Moronic Article by Sports-Central's Diane M. Grassi

[al987321]

I just came upon the article by Diane M. Grassi on these pages about the World Series: http://www.sports-central.org/sports/2006/10/24/world_series_so_far_a_snoozer.php
I urge everyone to read this as an example of someone who clearly has no concept of what baseball is or means or what makes it such a great game. Seeing Ms. Grassi's "credentials" as a right-wing politico, it's very unsurprising that she would be this ignorant. You should also read the responses to her article, which are all right on the money. One writer points out that she confuses Jose Reyes, the shortstop, with Anthony Reyes, the pitcher, something typical for those like her who never really pay attention.
It's a shame that people like Ms. Grassi are ever taken seriously enough to be given columns. She truly represents the lowest form of journalistic life, sort of the columnist's equivalent to that sorry windbag Tim McCarver, whom she probably admires as a big baseball brainiac.

[KevinBeane]

Wow, that's quite a campaign you are on against a mild opinion piece you don't agree with. It's disturbing, especially since you are making something political ("she's a right-wing politico") out of it and her opinion, (this world series hasn't been very exciting), is hardly controversial and not worth this amount of vitriol from anyone with a job.

But, let me know what other opinions you don't agree with and I will talk to the site editor to make sure no one ever takes them in any column. I can tell your opinions are the ultimate arbiter of What's Right, so we would be right to follow your lead.

P.S. You are also correct in assuming that you could come to the forum here and drum up enough to support to get the writer, at very least, fired, and perhaps the uprising will be strong enough that we can shame her into never writing for publication. But that will require the lynch mob you are calling for. So who's with us, SCMBers? Read the article, it will surely make you FURIOUS!!!!! :rolleyes:

[al987321]

Nowhere do I suggest that I'm trying to get this person fired. I'm simply saying that someone who is so clearly unable to tell when a baseball game is a "snoozer" or not and writing long articles filled with inaccuracies (Jose Reyes instead of Anthony Reyes, Magglio Ordonez playing center field when he plays right) should probably stick to Clinton-bashing. After only two games were played, she said the only reason to keep watching the Series was to see "which pitcher would appear each night as the series goes forward," ignoring the fact that these are two very talented, exciting teams up and down each lineup. She then exhorts the players to start energizing themselves, implying that they weren't even trying. Wow, excuse me for taking exception to all this!

The problem here is that some of us were actually reading this article, something Ms. Grassi clearly was not expecting.

[Marc]

First of all, determining when a game is a "snoozer" is someone's opinion, and they are entitled to that. There is no right or wrong and you are off-base in trying to impose your opinion as being the only correct one.

And seriously, did Diane beat you as a child? I don't understand why you are so outraged. She has a different opinion than you, get over it.

Lastly, it's ironic people come on there and bash writers as not knowing anything when the bashers themselves clearly have not followed the writers' work. Diane has written numerous columns and is clearly a knowledgeable fan of the game. And yes, even knowledgeable people will make a mistake or typo. That's a weak argument.

In case anyone missed it in the article, her response:
Obviously you mental giants did little other than read the title of my article and the negative comments being posted which are not commentary on my writing but are nothing less than personal attacks.

I have followd Major League Baseball since the 1960's from the stands of Yankee Stadium and consider myself well-versed in its history and am a baseball fan first.

No one, including the experts can disagree that the combination of inclement weather and the cooling off of the Tigers and the Cardinals at seaons's end have taken away from interest going into this World Series. It has less to do with small-market teams than historically its has been less than a compelling post-season compared to that of the past few or those going back to the 1986 Series for those of you who can remember at least 20 years.

For those who have nothing better to do than pile on to insult those of us who take the time not just to offer an opinion but an althernative view, please take your venom elsewhere.

The great part of following baseball is that there is always room for numerous opinions. But on Sports-Central there is no tolerance for unthoughtful remarks and attacks on its writers.

Thank you.

Diane M. Grassi
Author
P.S. The analysis was with regard to the first two WS games and the end of the 2006 season. Now if you're interested, go back and read the article for what it actually says without your own agenda.
Rather than have two simultaneous discussions, I am closing this so you can leave comments on the article itself.