Newspaper Buyouts Come in Threes

April 3rd. 2008, 3:29pm

Somebody, somewhere, once stated that major events happen in threes, and in the sports newspaper world, a sad trifecta is about to take place: On the heels of Chicago Tribune NBA encyclopedia Sam Smith taking a buyout, and Boston Globe sports staple Jackie MacMullan doing the same, multiple sources tell us that venerable New York Times baseball scribe Murray Chass is in the final stages of accepting a buyout.

Multiple sources say that Chass’s impending departure is involuntary (read: He doesn’t want to leave, but they want him out), and about 98 percent done. We emailed New York Times sports editor Tom Jolly to get confirmation, but have not heard back. Sources we spoke with anticipate Smith and MacMullan quickly being snapped up by online entities for their impeccable sources and the ability to break news; the sources are unsure whether or not Chass will be as fortunate.

Arguably the best takedown of Chass was penned by - who else? - Fire Joe Morgan in 2007. We highly recommend it.

Jackie Mack Taking Latest Globe Buyout (Scott’s Shots)

18 Responses to “Newspaper Buyouts Come in Threes”

The412 Says:
April 3rd, 2008 at 3:36 pm

Czabe’s daily snickie is Stacy Keibler.

Why is there a picture of Seth Cohen’s grandfather above?

Mike NYC Says:
April 3rd, 2008 at 3:36 pm

For the longest time, I had no idea what VORP meant and didn’t care enough to go to any great lengths to find out.

That’s cool. You’re just a baseball writer for the fucking New York fucking Times. Thanks for caring about your fucking job so much you won’t type “define:vorp” into Google, hit return, and then read the literally two sentences that result. I just did it ten times in the last three seconds. You’re right, though: I guess those are “great lengths” for a 479-year-old member of the tribe of living undead.

IUgrad Says:
April 3rd, 2008 at 3:46 pm

Murray also blows off the use of automobiles as a fad and color television has a Communist takeover ploy.

St. Bear Says:
April 3rd, 2008 at 3:46 pm

Based soley on this one article, I’m going to make a sweeping generalization and say he’s not going to get picked up by a website because he would have trouble connecting with younger readers.

FJM is the best. It’s that website that got me into sports blogs in the first place. Thank God baseball season finally started so we can get regular posts again.

Big Nuts Says:
April 3rd, 2008 at 3:47 pm

Ouch. Fire Joe Morgan took Chass to the woodshed. I guess we never have to worry about Chass having a heart attack over reading this post - lol.

I am a 34-year-old baseball fan and I don’t understand the need for most of those newfangled stats like VORP.

Never used it. I guess the dogpile will now commence.

How about the five most useless new age baseball stats? If someone can convince me to look further than WHIP when it comes to the newer stats (I can look at a box score, and figure out a pitcher is having a bad day if he gives up 12 hits, 4 runs, and walks nine in six innings; like Cole Hamels last night, I know it’s not his fault to lose 1-0 when he gets no run support).

Someone want to help convince me I should buy a Bill James book? I am open to reason…

The412 Says:
April 3rd, 2008 at 3:51 pm

Someone want to help convince me I should buy a Bill James book? I am open to reason…

James’ books actually contain more than a regurgitation of stats (not that there’s anything wrong with that). His “Historical Baseball Abstract” is filled with entertaining stories, along with the most intelligent baseball analysis out there.

The412 Says:
April 3rd, 2008 at 3:53 pm

Is the PM round-up going to post before I leave the office? C’mon, TBL I’m not getting my money’s worth!

Oh, what is that? What did I pay for this?

Well…nothing.

Okay…nevermind.

Gonzo Says:
April 3rd, 2008 at 3:53 pm

I can read FJM over and over and not get tired of them. As far as FJM taking apart Murray Chass, kudos to them. We have another one of them called Bill Conlin here in Philly. Crotchedy old fella.

Gonzo Says:
April 3rd, 2008 at 3:54 pm

412, if you don’t get the Roundup before you leave, you can get TBL for free tomorrow. Tell them Gonzo sent ya.

St. Bear Says:
April 3rd, 2008 at 3:55 pm

A lot of the newer stats that people bring up, such as VORP or OPS+, are meant to compare players from different positions over the course of a whole season. It’s hard to compare the value of a 1B to a SS for instance, because what might be a good offensive season a SS is just average for a 1B. VORP is just one way to try and accomplish such a comparision. OPS+ also takes into account things like how the rest of the league performed and what ballpark you play in.

cbh49er Says:
April 3rd, 2008 at 4:02 pm