Learning as you go

You encounter this scenario far too often at the sports desk. Someone with a grudge objects to mention of a local high school athlete in the most disrespectful, juvenile and generally incoherent tone. More often than not, the letter arrives anonymously.

These notes quickly end up in the trash. No point heard, no lesson learned.

That’s how it is with us human beings. We generally respond best when approached positively. I, for one, am fond of constructive criticism. It helps me get better.

Anyone who takes pride in what they do would never want to miss out an opportunity to improve. Though I’ve quickly learned that what appears on our sports pages is a team effort, it is my name that is on the face of it every day. I can’t hide from it. It’s what it is.

So everyday as I learn more about the communities, about their sports, about what’s important to our readers the better I will become. If I can do a better job today than I did yesterday, I will consider it a good day.

Since our product is made for you, I hope you won’t be shy if you have thoughts about how we can better serve the communities. Any and all critisisms, suggestions, or things you would like to see on our sports pages are welcome by me.

Unfortunately, we will not be able to do everything for everbody. No doubt you may differ on an opinion offered in these pages. You may not agree with the way something was covered. You’ll wish we could do more of this or more of that. Less of this and less of that. But I would like to hear what you have to say. In the process I will learn and I will try to accommodate as much as possible.

Especially, if you have something that will get me out of the office. I hate the office. I wish it wasn’t snowing or I would be out of the office. One thing I like about this job already is that the regime here wants me to get out as much as possible, to cover as much as possible. In my first week I travelled nearly 1,000-miles to cover events all over the panhandle. That suits me fine.

So let me know your thoughts. Maybe you have an idea for a good feature story or a sports event I may not be aware of. Send that too. Just try to be positive in your approach. No four-letter words please.

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Now for a change in subject.

While I love to watch a good Mets, Rangers, Dolphins or even Huskers game, nothing excites me more in sports than looking forward to a its big event. I love them all. The four majors in golf, the college basketball tournament, the Stanley Cup playoffs, World Series, NBA finals, Wimbledon, the Olympic Games, World Series...

My favorite? My favorite of all just may be the Kentucky Derby. CBS promotes the Masters Tournament as a “tradition unlke any other.” Far be it for me to besmirch the Masters. I’m glued to it every April. But the Derby is truly a tradition unlike any other.

The first Saturday in May, mint julips, beautiful ladies in their big bonnets and of course horse racing. The Derby has been run every year since Aristides won in 1875. Right through World War I and Word War II. Nothing stops the Derby. Nothing seems to stop horse racing. Saratoga, America’s oldest race track was built in 1864. During the height of the Civil War no less.

Hopefully nothing wil stop me from seeing the “Greatest Two Minutes in Sports.”

My pick: Normandy Invasion.

Just remember. There is one more Derby tradition that is nearly unbroken. I’m almost never right.

Stephen can be reached at [email protected].