As an avid WEEI listener (my job is boring as shit, you see) a little background on this rivalry:
A while back Ordway, Smerlas and DeOssie met Simmons at a conference. They had a pretty good conversation, and supposedly exchanged mutual admiration for their work. All appeared to be fine.
A few weeks back, Simmons wrote somewhere that WEEI is only around because they built a monopoly on the sports radio market and have never had any competitors (which is untrue), and that their on-air personalities are lacking and past their prime (which may be true).
Simmons then went on the morning show Dennis and Callahan and they questioned him on this statement. Being the sissy he is Simmons lauded their work and said he was only talking about the afternoon guys (Ordway & company).
Being that in their only conversation in the past Simmons told these guys how much he liked their work, The Big Show wanted an explanation, and asked on-air for Simmons to appear on their show. Simmons initially agreed, then ended up (cowardly) repeatedly canceling on the day he was supposed to appear. Ordway called him out on this and this is when these Twitter "attacks" appeared.
Bottom line: Whenever Simmons is actually questioned on the crap he comes out with he shrinks into his shell and reverts to Twitter attacks like a 13 year old girl. Lame, Simmons. Lame.
@Nothing Can Kill the Grimace...: As long as I've conveyed what a petulant child Simmons truly is when it comes to handling any situation in an adult matter, my mission is accomplished.
I still go back and reread his running NBA draft diary each year. And when things like Manny getting busted or Boston trading for Garnett happens I want to make sure to see what he has to say.
Yes, a big part of his writing is pop culture mad libs, but the man is still funny and relevant.. #billsimmons
I find it amusing that Bill Simmons manages to walk the line of the "average" fan, when he's been a child of privilege his entire life. No one went to "The Gahden" or Fenway so much or got to attend Holy Cross and get by just by bartending if they weren't.
Yes, this is semi-professional jealousy, but I think we all can admit Bill Simmons has led a pretty charmed life. #billsimmons
@Juancho: I think saying Simmons is privileged is stretching it. His father was a school administrator his whole career, which isn't exactly a high-paying gig. I think it's just that baseball and basketball tickets were much cheaper on average back then, so season tickets were more affordable for the common fan.
My parents covered my private college education, but it wasn't because my family was rich by any stretch. It's because my father made my education his top priority over a big house, a nice car, or anything else. I imagine Simmons's father was the same way.
Of course, like the idiot I am, I didn't fully appreciate Dad's sacrifices until I went to law school, which I had to pay for. My father's birthday is tomorrow and I finally have a firm job... it's time to make amends. #billsimmons
@TexasGopher: aside from grades 4-7, I went to Catholic school. And after many years in psychotherapy, I can say-
He was the gifted, only child of a divorce- taking him to a ton of sporting events has "guilt gifts" written all over it.
I have a college degree and (Thank God, seriously) have a steady, albeit soul-crushing job. I make a little under 30k, and am trying to figure out how I can afford grad school, and maybe get married and have a family, and somehow find time to write. Simmons went to grad school then made a living solely as a bartender in one of the most expensive metro areas in the U.S.? Something doesn't add up.
Drew had a great assessment of Simmons, his fandom, and his book a week or two ago in his column.
Again, he has a great life and family, and he gets paid huge money to crack jokes and write about sports and pop culture. This is just me being green-eyed.
I just don't buy the whole "man of the people" thing, like when his wife supposedly walked off from whatever writing she was doing for ESPN.com on The Bachelor/ette because Disney supposedly wouldn't give her season passes to Disneyland.
Bill, please don't insult my intelligence.
Ok, fuck I'm bummed at the moment. Dickjoke, anyone? #billsimmons
@Juancho: You know why there's a term for "guilt gifts"? Because it's a common occurrence, something that happens to alot of people. I don't see how any of that changes his perspective as a sports fan. He got "guilt gifts" as a child and therefore his opinion on sports is invalid?
I'm amused (and delighted) that this is still generating (intelligent) conversation 2 days later. Let me preface this by saying that I also enjoy Bill Simmons, but I think he's being disingenuous at the very least in regards to his upbringing and/or paygrade within ESPN/Disney, and some of his familiar tropes are really starting to wear thin.
I'll try and respond to a few points:
First of all, yes, it is pretty standard to bartend (or waitress) and make a living. However, the majority of people do it in addition to something else, especially if a) they're young and b) live in the big city. I don't know exactly about Bill (I can't listen to all his Podcasts), but between watching sports, writing and trying to get laid in his 20s, I'd have to guess it wasn't a full-time gig.
@CaptFamous: $30K (6 nights a week, HA!) doesn't go nearly as far in NYC or Boston (even with roommates), as it does here in Cleveland...and I still live paycheck-to-paycheck, pretty well within my means due to their being no other choice.
@docjcl: I never said his perspective wasn't valid, just disingenuous. I don't know rabid fans who have gone to the number of games Simmons has, let alone average ones. I give him some credit for actually paying for Clips season tix and not using a press pass, but he uses it in his work so much like a badge of honor that it's almost obnoxious. He makes it seem like people who don't watch or attend games like he does aren't quite up to snuff, and he's a major web media figure!
@eduardjm: haven't had a chance to yet, but it's on my to-read list. I'm a librarian, work hazard. And it is on my list to purchase, not borrow from work. #billsimmons
11/21/09
A while back Ordway, Smerlas and DeOssie met Simmons at a conference. They had a pretty good conversation, and supposedly exchanged mutual admiration for their work. All appeared to be fine.
A few weeks back, Simmons wrote somewhere that WEEI is only around because they built a monopoly on the sports radio market and have never had any competitors (which is untrue), and that their on-air personalities are lacking and past their prime (which may be true).
Simmons then went on the morning show Dennis and Callahan and they questioned him on this statement. Being the sissy he is Simmons lauded their work and said he was only talking about the afternoon guys (Ordway & company).
Being that in their only conversation in the past Simmons told these guys how much he liked their work, The Big Show wanted an explanation, and asked on-air for Simmons to appear on their show. Simmons initially agreed, then ended up (cowardly) repeatedly canceling on the day he was supposed to appear. Ordway called him out on this and this is when these Twitter "attacks" appeared.
Bottom line: Whenever Simmons is actually questioned on the crap he comes out with he shrinks into his shell and reverts to Twitter attacks like a 13 year old girl. Lame, Simmons. Lame.
11/21/09
11/22/09
11/21/09
11/19/09
11/19/09
11/19/09
That's the second creepiest Mitt I've ever seen
11/18/09
11/18/09
11/10/09
Yes, a big part of his writing is pop culture mad libs, but the man is still funny and relevant.. #billsimmons
11/10/09
Yes, this is semi-professional jealousy, but I think we all can admit Bill Simmons has led a pretty charmed life. #billsimmons
11/10/09
My parents covered my private college education, but it wasn't because my family was rich by any stretch. It's because my father made my education his top priority over a big house, a nice car, or anything else. I imagine Simmons's father was the same way.
Of course, like the idiot I am, I didn't fully appreciate Dad's sacrifices until I went to law school, which I had to pay for. My father's birthday is tomorrow and I finally have a firm job... it's time to make amends. #billsimmons
11/10/09
He was the gifted, only child of a divorce- taking him to a ton of sporting events has "guilt gifts" written all over it.
I have a college degree and (Thank God, seriously) have a steady, albeit soul-crushing job. I make a little under 30k, and am trying to figure out how I can afford grad school, and maybe get married and have a family, and somehow find time to write. Simmons went to grad school then made a living solely as a bartender in one of the most expensive metro areas in the U.S.? Something doesn't add up.
Drew had a great assessment of Simmons, his fandom, and his book a week or two ago in his column.
Again, he has a great life and family, and he gets paid huge money to crack jokes and write about sports and pop culture. This is just me being green-eyed.
I just don't buy the whole "man of the people" thing, like when his wife supposedly walked off from whatever writing she was doing for ESPN.com on The Bachelor/ette because Disney supposedly wouldn't give her season passes to Disneyland.
Bill, please don't insult my intelligence.
Ok, fuck I'm bummed at the moment. Dickjoke, anyone? #billsimmons
11/11/09
11/12/09
I'll try and respond to a few points:
First of all, yes, it is pretty standard to bartend (or waitress) and make a living. However, the majority of people do it in addition to something else, especially if a) they're young and b) live in the big city. I don't know exactly about Bill (I can't listen to all his Podcasts), but between watching sports, writing and trying to get laid in his 20s, I'd have to guess it wasn't a full-time gig.
@CaptFamous: $30K (6 nights a week, HA!) doesn't go nearly as far in NYC or Boston (even with roommates), as it does here in Cleveland...and I still live paycheck-to-paycheck, pretty well within my means due to their being no other choice.
@docjcl: I never said his perspective wasn't valid, just disingenuous. I don't know rabid fans who have gone to the number of games Simmons has, let alone average ones. I give him some credit for actually paying for Clips season tix and not using a press pass, but he uses it in his work so much like a badge of honor that it's almost obnoxious. He makes it seem like people who don't watch or attend games like he does aren't quite up to snuff, and he's a major web media figure!
@eduardjm: haven't had a chance to yet, but it's on my to-read list. I'm a librarian, work hazard. And it is on my list to purchase, not borrow from work. #billsimmons
11/10/09
11/10/09
11/10/09
11/10/09
11/10/09
11/10/09
11/10/09
I will now light myself on fire. #billsimmons