Re: Holley: Celtics Must Make A Trade

["Michael J.King Sr." <kingpin@primenet.com>]

At 11:09 AM 5/12/99 -0400, Way Of The Ray wrote:

> -- I see why Ted Williams
>> hated the boston press so much.
>
>Seems like the Boston press fawns over Ted Williams.  How many glowing
>tributes has Shaughnessy written of Williams?  I think in the old days,
>a few members of the media had it in for Williams, but a large segment
>of the press were just lackeys for the various teams.  Today, that's
>changed 
>and I would say there's more objectivity among the reporters.  Less
>lackeys, less
>people with an agenda.  However, having two newspapers in competition
>with each
>other does tend to engender sensationalism.

The press (Not just Bostons) rightfully fawn over one of baseballs greatest
players and IMO great human beings. The man speaks from one side of his
face and doesn't care if he says the "right" thing as is so prevalent in
this day and age. Have you ever listened to him talk about baseball?
Hitting in particular? His insights are enlightening and usually correct
when pointing out a hitters flaws. He spoke at our Bronco League banquet in
1964 and i will never forget that he took the time to speak to me and offer
me advice without making me feel like I was burdening him. I had loved him
as a player before that night and loved him as a person as well from that
night as well. He spoke to this 10 year old twice that night, the first was
a brief 1-2 minute chat and autograph(I still have it!!) but the second
chat lasted 20 minutes or so outside of Gaudettes Pavilion(Gone now but
handled all big banquets in the day) as his ride was late in picking him
up. My dad was with me and to this day I hold that as one of the most
memorable moments in my life as I got to meet a legend who made ME feel
like I was special and secondly it allowed a father and son moment that
still lives in my memories(Dad passed on some years back) He was as excited
and thrilled to meet Ted as I  this impressionable lad. In some ways it
probably meant more to him as his eyes would still light up decades later
when we spoke of it. Have you folks seen him in the new Nike ad? I love
it!!!  Well sorry for prattling on so but as I stated Teddy Ballgame should
always be treated  with the respect he  so richly deserves. 

 However, having two newspapers in competition
>with each
>other does tend to engender sensationalism.

In Teds day we had a lot more than just 2 newspapers to do the above and
the competition was legendary. You must remember that Newspapers were the
number one source of info for most Americans , especially in the forties
and early fifties before TeeVee got its foothold on America. I have read
some wild stories about the lengths that  the Boston writers went to in
order to "Scoop" each other. Todays backbiters as nasty as they can be
would take a backseat to the "Good Old Days" 40's-50's  brand of Journalism. 
Just FYI  Boston had some great writers and columnists  in the 40's-50's as
well. I was alluding to the competition factor that was brought up. Just my
thoughts and YMMV. Later.Mike