Confessions of a Dead Tribune

Mark Heisler / Truthdig Aug 19, 2011 For the last 32 years, I had been “Mark Heisler of the Los Angeles Times.” Before that, “Mark Heisler of the Philadelphia Bulletin” or “Mark Heisler of Somewhere” since June 1, 1967, when Gannett hired me at $125 a week. Suddenly, I was just “Mark Heisler.” Who in the hell was Mark Heisler?For the last 32 years, I had been “Mark Heisler of the Los Angeles Times.” Suddenly, I was just “Mark Heisler.” Who in the hell was Mark Heisler? Dig deeper ( 14 Min. Read )

We Can Live Without Leagues

Mark Heisler / Truthdig Jul 18, 2011 If bad times bring out the best in ordinary people, sports labor brings out the worst in the privileged lives of owners and players. Dig deeper ( 6 Min. Read )

Truthdig Wins Top Honors at L.A. Press Club Awards

Staff / Truthdig Jun 27, 2011 The Los Angeles Press Club held its 53rd annual Southern California Journalism Awards on Sunday night, and Truthdig emerged triumphant from the historic Millennium Biltmore hotel, taking home prizes for Best Website Exclusive to the Internet, Best Online Sports Writing and Online Journalist. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

A Country the NFL Can Be Proud Of

Mark Heisler / Truthdig Apr 5, 2011 Let’s put it this way: If the NFL was in danger of flying too close to the sun, like Icarus whose wax wings melted, Commissioner Roger Goodell would have the orb repositioned beforehand. Dig deeper ( 5 Min. Read )

Who, Us Bloodthirsty?

Mark Heisler / Truthdig Jan 31, 2011 In an age challenged by separating real life from reality programming or the absurdly heightened reality that comes from merely being on TV, no one seems to want to err on the side of compassion.In an age challenged by separating real life from reality programming, no one seems to want to err on the side of compassion. Dig deeper ( 9 Min. Read )

Connecting the Dots on the Great Disconnect

Mark Heisler / Truthdig Nov 12, 2010 The nation is dividing into ever-more-irreconcilable niches -- like fans of competing teams, rather than members of a greater whole with shared purpose. Dig deeper ( 8 Min. Read )

Sex, Lies and Twitter

Mark Heisler / Truthdig Oct 27, 2010 If 24 percent of respondents ages 14-17 tell an Associated Press-MTV poll they’ve done naked sexting, you can imagine the implications for professional athletes.If 24 percent of respondents ages 14-17 have done naked sexting, you can imagine the implications for professional athletes. Dig deeper ( 8 Min. Read )

The War of the McCourts

Mark Heisler / Truthdig Sep 28, 2010 The story of Frank and Jamie McCourt, who turned the Dodgers into their own piggy bank, lived a life of mortgaged royalty and then decided to destroy one another, is like something out of Tom Wolfe.The story of Frank and Jamie McCourt, who lived a life of mortgaged royalty and then decided to destroy one another, is like something out of Tom Wolfe. Dig deeper ( 12 Min. Read )

ESPN Is the Diva, Favre Is Just an Old Pro With a Bum Ankle

Mark Heisler / Truthdig Aug 23, 2010 In the 10 months from September to July, at least two of the four major leagues are playing In July and August, we’re on our own and the Big Paparazzo does what it does when it has nothing guess at something, blow it up, project from it and comment on itIn July and August, we’re on our own and the Big Paparazzo does what it does when it has nothing guess at something and comment on it. Dig deeper ( 6 Min. Read )

George Steinbrenner’s Evil Empire

Mark Heisler / Truthdig Aug 5, 2010 The Boss didn’t leave his heirs a baseball team but a financial empire that can never be rivaled, villains you can depend on and a legacy like Sherman's to Georgia. Dig deeper ( 8 Min. Read )

What ESPN’s Bill Simmons Superdeluxe Media Empire Means for Facts, Fans and Sports

Mark Heisler / Truthdig Jul 8, 2010 Going bonkers, lionizing winners and dumping on losers is fun, even if the cycle is accelerating to absurdity and beyond with modern 24/7 reportage That’s today’s price of fame Privileged as they are, today’s starry-eyed young athletes pursue their dream through a driving shitstormThat’s today’s price of fame. Dig deeper ( 10 Min. Read )

How Baseball Became America vs. the Damn Yankees

Mark Heisler / Truthdig May 20, 2010 Baseball has always proceeded according to the law of the jungle with the Yankees as King Kong, but in the past even they never dominated financially as they do now. Dig deeper ( 6 Min. Read )