Comments on: The impossible becomes real: Murray Chass reaches new lows http://www.sethmnookin.com/blog/2006/12/08/the-impossible-becomes-real-murray-chass-reaches-new-lows/ Media, Baseball, Boston, the Red Sox, Music, Literature, and Mnookins Fri, 05 Dec 2008 16:28:24 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6 By: Nordberg http://www.sethmnookin.com/blog/2006/12/08/the-impossible-becomes-real-murray-chass-reaches-new-lows/#comment-3254 Nordberg Sat, 09 Dec 2006 19:18:17 +0000 http://www.sethmnookin.com/blog/2006/12/08/the-impossible-becomes-real-murray-chass-reaches-new-lows/#comment-3254 Speaking of once relevant sports writers who have lost their way and seem to have an agenda in their columns, allow me to mention Dan Shaughnessy. Corrdawggy: I have to agree with Seth on this one. The point he's trying to make is that the Times has a written code of ethics that, in Chass' case, it does not follow. Also, it is not ironic that Seth mentions acquaintences at the Times and does not name them while at the same time criticizing Chass' use of anonymous sources. That's more of a coincidence. Chass does seem to have an odd and unhealthy obsession with the Red Sox and seeing them fall on their faces. And in the case of the Globe, its writers do mention the Yankees a lot, but not with venom and spite. I think that, clearly, there is a great difference in tone and intent. I would challenge you to find a Globe writer who refers to the Yankees in the same tone as Chass does the Red Sox. Speaking of once relevant sports writers who have lost their way and seem to have an agenda in their columns, allow me to mention Dan Shaughnessy.

Corrdawggy: I have to agree with Seth on this one. The point he’s trying to make is that the Times has a written code of ethics that, in Chass’ case, it does not follow. Also, it is not ironic that Seth mentions acquaintences at the Times and does not name them while at the same time criticizing Chass’ use of anonymous sources. That’s more of a coincidence.

Chass does seem to have an odd and unhealthy obsession with the Red Sox and seeing them fall on their faces. And in the case of the Globe, its writers do mention the Yankees a lot, but not with venom and spite. I think that, clearly, there is a great difference in tone and intent.

I would challenge you to find a Globe writer who refers to the Yankees in the same tone as Chass does the Red Sox.

]]> By: corrdawggy http://www.sethmnookin.com/blog/2006/12/08/the-impossible-becomes-real-murray-chass-reaches-new-lows/#comment-3225 corrdawggy Sat, 09 Dec 2006 14:42:06 +0000 http://www.sethmnookin.com/blog/2006/12/08/the-impossible-becomes-real-murray-chass-reaches-new-lows/#comment-3225 Take it easy dude. You've got to admit it's ironic that in the same entry you lambaste Chass for not revealing his sources you do the exact same thing. The fact that you have no written code of ethics, does not mean that you get a free pass. As for Chass obsession with the Sox, is it really that strange? I mean he is basically a Yankee writer right? One would expect a lot of coverage of their biggest rival. If we're talking obsession with the other side, how many times are the Yanks mentioned in Boston papers? Maybe you should do another Nexis search. Take it easy dude. You’ve got to admit it’s ironic that in the same entry you lambaste Chass for not revealing his sources you do the exact same thing. The fact that you have no written code of ethics, does not mean that you get a free pass. As for Chass obsession with the Sox, is it really that strange? I mean he is basically a Yankee writer right? One would expect a lot of coverage of their biggest rival. If we’re talking obsession with the other side, how many times are the Yanks mentioned in Boston papers? Maybe you should do another Nexis search.

]]> By: Jossip http://www.sethmnookin.com/blog/2006/12/08/the-impossible-becomes-real-murray-chass-reaches-new-lows/#comment-3191 Jossip Fri, 08 Dec 2006 22:42:49 +0000 http://www.sethmnookin.com/blog/2006/12/08/the-impossible-becomes-real-murray-chass-reaches-new-lows/#comment-3191 <strong>Jiblets: Policies Good, Breaking Them Bad...</strong> • Seth Mnookin joins parade calling bullshit on NYT's anonymous source policy. • Ken Auletta can't call others smug when he himself, is you know, that too. • Katie Couric isn't the only diva at CBS News. • HuffPo's Rachel...... Jiblets: Policies Good, Breaking Them Bad…

• Seth Mnookin joins parade calling bullshit on NYT’s anonymous source policy. • Ken Auletta can’t call others smug when he himself, is you know, that too. • Katie Couric isn’t the only diva at CBS News. • HuffPo’s Rachel……

]]> By: alasky http://www.sethmnookin.com/blog/2006/12/08/the-impossible-becomes-real-murray-chass-reaches-new-lows/#comment-3185 alasky Fri, 08 Dec 2006 20:21:38 +0000 http://www.sethmnookin.com/blog/2006/12/08/the-impossible-becomes-real-murray-chass-reaches-new-lows/#comment-3185 "We haven't reached a decision yet," Ned Colletti, the Dodgers' general manager, told The Times before leaving the winter meetings in Orlando, Fla. This quote from the article would at least suggest that it's not just Murray Chass who believes this, but the actual GM looking into it. Thus, it's not totally unfair by Chass. Not defending him as a writer, but at least in this instance, you may be getting a tad aggresive: * In the period between November 1 and today, exactly one writer has raised specific speculation concerning the possibility of Red Sox tampering in relation to Drew (according to a Nexis search of “Red Sox” and “tampering” for all U.S. news sources): Murray Chass. There may only one writer suggesting so, but there's at least one GM as well, therefore, making it a semi-interesting piece, true or untrue. “We haven’t reached a decision yet,” Ned Colletti, the Dodgers’ general manager, told The Times before leaving the winter meetings in Orlando, Fla.

This quote from the article would at least suggest that it’s not just Murray Chass who believes this, but the actual GM looking into it. Thus, it’s not totally unfair by Chass.

Not defending him as a writer, but at least in this instance, you may be getting a tad aggresive:

* In the period between November 1 and today, exactly one writer has raised specific speculation concerning the possibility of Red Sox tampering in relation to Drew (according to a Nexis search of “Red Sox” and “tampering” for all U.S. news sources): Murray Chass.

There may only one writer suggesting so, but there’s at least one GM as well, therefore, making it a semi-interesting piece, true or untrue.

]]> By: Zootster http://www.sethmnookin.com/blog/2006/12/08/the-impossible-becomes-real-murray-chass-reaches-new-lows/#comment-3184 Zootster Fri, 08 Dec 2006 20:11:58 +0000 http://www.sethmnookin.com/blog/2006/12/08/the-impossible-becomes-real-murray-chass-reaches-new-lows/#comment-3184 Seth: You need to read every word; it’s not a “written code for the use of anonymous sources,” but “Confidential News Sources.” Since the word “News” is part of the title, Murray, quite rightfully, concludes that it doesn’t apply to sports writers. ***************************** Since when is there a formal distinction between current events, arts, sports and other areas of 'news'? The distinction is between 'news' generically and opinion. Whatever Chass thinks he's doing - and I have my suspicions - it isn't writing pure opinion. Seth: You need to read every word; it’s not a “written code for the use of anonymous sources,” but “Confidential News Sources.” Since the word “News” is part of the title, Murray, quite rightfully, concludes that it doesn’t apply to sports writers.
*****************************
Since when is there a formal distinction between current events, arts, sports and other areas of ‘news’? The distinction is between ‘news’ generically and opinion. Whatever Chass thinks he’s doing - and I have my suspicions - it isn’t writing pure opinion.

]]> By: spira http://www.sethmnookin.com/blog/2006/12/08/the-impossible-becomes-real-murray-chass-reaches-new-lows/#comment-3181 spira Fri, 08 Dec 2006 19:46:40 +0000 http://www.sethmnookin.com/blog/2006/12/08/the-impossible-becomes-real-murray-chass-reaches-new-lows/#comment-3181 Chass was not only the best reporter in the country on baseball's labor matters, he may have been the only one. For a long time, most reporters just took the "ungrateful players are greedy" issue, and even those who got past that impulse didn't understand the issues well enough to report them accurately. This was as much of the fault of the editors as the reporters, though, since most sports reporters understandably just didn't come with the skill set to deal with complex collective bargaining issues, and someone from the news side who did understand the issues should have been gotten the assignment. But this is sports, and even today, it's not treated seriously. If sports reporters were forced to follow the same basic procedures as news reporters, they'd be in trouble. I'm not surprised that even the Times holds their sports reporters to a lower standard than the rest of the reporters. Chass was not only the best reporter in the country on baseball’s labor matters, he may have been the only one. For a long time, most reporters just took the “ungrateful players are greedy” issue, and even those who got past that impulse didn’t understand the issues well enough to report them accurately. This was as much of the fault of the editors as the reporters, though, since most sports reporters understandably just didn’t come with the skill set to deal with complex collective bargaining issues, and someone from the news side who did understand the issues should have been gotten the assignment. But this is sports, and even today, it’s not treated seriously. If sports reporters were forced to follow the same basic procedures as news reporters, they’d be in trouble. I’m not surprised that even the Times holds their sports reporters to a lower standard than the rest of the reporters.

]]> By: corrdawggy http://www.sethmnookin.com/blog/2006/12/08/the-impossible-becomes-real-murray-chass-reaches-new-lows/#comment-3180 corrdawggy Fri, 08 Dec 2006 19:44:18 +0000 http://www.sethmnookin.com/blog/2006/12/08/the-impossible-becomes-real-murray-chass-reaches-new-lows/#comment-3180 Interesting that you also do not identify your sources. "the many e-mails I get from Times employees complaining about Chass’s reporting have resulted in a new theory" <i>Yeah, that's almost as interesting as the fact that a) this is a blog, not a news operation with 1000+ editorial employees, b) I don't have some sort of written code of ethics and guidelines, c) I've never been accused of <a href="http://www.sethmnookin.com/hardnews/index.php">making up or plagiarizing dozens of stories (as a <i>Times</i> reporter was)</a>, and d) nor have I been accused of, you know, <a href="http://rawstory.com/news/2005/Vanity_Fair_tears_into_exTimes_reporter_1207.html">helping to provide justification used to start a war</a>. Oh, and it's also almost exactly as interesting as your making this comment without identifying yourself -- you know, anonymously. -- Seth</i> Interesting that you also do not identify your sources.

“the many e-mails I get from Times employees complaining about Chass’s reporting have resulted in a new theory”

Yeah, that’s almost as interesting as the fact that a) this is a blog, not a news operation with 1000+ editorial employees, b) I don’t have some sort of written code of ethics and guidelines, c) I’ve never been accused of making up or plagiarizing dozens of stories (as a Times reporter was), and d) nor have I been accused of, you know, helping to provide justification used to start a war. Oh, and it’s also almost exactly as interesting as your making this comment without identifying yourself — you know, anonymously.

– Seth

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