I believe my day has been planned for me so let me do linkage here before I get called to do something.
This story broke yesterday and it’s quite sad. Los Angeles Times sportswriter Mike Penner, who two years ago came out as a transsexual and wrote as Christine Daniels for a period before going back to being Penner, was found dead at his home Friday. It’s believed he took his own life. Penner/Daniels covered many sports including the sports media beat for the Times. The story became international news and Penner conducted a few interviews including one with National Public Radio after publicly declaring his change. The story was met with some skepticism, but overall, Penner/Daniels went on writing.
Tom Hoffarth of the Los Angeles Daily News who was friends with Penner also shares his thoughts on his death.
Mike Penner was 52 years old. It’s very sad about his death and even more so about the confusion Penner carried to his dying day. I thought it was courageous to announce him being a transsexual, but I didn’t know that he went back to being Mike Penner. My thoughts and prayers are sent to his family, his friends and his colleagues.
The Los Angeles Daily News picks up an Associated Press story in which Dodgers voice Vin Scully officially announces that he’s returning for the 2010 season.
Back to Tom Hoffarth, he wishes Vin a happy 82nd birthday with some rare video clips on his blog.
Back to the LA Times, Greg Braxton writes that Ice Cube is directing an ESPN 30 for 30 documentary on the Raiders time in SoCal.
Amanda Bruno of Batter-up with Bruno tells ESPN Boston to stop raiding the Boston Globe’s sports staff.
Howard Beck of the New York Times feels the NBA action on the court is coming out better than what the TV on-air guides are saying about the games.
Bob Raissman of the New York Daily News says that he enjoys NFL Network’s Matt Millen.
The New York Post’s Phil Mushnick mistakenly writes that Washington Wizards owner Abe Pollin’s passing was ignored by the media. It was mentioned quite a bit over the last week, Phil.
Pete Dougherty of the Albany Times Union looks at this week’s college football TV schedule.
Jim Williams of the Washington Examiner previews what’s on today’s NFL pregame shows.
Pierce Huff of the New Orleans Times-Picayune goes inside the ESPN Monday Night Football production truck.
Jim Carney of the Akron Beacon Journal writes about the producer of an ESPN story that focused on two high school wrestling buddies with physical disabilities setting up a charitable trust for them. I saw this story back in August and it was quite amazing. In case you didn’t see it, I’ll post it below. Tom Rinaldi of ESPN’s Outside the Lines narrates.
What Would You Do For A Friend?
Rachel Blount of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune writes that skier Lindsey Vonn is fast becoming the glamor girl of the 2010 Olympics as NBC is using her to front its coverage of the games.
Mark Kiszla of the Denver Post has reader reaction to Josh McDaniels throwing the “F” bomb on NFL Network.
Artie Gigantino of the San Francisco Examiner gives thanks to several gems in the Bay Area sports scene.
Glen Dickson of Broadcasting & Cable writes that ESPN is building a huge broadcast center for its World Cup coverage in South Africa next year.
Martin Kaufman of Golfweek lists his top 10 favorite golf announcers.
The Sports Media Watch has some various ratings news and notes.
SMW provides its weekend ratings predictions.
And SMW also has a roundup of media reaction to the Tiger Woods car accident story.
Joe Favorito looks at how the NBA is expanding its message abroad.
Greg Wyshynski of Yahoo’s Puck Daddy provides the ten biggest NHL stories of the decade including one big TV rights story (scroll to #3). By the way, my pet peeve is that the decade isn’t over yet. It ends in 2010. It’s like the big celebrations in 1999 about the end of the millennium when the millennium ended in 2000. These people.
Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk says Denver Broncos coach Josh McDaniels is now blaming ESPN for the infamous “we own you” quotes that were reported before last Sunday’s game against San Diego.
And we’re done. Looks like I won’t have to go out today so I’ll be watching the football games. And that my friends is a very good thing. Enjoy your Sunday.
