Thoughts on Sox

Even though several days have passed since we first heard the news, it's still difficult to process the words "David Ortiz" and "shot" in the same sentence.

No matter the reason -- not that there could ever be a good one -- you have to hope that something greater will come from this. That's the only way to make any sense of what happened.

This incident showed once again the limits of social media. I talk to my students all the time about understanding the sources of the information that they read on Twitter and elsewhere.  It's a lesson that some adults could learn as well. Be sure that your sources are reputable and not ones that engage in rumors and half truths. Some of the information about the Ortiz shooting that has been repeated and retweeted as fact is at this point gossip and speculation from questionable outlets.

Another lesson for my students when I see them again is that as a story initially unfolds you should also be cautious about early reporting from legitimate media outlets.  In the race to be first, incorrect information or impressions are sometimes reported.

For example, the Dial Bar and Lounge, where Ortiz was shot, was initially described as a bar and/or nightclub, leading to social media comments questioning why he was at a place like that and asking where was his family. Reports now describe the establishment as a "fashionable open air cafe," where he was sitting with a Dominican television producer,  a totally different image than the one first presented.

____________________

Great reporting on the Ortiz shooting from WBZ-TV's Anaridis Rodriguez, who was born and raised in the Dominican. She obviously had sources in the country that made her reporting some of the most accurate among Boston media.

A few weeks ago, she shared via social media some of the racial insults she receives on a regular basis because of her heritage. For example, one comment to her began by calling her a "spic."

And that's one of many things that's wrong with social media.

____________________

As someone who has worked in the media business for more years than I care to count, I knoicw the importance of being sensitive to the sentiments and opinions of your publics. So, Major League Baseball's decision to change the designation "Disabled List  to "Injured List" was certainly long overdue.

But, this one I don't get. Apparently there's been some talk in NBA circles about the term "owner" being inappropriate. I fully understand the possible sensitivity to the word in a league where most of the owners are white, while the majority of players are minority.  But, what word or phrase could be substituted for "owner" without turning the language on its head and creating a term that's just plain silly and pandering?

____________________

My daughter recently took me to a Red Sox game for my birthday. Great seats in right field. The Sox lost, but a fun night with Megs!

I'm always amazed at ticketed events how people can't seem to find their seats. There was all kinds of shifting around in the first few innings as people sat in the wrong rows or just plunked themselves down in vacant chairs only to be forced to move when ticket holders arrived. I'm not singling out a couple of guys with a beer in each hand, who just decide to sit somewhere. I'm talking about families -- Dad, Mom and three kids -- just randomly finding five seats and hunkering down. How hard can it be to read the row and seat number and find the correct spot?  Apparently quite difficult for some people...
___________________

I'm  a firm believer in the cliche that the best hockey is play off hockey. That being said, I regret not watching the Bruins more during the regular season. I didn't realize they had the potential to reach Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Finals.

____________________

When he was managing the Red Sox, Jimy Williams somewhat famously said that the season was a "marathon, not a sprint." So there's no reason to give up yet. Right??