Morrissey on Jerome Holtzman and the Importance of Beat Writers

No, I don't think it was intended as a Holtzman tribute at all. The opening of the White Sox tribute to Jerome was the starting point for his comments about the importance of having reporters who know their stuff covering the beat.

Don't see anything wrong with that.

 

Except that the headline and subhead are:

Jerome Holtzman a true Hall of Famer
Baseball writer was master at talking, listening, reporting

Whomever wrote those (probably not Morrissey) didn't get the memo ...

 

Yeah, I didn't get that either, and never a good thing when the headline and the article aren't on the same page.

 

All I can say is: Bigmouth strikes again.

 

Morrissey is on the money here. Strong beat writers just don't get the credit they deserve these days. There is a HUGE difference between opinion and informed opinion. Unfortunately, 95 percent of the world struggles to figure out that distinction anymore.

 

I've been saying this for years. The most irreplaceable people with the safest jobs in our industry are the best reporters. For example, in baseball, guys like Ken Rosenthal and Gordon Edes will never be without work. Everyone's got an opinion, only a select few have an well-informed opinion.

 

Until they and their brethern are making too much money, relative to the other salaries left on staff, and they have to be laid off so someone cheaper can get the job.

It is their, and other top beat writers', misfortune to have built their reputations while papers still were giving out raises. Now their higher salaries are like targets painted on their backs for the bean counters. (Obviously, not talking about Rosenthal and Edes specifically, but the best beat writers. Good used to = expensive, now expensive = expendable.)