It's a tough time for sports journalists in Kansas City. What once was a dream job for sports-hungry youngsters now involves covering surly athletes playing for last-place teams and living in fear that the next pay cut or job loss will be theirs. This year, however, The Kansas City Star's Joe Posnanski transcended the decline of daily sports journalism. Posnanski's announced departure from The Star's sports page to work as a senior writer for Sports Illustrated represents a loss for KC, but it will further build the national audience he deserves. His columns, books, Sports Illustrated profiles and blogs are the work of a gifted, funny and prolific writer. He no longer has to deal with this town's particular frustrations — having to watch 162 Royals games, for instance, or inventing new ways to describe yet another thwarted Chiefs fourth-quarter drive. Posnanski, in fact, not only leaves behind covering last-place teams in a small market for a dying industry but also becomes one of the top baseball writers for the nation's most prestigious sports magazine. Plus, he can continue to write for The Star as he chooses. That isn't a lateral move; it's an escape worthy of MacGyver.
Comments (0)