MORE ON THE MARIOTTI DEPARTURE:

Excerpts from his fellow Sun-Times' writer, Chris DeLuca

REACTION The self-proclaimed tough-guy columnist never faced his targets, and that's the main reason he was considered a coward in clubhouses
August 28, 2008

. . .
Much to Mariotti's surprise, there are bigger names at the paper. Roger Ebert and Richard Roeper enjoy the kind of international following envied by journalists everywhere. Rick Telander has a national appeal Mariotti never could match. There are hardworking reporters, editors and photographers who come to work every day, do their jobs the right way and somehow remember they're just a small part of a very big team.
One page does not make a newspaper.
A flip-flopper to the end
And now Mariotti says the printed page is a dinosaur. He has embraced the Internet as his new forum.
We're talking about a columnist who detested bloggers -- mainly because he was easy fodder for their biting humor. He acted as if he stood on a level above bloggers. Most of the better bloggers have the kind of wit he couldn't touch.
Are bloggers bad? Absolutely not.
But those of us who work at newspapers have one edge over the blogging world. We have access to the players, coaches, managers and front-office executives. We can talk to key figures on and off the record to get insight unavailable to others. It's a privilege most of us don't take lightly. To not use it to our advantage is a waste -- of our energy and the readers' time.
. . .
Not once in the last eight years can I recall seeing Mariotti in the Cubs' or Sox' clubhouse. With a press credential that allowed him access to every major sporting event and every major figure, he hasn't broken a single story in that time. He says Chicago is a weak market, the competitive edge gone. He has only himself to blame.
When Lou Piniella was hired by the Cubs, the Sun-Times reported it first. Mariotti had no role in that major story. He says the market has gone soft. If that's true, he played as big a role in the softening as anyone else.
He called his colleagues soft, forgetting we're the ones who had to face his targets on a daily basis. We were the ones who had to deal with the anger that he was too cowardly to face himself. We got the quotes that made up the bulk of his columns.
In spinning his story to the Chicago Tribune, Mariotti depicted the Sun-Times as the Titanic, and it was clear the self-proclaimed tough guy was knocking over the old women and children to be the first to jump ship.
''I'm a competitor, and I get the sense this marketplace doesn't compete,'' said Mariotti, who will remain a regular contestant on an ESPN game show.
''Probably the days of high-stakes competition in Chicago are over. To see what has happened in this business ... I don't want to go down with it.''
Stand-up guy to the end.
Good riddance
Sun-Times editor Michael Cooke said it best.
''We wish Jay well and will miss him -- not personally, of course -- but in the sense of noticing he is no longer here, at least for a few days,'' Cooke said. ''A paper, like a sports franchise, is something that moves into the future. Stars come and stars go, but the Sun-Times sports section was, is and will continue to be the best in the city.''
Today, it's a little better.

NFL REINSTATES ADAM "PACMAN" JONES!

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/trainingcamp08/news/story?id=3557979

THE K-LINE'S TOTALLY USELESS, TOTALLY UNRELIABLE, TOTALLY WORTHLESS COLLEGE FOOTBALL PRESEASON TOP FIVE!
1. OKLAHOMA
2. FLORIDA
3. OHIO STATE
4. CLEMSON
5. GEORGIA

SO FAR, THIS IS A VERY HAPPY DAY!

Jay Mariotti is leaving the Sun-Times!

More to follow!!

http://www.suntimes.com/sports/1128603,mariotti082708.article

NEW T-SHIRT DESIGN

Word is that HM has already ordered the shirt as a gift for Al Swearingen!

http://www.cafepress.com/juliovision

COLLEGE FOOTBALL-GAMES ON THURSDAY!!!

With both the Sox and Cubs in first place, it can easily go unnoticed that the start of college football is around the horizon.

Illini v. Missouri on ESPN Saturday night. (Go with the Tigers in that one, if for no other reason than to piss off my Illini friends).

For some reason, I can't find what channel will be broadcasting the blockbuster Duke v. James Madison tilt !?

2005 FIRST ROUND NFL DRAFT-FIRST ROUND (PART 1)

A while back, I posted that the 2005 NFL Draft, 1st Round, was far from one of the great drafts and after only 3 seasons is bordering on "bust" status. Yesterday morning I heard some discussion of the same on ESPN radio. So, it's time to revisit the issue.



1. ALEX SMITH- QB, San Fran : Lost his job to J.T. O'Sullivan. Some say, he's now the #3 QB on San Fran's depth chart. Not exactly following in the grand tradition of Joe Montana, Steve Young or even Jeff Garcia.



2. Ronnie Brown-RB, Miami: Injured in week 7 of the 2007 season. Injured again and may miss Miami's opener. Listed as #2 behind Ricky Williams.



3. Braylon Edwards-WR, Browns: Had a breakout season in 2007, over 1,200 receiving yards. May turn out to be the best player in htis draft. One of the few bright spots of this first round.



4. Cedric Benson- bust on and off the field. No NFL team picked him up after being released by the Bears (not even the Cowboys!). Former minor leaguer may have to turn to baseball!



5. Cadillac Williams- RB, Tampa: Like Brown and Benson, another running back who was injured in 2007. In fact the Bucs have just placed on the PUP list, which measn he is out for the first 6 weeks of the season (but at least Gruden still has 5 QBs on the list!!!) It's too bad since he was Offensive Rookie of the Year, so if he can only stay injury-free.



6. PAC Man Jones-CB, Tennessee: No explanation needed here. May still show that he is talented with the Cowboys, but he has not yet been reinstated by the Commish!



7. Troy Williamson-WR, Minnesota: So bad, Vikings traded him to Jacksonville for a 6th ROUND pick!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-HyEemjm_7E



8.Antrel Rolle- CB, Arizona: Incomplete. Has battled with injuries, but did have 7 picks last season. Being moved to free safety.



9. Carlos Rodgers-CB, Washington: Injured last year, but listed as #1 at CB going into this season.

10. Mike Williams-WR, Lions: The absolute bust of this draft, which is saying something! Released by the Lions, Raiders and Titans! It was reported that when the Titans signed him he weighed 271 pounds!!!

DAMN- THE RAYS ARE GOOD!

And Joe Maddon- AL Manager of the Year!

WILD CARD RACE!

Going into tonite's action, the Twins are tied with the Red Sox for the wild card.

WELCOME TO THE AL CENTRAL

Twins win, keep pace with the Sox, staying right on top of our ass!

WELCOME TO THE AL CENTRAL!

An entire 1 game lead for the White Sox!

WELCOME TO THE AL CENTRAL

White Sox & Twins both win-remain tied for first.

WELCOME TO THE AL CENTRAL-

SOX AND TWINS TIED FOR FIRST!

THIS FROM A WHITE SOX FAN-THE
CUBS ARE GONNA WIN THE WORLD SERIES THIS YEAR!

Not only are they a damn good team, but they are lucky and get every f-ing break. Now they are even winning on the road.
Tonite- about 70% Cubs fans in Miami (Florida doesn't deserve 2 major league teams)

WHATEVER HAPPENED TO JAMIE BERGMAN?

She was the 45th Anniversary Playboy Playmate; a St. Paulie Girl. Married that "Angel" dude; was in "Son of the Beach"; but, according to imdb.com, she hasn't appeared in any movies or TV shows since 2004.

PINK LOSES CAREY HART-SO WHAT?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oPJAdJ3vMuw

i guess i just lost my husband, i dunno where he went
so i'm gonna drink my money, i'm not gonna pay his rent
i got a brand new attitude, i'm gonna wear it tonight
i wanna get in trouble, i wanna start a fight...

REAL QUICK BEFORE I LEAVE THE OFFICE:

1. Just got back from the Cell, were I saw the Sox tie a MLB record with back to back to back to back home runs (Thome, Konerko, Ramirez and Uribe for those of you keeping score at home). Sox whack the Royals 9-2. Division lead now ONE whole game!

http://sports.espn.go.com/broadband/video/videopage?categoryId=2521705&brand=null&videoId=3535770&n8pe6c=2

2. Model May Anderson and Jason Kidd have split. Believe it or not, word is that Ms. Anderson partied too much for Jason's liking!

3. Rachel Hunter is engaged to some hockey player, Jarrett Stoll. Guess I gotta post a picture of Rachel Hunter!

JUST BECAUSE!

WELCOME TO THE AL CENTRAL

Saturday- Twins are in first

Sunday- White Sox in first

Monday-Twins are in first

Tuesday-Sox are in first (thanks A-Rod!).

JENNIFER WALCOTT'S HUBBY NO LONGER UN-EMPLOYED!

Ex-Bear Adam Archuleta has signed with the Oakland Raiders. Will switch from safety to outside linebacker.

NL WORST? MAYBE NOT!

At least some teams in the NL West are trying to improve! The Dodgers get Manny. Now, the D-Backs, a team that already had great pitching- add major league home run leader, Adam Dunn.

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3529966

Hey Cubbies, I'm not so sure I would want to be facing the D-Backs in a three game series.

MORE SUMMER OLYMPICS!

SEEING ALOT OF RED IN TOWN THIS WEEKEND-CARDS & RED SOX!

While there is no politics on the K-Line, I got to say this:

1. If I see one more shot of W. and Sr. at the Olympics! E'Nuff already!

2. From Joe Crowley, Sun-Times White Sox beat reporter: "Best snub of the night? Rev. Jesse Jackson getting denied access into the clubhouse after the game. Last I saw him he was still waiting to get in." Sweet!

BERNIE MAC

MR. 3000

Chicagoan

An "Original King of Comedy"

White Sox Fan

Dead at 50!

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chi-bernie-mac-dies-080809-story,0,4050692.story

MANNY LIKING THE DODGER BLUE!

Manny just hit HR #4 as a Dodger!

FAVRE GOES TO THE BIG APPLE- WHICH MEANS THAT THE JETS WILL PROBABLY CUT QB CHAD PENNINGTON.

BEARS?
VIKINGS?
According to this article, KC may not be that happy with Brodie Coyle, despite his hot wife!
http://chiefsblog.kansascity.com/?q=node/111

FAVRE=N.Y. JETS

ERIN ANDREWS & JAY MARIOTTI (DON'T WORRY THEY ARE NOT AN ITEM!)

BTW ERIN, NICE SWEDISH EROTICA LOOK!
http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/cs-080805-greenstein-erin-andrews-espn-nadel,0,4783381.column

NICK SWISHER'S WALK-OFF HOMER IN THE 14TH REALLY PISSES OFF THIS TIGERS' FAN!

http://mvn.com/mlb-tigers/2008/08/05/i-hate-nick-swisher/

WILL ND DISCIPLINE "STAR" QB?

Thanks to "Big Papi" for the heads-up on this one. It seems like Jimmy Clausen is in some "hot water."

http://beat.bodoglife.com/sports/notre-dame-qb-jimmy-clausen-in-hot-water-31167.html

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/chi-05-notre-dame-claussenaug05,0,2234263.story

http://deadspin.com/5033265/jimmy-clausens-drinking-game-prowess-prompts-investigation-by-notre-dame

GREEN BAY EXPLORE TRADING BRETT FAVRE TO THE TAMPA BAY BUCS (WHO CURRENTLY HAVE 5 QBs ON THE ROSTER!).
Surprisingly, Tampa does play Green Bay this season!

DOUBLE-HEADER CHICAGO STYLE!

Do I really have to work this week? This is one of those great weeks in Chicago, if you like baseball. Starting today through Sunday (except for Thursday when the Cubs' have the day off), you can catch two games in town. The weekend should be wild with the Cubs hosting the Cards and the Sox hosting the Sox at the Cell. The toughest day to pull off the double-header as the Cubs-Cards as the Fox afternoon game starting at 2:55pm and the Sox set to start at 6:05pm.

GOTTA TELL YOU-RIGHT NOW, FOR THE NEXT DAY OR TWO- I AM A BIG FAN FOR THE SEATTLE MARINERS!