Covering John Tortorella

One reporter's thoughts from the NY Rangers beat:

http://davelozo.tumblr.com/post/51833408147/one-mans-perspective-on-dealing-with-john-tortorella

 

Why on earth would anyone in the general public be interested in this? And not just because hockey is a niche sport.

 

I get why people would be interested in this. People always want to know what coaches, players, or other famous people "are really like." And besides, it's a blog.

The thing that struck me is, the guy comes across as extraordinarily timid. Tortorella is an asshole. He should not be "scary" if you are any older than about 23. Who gives a shit if a hockey coach likes your question?

 

It came off as very whiny. Many successful coaches are assholes. Tortorella may be an ass but is he any worse to deal with than Nick Saban, Bill Belichick, or one of many others?

 

I couldn't get past the first section.

 

The article is very poorly written and about 20 times too long, which is too bad because Tortorella is unusually combative even by the standards of asshole coaches. It could have been a really good look.

 

This is what I was thinking. Having seen Tortorella coach a team in my area, he is very combative, and this could have been a really good read. Too bad it missed the mark.

 

Two truths I have settled on:

(1) Sports writers and reporters ask a lot of really bad questions. A lot. Part of it is the setting. Part of it is the obsolete but rabid drive for "quotes." Part of it is just poor performance.

(2) Coaches and athletes could still stand to be pleasant when answering. There's no need to try to embarrass somebody. It's junior high bullshit.

 

The best line in the story, and it seems pretty spot-on, from what I have seen. And it also highlights your second point.

Also from the story ... maybe a bit melodramatic, but ...