Philly Inquirer Hires New Phillies Beat Writer

After Zolecki left for MLB.com there was an interesting discussion on these boards, given the financial situation of the paper, about who they would hire.

Here's our answer... Andy Martino from the NY Daily News.

http://www.philly.com/philly/hp/news_update/Hello_from_your_new_beat_writer.html

Thoughts?

 

Good for Andy, I guess, and I hope for his sake he negotiated a solid severance package that will be exempt from bankruptcy proceedings.

 

That would be nice.

He has big shoes to fill. I used to work there and Zolecki had a very loyal following.

 

Kind of brings up a more interesting question. Would you take a job at a paper that just filed for bankruptcy? Seems like it would be a risky proposition.

 

If I were unemployed or flipping burgers, yes, yes I would.

If I were on staff at another paper, with better seniority than "last guy in," doubtful.

 

Dibs on Drip's house!

 

No riskier than taking a job, or working, for that matter, at any other newspaper these days. If anything, they won't want to lay off their new guy on a major beat.
My only hesitation would be if I was giving up lots of seniority to be low man on the totem pole at a Guild paper that does layoffs by reverse seniority.

 

Andy's actually relatively new in the business and wasn't full time at The Daily News, so this is a great move for him despite the risk. He's a strong reporter and can make the most of it in an uncertain climate.

 

The house ain't for sale.
There will be a newspaper in Philadelphia. He's at the stronger of the two. The only way he gets screwed is if the two editorial staffs merge and the wonderful Guild steps in. Good luck Andy and fasten your seat belt.