Mariotti vs. the Sun-Times sports staff

Would give my left pinky to see this material.

 

In my experience, the biggest blowhards are often the biggest cowards.

 

Jay's demonstrated the truth of that axiom, repeatedly.

 

For all of Mariotti's faults, this is not one of them. The guy writes four or five columns a week of 35-40 inches. No, he doesn't go into locker rooms. But he knows his Chicago sports. He does his homework. His writing remains elite-level. He travels all over the places.

Again, the man has his faults.

Putting his column second is not one of them.

 

Completely agree, but it happens more than you would think.

 

His writing is not "elite-level" -- I could spew out shit like that when I was in high school.

And quantity without quality is worthless.

 

Sorry, but I disagree.

Yes, he's all fastballs all the time. But as a wordsmith, he has few equals.

 

Which is sad and pathetic. And I refuse to believe that readers give two shits about a spat between two writers....any two writers. Just another example of writers making themselves the story. Again, it's hard for me to take these guys seriously.

 

Waylon,

It would be harder and take longer to write a 20-inch column than a 35-40 inch column on a daily basis.

 

They aren't 35-40 inches that drag, though. They always read well.

And I think that's a misconception/generalization anyway.

"Shorter is better!"

Tighter is better.

And Jay writes tight.

 

I'm not saying shorter is better. I'm saying it's harder and takes longer to write a good, 20-inch column than a good 35-inch column. (But 35 inches is too damn long except for a weekly notes roundup or something).