Take some time off, Jay

[JayFarrar]

Okay, I'm contractually obligated to write five to six articles a month for my pub. If I write more than that, I don't get paid for that work. So guess what I do? Write five to six articles a month.
Someone probably made a judgment at the ST that said they'd rather have Mariotti write as much as he could during the Bears Super Bowl run and then take their chances knowing that he'd hit his total number.

 

[playthrough]

What's Jay really going to miss? He's not irreplaceable for the Masters and wouldn't be missed for the Final Four unless a local team makes it (unlikely). Sure, he could write the usual Cubs-suck stuff in March and April, but it's not like those columns won't be possible in midsummer, early fall or the rest of eternity.

 

[EE94]

Fellas,

Considering the fact that he was back at work about 15 minutes after having a heart procedure, maybe we can cut the guy a little slack and wish him godspeed during his sabbatical?

If Poynter/Trib is right about the reason for him taking a few months off -- skipping the Final Four, Opening Day, Masters, et al -- because "he's written more columns than his contract requires," then why should he deserve any slack?

Hey, if you could get that deal, wouldn't you take it? I hear people on this site complain all the time about working more than their employers pay for, so shy does Mariotti not get his "Sunday's off."
There will be a Final Four, Opening Day and Masters et al, next year.

 

[write then drink]

Okay, I'm contractually obligated to write five to six articles a month for my pub. If I write more than that, I don't get paid for that work. So guess what I do? Write five to six articles a month.
Someone probably made a judgment at the ST that said they'd rather have Mariotti write as much as he could during the Bears Super Bowl run and then take their chances knowing that he'd hit his total number.

yep

amazing what people get ripped for on this board

doing what every single one of us would also do

fulfill the terms of their contract

unreal

 

[Ben_Hecht]

Who's ripping the deal?

We're just doing a review of The Faults of Eddie, which are legion.

 

[Pringle]

Can someone tell me why we hate Jay here again? Because he's tough on the local teams in an enormous market where the people who run said teams have traditionally been, until the last few years, bumbling morons? Good reason.

 

[slappy4428]

Can someone tell me why we hate Jay here again? Because he's tough on the local teams in an enormous market where the people who run said teams have traditionally been, until the last few years, bumbling morons and does it from the safety of the press box and his couch, instead of visiting locker rooms? Good reason.

 

[Pringle]

Can someone tell me why we hate Jay here again? Because he's tough on the local teams in an enormous market where the people who run said teams have traditionally been, until the last few years, bumbling morons and does it from the safety of the press box and his couch, instead of visiting locker rooms? Good reason.

That's fair. It shouldn't just be because he rips, though. Because a lot of those people deserve it.

 

[21]

Without re-reading the whole thread, is this whole 'Jay fulfills contract and goes home' story based solely on the Tribune column, which was clearly written in retaliation for the 'Sun-Times sues Trib for ruining Cubs' story'?

Not suggesting the Tribune was inaccurate, but is there any other source/insight for this story?

 

[slappy4428]

No one here has a problem with any columnist ripping an athlete or team. A columnist gets to offer his opinion, good or bad.
But you have to be make an effort to be fair -- or you're labeled as jumping on the bandwagon when things are good and piling on when things are bad. If you don't present both sides of an argument, at least learn both sides of the argument. You need to be fair -- and Eddie Munster isn't.
You should stand behind what you write, and when Eddie hides in the press box and doesn't make an effort, he is ripped.
I would love, just ****ing love to see Ozzie hold his post-game presser in the press box one game this season, look Munster right in the eye and say in his fractured Spanglish, "OK, no excuses now."

 

[Ben_Hecht]

Yep, he ripped the White Sox all the way through the 2005 regular season.

He couldn't function without his stiletto.

 

[Sportsbruh]

Jay is THE MOST HATED reporter in Chicago. Everybody HATES him - including those at the Suntimes.

Ozzie Gullen was right. The would be a better place without this Evil demon.

 

[Boobie Miles]

If a guy is counting his number of columns and because his "contract" says he gets to take the next two months off because he's "over" what the "contract" says is not someone I want on my team. Wow.

That's a good point. How will be able to get on his high horse and right about spoiled athletes when he comes back?

 

[chazp]

I'd say the Trib's got a slamdunk argument on the ownership deal what with Black on his way to the sneezer for 100 years.
As to the other thing, am I missing something, or is Jay going to stop actually writing a column but portray himself as a columnist on television?
Does anyone else think this is weird?

No. Skip Bayless has done it for years.

"Once again, F_B hung the curve and an SportsJournalists.comer took advantage of the opportunity by sending it deep."

"Hi, I'm Skip Bayless. I'm not really a writer, but I play one on TV."

 

[D-3 Fan]

I'd say the Trib's got a slamdunk argument on the ownership deal what with Black on his way to the sneezer for 100 years.
As to the other thing, am I missing something, or is Jay going to stop actually writing a column but portray himself as a columnist on television?
Does anyone else think this is weird?

No. Skip Bayless has done it for years.

"Once again, F_B hung the curve and an SportsJournalists.comer took advantage of the opportunity by sending it deep."

"Hi, I'm Skip Bayless. I'm not really a writer, but I play one on TV."

"YES! I'm the same Skip Bayless who has written three, THREE best selling books, have a guest host spot on the Jim Rome Show."