh Howard decides to spend his $10 million salary on rebuilding the inner city instead of another tricked out Impala (his 6,500 square foot, 5 bedroom Dallas mansion – complete with a lazy river in the backyard - was featured earlier this year on MTV’s "Cribs"), then he can talk about the oppression of African-Americans. Make no mistake about it: racism does still exist here in America. To base anything solely on the color of one’s skin is criminal, but yet still happens.
However, in a country where a poor black kid from North Carolina is afforded the opulent lifestyle Josh Howard enjoys his disgust for the freedoms the flag represent are offensive to those that are pulled over for driving a nice car in a good neighborhood. Or to those loss management officials follow that around in stores for no reason. Or to those that cannot get a fair shake at a job interview because of a name that might not sound Aryan enough.
To Josh Howard, I say: Grow up. Put the roach down, play basketball, and appreciate what you do have. It’s more than 99.9% of the rest of the world does, regardless of race.
Monday, September 15th 2008
So the Brewers finally did it.
They fired Ned Yost. Immediately my cell phone started ringing with interview requests from around the country. Seattle, Tampa, Los Angeles, Atlanta, and Des Moines: The questions were all the same.
1. Why did the Brewers make the move now?
2. Dale Sveum make the Brewers better?
3. Didn’t Ned Yost take the Brewers from nothing to a contender?
The reasons are pretty simple: Rickie Weeks continued to play and be ineffective, there was no accountability, Ned’s stubbornness, the Brewers lacked fundamentals such as the ability to bunt and run the bases effectively, and year after year this is a team that under Yost has struggled in the second half.
As for who is responsible for the resurgence of the Brewers, while Ned Yost was the manager while the Brewers were rebuilt, to me, the credit goes mostly to Doug Melvin and his staff of talent evaluators.
The only thing surprising to me is the timing. But there was no more time to let Ned hang himself. If 2008 is the year this team is going to make it to the playoffs, this change simply had to be made.
The debate this morning on the show was who the greatest athlete ever was, and where 14-time Olympic gold medalist Michael Phelps fits into the conversation.
Some of the names were predictable: Bo Jackson, Michael Jordan, Muhammad Ali, Lance Armstrong, and Jim Thorpe were among those mentioned. Obviously everyone has their own subjective opinion on what makes a great athlete. Some say versatility...some say dominance...others say social relevance plays a key.
While my list has Bo Jackson at the top of it (phenomenal baseball speed, power, range, and arm strength - plus his burst and play-making ability as a running back) I would submit that the beauty of the argument is that we probably will never truly know who the greatest athlete ever is.
Whose to say it isn't someone none of us have ever heard of? Whose to say it is even a man? Whose to say the world's greatest athlete lived in prehistoric times?
As a talk-show host, the greatest debates are the ones with no answer. Everyone that either e-mailed or called this morning had their own personal reasons why their choice should be considered the greatest athlete. One thing we might all agree on is that Michael Phelps at least should be somewhere in the conversation after his heart-stopping run in Beijing.
For that, we should be grateful - just to have another to add to the list of "all-time greats". Let the debate live on!
I never thought I would be so happy to see Brett Favre leave Green Bay.
This morning I awoke to a cell phone full to text messages from friends informing me of the trade that sent the living legend to the New York Jets in exchange for a conditional draft pick. My reaction was mixed, so say the least.
I was relieved this was over. I was angry it was allowed to fester as long as it did. I was frustrated the two sides couldn't get together on some sort of accord that would have allowed for a better end to the saga. I was sad one of the best players in NFL history had such a sordid end to his playing days with the franchise that made him famous.
But more than than anything, I was just happy it was over.
To be sure, there is plenty of blame to go around. Ted Thompson and Brett Favre never had a good relationship. To say that it is fair that Thompson wanted Favre out for years is an argument I believe. To say that Ted grated on Brett's nerves - also fair.
But what of the blame to Favre himself?
How did a seemingly "team" player put himself so high above everyone else? Had it always been that way? Had we all been hoodwinked by the southern charmer with the Mississippi drawl? The same player that chastised Sterling Sharpe for threatening to hold out on the eve of the 1994 season had morphed into a narcissist who thought that it was just fine to steadily maintain he was done, then have his successor do all of the off-season dirty work, only to think he would be welcomed in as the conquering hero four months later.
That may have been the way football was back in the 1960's, but how do you think the great Vince Lombardi would have handled it?
I just watched another replay of last night's assault on Manny Parry by Prince Fielder and am still stunned hours later.
Forget the fact that Prince looked like he physically wanted to hurt Manny. Forget that one connected punch could have taken out two more Brewers pitchers (Dave Bush came in with others to play peacemaker). Forget that this could be the very thing that tears this team apart – like last year’s dust-up involving two players no longer here, Tony Graffanino and Johnny Estrada.
By far, the worst part of the fracas was Ned Yost’s comments about it afterwards.
"It’s a little bit rude when your neighbors are fighting next door for you to go knock on the door and ask what happened," Yost said. "We handle it ourselves. It’s between us and it’s nobody’s business."
Could Yost have chosen a worse metaphor? When you hear your neighbors fighting, you should not only knock on the door, you should in some cases call the cops.
Ned, you need to act quickly and decisively. What Prince Fielder did was conduct detrimental to the team. Don’t give me the assertion that "these are men" – because while Prince is a clubhouse leader, he acted like anything but Monday night. He acted like a child. A man airs his grievances in a productive manner. A child pushes and shoves.
Ned, get control of your team. And don’t insult us my telling us – and more importantly, the fans – that it’s none of our business.
The three million fans passing through the turnstiles at Miller Park deserve more than that.
I never thought I would be so happy to see Brett Favre leave Green Bay.
This morning I awoke to a cell phone full to text messages from friends informing me of the trade that sent the living legend to the New York Jets in exchange for a conditional draft pick. My reaction was mixed, so say the least.
I was relieved this was over. I was angry it was allowed to fester as long as it did. I was frustrated the two sides couldn't get together on some sort of accord that would have allowed for a better end to the saga. I was sad one of the best players in NFL history had such a sordid end to his playing days with the franchise that made him famous.
But more than than anything, I was just happy it was over.
To be sure, there is plenty of blame to go around. Ted Thompson and Brett Favre never had a good relationship. To say that it is fair that Thompson wanted Favre out for years is an argument I believe. To say that Ted grated on Brett's nerves - also fair.
But what of the blame to Favre himself?
How did a seemingly "team" player put himself so high above everyone else? Had it always been that way? Had we all been hoodwinked by the southern charmer with the Mississippi drawl? The same player that chastised Sterling Sharpe for threatening to hold out on the eve of the 1994 season had morphed into a narcissist who thought that it was just fine to steadily maintain he was done, then have his successor do all of the off-season dirty work, only to think he would be welcomed in as the conquering hero four months later.
That may have been the way football was back in the 1960's, but how do you think the great Vince Lombardi would have handled it?
First of all, it certainly has been a busy few weeks around the halls of WSSP. First, CC Sabathia was added to the Brewers fold, then it was the never-ending Brett Favre saga that has been dominating headlines around the country.
In no particular order, the 10 sports figures I respect the most are: Hank Aaron, Bart Starr, Walter Payton, Vince Lombardi, John Wooden, Robin Yount, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Sidney Moncrief, Wayne Gretzky, and Brett Lorenzo Favre.
This is painful to say. Brett Favre is wrong.
During his interview / love fest with Greta Van Susteren (a Packers shareholder and Appleton native) on Fox News Channel, the legend sounded less like that and more like a spoiled diva for making assertions of what he is and what he should be allowed to do.
Let me begin by saying I have been a huge Brett Favre supporter and I believe his vision for the Green Bay Packers is borne out of his desire to be a champion. That should be noted, and that should be admired.
That all said...
Point number one: No one put a gun to Brett's head and made him retire on March 6. Three days earlier, he called Mike McCarthy and said that he was done. Was it a decision made in haste? Given the events of the past week, that answer is self-evident.
Point number two: His teammates - past and present - aren't exactly jumping to his defense. For a guy that was the undisputed leader of this team for a decade and a half, that speaks volumes. More than in any other sport, football is a game of chemistry. If there was a groundswell of support for Brett among the masses, we would have heard about it by now.
Point number three: In a year, do we go through this dog and pony show again? Can you keep Aaron Rodgers motivated for yet another off-season? When does it end?
Point number four: Brett is smarter to think that he should actually be allowed to sit out until July to decide whether or not he's coming back? That defines selfish in today's NFL.
Look, I think Ted Thompson wanted Brett out two years ago. His legacy as Packers general manager won't ever be complete until Favre is gone, once and for all. But for all of his transgressions and arrogance, this one cannot be pinned on Ted Thompson. I've been probably "The Sizzler's" harshest critic in the 18 months I've been on the air at WSSP. But even I can see this story for what it is:
A legend tarnishing his image because he cannot let go. Brett Favre isn't the first, and certainly won't be the last to be guilty of this. Unfortunately, there is only one endgame that won't tarnish his goodwill, and it is a scenario I never thought I would say.
Brett, we love you, but it's just simply time to go.
However, he is not a criminal, nor should he be fired over making (once again) racially insensitive remarks.
It was only last year that Imus called the Rutgers women’s basketball tam "nappy headed ho’s", which led to his dismissal from MSNBC and WFAN. Six months ago, he got another chance at WABC-New York.
During a conversation about Adam "Pacman" Jones' run-ins with the law, Imus asked, "What color is he?" Sports announcer Warner Wolf said Jones is "African-American." Imus responded: "There you go. Now we know."
What we will see in the next few days will be predictable. Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson will call for Imus’ ouster, there will be pressure put on sponsors, and several calls will be made to the FCC. The first certainty was that Imus himself would offer up a lame apology.
"What people should be outraged about is that they arrest blacks for no reason," Imus said Tuesday. "I mean, there's no reason to arrest this kid six times. Maybe he did something once, but everyone does something once."
My problem isn’t that Don Imus said what he said: It’s that people are surprised by his ignorance. By and large I think the world is much too sensitive, but Imus’ schtick was tired 20 years ago. It is only by paying this dottering old fool any attention at all does he somehow become relevant.
If sponsors want to pull out of his show, that is their right. If listeners cease to tune in to his show, that also is theirs. But mark my words, if Imus is fired, someone else will probably hire him, and we’ll have to do this all over again.
Why? Because he’s not going to change, simply because we all think he should.
The New Year always gets me thinking about what the world (and the sports world) will look like one year from now. I also take time to think about where we were a year ago.
When 2008 began, Brett Favre was a Packer in good standing, CC Sabathia was a Cleveland Indian, Scott Skiles was newly unemployed, and Hilary Clinton was the Democratic frontrunner.
Today, Brett and CC are both in New York, Skiles turned that same city down, and Hilary is about ready to leave it for Washington - but not for the job she wanted.
Oh, what a difference a year makes.
One year ago, Tom Crean was in Milwaukee and Kelvin Sampson was in Bloomington. One year ago, the Brewers were the last team in the state to make a playoff appearance. One year ago, Michael Phelps stood in Mark Spitz’ shadow. One year ago, we never thought we would see a gallon of gas at over $4, and then less than $2.
So, what will 2009 bring? No one knows, but we can certainly hope for a few things: The Packers will return to prominence after a disappointing 2008 campaign; The Brewers will find some starting pitching somewhere; and the Bucks will make a return to the playoffs. All things are possible. After all, when George W. Bush took office, no one had ever heard of the man that would succeed him at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.
Those are the hopes. What gains and losses between now and then is anyone’s guess. But that’s what makes life interesting, isn’t it?
Tim Russert passed away after suffering from a massive heart attack. To the surprise of no one that knew him, he was recording voice over's for "Meet the Press" at the time he was stricken down.
Since 1991, Tim Russert was the host and moderator of the longest running program on television. That was how most of us knew him. However, it was his tireless devotion to the craft of journalism as NBC News' Washington Bureau that shaped how we all view politics.
Tim Russert was fair. Tough, but fair. If you were a young politician, you had to pass the Russert smell test before you were considered a "player". His devotion to his family was chronicled in a pair of New York Times bestsellers.
Life can be often times too cruel. How Tim Russert is allowed to pass away at 58 is one of life's mysteries. Maybe God needed one more good man in heaven. To be sure, though, when Tim Russert got there, you know he grilled him about wars, flooding, and man's inhumanity to his fellow man. After staring down presidents and pretenders, what's one final tough interview?
I never knew Tim Russert. I wish I had. But journalism should use his unparalleled body of work and humanity as a person as the gold standard for integrity, passion, honesty, and excellence.
Sunday will still mean "Meet the Press". But it will never be the same.
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