Doesn't ANYBODY want to cover the Phillies?

You'd think that covering the Philadelphia Phillies for a Philadelphia (or suburban Philadelphia) newspaper would be one of the ultimate beats, given how the team has fared the past three years.

But it's a sad sign of the times that the papers, especially the Inquirer, cannot seem to keep their writers.

Apparently Andy Martino is the latest to leave the Inquirer:

http://www.the700level.com/2010/03/your-saturday-extras-halladays-34-phillies-media-movement-wrights-seat-and-some-fantasy-advice.html#more

Excerpt: "In other Phillies media news, it appears another pair of Phils beats is leaving town. With Scott Lauber already off to cover the Red Sox, Mike Sielski and Andy Martino have now switched over to the dark side—covering the Mets. It feels like only days ago I was holding the door for Martino while sheepishly not introducing myself. Anyway, stealing our beats won't win you games in September, Mets"

 

These are not the best of times for the Inky. That's nothing new. Andy did a pretty good job with the beat considering his predecessor was Todd Zolecki. Andy's a New York guy and it gives him a chance to return to his comfort zone. Good for him.

 

Martino hightailed it back to the Daily News to take over the Mets beat when Adam Rubin bolted for ESPN along with his former Daily News SE, Leon Carter.

 

Any word on this one?

 

Looks like Bob Brookover's doing some temp work with the Phils until they fill the beat. Brookover was the beat writer, I believe, until he went over to Eagles coverage.

 

The job won't be filled anytime soon with a hire. There have been too many other hires that haven't been replaced. Not only that, the paper is up for auction and there's hope that the same ownership group will be able to retain it. Lot more important stuff than who'll be coming the Phils.

 

I decided long ago to ignore obvious baiting tactics by posters/moderators but I can't resist.
There will not be any new hires to replace departed personnel.

 

Whatever keeps you happy my man.

 

I was wondering who the other one was besides myself.