Thursday, April 30, 2009

Will the NYT Co. really shut down the Globe?

Here are today's must reads about the news of The Boston Globe facing closure. You'll notice we are not filling up the post with Boston Herald garbage. 

Will they pull the trigger? - Steven Syre The Boston Globe

Will the Globe survive? - Adam Reilly The Boston Phoenix

Sox: Henry not in talks to buy The Globe - Business News The Boston Globe


Globe union talks accelerate as deadline nears - Business News The Boston Globe

A note worthy exert from Adam Reilly's piece:

"Curiously, in terms of readership (as opposed to circulation), the Globe is actually doing well: while weekday print circulation dropped from about 382,000 to 302,000 in the past two years, boston.com, the paper's Web site, attracted 5.7 million unique visitors in the month of February. (The Herald'sweekday print circulation fell more steeply, from 201,000 to 150,000.) And the circulation revenues for the Times Co.'s New England Media Group, a subgroup of publications that is dominated by the Globe, are almost unchanged ($38.5 million in early 2007, $38.1 million in early 2009)."

And the big picture of it all, the problem is ADVERTISING people. Boston.com advertising vs. paper advertising doesn't equal out.

That plus the union leaders = a much bigger problem. 

Wednesday, April 29, 2009

Red Sox Nation is everywhere Hank Steinbrenner

















Jonathan Van Every belted her first major league home run at a crucial time, to lift the Boston Red Sox, 6-5 in 10 innings over the Cleveland Indians.

Tribe fans were trying to boo out Red Sox Nation, which was the funniest ever through the entire series.


Come on now old man. 

Next up: A rematch with the Rays in the dome.

Green vs. Lugo: The choice is clear

Boston Red Sox fans almost forget the horrors of shortstop Julio Lugo...

...that is, until last night.

Lugo committed a huge error that allowed two unearned runs, which pretty much cost the Sox the game.

Nick Green has so far been the "surprise player" of the season.

Green is currently batting .292 (as of the bottom of the 3rd inning) has five doubles, a home run, and seven runs-batted-in in 48 at bats. Not too shabby by a player who was dumped by the New York Yankees.

Lugo last year batted .268, had one home run all year, and had 22 RBI. He also committed 16 errors. Not as bad as Edgar Renteria back in 2005, but still. 

So as Terry Francona, who would you choose? He was smart tonight in having Green start, but what to do with Lugo.

Should the Sox release him? Trade him? Bench him?

I say just get rid of him.

Help save The Boston Globe; D-Day on Friday

There's exactly two days until The Boston Globe's 13 labor unions need to cut $20 million or else The New York Times Company management will shut down the 137 year old newspaper that has been devoted since day one to deliver Boston and its surrounding towns and cities the best coverage there is. 

The Globe's rival, The Boston Herald, has a story talking about how the pressure is mounting for something to get done (it's pretty much a lot of technical jargon).

With that said, Batter-up with Bruno is looking for your help to save The Boston Globe. 

Please sign this petition!!! It only takes a few minutes of your time. Please be a part of saving one of the greatest sports sections in the country.

Thanks a lot Lopez; Sox streak ends at 11

I guess all good things have to eventually come to an end, but no one expected it would have ended like that.

After Boston Red Sox first baseman Kevin Youkilis made a nice diving grab to what looked what have saved the winning run, he underhand flips it to left-handed pitcher Javier Lopez who could not come up with the ball, drops it, and it allowed the Indians to the win 9-8 last night.

As pointed out by Jerry Remy on the instant replay, Lopez was focused more on the first base bag and took his eyes off of the baseball for a second.

Well a second is a big deal.

So that ends the 11-game winning streak, but no worries, it was still a great run and they could always start another one right?

Tuesday, April 28, 2009

The Globe beat: A tough seller in these times






The Boston Herald reported this morning that "several Hub businesses have been approached about buying The Boston Globe, but there haven't been any takers."

The Herald refers to it as the "money-losing broadsheet." 

Oh how clever guys.

Some names in the mix are Herb Chambers and Robert Kraft.

Alright, interesting guys.

Well deadline day of cutting $20 million from the union is this Friday, May 1.

Lets see how many Globe stories the Herald will have then. I'm thinking 100+ since the beginning of April.

How diehard are you? Topic: streaks

Monday, April 27, 2009

Red hot Sox knock on Wood

When is this going to end (knocking on wood)? Of course we don't want this to end.

Tim Wakefield took a one-hitter into the top of the 8th, Manny Delcarmen did not allow a hit, and after being scoreless through eight full innings, the Boston Red Sox chipped away to set up Jason Bay with the big bomb off new Cleveland Indians closer Kerry Wood to put Boston up 3-0.

Jonathan Papelbon was a bit shaky as well, but not even close to Wood, thank God.

Boston has now won 11 straight.

Absolutely insane. 

Meanwhile in Yankee Land: New York dropped another to the Detroit Tigers as C.C. Sabathia earned another loss. He is now 1-2 on the season.

Video of Ellsbury's daring steal

Sunday, April 26, 2009

Sox SWEEP; Ellsbury's a home stealer











Can you say 10 straight games?

Can you say nine straight home games?

Can you say swept the New York Yankees?

Is it panic time yet in New York? Well come on it's only April, but they must be fuming in the big apple after this poor performance.

The Boston Red Sox got it done and came back once again, after being down 1-0 in the top of the third. Jacoby Ellsbury was one of the highlights as he stole home and no one was paying attention except for the fans sitting on the third base side.

Most exciting play of the night. He got a standing ovation and a curtain call.

Who'd of thunk that? 

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Red Sox weekly recap (Week 3)

Well it was a hell of a week for the Boston Red Sox who have slaughtered everyone in its path so far. It seems like the poor 2-6 start is a distant memory as the offense has woken up and the bullpen has been dominant (knock on wood).

Here's a look back at the damage that has been done as the Sox are creep closer to the first place Jays.

Sunday April 19 - Saturday April 25

Week record: 6-0
Overall record: 11-6
AL East standing: 2nd, 1.0 game behind Toronto
Runs scored: 52
Opponents' runs scored: 21
Home runs: 10; Jason Varitek (2), Kevin Youkilis (2), Mike Lowell (2), Nick Green (1), Jeff Bailey (1), Jacoby Ellsbury (1)
Games left: 145
Weeks left: 23

Saturday, April 25, 2009

Come back kids slugfest Red Sox style

R-I-D-I-C-U-L-O-U-S-L-Y loooooooooooooong.

It seems whenever the Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees play, the game is projected to be at least 4 hours long (medium). It's like a curse or something.

But in the 4th inning, everyone thought the game was over and done with, with the Yankees up 6-0, but thanks to Burnett's choke show, the Sox blazed and Jason Varitek produced the grand slammy to make it a game again.

After that point, well, I don't want to bore you with all of the statistics, plus this post will be 5,000 characters long. 

Lets see what tomorrow brings.

37th annual National Elk Hoop Shoot; best of the best






















I had the pleasure to cover one of the most prestigious national free throw shooting contests in the country today where kids from ages 8 to 13 competed in the 37th annual Elks Hoop Shoot Final held at Western New England College.

These shooters put on quite a show especially in the boy's 12-13 division where it had to go into 15 shoot-offs to determine a winner.

Check out the full article here.

Friday, April 24, 2009

The Yankees drink Red Bull cola during games?

















I'm sitting here watching the Boston Red Sox vs. New York Yankees game and after Derek Jeter grounded out to shortstop in the top of the 4th inning to drive in the go-ahead run, they showed a screen shot of Jeter back in the dugout. 

In the shot there was an 8-ounce can that appeared to be Red Bull cola, Red Bull's newest creation.

First I thought I was seeing things, but they showed Jeter again and it was indeed Red Bull cola.

Why in the world would you drink Red Bull cola during a game than drinking the regular Red Bull energy drink? It's like drinking Coca-Cola or Pepsi during a game, you just don't do that, it's called Gatorade, Powerade, or an energy drink, not a cola. 

I just thought it was interesting, weird, and stupid all at the same time and wanted to share. Wish I had the screen shot.

Thursday, April 23, 2009

Save The Boston Globe rally Friday

On Friday (tomorrow/today/whenever you are reading this) there will be a rally at Faneuil Hall at noon to Save The Boston Globe.

I found out the scoop on two of the "Save The Boston Globe" Facebook groups. Why there are two, well simple, the person who created the second group failed to do a search if one already existed so they created another group by mistake.

Here's what I believe to be the original group (which I joined) and here's the one that I believe was created afterwards

So if you add up the two groups we got at least 928 people who are supporting to save the Globe.

Sadly I won't be able to attend, but I hope thousands of others do.

There's also a petition sponsored by the Boston Newspaper Guild.


Share(Batter-up with Bruno)This

We've now made sharing our stories even easy here on Batter-up with Bruno.

At the bottom of each post is "ShareThis." When you click on it, a new window will pop giving you options to send this post via, email, AIM, or text, post on Facebook, MySpace, Digg, Delicious, Buzz Up!, or Twitter, and/or save to ShareBox.

Keeping you posted.

How diehard are you? Topic: schedules


Welcome to our first ever, "How diehard are you?" segment where every week we'll be posting a new topic of just how diehard of a Boston Red Sox I am. If you can beat me, show me (or least leave a comment).

If you think you're game enough, you can post a response video on YouTube and I'll have it linked to here. Good luck and bring it.

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Dustin (Pedroia) vs. Goliath Dunkin Donuts commericial

Now Boston Red Sox second baseman, Dustin Pedroia is promoting Dunkin Donuts iced coffee with some free turbo shots to get an extra boost.

First MLB 09 The Show, now Dunkins.

What's next for the reigning 2008 MVP?

The funny thing is I don't believe Red Sox players actually drink Dunkin Donuts iced coffee (with turbo shots) before games, at least, we hope not?

Check out the commercial link below (since boston.com changed up their video player and now you can't copy videos to your sites).

Watch this at Boston.com

UPDATE

We found out that the video was on YouTube...enjoy!!!

Vote for the 2009 All-Star Game!!! Wait...what?!

So I was just surfing on redsox.com to check out the box score of today's 10-1 rain shortened blowout final over the visiting Minnesota Twins and at first I thought I was losing my mind or something.

The second story on that moving flash screen on the Boston Red Sox site advertises to "Vote now on the starters for the 2009 All-Star Game, July 14th in St. Louis."

Are you kidding me!?

It's only the third week of baseball season and we're suppose to vote in players for the All-Star Game, which is being played in two and half months?

And I thought what you do in April doesn't matter as much?

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Red Sox + shortstop = cursed position; Ortiz = Nomar?

The Boston Globe reported today that Boston Red Sox shortstop Jed Lowrie underwent surgery in Arizona on his left wrist, but won't be out for the rest of the season.

Since there was no damage in the cartilage, it's expected that Lowrie could return in six weeks to eight weeks. 

This is not the first time a Boston shortstop has gone down.

Back in March  starting shortstop Julio Lugo had right knee surgery. He is beginning rehab in Pawtucket and could be activated in an early as one week.

After signing Edgar Renteria from the NL champion St. Louis Cardinals in 2004 to a four-year, $40 million deal, he quickly earned the nickname "Error" Renteria as he compiled a career high 30 errors in 153 games. 

Sox GM, Theo Epstein thought he'd be signing some good offense at least, but Renteria had one wacky year, batting .276 with 100 strikeouts and only eight home runs with 70 runs batted in. I guess he couldn't handle the pressure. 

The curse of the shortstop began with fan favorite Nomar Garciaparra, when he had to have wrist surgery in 2001 (Sports Illustrated curse) and never fully recovered as the same player he once was. Now he spends the majority of his time on the DL and has jumped from the Chicago Cubs, Los Angeles Dodgers, and now Oakland Athletics as a third and first baseman. 

Orlando Cabrera had been the only "savior" in his short stint in Boston, as he was not resigned by the club after winnings its first World Series Championship in 86 years. Rumors and facts now have swirled as to why that was. 

But here's a scary thought...

Could David Ortiz be the next Nomar Garciaparra?

Just call the game already



















Got to love rain delays. 

There is a 90% chance of rain being forecasted in Boston, in yet they are still trying to see if the Boston Red Sox and Minnesota Twins game can be played at Fenway Park.

So 90% isn't good enough to cancel?

The game started off in a rain delay and more than likely they'll wait two hours and call the game. Or they'll wait two hours and try to play with half of the crowd gone or didn't even bother to show up.

Now as a fan I'd be outraged. Paying so much for the tickets, transportation, food, etc. not knowing if the game will be called or not, then depending on when the make-up game is, that just adds more fuel to the fire. Not everyone is from Boston and can make a quick trip to the park. 

Am I making any sense here?!

Monday, April 20, 2009

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Then you need to join our newly created group!

Batter-up with Bruno is now on Facebook. Join our group or become a fan to keep up with up-to-date news, suggestions, comments, etc. from our site.

To join click on the "Find us on Facebook" logo in the right-hand side bar.

Keeping you posted.

How diehard are you? Bring it on.




The infamous "DO OR DIE" T-shirt

Later this week, we'll be launching a new segment called, "How diehard are you?" which will take you behind the scenes at the extremities of how much of a diehard Boston Red Sox fan I am. 

Every week they'll be a new category and if you think you can outdo me, prove it.

Something fun and random to throw in here. Bring it on.

Papi's got some pop back

David Ortiz was looking more like David Ortiz this morning/afternoon.

Big Papi doubled and tripled in two runs as the Boston Red Sox thumped the Baltimore Orioles 12-1 on Patriots Day at good ole Fenway Park.

In the four-series Ortiz went 4-17 with three RBI, but had two multi-hit games (the other was on April 18).

Is Papi slowly, but surely on his way back?

We are still waiting for him to hit his first home run of the season.

Predictions? 

Sunday, April 19, 2009

Red Sox weekly recap (Week 2)

Welcome to the Boston Red Sox weekly recap. We'll be recapping on what went down statistic wise from Sundays-Saturdays every week for the remainder of the season.

Let me know what you think and if anything significant should be added to this list.

Sunday April 12 - Saturday April 18

Week record: 3-2
Overall record: 5-6
AL East standing: 4th, 3.0 games behind Toronto
Runs scored: 30
Opponents' runs scored: 27
Home runs: 8; Kevin Youkilis (3), J.D. Drew (3), Jason Bay (1), Mike Lowell (1)
Games left: 151
Weeks left: 24

Saturday, April 18, 2009

Globe vs. Herald Sox coverage












In battle of the broadsheet (Boston Globe) vs. the tabloid (Boston Herald) lets get a little bit picky with what newspaper/website has the best coverage of the Red Sox in Beantown.

First the writers/bloggers:

Globe
Amalie Benjamin
Nick Cafardo
Chad Finn
Adam Kilgore
Dan Shaughnessy
Bob Ryan
Tony Massarotti

Herald
Michael Silverman
John Tomase
Steve Buckley
Sean McAdam
(I'm missing writers aren't I?)

Blogs:

Globe

Herald

Live blogging/chats:

Globe
Yes, normal blog entry format
Cover It Live, delivers up-to-date scores, fan interaction
Live chats w/CiL

Herald
Yes, normal blog entry format
No live chats

Video insights:

Globe
Video analysis uploaded in Extra Bases

Herald
What's video!?

Alright, we'll stop right there.

As far as technology goes, the Globe/boston.com destroys the Herald no contest. An argument? Does the Globe have too much coverage? What is too much? But don't people like video and live chats and blogs? Isn't journalism going in that direction?

I don't get it.

Why it's not the "end of the world" for Sox fans

Ok, I'll even admit, I was pretty much screaming too when the Red Sox were off to a 2-6 start and screaming more finding out about Dice-K (now I HATE the World Baseball Classic).

But hey, it's not the end of the world people. 

Thanks to Wakefield on Wednesday and the Red Sox offense + bullpen from last night, the record is creeping up at 4-6.

Ok 4-6 isn't great, but it's not horrible. So here are the Top 10 reasons why it's not the "end of the world."

10. It's not the worst record in the MLB, the Washington Nationals hold that spot at 1-8 in the NL East.

9. There are 152 games left in the regular season and the O's won't be in 2nd place within the next two weeks

8. Celtics?

7. Bruins vs. Habs in playoff hockey

6. 14 Red Sox vs. Rays games left

5. 18 Red Sox vs. Yankees games left

4. Winter is ovah! We think?

3. Our offense (if healthy all season; *knocks on wood*) is still sick

2. Our pitching (starting/relieving; *knocks on wood*) is still lethal

1. We got something to watch almost every day for the next 5 months!!!


Wednesday, April 15, 2009

Herald loves the Globe building
















































Do we need to explain??? These were all taken by Boston Herald photographers in the last two weeks. Their next shot of the Globe headquarters will be from Route 93 North to get a glimpse of the roof parking lot.

Maybe they are just jealous that their building is 1/10 the size. Who knows.

This is what the Herald calls news?

I guess they'll print anything in The Boston Herald.

Must have been a slow news day in order to fit this in the tabloid. 

Howie Carr decided to do an encore from his previous column, "'Need' the Globe? Don't make me laugh," as he declared he wrote due by popular demand.

By the way, loving the many Boston Globe building photos that they have used in every single Globe related story. I didn't realize how many possible angles there were of the headquarters in Dorchester. 

Why don't they just send one photographer and have them camp out in front of the building in a little tent souped up with wireless internet and a satellite dish.

Ok so getting back to Carr's column..."popular demand?" Well you know exactly who reads the Herald then.

I don't ever recall seeing an article in the Globe bashing the Boston Herald and its smuck. 

And like the Herald is perfect and all of its reporters? Wait a sec, doesn't Mike Barnicle and Ron Borges write for them after the Globe got rid of them both? Looks like the Herald gets Globe rejects.

Carr, you're just jealous you don't write for the broadsheet. 

Is a third installment in the works? 

Boston teams mix it up



Lets take a little break from Globe talk and show a video produced by the Globe and Boston.com staff. We got Chara wearing the Celtics jersey, Papi is a football player, Pierce thinks he can handle a hockey stick, and Wilfolk works on his swing with a bat.

Tuesday, April 14, 2009

Mort Zuckerman wants the Globe?

Perhaps the worst rumor out there reported in today's Boston Herald by Jessica Heslam.

Heslam's article "Union foe Mort Zuckerman may be mulling Globe buy," talks about the rumor that the New York Daily News publisher and real estate agent billionaire wants to buy the Globe to get it out of its financial misery as he did in 1992 with the New York Daily News. 

Zuckerman got his real estate career started in Boston, made tons of money, then left to the Big Apple. 

Apparently no one at the New York Daily News is fond of him as they are hurting as well with costs of health care going up. The New York Guild technically represents them, but there's no contract, which doesn't make any sense. 

No one is buying this rumor, as it clearly doesn't make any sense, but it gives something for the Herald to report in its tabloid this morning. 

Monday, April 13, 2009

Blog rally to save the Globe

After news broke out about the potential closing of The Boston Globe, a group of Boston-based bloggers have launched a "blog rally" to spread the word and create ideas to make sure the Globe won't die.

Here's what's been posted on blogs everywhere for the past week: 





"We view the Globe as an important community resource, and we think that lots of people in the region agree and might have creative ideas that might help in this situation. So, here's your chance. Please don't write with nasty comments and sarcasm: Use this forum for thoughtful and interesting steps you would recommend to the management that would improve readership, enhance the Globe's community presence, and make money. Who knows, someone here might come up with an idea that will work, or at least help. Thank you."

Spread the word! If you have a blog and are reading this right now, feel free to copy and paste this entry on yours. 

Globe daily goes from $0.75 to $1.50




















How did I let this slip?

Reported back on April 7, by you guessed it...The Boston Herald, The Boston Globe will be raising its prices for the second year in-a-row as the daily will go from $0.75 to $1.50 effective on May 4.

Last summer, the Globe daily increased from $0.50 to $0.75 for readers in Eastern Mass. The newspaper was already $0.75 in Western Mass.

The Sunday Globe is also going up to $3.50 in Eastern Mass. and $4 everywhere else. 

Apparently the price increase, "will cover the actual cost to distribute the paper," according to a memo the Globe sent about the increase. 

Countdown: 18 days for the negotiations.

Friday, April 10, 2009

Howie Carr compares Globe to SNL

In today's Boston Herald, "columnist" Howie Carr showed what the Boston Herald's coverage is all about.

His slandered piece 'Need the Globe? Don't make me laugh' rips the Globe and its "blunders" since March of 2003 and he refers it as the "SNL of newspapers."

Some highlights include coverage on Whitey Bulger, dangers of the Ted Williams Tunnel, and something about Canadian hunters shooting harp seal cubs by the hundreds (you gotta read Carr's column).

He refers the Globe and its writers as "bow-tied bumkissers" "clowns" and "a lame act" that "ought to be put on Comedy Central." 

Ok, so everyone is entitled to their opinion, but wait a second...

Oh yes, now I remember. Wasn't it the Boston Herald who reported that the New England Patriots taped the St. Louis Rams pre-Super Bowl walkthrough and then later had to run an apology for it not being true?

It was only all over the national news for months and pretty much ruined the credibility of the team forever. Now there's a blunder of all blunders in the history of sports reporting or least one of the top three.

Another Herald fact: Half of its stories are an amazing two and three paragraphs long. Put some ad space there, it's more useful. 

Another note: Since the breakage of the words "Globe" and "threatened to close," the Herald has almost accumulated 20 related articles on the subject or at least it's pretty close to 20.

Stay tuned.

Thursday, April 09, 2009

Herald bashes Globe's tactics/coverage

I told you this was going to get downright nasty.

After almost being on the Globe's defense yesterday in, "Globe execs land millions while seeking major union cutbacks," today Jessica Heslam has a story entitled, "Globe to pols: Gush about us," which is pretty much about how the Globe is using tactics of covering its own death (it's not over until it's over though).

In the article, Heslam bashes the fact of having Deval Patrick, Thomas Menino, and John Kerry (all Democrats) being quoted on how awful it would be not to have the Boston Globe anymore.

Patrick and Menino are going up for re-election soon.

What's highlighted as "ridiculous" is the piece in last Sunday's Globe entitled, "Threat to Globe triggers flood of feelings," which covers the fact what would the city of Boston be like with no Boston Globe. The article focuses on everyday people, some who've subscribed for 30 years and others who don't really read the newspaper. In a sentence, it's not biased.

The Herald mocks how 10 reporters covered the story. 

Maria Sacchetti and Eric Moskowitz were on the byline. Robert Weisman, Geoff Edgers, Joan Anderman, Shira Springer, Beth Healy, and Mark Shanahan of the Globe staff contributed as well as Globe correspondents Matt Collette and John M. Guilfoil.

Well lets see, maybe lets say all 10 of them live in different areas of Eastern Mass. and they didn't want biased coverage. One reporter could have just talked to one person, now they are a contributor. That's how it works. Shira Springer is a sports writer; maybe they asked who was interested in doing a story?

The point though in all of this?

Do you think it's easy to cover your own woes? Obviously it's not going to be ignored, but gee of course after the news broke it was a given a reaction piece was in the mix for the next day. 

The Herald is loving this, absolutely loving this. 

Stay tuned, lets see what we got in store for tomorrow. 

Wednesday, April 08, 2009

Times vs. Globe vs. employees: This is going to get downright nasty

With word out last Saturday about The Boston Globe needing to seek $20 million in union cuts or else the NY Times Co. would shut the newspaper down, everyday since, something new has been dug up from the woodwork.

The Globe itself had articles about the newspaper being threatened to close if demands aren't met, but its rival, The Boston Herald, has been supplying new stories, each even more shocking than the previous day.

Yesterday, Jessica Heslam wrote about "Boston Globe staffers lash out at union leaders" as staffers are outraged about being "kept in the dark" from last week's cuts. 

Also included in the $20 million union cutbacks are the elimination of 13 lifetime job guarantees, which is pretty much self explanatory.

Today, Christine McConville has a story entitled, "Globe execs land millions while seeking major union cutbacks." 

The Big Three anyone?

Reading that makes anyone outraged, whether they are a Globe staffer or not.

McConville talks about how "top executives of the Times Co. and Globe were awarded stock options worth millions weeks before they told the Globe's unions to cut $20 million or face closure."

Globe Publisher P. Steven Ainsley made $1,947,195 in 2008 and received $90,000 in February stock options. He is quoted in McConville's article saying: "It is only fair that management also be prepared to make sacrifices."

Nice.

So what took so long for all of this to leak out? Maybe that's a dumb question.

Get ready for more dirt to be dug up the next couple of weeks as the deadline for the cuts is May 1.

Monday, April 06, 2009

Opening Day has to wait a day














Old news, yes, but a rare Opening Day at Fenway Park will have to wait until tomorrow because you guessed it...the weather.

Tomorrow at 4:05 p.m. Josh Beckett will take the mound and Red Sox Nation will rejoice after a long, long, long winter of waiting for baseball to begin again.

Saturday, April 04, 2009

No more Boston Globe?!!?

My worst nightmare is almost coming true.

This morning in my email box, I received my normal Boston Globe Daily Headlines, which I subscribe to. Usually I'm in such a rush I just delete it and go to boston.com later to get the scoop.

Well for some reason I decided to open it today...and that's when I read "Times Co. threatens to shut Globe; seeks $20m in cuts from unions." 

WHAT?!!?

The demands went down Thursday morning in a 90-minute meeting (it only took 90 minutes to really talk about this?) that included pay cuts, the end of pension contributions, and the elimination of lifetime job guarantees (I wasn't even aware of that). 

Last week the Globe finished cutting the equivalent of 50 full-time jobs (so I guess it's not 50 full-time jobs?) If more serious cutbacks don't happen, the paper could lose $89 million this year. Last year it lost $50 million (I thought it was reported that the Globe was losing $100 million a week, see below post).

The Boston Globe is the 14th largest paper in the country and region's leader in circulation.

The deadline to all of this??? The Times is giving the union 30 days to make all concessions and if not, well, I don't even want to think about it.

If the Globe closes that leaves Boston with the Herald, a tabloid newspaper. Of course there's also The Patriot Ledger in Quincy, The Cape Cod Times, The Sun Chronicle in Attleboro, The Standard Times in New Bedford and a bunch of weeklies in neighboring cities and towns.

I really thought it would be the Herald first.