Rick Reilly leaves Sports Illustrated - now confirmed by NYT

Nothing. Loud and clear.

 

OK, thanks. I'm all for the passion. I just get stopped by the disconnect between the passion in sports departments (and other departments too, in many places) and the it-doesn't-matter, we're-going-ahead-with-our-plan bloodlessness of management. It's almost like they're playing us for fools. Mostly I'm playing devil's advocate, trying to apply publisher or ME perspective to lot of topics here. In other words, I don't support idea of not traveling to road games, but I sure as heck can see how an upper boss might start thinking that way if counting beans means everything and quality reporting means little. So we'd better be prepared for the day when they hit us over the head with it, like they're hitting us over the head with all the other b.s.

 

I don't buy the "SI is going down the drain" talk. It still has the best group of sportswriters in the business. One week you think Jack McCallum is their basketball guy than he kicks out a good baseball story and a deep feature. Same with Phil Taylor, Grant Wahl, Peter King, Tim Layden and S.L. Price. These guys are writers first and sportswriters second. If anything, I'm glad that SI has allowed some of the guys whose stories typically have run in the middle of the mag, a chance to shine. If they want a jester to call in to talk shows and show the SI flag, they should bring back Bill Scheft. But I like the idea of returning to a rotating column. I was disappointed when Reilly became the sole writer.

 

It scaled the heights of arrogance, it was unprofessional, it was embarrassing and beyond all that, a horrible way to conduct business. Let's call it what it was.

But Reilly's always been above all that, because he's been highly decorated.

Point noted on everything else.

When Rick Reilly is lauded a "sports genius," I'd say so.

 

A small point, LJB, but it was Mr. Patrick being hailed as a "sports genius." By SI. Mr. Reilly was deemed one of the two best sportswriters in America - along with Mr. Simmons - by ESPN.

Let the rain of toads and fire commence falling from the sky.

 

My mistake.

Exodus 8:2

 

Better that than 9 dotdot 8.

 

Amen, brother. Amen.

 

A friend tells a story about the new editors who were brought in circa 2002. Luis Castillo went on his long hitting streak, and during a meeting some folks brought up that it would be a good idea to do a feature on him "before the hitting streak ends."

And one of the new editors says, "Why? Who holds the record now?"

My point: I don't think the quote-unquote "best" choice will necessarily be made. My vote would be for Price ... perfect choice.

 

In same vain it's why Dwayne Wade was chosen Sportman of the Year last year.