There is an interesting post at the always interesting BM Rant, entitled "Negadelphia Sports Writers And The Fans Who Hate Them". Here's a cut:
I hate the whole “blame the media” slant that many celebrities take when things don’t go their way, but too often in this city, sportswriters attempt to make the news rather than just report it. Each moment, no matter how trivial or minor, is analyzed to death.
[...]
Articles like Donnellon’s are a big reason why we’re perceived to be negative bastards. With non-stories like this, our over-zealous media continues to assist in that perception. This one article attempts to define an entire city’s passions and feelings by writing about our possible treatment of Utley if the Phillies don’t win a championship. How ridiculous.
I tend to agree that the writers of this town -- professional as well as amateur -- can be too negative. But I think Brian is being a bit unfair to Donnellon for two reasons. One, sports radio is significantly more negative than the print media is. Significantly.
Secondly, and most importantly, if you are honest with yourself, every time you hear or read Donovan McNabb get unfairly criticized, doesn't a part of your mind, maybe the part in the back you like to ignore, wonder if there won't come a day when Chase Utley or Ryan Howard or Cole Hamels is booed too?
After all, if fans have turned on Mike Schmidt, Jim Thome, and Donovan McNabb, three of the more classy guys in sports, then don't you think the same can happen to Utley/Howard/Hamels?
