Sports Roundup: Rivera-Mushnick edition
Well. I return from a seminar at which I learned strategies to teach my 6-year-old daughter with Down syndrome how to read -- fascinating topic, by the way, literacy in children with intellectual disabilities -- and I see two huge sports stories blew up while I was away.
Mariano Rivera: I saw the video of the masterful and classy Yankees closer getting injured during batting practice last night. I winced, but didn't think too much of it. Today, it seems his career might be over after news that he tore his ACL and meniscus. Terrible, terrible news for anyone who respects sports greatness and can appreciate a true professional who -- for years and years -- consistently put teammates and his faith first.
The injury almost certainly will sideline Rivera for the remainder of the season, a season that he had said might be his last. Surely he will not want his 18-year career to end this way, but Rivera, 42, is a man of immense faith. He may consider the injury a sign from above, accept his destiny and move on with his life.
“At this point, I don’t know,” a visibly distraught Rivera told reporters Thursday night. “You have to face this first.”
Phil Mushnick: Seems my old colleague has gotten himself in some trouble. I love Mushnick. His columns are usually treasures -- he can be a little biting, sure, but I get it. He's old New York. He's cranky. He doesn't stand for media folks being lazy, and he will pile on. (In writing, that is. Never met a more cheerful, friendly fellow in person.) Also, I love the editors in the New York Post sports department. Many of them taught me to write and report. They treated me with great respect and patience, even though I was the only woman in the department and was pretty naive about a lot of things. They edit with seriousness.
But this is going to cause some problems, no doubt.
In a column printed today, Mushnick went after Nets part owner Jay-Z with some strong language.
As long as the Nets are allowing Jay-Z to call their marketing shots — what a shock that he chose black and white as the new team colors to stress, as the Nets explained, their new “urban” home — why not have him apply the full Jay-Z treatment?
Why the Brooklyn Nets when they can be the New York N------s? The cheerleaders could be the Brooklyn B----hes or Hoes. Team logo? A 9 mm with hollow-tip shell casings strewn beneath. Wanna be Jay-Z hip? Then go all the way!
Yikes. It's the talk of the Twitterverse here in NY. New York magazine weighs in with:
Next-level satire about out-of-touch critiques of hip-hop culture, or the latest old white guy to stumble way over the line? This is an easy one.
What do you folks think? I put it in the category of Rush's comment on Sandra Fluke, and Don Imus's comment about the Rutgers women's basketball team a few years back. Both comments got those folks in some hot water. How hot? Deservedly hot? Hard to tell.
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Comments:
Mar '12
Re: Sports Roundup: Rivera-Mushnick edition
Worse than Rush's or Imus's remarks. Much worse. Blatantly and utterly racist, trotting out every ugly stereotype about black people. Did he have a point or was he just trying to express his dislike of black culture and that he doesn't want to have to look at it? Awful and stupid.
Edited on May 4, 2012 at 8:29pmJun '10
Re: Sports Roundup: Rivera-Mushnick edition
Rivera: I'm a Yankee-hater, but I can't extend that to Rivera. Classy guy--great teammate--one utterly unhittable pitch.
Edited on May 4, 2012 at 11:20pmJul '11
Re: Sports Roundup: Rivera-Mushnick edition
So it is not ok for a white dude to say exactly what most members of the rap culture sing about in half their songs or more. Sure it's racist but you tube and listen to" F%#} the police" by NWA( hey what does that N stand for). Perhaps the b word he used should be considered worse than the thousands of songs that demean women as sex objects and drains on their manhood. The whole rap culture glorifies racism, sexism, drugs, and violence. I say big deal to all this and if their undies get in a bunch maybe they'd do better seeing the sequoia in their own eye.
Apr '11
Re: Sports Roundup: Rivera-Mushnick edition
Horace: Worse than Rush's or Imus's remarks. Much worse. Blatantly and utterly racist, trotting out every ugly stereotype about black people. Did he have a point or was he just trying to express his dislike of black culture and that he doesn't want to have to look at it? Awful and stupid. · 48 minutes ago
Edited 47 minutes ago
Do you see it as racism or a dislike of "black culture," because those are two VERY different things.
Also, I certainly wouldn't equate "black culture" with hip-hop culture. Some Baptist churches, as just one example, might take issue with that.
Re: Sports Roundup: Rivera-Mushnick edition
Here is Mushnick's response to the controversy, via bobsblitz.com:
Apr '12
Re: Sports Roundup: Rivera-Mushnick edition
All these people who are upset with Mushnick must be unaware of Jay-Z's recorded ouvre.
Apr '11
Re: Sports Roundup: Rivera-Mushnick edition
Ursula Hennessey: Here is Mushnick's response to the controversy, via bobsblitz.com:
24 minutes ago
Right on! That's about as elegant and fearless a rebuttal to the race baiters as I've seen. I wish Republicans had Mushnick's courage.
Edited on May 4, 2012 at 10:34pmRe: Sports Roundup: Rivera-Mushnick edition
And another update! This one on Rivera. The Daily News's Yankee beat writer, Mark Feinsand, quotes Rivera as saying today:
We'll see. I sure hope he's got some time and power left in that magic arm after his rehab.
Sep '11
Re: Sports Roundup: Rivera-Mushnick edition
I clearly qualify as an old, white guy, and I don't know a song Jay Z has sung, written, or produced. If he has made the type of thuggish rap music that uses the n-word, demeans women with the names Mishnick used, and glorifies or justifies lawless violence, then I appreciate and admire Michnick for his original column and his defense of it. If Jay Z has not made or promoted the worst of hip hop culture, then Mishnick should be shamed for unfairly and egregiously defaming him.
Re: Sports Roundup: Rivera-Mushnick edition
Two comments:
1. I'm with Freddy Clayton. Who's Jay Z?
2. Even though I seldom know the world about on which Ursula reports--I follow football, a little, but I reserve my real fanaticism for the teams on which my kids play--I nevertheless love--and I mean I just love--every word Ursula writes. Thanks, U.
Edited on May 5, 2012 at 12:59amRe: Sports Roundup: Rivera-Mushnick edition
Peter Robinson: Two comments:
1. I'm with Freddy Clayton. Who's Jay Z?
4 minutes ago
Oh boy...
Re: Sports Roundup: Rivera-Mushnick edition
Blue Yeti
Peter Robinson: Two comments:
1. I'm with Freddy Clayton. Who's Jay Z?
4 minutes ago
Oh boy... · 5 minutes ago
As I said on the podcast this morning, Yeti, if you feel the urge to call me Ozzie, feel free.
May '10
Re: Sports Roundup: Rivera-Mushnick edition
Oh Jay-Z absolutely promotes the worst of hip-hop culture in his music alright. (Mishnik left out crass promotion of material wealth as the sole form of good.) But he has also created a world-wide media and merchandising empire that extends beyond his role as a recording artist, married the African-American "it" girl Beyonce, and inserted himself into mainstream culture as an example of a successful black businessman.
So both Mushnik and his critics are right and wrong. Jay-Z endorses behaviors in the black community that are self-defeating, but is similarly an example of a bright, canny, and successful black man -- a role model if you will. And though Mushnik dislikes it, I have no doubt that his hip-hop merchandising of the Nets will prove highly effective with both black and white fans.
Frankly I think Mushnik crossed the line in his criticism. I doubt he has applied such a rigorous moral compass to the ill-gotten gains of every other owner in the NBA. A lighter touch -- one that mocked the elevation of form over substance with respect to the hip-hopification of the Nets for example -- might have proven more effective.
Dec '11
Re: Sports Roundup: Rivera-Mushnick edition
Ursula Hennessey:
Mariano Rivera:I saw the video of the masterful and classy Yankees closer getting injured during batting practice last night. I winced, but didn't think too much of it. Today, it seems his career might be over after news that he tore his ACL and meniscus. Terrible, terrible news for anyone who respects sports greatness and can appreciate a true professional who -- for years and years -- consistently put teammates and his faith first.
As a Yankee fan and overall admirer of those who dominate the game, I mourn the likely loss of a key component to the great Bronx team of Brosius, Williams, O'Neill, Jeter, and Wells.
Teixeira and Jeter have important mantles to bear, indeed.
Apr '11
Re: Sports Roundup: Rivera-Mushnick edition
Trace Urdan:
Frankly I think Mushnik crossed the line in his criticism. I doubt he has applied such a rigorous moral compass to the ill-gotten gains of every other owner in the NBA. A lighter touch -- one that mocked the elevation of form over substance with respect to the hip-hopification of the Nets for example -- might have proven more effective. · 2 minutes ago
My recollection is that Mushnick has been pretty consistent in his criticism of sports big wigs. In particular, his criticism of professional wrestling tycoon Vince McMahon for marketing a crass product to children is at least as harsh as when he's leveled at Jay Z.
Re: Sports Roundup: Rivera-Mushnick edition
Trace Urdan: So both Mushnik and his critics are right and wrong. Jay-Z endorses behaviors in the black community that are self-defeating, but is similarly an example of a bright, canny, and successful black man -- a role model if you will. And though Mushnik dislikes it, I have no doubt that his hip-hop merchandising of the Nets will prove highly effective with both black and white fans.
Frankly I think Mushnik crossed the line in his criticism. ...A lighter touch -- one that mocked the elevation of form over substance with respect to the hip-hopification of the Nets for example -- might have proven more effective.
A perceptive comment, Trace, about the dual nature of Jay Z and his influence.
As for "lighter touch" ... I have been thinking a lot about this. I think Mushnick's point is a great one. I am just not sure that the satire (right word?) he employs is fully effective. Perhaps his language needed more finessing, or maybe he needed a longer lead-in where he was going. As it stands, it's too easy for folks to interpret as straight-up racism, which is unfortunate and, I think, incorrect.
Re: Sports Roundup: Rivera-Mushnick edition
Cutlass
Trace Urdan:
...I doubt he has applied such a rigorous moral compass to the ill-gotten gains of every other owner in the NBA. ...
My recollection is that Mushnick has been pretty consistent in his criticism of sports big wigs. In particular, his criticism of professional wrestling tycoon Vince McMahon for marketing a crass product to children is at least as harsh as when he's leveled at Jay Z.
Yes, Cutlass, I agree. As far as I can recall, Mushnick's attacks are pretty "fairly" distributed.
Nov '10
Re: Sports Roundup: Rivera-Mushnick edition
I want to hear more about your daughter, Ursula. I am deeply involved in Math Curriculum reform (well, actually I'm sort of at ground zero in the Canadian "Math Wars"). Lately I've been hearing from people involved in teaching math to kids with educational disfunctions. And they're finding that structured instruction often blows away those distinctions and these kids can either lose that classification or, in extreme cases, be found to be somewhat gifted. In many cases educational disfunction may be caused by poorly structured learning -- a common characteristic of "modern" educational theories that posit the meme that practice, drills, incremental learning and teacher-directed discovery is somehow harmful, preferring open-ended experiential learning and "metacognitive awareness exercises".
Downs is a different kettle of fish, but from the few Downs' folks I know, there is a large range of functionality, and a very good capacity to learn; they can be held back as much by others' perception as by their own intrinsic limitations. I'm thinking of one sweet Downs' girl I know who displays an intense interest in music and patterned, predictable activities. And a good sense of humor. All good indicators for traditional math instruction.
May '10
Re: Sports Roundup: Rivera-Mushnick edition
Cutlass
Trace Urdan:
Frankly I think Mushnik crossed the line in his criticism. I doubt he has applied such a rigorous moral compass to the ill-gotten gains of every other owner in the NBA. A lighter touch -- one that mocked the elevation of form over substance with respect to the hip-hopification of the Nets for example -- might have proven more effective. · 2 minutes ago
My recollection is that Mushnick has been pretty consistent in his criticism of sports big wigs. In particular, his criticism of professional wrestling tycoon Vince McMahon for marketing a crass product to children is at least as harsh as when he's leveled at Jay Z. · 6 hours ago
Good to know. I'm not familiar with his work but if he routinely calls out sports' money men then more power to him for calling out Jay-Z; though somehow that too probably only enhances his stature.