Doyel looks up hate-mail authors and posts personal facts in reply column

[Columbo]

Let me say first that I know Gregg, like Gregg, like his work.

Still. One of my biggest regrets was the time I shot off a snippy, mean-spirited e-mail in response to a negative one I received. I stooped to their level and it didn't make me feel better. It made me feel worse.

We've all done that.

THIS is way beyond that.

 

[slappy4428]

What a tool. I liked the column from the Arizona Wildcat calling him out...
But columnists like that can be teflon... people read it; all that matters t the suits.

 

[Bump_Wills]

I don't get this, nor do I get the whole hate-exuding approach to sportswriting. In the Star-Telegram, there's a column called "Little Balls of Hate." As a reader, I find it horribly off-putting. The further problem with such approaches is the writers tend to get boxed in as one-trick ponies.

Not knocking the writers as human beings or talents, just questioning the editorial approach. But then, what do I know? I'm just a third-rate second baseman.

 

[Fenian_Bastard]

Have you clicked on his bio and seen his creepy, digitally-animated self proclaiming that his sole mission is to rip players, teams and fellow columnist Mike Freeman?
http://sportsline.com/columns/writers/doyel

Jeebus Christmas.
What. A. deck.

 

[Kaylee]

I don't get this, nor do I get the whole hate-exuding approach to sportswriting. In the Star-Telegram, there's a column called "Little Balls of Hate." As a reader, I find it horribly off-putting. The further problem with such approaches is the writers tend to get boxed in as one-trick ponies.

I think it has more to do with the internal culture of sportswriting.

I swear, I have met more gruff, impolite, negative and just-plain-mean-spirited people in this line of work than I ever could have imagined. The funny part of it is that away from the job, they're almost friends.

There's a culture of negativity in this business...it's almost as if it's "cool" to be hard-bitten and cynical. How many of you have found yourselves discussing what you're doing at any given time with more than a trace of weariness or edginess? I'll be the first to raise his hand.

Sometimes that's warranted. But likely not on a daily basis. And I think it flows into not only our direct interaction with the readers, but the way we present ourselves to the public.

 

[slappy4428]

I swear, I have met more gruff, impolite, negative and just-plain-mean-spirited people in this line of work than I ever could have imagined. The funny part of it is that away from the job, they're almost friends.

But I've always been a mean-spnited biscuit....

 

[djc3317]

wow. that's the first thing I've ever read by that guy. don't think I'll be stopping back by.

 

[Bubbler]

This is nothing new, Doyel's been doing Hate Mail for a while now, going back to when he was college basketball only.

This one was much more acerbic than most of them. At first I thought it was a gag ... and laughed. Now it's clear it's not ... and it's getting old.

 

[Almost_Famous]

hasn't he been doing this for ... two years? At least?

Just wondering why this is news now.

 

[Columbo]

This is nothing new, Doyel's been doing Hate Mail for a while now, going back to when he was college basketball only.

This one was much more acerbic than most of them. At first I thought it was a gag ... and laughed. Now it's clear it's not ... and it's getting old.

He's been getting people's real names and exposing them "for years"?

 

[cranberry]

I think it has more to do with the internal culture of sportswriting.

I swear, I have met more gruff, impolite, negative and just-plain-mean-spirited people in this line of work than I ever could have imagined. The funny part of it is that away from the job, they're almost friends.

There's a culture of negativity in this business...it's almost as if it's "cool" to be hard-bitten and cynical. How many of you have found yourselves discussing what you're doing at any given time with more than a trace of weariness or edginess? I'll be the first to raise his hand.

Sometimes that's warranted. But likely not on a daily basis. And I think it flows into not only our direct interaction with the readers, but the way we present ourselves to the public.

Excellent points. Unfortunately, this particular assclown puts all of that hate out there for the world to see. Personally, I'm guessing he has some self-esteem issues, too. One thing about the InterWeb, for all of the great writers (no Doyel isn't one of them) there seems to be very little good editing -- sort of like all of these media companies hired some good writers to show they're serious but forgot to back them up with good editing staffs.

 

[Ben_Hecht]

. . . as the WWL has amply illustrated . . . forever . .