I'm choking on the discussion about steroid-abusing baseball players. Here's a novel approach that won't happen: Expel these players from Major League Baseball. I know the Player's Association won't allow it and reportedly the Collective Bargaining Agreement hadn't included steroids as banned substances back in 2002. To hell with that: they cheated, throw them out.
Barry Bonds, Jason Giambi, Gary Sheffield, some of the best players of our generation abused their privileges. I don't believe them for a second that they didn't knowingly use steroid-related substances. And I would not be surprised if estimates of 50 percent of players were using them up through the 2003 season prove to be low-balling the truth.
Such discipline should fall within the Best Interests of Baseball clause, or whatever it's called, that is within the commissioner's rights. Of course, that's one major reason it won't happen: the commissioner is closely aligned with ownership, having formerly owned the Milwaukee Brewers.
Barry will continue his assault on the most precious record in baseball. Giambi will field questions about steroids with the same dexterity he shows around first base (that is, not much) for the rest of his career. And Sheff will waggle his sanctimonious words around the league once more in the Yankee uniform, which used to stand for unquestioned success. There are questions now. Chief among them in my opinion is why do we continue to allow this?
Wednesday, December 08, 2004
Monday, December 06, 2004
Chapter 27: The Emergence of Blogs
I've gotten pretty well sick of reading other people talk about how ubiquitous blogs have become and how they're basically useless as marketing devices.
To me, a Web log is different than a Web site. I view blogs as an electronic journal of thoughts, quickly typed, often shoddily edited (if at all) and based on opinion. A corporate Web site should be an extension of the company; a blog should be an electronic extension of the person. Semantic distinctions of corporate vs. corporeal aside, I don't care if a blog isn't an effective marketing device. Furthermore, if it is a successful marketing device, in my opinion it's not a blog, it's a Web site.
Just as a writing journal kept bedside is not a book, neither is a blog a marketing device. The bloggers that attract attention to their opinions, that's fine. But would they spout off their thoughts if there weren't readers? I know I would. I do. Those that wouldn't, good riddance.
To me, a Web log is different than a Web site. I view blogs as an electronic journal of thoughts, quickly typed, often shoddily edited (if at all) and based on opinion. A corporate Web site should be an extension of the company; a blog should be an electronic extension of the person. Semantic distinctions of corporate vs. corporeal aside, I don't care if a blog isn't an effective marketing device. Furthermore, if it is a successful marketing device, in my opinion it's not a blog, it's a Web site.
Just as a writing journal kept bedside is not a book, neither is a blog a marketing device. The bloggers that attract attention to their opinions, that's fine. But would they spout off their thoughts if there weren't readers? I know I would. I do. Those that wouldn't, good riddance.
Thursday, December 02, 2004
Chapter 26.7: As Stupid Does
Jason Giambi typifies the arrogant stupidity of the modern baseball player. His acceptance of the steroid-like, performance-enhancing substances exemplifies the types of things athletes have been doing for decades, if not forever. And we as fans need to stop encouraging it with our adoration of tape-measure home runs.
In this "Be Like Mike" world of emulation of the superstars, Jason Giambi's reported testimony shows what little personal regard athletes have for their bodies. It's all about their performance. And we as fans reward them for that, further feeding their addiction to performance, to the adrenaline rush of competition. Moreover, when one athlete shows it works, others will follow.
I think I see now why this story has become so attractive to sports fans: It's not merely about what our superstars will do in the quest for glory and that they'll "deceive" the world in their quest for millions. It's about winning at all costs, not merely for the team, but for themselves. We as fans recognize that this could happen to anyone, and when it's happening to people we love to see play games we enjoy, perhaps that makes them more like us.
Just like the players who strive to be better than their competition and better than their vision of their achievements, we as fans have juiced ourselves up on our teams' successes. We're just as dumb as they are, because we delude ourselves that it's "just a game" while we engross ourselves in water cooler discussions, bets and pools, sports-centered vacations, even our dreams. Giambi is responsible for his actions, as is Gary Sheffield for his, Barry Bonds for his, Sammy Sosa for his, etc., on down the road. We should also take responsibilty for how we accept their stupidity. It's time to stop being addicted to the athletes and show respect for the game. Win, but not at all costs.
In this "Be Like Mike" world of emulation of the superstars, Jason Giambi's reported testimony shows what little personal regard athletes have for their bodies. It's all about their performance. And we as fans reward them for that, further feeding their addiction to performance, to the adrenaline rush of competition. Moreover, when one athlete shows it works, others will follow.
I think I see now why this story has become so attractive to sports fans: It's not merely about what our superstars will do in the quest for glory and that they'll "deceive" the world in their quest for millions. It's about winning at all costs, not merely for the team, but for themselves. We as fans recognize that this could happen to anyone, and when it's happening to people we love to see play games we enjoy, perhaps that makes them more like us.
Just like the players who strive to be better than their competition and better than their vision of their achievements, we as fans have juiced ourselves up on our teams' successes. We're just as dumb as they are, because we delude ourselves that it's "just a game" while we engross ourselves in water cooler discussions, bets and pools, sports-centered vacations, even our dreams. Giambi is responsible for his actions, as is Gary Sheffield for his, Barry Bonds for his, Sammy Sosa for his, etc., on down the road. We should also take responsibilty for how we accept their stupidity. It's time to stop being addicted to the athletes and show respect for the game. Win, but not at all costs.
Wednesday, December 01, 2004
Chapter 26.4: Formulating Questions
Today there appeared an excellent article by Mike Allen in the Washington Post about the fine line White House reporters walk when asking questions of President Bush at his infrequent press conferences.
Perhaps I think about proper questioning techniques and interview strategies more than many people, since I'm a journalist, but I think anyone interested in the nuance of the president's relationship with the press would find it fascinating.
If the link fails to work (which I'll keep checking), it's in the Dec. 1 edition of the Washington Post. It appeared on page C1. I presume it was above the fold.
Perhaps I think about proper questioning techniques and interview strategies more than many people, since I'm a journalist, but I think anyone interested in the nuance of the president's relationship with the press would find it fascinating.
If the link fails to work (which I'll keep checking), it's in the Dec. 1 edition of the Washington Post. It appeared on page C1. I presume it was above the fold.
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