Question about "The Vanifesto" and its practicality

Wow. That really means there's no way in hell that would work in Gannett.

 

I would have said there was no way in hell it would work in the Tribune Co., either.

 

I'm not a sports reporter (and know nothing about Van), but this got me wondering:

"The best reporters...have personal home numbers for every player in the league they cover."

Really?

 

As pointed out, a lot of what Van was getting at was ideal, not always practical in the real world, but yes, good beat guys have an awful lot of phone numbers.

 

That jumped out at me as well. Can't see that happening. If you're doing a good job covering your own team, you're probably not even close to 100 percent there.

 

Think you guys are missing the point. It's supposed to be something to aspire to. "The best" reporters have a vast network of numbers. Every one? No. But you raise expectations by setting the bar high. It's not inspiring to say, "Reporters will be expected to have a home number for a player or two, several agents and all the league PR guys."

 

I was wondering where that quote came from... then I realized that you actually read that babelfish pile of crap.

More power to you, but curses to you for making me look at that monstrosity closely.

 

I'm pretty sure that quote came from the Vanifesto.

 

Man... I'm all confused, then.

What is that single-paragraph at the top of this thread then, and why is it intro'ed as "babelfish's opinion"?

 

I don't know. My advice is to ignore it and simply read the Vanifesto and the other posts on the subject.

http://www.sportsjournalists.com/forum/threads/36918/

 

You guys are taking Van's message and disecting it being "literalists."
Van's message was to change a mindset. To challenge a ho-hum section.
Don't breakdown each sentence, phrase. Look at the big picture. It will serve you better.

 

I didn't see any pictures in the Vanifesto. It coulda used them. And no file art, either.