It Pays the Bills
Despite this week’s Bizarro World version of the Chicago Tribune, it’s good to see that some things remained the same. Like this lead to Dave van Dyck’s 25 August game story:
Ah, yes. The time-honored tradition of blaming a team’s best players for the team’s failure. At least our wayward press is consistent in that respect.
Would van Dyck prefer that Ramirez and Zambrano continued their April suck-tastic ways? I can’t say, but he does give them some grudging props (although he still can’t resist getting in another dig):
Ironically enough, if you were to turn the page of Friday’s Tribune sports section, you’d see Dr. Phil’s dispatch on White Sox ace Jon Garland:
But Dr. Phil doesn’t go on to moan about how the White Sox might be leading their division if Garland had been helping the team during those 12 lousy starts. Instead, he discuses how Garland’s shoulder “didn’t feel exactly right” back then. So Garland is a hero for pitching through the pain, and Zambrano is shameful for winning nine straight when the team didn’t “need it most.” (Is there a wrong time win nine straight? Just curious...)
And just in case you had any doubt what the Trib’s editors want you to feel about Carlos and Aramis, look no further than the headline they attached to van Dyck’s piece (in the print edition, at least): It’s Called a Salary Drive.
Ballplayers need to produce to earn their pay. And reporters need to produce pleasing, script-compliant stories to justify their salaries to their editors. As the season winds down, van Dyck hit a few home runs for his own salary drive.
Does it matter when a player gets his hits, when he makes his pitches?
Sure it does, but sometimes the results apparently are beyond control.
Take Aramis Ramirez and Carlos Zambrano, who will finish the season with big numbers but who made miniscule contributions before the Cubs’ season spiraled out of control.
Ah, yes. The time-honored tradition of blaming a team’s best players for the team’s failure. At least our wayward press is consistent in that respect.
Would van Dyck prefer that Ramirez and Zambrano continued their April suck-tastic ways? I can’t say, but he does give them some grudging props (although he still can’t resist getting in another dig):
Ramirez and Zambrano have helped the Cubs turn this season into one that has become at least watchable most of the time. Of course, it might have helped the team if they had done it earlier, when the Cubs needed it most.
Ironically enough, if you were to turn the page of Friday’s Tribune sports section, you’d see Dr. Phil’s dispatch on White Sox ace Jon Garland:
After starting the season 4-3 with a 6.19 ERA in 12 starts, Garland has gone 11-1 with a 2.87 ERA in his last 13 starts. He’s allowed one run or no runs in seen of his last 10 starts.
But Dr. Phil doesn’t go on to moan about how the White Sox might be leading their division if Garland had been helping the team during those 12 lousy starts. Instead, he discuses how Garland’s shoulder “didn’t feel exactly right” back then. So Garland is a hero for pitching through the pain, and Zambrano is shameful for winning nine straight when the team didn’t “need it most.” (Is there a wrong time win nine straight? Just curious...)
And just in case you had any doubt what the Trib’s editors want you to feel about Carlos and Aramis, look no further than the headline they attached to van Dyck’s piece (in the print edition, at least): It’s Called a Salary Drive.
Ballplayers need to produce to earn their pay. And reporters need to produce pleasing, script-compliant stories to justify their salaries to their editors. As the season winds down, van Dyck hit a few home runs for his own salary drive.
posted by Bob at
2:18 PM
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