Yes, of course I know that most fans don't care about the mistreatment of we nattering nattering nabobs of negativism, pusillanimous pussyfooters and hopeless, hysterical hypochondriacs of history in the media.
(Speaking of which, William Safire, who wrote the classic "nattering" line, among others, for Spiro Agnew in 1970, was on Jon Stewart's show Wednesday night. But I digress.)
I simply believed, however, that the state of media relations in Knicks-land had become so toxic and so illustrative of the larger problems at the Garden it was worth a column off of Donnie Walsh's news conference.
So I wrote it. Sue me.
Click below for Walsh's full response to my inquiry on this topic, which he declared a "great question" on live television and radio, thus winning me over for life.
So did his emotional invoking of the names of three former St. John's' coaches: Buck Freeman, Frank McGuire and Lou Carnesecca.
And did I mention the cookies? (See post below.)
Here's Donnie:
"I just started hearing that the media policy was a problem. And at first, I didn't really know because let's face it, New York has such a large group of media that I thought that it was necessary for them.
"But then in more recent days it just seemed to be a bigger problem, so I mentioned it to Jim, and he said, 'Fine, then you take it over.'
"So basically what we're going to do is sit down and try to make a media policy that is more open, more accessible, but at the same time protects you guys and protects the players and whoever else is on line to be part of it.
"I've been in the league a long time and basically I think access is a big part of most franchises. Now I haven't lived in New York in a long time, so I don't know quite what I'm saying when I say that, but I think that's the way it should be.
"You're going to have some bad stories every now and then. It's that simple. So I hope we can make it better, and we're going to ask for input from you fellows."
Comments (7)
But did they have shrimp? I read that when the Mets pull out shrimp, it usually means a huge announcement.
Roast beef, yes.
Shrimp, no.
Alas.
what about the carving board? isn't that also a sign that the news is big?
oddly enough quite recently, newsweek claimed nixon was the one who spoke that famous phrase, even though i know/knew it was agnew.
i was under the impression pat buchanan was the author?
The nabobs line was Safire. Others were Buchanan.
No carving board Wed. Just pre-made sandwiches.
I guess one step at a time for the Knicks. After they get the cap thing fixed and the record, they'll work on the food for the press conference..
oddly enough when your name was called i was watching the telecast on mike and chris on yes. When your name was called mike quickly turned his head to the tv they have there to i assume try and see you. i know you feel better now, neil.