@VandyonTigers Analytics prioritize what gives teams the highest mathematical probability of a successful outcome, a W. They don’t take into consideration entertaining the fans on the way there, it’s not part of the equation. There has to be a balance between those two priorities.
@lyman_brian But there was a sense of fun and camaraderie that dissipated as things got better in other ways, and I think that’s what Dowd is talking about. Just my .02.
@lyman_brian Things correctly and rightfully got more professional in newsrooms and the arrival of HR departments ensured people would be treated with respect and dignity.
@lyman_brian I will say that things in the old days were a bit looser and louder … I always shook my head at people who demanded silence after growing up listening to the wire machines and IBM Selectromatic typewriters clacking.
@lyman_brian I first entered a newsroom as a full time employee at age 18 in 1977. I never saw any on-the-clock boozing (although smoking was still allowed, yuck) and no violence other than a copy editor getting frustrated and throwing his pica stick, not at anyone.