Since Greg welcomed me aboard BHB last week, ideas have been racing through my head. What would I write about first?
CRM execution tactics? Too predictable.
Skinned cats? I’ll leave that to my favorite cat skinner.
Then it occurred to me last night: why not dive right in with an example of why BHB and blogs like it are putting the traditional fish rag out of business.
I’m a sports fan(atic). I find it to be the ultimate in reality television.
But whether your remote is hard-coded to ESPN or not, you’re surely aware of the ongoing steroid crisis in professional sports.
This week’s Sports Illustrated features an article about a former football player named Tony Mandarich, commonly known as the biggest bust in NFL history. However, two decades ago, SI ran a story proclaiming Mandarich as “The Greatest Offensive Line Prospect in the History of Football”. This story was written by a journalist named Rick Telander.
Now, twenty years later, Tony Mandarich Book Deal is ready to say he’s sorry for using steroids. So he looks up good old Rick Telander Spineless Jellyfish and lands himself a feature article advertisement.
Here’s the article, please keep a barf bag nearby: “Tony Mandarich is Very, Very Sorry”.
And here’s my favorite paragraph from said article (via Telander):
“… He lied to me. Lied to everybody… I knew he was using steroids… but all I could do was hint at my suspicions…”
Um, Ricky baby… you knew he was taking illegal steroids, cheating and gaming the system but you, a Senior Writer for the most respected publication in sports were POWERLESS to do more than “hint at your suspicions”?
Telander’s article goes on to reveal that
- Mandarich was known at his local gym as the “Doctor”
So what Telander’s telling us here is that he could have easily broken arguably the biggest sports-related story of the decade if he simply noses around the gym a little bit to explain how/why…
- Mandarich magically transforms from a 6′ 3″ HS kid who rode the bench on his JV team into a behemoth that bench presses 585 pounds and “runs like a deer” in college
Wait a second. This blog is supposed to be about real estate, Green. You’re way off point.
Am I though?
It’s amusing (in more ways than one) to consider what happens if Greg Swann, was hoisting alongside Mandarich that day. Telander felt an allegiance to pay homage to his borg. And dammit, if the borg says Mandarich is the “Greatest Prospect Ever”, who is Telander to challenge said wisdom?
Perhaps the greatest irony of all is the headline SI chose for last week’s article advertisement “Tony Mandarich Is Very, Very Sorry”. Because I beg to differ.
In fact, it’s Rick Telander who ought to be issuing the apology. In my book, he’s a bigger bust today than Mandarich ever was.
Our mainstream journalists are looking out for us, the people. Revealing injustice. Guarding against dishonesty. Tireless crusaders in pursuit of the truth. At least it used to be that way.
But that responsibility has now fallen upon us, Web 2.0. We’re unpaid, and can’t be bought. We’re uncensored, and can’t be repressed. We’re going to take 2 hours on our Saturday writing an article on what inspires us – not because the borg tells us to – but because we love it.
We’re making transparency and honesty sexy again.
Thanks for having me at BHB. I believe I’m gonna hang here for a while.
Sharon Simms says:
On the topic of integrity, the Wall St Journal printed an opinion by Peggy Noonan, titled “A Tragedy of Errors, and an Accounting”. After investigating a December 8, 2008 jet crash in San Diego that took 4 lives – the US Marines accepted responsibility. In an era of “not my fault” that stands out.
March 7, 2009 — 1:55 pm
Brad Coy says:
> “We’re unpaid, and can’t be bought. We’re uncensored, and can’t be repressed. We’re going to take 2 hours on our Saturday writing an article on what inspires us – not because the borg tells us to – but because we love it.”
Not off point at ALL. That’s a Bulls eye… 🙂
Welcome Mark.
March 7, 2009 — 2:11 pm
Mark Madsen says:
Excellent first article, Mark.
“and can’t be bought”
hmmm, I bet Greg will have fun with that comment. 🙂
March 7, 2009 — 2:21 pm
James Boyer says:
Seemingly off topic, but in reality it goes to the hart of the issue. The integrity of the news media. The same group of people who could have exposed the greed that was going on in the mortgage industry during 2004 – 2006 now make money off of reporting on the misery caused by what they should have been pointing out but turned blind eyes too. I find them all to be a bunch of lazy SOB’s!!!
March 7, 2009 — 2:44 pm
Ryan hartman says:
Nice and right on Mark… But please know that there are some crm junkies out here thirsting for a fix 🙂
March 7, 2009 — 3:07 pm
Brian Brady says:
“the US Marines accepted responsibility. In an era of “not my fault” that stands out.”
That’s what Marines are SUPPOSED to do; accept responsibility. Bankers are supposed to counsel for their customers so that they don’t get in over their head. Lawyers are supposed advocates for their clients’ best interest. Doctors are supposed to be committed to their patients’ health.
All of us should… STAND OUT. Here’s the cool part, Sharon; I’m not jaded. It’s going to get a lot better because people crave this and you, among others, are leading the way.
Great manifesto, Mark. Now everyone else should make like Paul Revere and say that the war on mediocrity starts today.
March 7, 2009 — 4:17 pm
Vance Shutes says:
Mark,
If this is your first volley here at BHB, then I REALLY look forward to the “rest of the story.”
“…Our mainstream journalists are looking out for us, the people. Revealing injustice. Guarding against dishonesty. Tireless crusaders in pursuit of the truth.
March 8, 2009 — 9:04 am
Vance Shutes says:
Mark,
If this is your first volley here at BHB, then I REALLY look forward to the “rest of the story.”
“…Our mainstream journalists are looking out for us, the people. Revealing injustice. Guarding against dishonesty. Tireless crusaders in pursuit of the truth.”
Calling it like you see it. Fabulous!
March 8, 2009 — 9:04 am
Barry Cox says:
Great article, but since were talking a little football here, I would say that Brian Bosworth was the biggest bust in football history although Mandarich is a close second.
March 8, 2009 — 9:06 am
Brian Brady says:
“Brian Bosworth was the biggest bust in football history”
yet he is a fine actor
March 8, 2009 — 10:12 am
Genuine Chris Johnson says:
Brian, wouldn’t ryan leaf take issue with the ‘biggest bust,’ or Ki-Jana Carter?
March 8, 2009 — 10:48 am
Mark Green says:
The Boz and Mandarich are practically the same person :). Thanks for everyone’s encouragement on the article – I had a blast writing it. I think I’m going to send a link to Rick Telander :). I’ll let y’all know if I hear back.
March 9, 2009 — 3:53 pm
Mark Green says:
I emailed Rick Telander. Here’s the thread below:
(begins w/ Rick’s reply.. read on to see what he’s reacting to)
I have no idea who you are, but I salute you for your laziness and attempts at getting something for nothing. You are a perfect blogger.
You do nothing except read an article, then criticize it, then email the author and tell that person you are attacking him. Then you expect author outrage/curiosity/amusement over your utter lack of effort and anonymity will elicit a response, which you say you will post on your blog.
Wow.
—–Original Message—–
From: Mark Green [mailto:mgreen@topofmind.com]
Sent: Mon 3/9/2009 6:08 PM
To: Telander, Rick
Subject: Feedback on your Tony Mandarich article
Hi Rick,
I don’t typically call people out like this, but I was highly disappointed in your Mandarich article. So much so, I was inspired to write an article on the subject.
https://www.bloodhoundrealty.com/BloodhoundBlog/?p=7365
I’m hoping that I was off base when I wrote my article, and would greatly appreciate your feedback if in fact there’s “more to the story” than I’m seeing.
Why didn’t you take that extra step 20 years ago?
Full disclosure… please know that I will likely share your feedback as a comment on my article if I hear back from you.
Warm regards,
Mark…
March 11, 2009 — 3:36 pm