Was recently sitting in Hans Mueh’s office, enjoying a spirited conversation about sports journalism.
Mueh, Air Force Academy’s athletic director, is often irritated by what he considers overly confrontational coverage by The Gazette’s sports department. Mueh is not a master of understatement. He refers to this coverage as “eating the young.”
I want to emphasize this was an enjoyable, valuable, respectful exchange of ideas. I enjoy nearly every conversation with Mueh. We’re both soccer fans. And it remains a kick to talk with an AD who has a doctorate in chemistry.
When I told Mueh I don’t root against AFA’s teams, he spoke quickly.
“You should write that,” he said. “Let people know.”
So here goes:
I don’t root against any team I cover. I never have.
Recently, I took heat for predicting the Nuggets would lose to the Lakers in the Western Conference finals. Several callers and e-mailers wondered why I had turned against their favorite team.
I would have loved to be proven wrong. If I had been wrong, I’d currently be covering the NBA Finals.
The self-interest doesn’t stop there. Covering a winning team is a much better gig than covering a losing team. There’s more interest from our readership. There are more, and better, story angles. Coaches are happier, more talkative. Players are glad to see you. No sports journalist in his or her right mind wishes to cover a loser.
I often get e-mails and calls from fans who say, often with great emotion, that I “should” support the home team. That’s what our hometown sports writer “should” do, they say.
And I recognize and respect their point-of-view.
But what about other caller and e-mailers who believe I “should” be tougher on the home team? These readers believe The Gazette “should” stay away from any kind of protection of local teams. Expose all the flaws, these readers demand. And expose these flaws right now.
I get e-mails and calls from men and women who think I’m too soft on Colorado College’s Scott Owens and Air Force’s Jeff Reynolds and the Nuggets’ George Karl and, yes, Dr. Mueh of the Air Force Academy.
So, some readers think we’re too tough and too heartless. Other readers think we’re hopelessly soft.
I believe you can see there’s no way to completely win. At times – at many times - The Gazette takes a look at the softer side of sports. There is – and there always will be – stories from sport that inspire smiles, that reveal how an athlete conquered great odds, that reveal once again why we love sport.
But that’s only one side of sport.
If a team delivers a pitiful performance, I believe you have to say a team delivered a pitiful performance. Ignoring the obvious isn’t just a poor way to approach sports journalism, it’s a poor way to approach life. Sure, there are a few fans out there who want to hear happy talk about their teams, but those fans are in the minority.
My father was one of the world’s most devout Frank Sinatra fans. When I was a kid, dad had dozens of Frank’s vinyl records. Later, he owned dozens of Frank’s CDs. He listened to Sinatra, one of America’s greatest artists, for decades.
But when dad was plopped in his easy chair listening to Frank, he often had a look of disgust.
“Can’t stand this song,” he said before zapping his way to the next tune.
My dad had a simple explanation of real fandom.
He adored Frank when he was great.
He despised Frank when he lowered himself to bad songs.
A real fan, dad said, is also a real critic.
Sometimes we’re harsh. I would argue that’s because sometimes we need to be harsh.
Often – very often – we’re positive. Even during this long, long AFA basketball season, encouraging words were offered. It wasn’t – and don’t let anyone from AFA mislead you – all negative, all the time. It never is.
I take criticism from readers seriously. I read each e-mail, listen to every phone call and try to consider the critic’s and the supporter’s point-of-view.
But I can’t please everyone. And I “should” not even try.
As always, I’m interested in your view.