A Pointless Rant about Joe Mauer, Jesus/Judas of Minnesota

John, Ayn Rand never espoused that economic success is the same thing as moral virtue. Nearly every single one of Rand’s protagonists were glorified not because they were successful, in fact they struggled to find success. Rather, her work is about the individual “ego” triumphing over the collective. Rand speaks of individualism and original thought as what drives human innovation and inspiration. Too many people confuse her message as a message of self-absorption/selfishness. Yes, Rand believes people are self-interested and their actions are driven in such a manner and to deny your ego is to deny your soul (in a way), but this does not mean money triumphs over moral virtue. For some individuals, maybe. That is not her message though.

It is more about being true to yourself, do not compromise your ideals, stand by your convictions, and seek to better yourself and humanity.

If anyone would be critical of the press, it would be Rand (as that is a pretty strong message in The Fountainhead).

First off, great post. The best person in the world is a man named Alford Clark. He works as a dishwasher in a restaurant in Memphis, TN. He’s around 50 years old. This fact has been confirmed by every person he’s come in contact with.
Second- it’s gotten beyond page views and selling papers. It’s gone to the darkest places you hoped it never went. It’s gossip and opinions instead of analysis and intelligence. It’s who is the loudest. Who will sell an extra six pack of some light piss beer through the television box. It’s no longer sports, it’s a constant ad campaign. Part of it reminds me a lot of farhenhiet 451- you have to leave the normal parts of society/ sports to get something good out of it. Listening to espn is the same now as CNN or fox news- just a lot of yelling about things in a black and white manner when it’s very much a gray subject. That’s why during games I turn the sound off and put a record on. Much more civilized. Rant over.

This is why a) I don’t watch and listen to the news anymore, b) I watch the games with the “mute” button on.

As for sports journalists(or any other types), meh, take what the say with a grain of salt. They’re just grown kids covering other grown kids playing games.

I’ve read Ayn Rand as well. I thought part of her undertone was humans lead to self-destruction through greed and ambition? but, maybe that was just what I got from some of her books.

But then again, the most moral person in the world just MIGHT be a baseball player or CEO. Probably not, but let’s not rule them out because they are not impoverished.

I, too, don’t worry about contracts for my favorite team. I am thoroughly interested in them, however. Luckily, there are so many good writers and resources out there to dissect and examine the successes/failures/etc. of those contracts.
And its amazing how the writers and websites I do enjoy make that dissection look pretty easy - just like other writers make their jobs look easy (this site, for instance, or Joe Posnanski). Of course, just like in our best athletes, when it looks easy it is truly very difficult but these people have honed their craft.
The sad part is that there are many other professionals and aspiring professionals out there in the media who don’t hone their craft and take the easy way out. They’re not making it look easy, they’re taking it easy. Any fool can make a snap judgment on a player or contract, play to the masses and perhaps score a ratings point or two. That same fool can turn around six months or six minutes later and say the opposite for another point.
I, for one, am glad to turn off the radio/TV/interwebs page and find something a little more insightful and enjoyable. As the saying goes, “it takes all kinds,” but what I can make look easy (at times) is pushing some of those kinds into the background.

That’s a problem because wins and losses can become personal insults for a person who filters his or her fandom through his or her sense of self-worth.

That said, I despise the Yankees (always have), the Baltimore Ravens, the Cubs, the Celtics, the Flyers, etc. These are irrational hatreds. My rooting preferences are also irrational. I just try to keep in check my raging hatred for some teams and my blinkered exuberance for other teams. There is always next season.