[Akileese]

I took this from Matt Cerrone at Metsblog. Matt is a really level headed person (and that says a lot since most Met fans are more out there than Yankee fans or Red Sox fans combined).

...if a team’s beat writer only filed his information on his blog, and did not do so in a newspaper, would it make him any less credible?…no, it would not…he is still a reporter…it is still his job to gather information so you and i have a better, more well-rounded view of what is happening with the team…sure, i do not need him to tell me what happened in the game, which i watched with my own two eyes, but it’s nice to know why things happen and what may happen, and he collects that insight – his work is important and will never be irrelevant…however, how his information gets communicated to the public is just a vehicle…if that vehicle changes - as it will – from a rolled up collection of paper to a one-page scroll on a computer screen, what is the difference…also, why does the reporter have to be employed by a newspaper, or some old-school media outlet…if a writer writes well, is respectful, professional and does her job well, why does it matter who signs her paycheck…

I think this is a true point and it's what most beat writers can't get away from. They think that no matter what kind of skill you have, if you don't have a diploma, you're not a real writer. It's incredibly short sighted of them and stubborn. I mean, in a changing world, why can't sports writers grow and adapt as well? Instead of being god fearing towards bloggers (and as I said and can't stress this enough, for every one blog that is very good, there are a dozen terrible ones) and go at them with pitchforks and torches, why can't they just except it and go about their business?

There will always be a place for beat writers as long as their are pro sports. No owner outside of Mark Cuban will open up his entire locker room to anyone guy with a laptop. It's just not going to happen. That being said, I just think a lot of the writers, guys like Bissinger, are being completely irrational and coming off as obnoxious. I mean, did he really have to swear at Leitch so much? You're suppose to be a professional man, act like one.