It appears that some time over the next few days, the Washington Times sports section will be no more. I’ll refer you to Dan Steinberg’s Bog posting for the details.
I wanted to take the time to thank them for everything they’ve done with regards to Nationals coverage. While the Post only had one beat writer following the team, the Times employed two guys to cover a team that just turned in back-to-back 100 loss seasons.
The Times was the one local media source that provided regular coverage of the minor leagues for the Nationals.
Putting aside the politics of the Times as a whole (which really had no influence on the sports coverage), we as Washington sports fans and specifically fans of the Nationals are going to be considerably poorer when the inevitable end of the sports section arrives.
I want to thank the entire Times sports staff and wish them best of luck.
But I would like to single out Mark Zuckerman and Ben Goessling. They have been tremendous resources for me here at NFA and I am, without question, going to miss their coverage.
So when you are toasting in the new year, please consider thanking these guys for what they’ve provided and wish them best of luck wherever their future may take them.
I know I will.
#1 by Scot - December 30th, 2009 at 11:12
The TImes had a superior baseball coverage. Agree, they will be missed.
#2 by Steven J. Berke - December 30th, 2009 at 11:26
Of course, the Post is still looking for a permanent Nats beat reporter…they could do much worse than Zuckerman.
#3 by Brian Oliver - December 30th, 2009 at 11:30
I believe that Mark was likely to be shifting off the beat in 2010 (regardless of what eventually happened).
That being said, Ben would be a great choice for the Post. He has the contacts and knows the beat
#4 by Sue Dinem - December 30th, 2009 at 11:38
What bothers me is what ESPN is doing right now, which may be the online equivalent to dispatching the MBAs to the newsrooms in the 1980s. And you have to think Washington is going to be one of the next three cities on their list.
It bothers me because importance will be trumped by popularity, just as surely as ESPN has been about style over substance (how long until Rob Neyer follows Peter Gammons?) for the last 20 years. And I cannot see ESPN treating the Nationals any better or differently than the Washington Post.
#5 by Pedro - December 30th, 2009 at 11:40
The Post should INCREASE Nats coverage as a result of the Times’s death. Hire as many of the good Times staffers as possible and start covering the farm system–especially all the teams within two hours of DC.
#6 by Richard - December 30th, 2009 at 11:43
I agree. I never bought the Times and/or checked their Web site other than to see what Zuckerman and Goessling were saying. For this reason, during baseball season I’d buy the paper most days. I’ll miss their coverage of the Nats. Chico Harlan should not be doing sports reporting if his heart isn’t in it, but Shirley Povich and other great sports journalists meant a great deal to their readers.
#7 by Louis J - December 30th, 2009 at 13:07
What a terrible lost for the baseball fans in this area. Zuckerman and Goessling did the best job of covering the Nats and their farm system. I’ve always enjoyed their sports section better than the Post. Friday will be a sad day.
#8 by peric - December 30th, 2009 at 13:58
I always liked Siegel over Povich as well … :)
#9 by peric - December 30th, 2009 at 13:58
The Post has always been somewhat inferior when it came to baseball … even when the Washington Star and Daily News were still around.
#10 by Other Marc with a C - December 30th, 2009 at 14:27
For the record I never like anyone over Povich . . . .but I am sorry to see them go.
#11 by Guy Holly - December 31st, 2009 at 10:24
What I think is being missed here is that all newspapers in this country are in financial trouble. The Internet has been brutal to that business. We should not only fear the Times having no sports coverage but the Post as well. The day of newspapers is becoming rapidly obsolete.
#12 by Sue Dinem - December 31st, 2009 at 13:41
No, not being missed in the least. Click through on that link – it may be worth your time.
#13 by Jeff E. - December 31st, 2009 at 14:56
the Times rocked. Happy New year one and all………..only 80 in San Juan….
#14 by Jake - January 1st, 2010 at 08:36
After reading Ben Goessling’s “Note of Gratitude” I think he may be the new Nationals Beat Reporter for the Washington Post. He said “Im not done here on the Nationals beat yet, I’ll be back next spring”
I guess we will find out…
#15 by Marcus - January 2nd, 2010 at 12:29
Here’s an article about Norris, milb.com called him the best hitter in Class A.
http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20091224&content_id=7853352&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb
#16 by Sue Dinem - January 5th, 2010 at 15:42
Ben Goessling has landed at MASN, which we can only hope means we’ll see less of Phil “Face Made For Radio” Wood.
#17 by Mark L. - January 5th, 2010 at 20:10
As someone else who has a face for radio, I resent your remark. Glad to see Ben land on his feet, hope this means some other Times alumni gets the Post beat gig.