The Yang Slinger: Vol. LI

A young friend of mine recently lost his journalism job. He's smart, he's dogged, he's talented—and I'm not entirely sure what to tell him. So I enlisted some friends ...

I have a friend who was laid off from his newspaper job the other day.

He’s in his early 20s, he’s extremely hard-working and talented, he loves this gig more than anything else in the world …

And I am no longer sure what to tell him.

I want him to know that being a journalist kicks ass, and that it’s 100 percent worth fighting for. I want him to know of all the joy this profession has brought me. I want him to know that, two days ago—as my lawyer college roommate was practicing law and my banker college roommate was practicing banking—I was sitting at a bar with Kid from Kid ‘n Play, talking Tupac and ‘90s hip-hop and high-top fades. I want him to know that creative people eternally struggle to stay creative, and that every great writer (from Hunter S. Thompson and Gay Talese to Alex Haley and Jojo Moyes) has confronted hardships along the way. I want him to know that there are still thousands of places that employ writers—not just newspapers and magazines, but leagues, teams, conferences, gambling entities. On and on.

I want him to know that he is a legit talent, and that—ultimately—legit talent wins.

I want him to know all of that.

But …

Like this industry I cherish, I am struggling.

The advice that used to roll off my tongue has begun to dry up. I honestly don’t quite know what to tell my friend. I don’t know if I can—in good standing—advise one to stick with a business that is on the clear decline. Am I supposed to lie and say, “Oh, you’ll find a job” when I don’t know how many jobs are actually out there? Am I supposed to still act as if it’s 1999, when an aspiring journalist (with skills) could come out of college and easily find a place to write?

I am at a loss.

Hence, today’s post.

Instead of blathering and babbling, I turned to people I know in the industry, and I made this simple request: This week's substack topic is a doozie: a friend of mine, just 23 (former student of mine, actually) just got laid off. He called asking me for advice ... and I'm honestly running out of answers. So I'm collecting advice for this week's substack. What would YOU tell him?

Here’s what I got …

Seth Wickersham, ESPN

First, this sucks and I’m sorry. Second, it’s not new, nor is it exclusive to our field, even though it seems that way sometimes. I was just at my wife’s Harvard reunion, and so many people told stories of getting laid off. What makes journalism so difficult right now, yet potentially opportunistic, is that there is no set path to quote-unquote success. It used to be, you worked at a newspaper or maybe got a fact-checking gig at a magazine, and you worked your way up to more high-profile assignments and then, maybe, you’d be awarded the chance to offer your opinion about sports as a columnist. That path has been dead for a long time, bringing with it challenges and new venues. But what hasn’t changed, and what has in fact intensified, is the public’s need to know. People want information more than ever. So there’s an opportunity be someone that people *need* to learn from, to read and hear and watch, and the good news is, you don’t have to ask permission from anyone to do it. You can self-publish, going the route of so many talented people. Or, you can find another full-time job, and all of the benefits and constraints that attend it. Whatever you chose, it’s important to remember that you have a skill and knowledge into a space that is in demand. That skill can be improved and refined and polished, with time and hard work and ingenuity. Journalism might be a mess, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t win at it.

Suzy Schuster, Emmy Award-winning sportscaster

Honestly? My response would be hound and whore. Find whomever it is that you admire and want to be like and want to work with more than anybody and hound them into submission until they let you follow you around like a chain dog and by the way, I hate to change dogs piece of an animal lover, and I don’t believe any dog to be on a chain but I think you get the drift, I think in this time of desperation with so many layoffs, you have to prove that you want this more than anything in the world and take another job pouring coffees to some self-absorbed pretentious pricks in order to subsidize working for free for someone who just might appreciate  you.

Mark Medina, veteran basketball writer

I have compassion for anyone who has ever experienced a layoff in our industry. I have experienced one recently, too. Here’s the advice I’ve tried my best to follow. First, feel validated with any feelings you have, both good and bad. This is a life-changing experience that presents both a lot of uncertainty and tangible challenges. There are long-lasting implications professionally and personally, regardless of whether you’re just starting out in the business, in the prime of your career or are hoping to ease into retirement. Lean on your close ones, seek out professional mentors/friends that have your best interests and embrace the good things in life. Secondly, treat your next steps professionally as a long-term reporting project. You want to crystalize your purpose and end game. Then cast a wide net and pursue opportunities to make those goals happen. This might yield some detours considering the industry’s turbulence. But value those steps for the same reasons any reporter should make those extra calls to sources you don’t initially think of when working on a big story. They help fill in the gaps before the principals get back to you. Those short-term opportunities can also firm the foundation you’re trying to form. All easier said than done, of course. Each day has its good and bad moments. While it’s important to take care of yourself and your health, pouring your heart into the work and a developing a consistent routine can often mitigate those challenges.

Brian Mortiz, Director of journalism MA online programs at St. Bonaventure

Here's what I would say to a student of mine: First off, I'm sorry. That sucks. That really really sucks. No way around it, and no sense hiding from it. It's OK to be angry, to be sad, to be depressed, to be anxious about the future, all of that. Don't ignore the bad feelings, feel them all as you need to. It'll help you get to what's next. Do what you need to do to get through the days and weeks. There's no shame in surviving. If you need to move back home, do it. Find a therapist. Go to the gym. Keep writing (we'll get back to that). Remember, there's nothing you did wrong here. It's the nature of the business these days. It's profoundly shitty. But there's nothing you did that led to you being laid off. If it seems like I'm talking more about taking care of your health than finding a new job, it's because I am. I feel like you're just in job search mode, now without the backup of a current job. Update your social sites. Pitch freelance stories. Work as a stringer. This is a great time to start a Substack (and hey, you're already here, so it's even easier) to keep writing and reporting. You can cover teams, write features, try to break news, write columns, do. everything you want to do, but here. The point is to keep building a portfolio, stay in the game. You've already developed a reputation as a good reporter. This can help build on it. Or at least keep you busy and your skills sharp Also, it's OK to leave the business. It really is. I know when you're young and hungry, and this is what you've always wanted to do, you feel like you have to do this one thing forever. But take it from someone who got out and loves his life, it's OK to do something else. It's OK to do something else for a while before coming back. But really, take care of yourself. That matters most.

Matthew Rudy, Golf Digest

I would tell him that everyone has access to a firehose of information (and misinformation), and that people who want to stay in journalism will have to bring another skill into the profession beyond just aggregation or even reporting. AI is going to let anybody do a basic scrape of what’s already out there. How do you make original material? Interviewing, storytelling, providing expert curation/subject matter expertise. Developing the skill of putting things into context for consumers is a big one. Of course, none of that addresses the painful fact that there’s not much of a pipeline in media to move up through an organization and learn these things the way we might of. If I was 22, I’d be creating my own personal journalism/creative/digital brand separate from my primary gig so that I always had a variety of outlets/revenue generators. Are you good at unpacking what’s really important from the last city council meeting? You can be selling that skill in an adjacent space, teaching people how to communicate more effectively with local, non-professional elected officials. There’ll be roadblocks and ethical considerations about conflict of interest that need to be considered from the start, but you get the overall drift.

Robert Klemko, Washington Post

I think the big thing is to be as prepared as humanly possible for that next interview. Consume a ton of their coverage in the area you’re applying for and be prepared to not only praise their coverage for its strengths, but tell them where their blind spots are and how you can remedy that. I’d also know a ton about the work and careers of the people interviewing you. I’ve gone to some pretty ridiculous lengths to get the gig I wanted. In most contexts it’d be considered intrusive and obsessive, but those are qualities editors look for in reporters (in moderation).

When I wanted to leave SI and get to the Post, I found in my research into my interviewers that one of them began his career at a small New England beach town newspaper in the early ‘70s. I called the local high school and got a student newspaper reporter on the phone and wound up paying him to go to the library and find this editor’s first article in 1971 on microfilm. It took him three hours. He sent me a PDF and I brought a copy of it to the interview. I love that kid. Shout out Brian Foisy.

Steve Buckley, The Athletic

It’s easy because I make the speech a couple of times a month: if you really, really, really, REALLY want to do this, do it. Yes, it’s harder to get jobs than it used to be, and hard to keep them, but I believe the people who are giving up aren’t as inspired, aren’t as ambitious, and perhaps, deep down, maybe they feel they don’t have what it takes.

Again, ask yourself: Is this what I want to do? Does it excite me? Challenge me? Does it give me a sense of belonging and contributing to the greater good? Then find a place to write. You get one shot at life. This is it.

Having said that, I also preach the gospel of the backup plan. Always be at least *open* to other opportunities, and ask yourself: Hey, is this for me?

Ted Spiker, Chair, University of Florida journalism department

In this scenario, I usually do three things …

1) Tell them that I wish I had THE answer but there’s no secret door to walk through but …

2) Tell them that the fact is that you are incredibly talented to be where you are and that there will be a place for you but it will be bumpy and frustrating and all that.

3) And then say that besides the usual process of applying to open jobs, you should carve out X hours in a week to do two things — reach out to a few new people each week to connect with (finding commonalities that you can try to get them to respond — school, hometown etc.). Don’t ask for jobs but for 15 minutes to pick brain. Over time those contacts build and maybe a friend of a friend hears about something. You never know. Over time, I think this pays off. Maybe not for this job but maybe for the next or sometime down the road. And two, try to get them freelancing and pitching stories/content because you never know what could turn into full time and you make more connections showing off your work and intangible qualities that make you an appealing hire (turning in before deadline) etc.

I know all obvious stuff for us, but they have a hard time dedicating time to number 3 because it’s not “directly” a job. More of a slow-drop strategy.

Vincent Bonsignore, Las Vegas Review-Journal

Get as many recommendation letters from former editors as possible, and be OK with having to move around [And spend some time here]

Candace Buckner, Washington Post

First thing I’d say: this business is cruel and though it may seem to be failing, endure. If you are a writer, and this is what you want to do/need to do, endure this period and keep going. Before your next full-time gig, please keep writing. Maybe start building your own audience with a blog … or substack, I don’t know. All I would say is just keep writing. If this is who you are, don’t let this major major MAJOR setback end your career. It will be worth it, in time.

Jeff Gluck, The Athletic

My first instinct here, like many, would be to yell RUN! Escape while you can! Find another satisfying profession that also pays way better at the same time! But that's also doing quite a disservice to the future of the journalism industry and, oddly, I don't think it's that bleak. I got laid off for the first time at age 29 and drove home that day thinking that was the end of my sports writing career. It was certainly a tough blow at the time, but that was more than 13 years ago, and I've had four jobs since. The lesson is if you want to be a sports journalist, you're probably going to have to move around. In some ways, it's no different than the athletes we cover: They go from team to team, sometimes for a better offer and sometimes out of survival while trying to hang onto a spot in the league. When things don't look good, some have to get creative and take non-traditional opportunities (in their case, it's going overseas). So as much as it would be great to find one media outlet and be a lifer there, we all have to be nimble and adapt to what the changing marketplace demands. I'm only 42, but when I started in sports writing we didn't have podcasts or YouTube shows or even social media. Who knows what else lies ahead now with AI? But as long as you can stay up on the current trends, keep yourself relevant and maintain the ability to scramble when things like this happen, you'll be surprised at what opportunities pop up. I feel for the younger journalists like your friend, who have barely gotten their feet under them yet. No doubt they're in a tough situation. But I'm optimistic talent will continue to be coveted by companies who need to feed the ever-growing content beast. Not everyone can do this job, including ChatGPT (at least currently). So, in other words, hang in there.

Bill Rabinowitz, Columbus Dispatch

The best I can do is to advise that you're really committed to sportswriting, commit to being the best writer you can be. Remember that you're writing about people more than you're writing about games, and that the human element is what makes stories work. I have to believe that there will always be a market for quality sports journalism, even if it's hard to know what form that market will take. If you're talented, work hard and treat people fairly, you will find your way—or the way will find you.

Andrew Samson, The Colin Cowherd Podcast

If you haven’t already, learn how to edit video. Whether we like it or not, video is going to keep growing as our main form of communication. Knowing Adobe Premiere Pro is a valuable skill, and will open up other avenues in terms of work and your ability to create content.

Justine Harman, 39 Stories, Inc.

I would vie for bylines in publications with fierce followings: The Athletic and Defector come to mind. Freelance may not be the ultimate endgame, but having hyper-specific ideas that will generate clicks and RTs is a good way to stay and look busy while plotting your next big picture move.

Tom Rinaldi, Fox Sports

If there’s a story he has wanted to tell, now may be the time to do that. Not as profession but as passion. To report it and write out in his terms, and on his timing.

Ari Wasserman, The Athletic

I’d remind him that this business is never going to come easy in this new world where we’re still trying to figure out how to monetize it properly. Layoffs, staff turnover, all of it, is out of our control and it isn’t an indictment on our work or who we are as people. Lastly, I’d remind him that it’s always about the work. Find a way to keep doing what you were doing, whether it means freelance, starting a Substack, a blog, anything, while trying to find his next work. The journalism business is filled with low-quality workers, so if you’re quality, someone will want to pay you for something. It’s an inevitability. Keep your head up, talk to people and keep working.

Jeff Domingues, Editor at SPGlobal and former journalist

It’s worth reminding journalists that they have skills that can translate to a number of fields in publishing and communications. Fact-gathering, fact-checking, ability to present complex information for a variety of audiences, even access and relationships with potentially influential people – these can all be useful commodities to offer any number of employers. For those who want to stay in journalism, the industry is obviously evolving. I know a number of people who made the transition from newspapers to television and radio. I think the more different things you can do, the more likely you can find a niche or fill a need. I caution younger people to focus on the story telling, not on making a name with “hot takes” and trying to be part of the story. The journalism is in telling someone else’s story. That sounds fairly generic, but I hope it’s useful. My wife points out that after I took a buyout in 2015, I had time to reinvent myself and became better at home, not as much buried in the industry turbulence. That carried into my post-newspaper career. So it’s worth advising people to not forget about taking care of themselves while making the transition.

Sweeny Murti, Major League Baseball

When I talk to college students, I tell them that our profession is just … different. You can ask 100 doctors how they became doctors, and you’ll pretty much hear the same story. You can ask 100 lawyers how they became lawyers—pretty much the same story. But in this profession, the path isn’t always straight up. Sometimes you have to accept that making it in this business isn’t a normal path, and there are so many ups and downs you’ll encounter. But if I’m talking to this guy, I would tell him, ‘You just spent the last year working for [an amazing newspaper]. If I told you that was going to be your first job out of college, and it’d only last a year, you’d jump at it. You’d be thrilled.’ So guess i’d say to him, ‘Think about what you were able do in the last year and that’s as much as or more than anyone else you graduated with. Lean into what you just did and think about what an accomplishment that was. You will figure this out. You don’t have to have it figured out right now. But you will figure it out.’”

The Quaz Five with … Martin Dugard

Martin Dugard is the author and co-author of roughly 8,543,211 books—including, “Taking Berlin: The Bloody Race to Defeat the Third Reich,” which just came out on paperback. You can follow Martin here and visit his website here.

1. You're the author of "Taking Berlin"—a new book with an emphasis on the final year of World War II. And just a real basic question: How do you possibly find new material when something is eight decades old?: World War II is such a big stage. The main sequence of events doesn't change, nor does the information behind the main players -- Churchill, Patton, Eisenhower, etc. What I find challenging is telling their stories in a new and exciting way that doesn't read like boring academic history, while also setting up each chapter in a visual way the brings the reader into the moment. But to get back to your original question, several minors players have stories that haven't been told: journalist Martha Gellhorn, Norman Cota, and several others who make cameo appearances. In the case of Gavin, I got a copy of his never before published wartime journal that detailed his stormy affair with Gellhorn, who also happened to be Ernest Hemingway's wife. Weave all those elements, big and small, into a story and I feel like I came up with a very unique retelling of the war's last year.

2. You're pretty well known for writing Bill O'Reilly's series of "Killing" books. And I wonder, when someone is that well known and that ... divisive, do you worry how it rubs off on you? Are their bomb fields to navigate?: Writing with Bill has been an asset to my career in so many ways. I get to write and research history, do the deep dive on topics I might not otherwise written about, and traveled the world for the research. The Killing books are the bestselling non-fiction series in history, which is really cool to be a part of. But Bill is an undeniably polemic figure. I wrote professionally for twenty years before we started working together in 2009, but most people know my name and writing from working with Bill. Inevitably, that means politics. Writing history is my passion. I don't write about politics. But with Taking Paris and now Taking London I've seen people base their online reviews based on my perceived political leanings. History shows that all great presidents govern from the center. That's where I write my books.

3. You covered the Tour de France for a decade, and authored, "Chasing Lance." And I wonder, looking back, if your feelings for an event you loved have changed? If your feelings about Armstrong have changed?: My years covering the Tour de France were amazing -- bike race, history, travel, great food, it was all there. Shared a car with Austin Murphy from SI, as well as the legendary photographer Neil Leifer. Long days on the road and in the press room, but undeniably three weeks each year I'll never forget. I'm still a huge fan of the Tour and will be watching each day when it starts up this July. I was there the day when Floyd Landis won his testosterone-patch-fueled stage into Morzine, just as I was there to witness so many of Lance's stage victories. The doping thing was suspected among the press but there was no proof without a positive test. Speaking for myself, I feared that if Lance's doping ever proved true that it would be the most heartbreaking downfall in modern sports. In some ways, it is. And every time some sports hero tests positive these days I die a little inside. But I have to say that watching Lance and the peloton power up and over the Alps and Pyrenees, suffering so mightily, was the most amazing event I ever covered.

4. Before embarking on "The Murder of King Tut," you explored pharaohs' tombs in Egypt's Valley of the King. Why? Being serious—what are the benefits of going there? Of seeing? Of feeling?: I'm a big believer in hands-on research. You can read the words "Valley of the Kings" and imagine a place where embalmed pharaohs rest in great tombs. But until you actually enter that searing hot, black fly-infested, rock strewn ancient garbage dump there's no context. Without seeing it in person, you'd never know that tombs of later rulers like Ramses are subterranean apartment buildings with rooms and hallways. I crawled in and out of a dozen tombs that day from hundreds of years of rulers. But it's about more than just research. Sometimes it's about experiences. My wife and I finally got around to standing in line to see Tut's tiny tomb at noon that day. Suddenly, the local guards closed it for a lunch break. Calene, who was hardly as enthralled by the Valley as myself, said "fuck this" and walked over to the guard. Handing him a wad of Egyptian currency, she walked through the entrance and waved for me to follow. All the other tourists had stepped out of line. No one followed. So it was that we stood alone in King Tut's tomb with the Boy King himself, who still remains there now inside a special plexiglass tomb. We had the whole (very small) tomb to just the three of us. You never know what's going to happen when you travel for research. Most doesn't make it into the book. But there's usually something amazing and unforgettable.

5. You're a historian at heart. Clearly. Right now in America there's a lot of debate over how history should be taught in schools. There are fears about guilt, about content, about making kids feel uneasy. And I wonder—how do you feel history should be taught and grasped?: I take a hard line on history. History is the truth. For all the morons denying the Holocaust and getting their news from Twitter, who then try to ban books and reinvent history, I feel nothing but contempt. History is human. It's not ideological. It's not pretty and not always glorious. And it's certainly not fake news or the Big Lie (a term coined by Adolf Hitler and used liberally by Joseph Stalin before making it into modern usage). Having said all that, history is amazing, better than any fiction story man could ever invent. We'll all be better off when we just sit with these hard facts and learn from them.

Bonus [rank in order—favorite to least]: Doug Williams, the name "Kalena," transcribing interviews, tuna tar tar, Tanya Tucker, Applebees, cable news, Zion Williamson, air pods: 1. Tanya Tucker (underrated) 2. Doug Williams (also underrated, though he would have flourished in today's run-oriented QB schemes; 3. Kalena (my wife is Calene. I choose to see this as a Slav-Hawaiian usage of her lovely name); 4) Poke; 5) air pods; 6) Zion Williamson (the jury's out but I think he is going to be a bust); 7) Applebees (mediocre burgers, corporate beer); 8) cable news -- with a disclaimer: the first thing I do in a London hotel is watch the BBC; 9) transcribing interviews. Always the worst. Even in this new age of apps that record every word. It's thirty-five years since I plotted my exit from the corporate world I landed just after college and began doing freelance sportswriting for small local magazines. This led to gigs for SI, Esquire, and then the world of books. The writing life never gets easier. Not ever. But it's always an adventure. And transcribing interviews is still the worst.

A random old article worth revisiting …

For no decent reason, I have a baseball card of former Chicago White Sox pitcher Ross Baumgarten hanging on my office wall. So I went to his baseballreference page to find out when his career ended. This Danville News story, written by UPI’s Pohla Smith and dated Aug. 24, 1982, marked the final time ol’ Ross entered a game. It did not go well.

This week’s college writer you should follow on Twitter …

Dylan Stewart, sports editor, the Arkansas Traveler

So the University of Arkansas baseball team just wrapped a most excellent season with an appearance in the NCAA Tournament, and Stewart did a hella hella job chronicling the ride. Like most college sports scribes worth their pepper, Stewart wrote and wrote and wrote and wrote—a nonstop buffet of Hogs baseball coverage that certainly left loyalists pleased.

There was this.

And this.

And this.

And so much more.

So, dammit, follow ol’ Dyan Stewart on Twitter. The kid works/writes his ass off.

Jim Murray speaks with …

A new feature to the Pearlman Journalism Substack—thanks to the warped geniuses at Chat GPT, we can sorta kinda see what would happen if Jim Murray, the late/legendary Los Angeles Times columnist, sat down with three random celebrities. This week, here’s what GPT offers from Jim’s meeting with the late Pat Robertson, rapper C.L. Smooth and Sir John Harrington, inventor of the first flushing toilet …

Jim Murray: Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to this remarkable interview. Today, I have the honor of hosting a conversation that transcends time, bringing together four influential figures from different walks of life. Let's begin with the late Pat Robertson. Pat, may I ask where you are.

Pat Robertson. Thank you, Jim. I’m with Jesus in heaven.

Jim Murray: That’s wonderful. Can you share with us your reflections on your influential career?

Pat Robertson: It's quite surreal being here in this otherworldly setting. Throughout my life, I believed in the power of faith and shared my Christian beliefs through various mediums. Hosting the 700 Club allowed me to connect with millions of viewers, providing hope, inspiration, and spiritual guidance.

Jim Murray: Truly remarkable, Pat. Now, turning to you, C.L. Smooth, as a trailblazing artist in the world of hip-hop, how do you view your contribution to the music industry?

C.L. Smooth: Thanks, Jim. It's an honor to be here among such esteemed company. I've always seen my music as a platform to express myself, convey important messages, and inspire change. My collaborations with DJ Pete Rock brought a new level of artistry to the hip-hop scene, and I'm proud of the impact we've made.

Jim Murray: Your work has undeniably left an indelible mark, C.L. Smooth. Now, let's turn to Sir John Harington, a true visionary who revolutionized sanitation. Sir John, can you enlighten us on your invention and its significance?

Sir John Harington: Greetings, Jim. It is indeed a unique gathering. In the late 16th century, I devised the first flush toilet, which I called the "Ajax." While its primary purpose was to improve hygiene and sanitation, it also symbolized progress and the potential for human ingenuity to transform everyday life. I'm honored to be recognized for my invention.

Jim Murray: Your contribution to society has shaped modern civilization in ways we often take for granted, Sir John. Now, I must ask, as we bridge the gap between time and space, what do each of you believe is the key to leaving a lasting legacy?

Pat Robertson: For me, it has always been about faith and spreading the message of God's love. By touching lives and inspiring hope, we can leave a positive imprint on this world.

C.L. Smooth: I believe in the power of storytelling. Through music and lyrics, we can convey emotions, ignite change, and inspire generations to come.

Sir John Harington: Innovation and progress have been the driving forces behind my work. By pushing boundaries and challenging the status quo, we can improve lives and create a legacy of forward-thinking advancements.

Jim Murray: Astounding insights from each of you. As we conclude this extraordinary gathering, what message would you like to impart to the world today?

Pat Robertson: Embrace compassion and understanding. In a world that often seems divided, showing kindness and love to others can truly make a difference.

C.L. Smooth: Believe in yourself and follow your passions relentlessly. Through dedication and perseverance, you can achieve greatness and inspire others to do the same.

Sir John Harington: Never underestimate the power of ideas. Even the smallest invention can have far-reaching consequences. Embrace curiosity, embrace innovation, and make the world a better place.

Jim Murray: Wise words. Now excuse me. I have to use the bathroom.

Sir John Harington: Good one, Jim.

Journalism musings for the week …

Musing 1: What a wonderful and inspired piece in the New York Post from Mike Vaccaro, whose lower leg amputation has clearly failed slow him down or dampen his spirits. Mike is one of the true gems of the industry.

Musing 2: So Chris Simms, son of Phil/football commentator/former NFL backup, had a profoundly bad moment the other day that still has me scratching my head. It turns out that someone named Eric Carmona was killed in a motorcycle accident last week, and that Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa donated $10,000 to a GoFundMe for his widow and four kids. Well, here was Simms’ tasteless reaction …

Musing 3: Really tremendous piece from Columbia Journalism Review’s Danny Funt on the staggering/surprising success of Defector, the site run by (mostly) old Deadspin staffers who wanted to keep the mojo and spirit of the old site alive in a new arena. I had some real issues with the dickishness Deadspin could inflict on (cough, cough) media members, but I’m really inspired by Defector’s collective will to rise in rough times for the industry.

Musing 4: Congrats to Rays beat writer Marc Topkin, who this week celebrated his 40th anniversary with the then St. Petersburg/now Tampa Bay Times. Wrote Marc in a touching Facebook post: “There’s no way I could recount even the most extreme highlights, but just want to say it’s been a privilege, an honor and a heck of a ride, and I’m looking forward to keeping it going.”

Musing 5: I’ll leave this right here, for those folks who believe Donald Trump’s latest indictment is a witch hunt (or, as he would write, “which hunt”) …

Musing 6: I’m not a big believer in holding long-ago Tweets against celebrities, but when the Red Sox started Matt Dermody the other day, they placed on the mound a man who Tweeted this in (cough) 2021 …

I just don’t understand how, in 2023, a company (and the Red Sox are a company) comfortably employs someone who states this level of hatred. And, if all sins are equal, I hope Matt is prepared to join the gays in hell. Because he’s making about $1 million to (adequately) throw a baseball. Greed, bruh. Greed.

Musing 7: I’m a longtime Doris Burke fan and a longtime J.J. Redick fan. And this moment just made my day. Beautiful stuff from two people who are doing wonders for the game of basketball.

Musing 8: New Two Writers Slinging Yang stars Justin Harman, host and creator of the kick-ass podcast, “Killed.”

Quote of the week …