ChicagoSportsBlogs : Non Compete

You would think that some of the established writers, journalists, and columnists would get it by now. I guess I was wrong. From one of my favorite writers Rick Morrissey of the Trib:

One of the best and worst things that has happened to our society is the blog—best because everyone can have his say, not just us so-called experts; worst because everyone can say anything with almost no accountability.

Ouch. Being classified as an expert is relative. Like beauty, it is in the eye of the beholder. If writers are so-called experts - the ballplayers surely don't agree. I've seen countless rants from guys who actually swing a bat or throw touchdowns for a living who don't agree with Mr. Morrissey's assement. If I'm any less of an expert than a guy who writes for a major media company it's because I don't have that fantastic press pass that gets me into all these events. Which leads me to another point of Rick's:

I'll give Mariotti this: Whether he realizes it or not, he might have been the nation's first blogger, without actually writing one. He has led the way by not leading the way to the locker room or the clubhouse. He writes what he wants without ever talking to a soul. The only difference is he travels often to events, unlike bloggers, many of whom sit in their underwear all day and update, update, update.

Once again, his logic is flawed. First, being there physically isn't (and I argue can't be) the reason how or why you validate your existence. It better not be the primary way you guys figure out who is a "real" writer. Talking to the players is the one privelage you guys get as professional writers. Don't get me wrong, I don't pretend to be as talented as you guys. I'm not auditioning for your job. These blogs you fear might destroy the monopoly companies like the TribuneCo have on the distrobution of content - but it won't replace that content. They've got you writing a blog now too, don't they? As far as sitting in my underwear and just doing update after update - you must be joking, right? I wear pants my friend. And just like you, I put them on one leg at a time.

One final note, and point of contention:
But something is happening in our society, and the blog is a reflection of it. So is TV. So is radio. So, for that matter, is Mavericks owner Mark Cuban. Civility is going bye-bye. Public discussion is a bloody fistfight. And it's OK to be vapid as long as you're loud. Take a bow for that, Mr. Cuban.

You should take the time to actually read Mark Cuban's blog. It's actually well written and quite good. I much prefer him online, via his carefully crafted posts than his on-air persona. He isn't as annoying, so you can rip on him for dancing on the sidelines of games, but not for his blog. It provides transparency to a side of the sports world that we've never seen. You know why? Because he didn't want a so-called expert to write about it for him.

I can understand the fear that journalists like Morrissey and Mariotti have when it comes to blogs. Any average-joe with a computer and an email address can start writing about sports without that fancy journalism degree from the Northwestern! These bloggers aren't earning their stripes. It's worse than the talk radio shows because these articles never go away. I can see them thinking: "People don't want to read that crap online, right?"

I bet the guy who invented stone tablets said the same thing when paper was invented!

It's as if we(the bloggers) took these conversation we were having while drinking beer at our local bar and moved them online so that everyone could join in. Even complete strangers! Hmm. That isn't that bad of an idea. What will they think of next? Wearing Pants?!

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