Alright, re-reading that post makes me see that it comes off as awfully negative. I should add a few notes:

I'm actually a huge Will Leitch fan. As a person, the few times I've met him he seems very real, nothing phony. As a blogger, he's done great work - he's given all these little blogs a chance to grow, thanks to his willingness to share credit or links. Not a lot of big websites (ahem, ESPN) will do that.

Nor do I think he only gives out links to people that buy him drinks - that was pretty tongue-in-cheek, I hope that got through.

But I would like to see Will Leitch try to give more love to websites like TSF, etc. that are really trying to give a different perspective on the issues in sports today. Seriously, they are woefully underrepresented. There are other sites doing similar stuff (MC Bias, Pacifist Viking, et al) that I only know of because they comment on TSF, otherwise I wouldn't know who they are. And there are probably a bunch of good ones that I don't know about. Isn't that what Deadspin is for - for bringing attention to smaller blogs? Why does some much of the attention only go to one kind of blog - the irrelevant, tangently-related-to-sports, mostly entertainment blogs? Why not show some love towards the more thought-provoking blogs?

This is the question I'm asking....

I've been ripped off! I don't know whether you think I suck or not. You critiqued every single one of those blogs but mine.

I actually didn't criticize or critique any of those sites, per se... I critiqued the posts that Will Leitch chose to link to, but not the actual sites... I'll admit that I haven't read enough posts of those sites to have an opinion on them. So to be clear - my opinion, my critique, is just of the posts Will Leitch has selected.

As for your site (Foul Balls), and the links selected, if I didn't comment on them it's because I probably didn't find anything objectable about why Leitch link to those posts. But if you want, I can take a look at them again and see if I can't find something questionable!

I know, I'm only messing with ya.

I know I suck.

SML,
I thought about this too once. I like to think I was a Deadspin fav for a little bit. Will linked to me quite a bit earlier this year. I was 10 feet tall and bullet proof, as the country jingle goes. Then nothing. No love. I even had to call him out when he referenced an idea I wrote about and sent to him a day earlier. He apologized and tossed me a link, which was real cool. Honestly though, I stopped worrying about it. I realized I don't blog for the attention, I blog because I enjoy it. If 10 people read it, ok. If 5,000 people read it, awesome. Of course, Will probably has his favorites (look how many times he mentions the Dugout - with good reason). As a member of the Gawker media thing, he has an agenda as well. It is not his site as much as it is Gawkers. He is there to make them money. Maybe that's why no links to the TSF, etc.

Will, like most people, probably has some blogs that he really likes, and checks regularly. As such, he's more likely to link to them because he's checking them so much.

Yeah, some of the stuff they link to isn't that good, and it'd be cool if he linked to my site more often, but I'm not sure it's fair to expect him to give equal time and equal consideration to every blog out there. It's just not realistic.

Maybe he doesn't link to TSF because they are nothing but race-baiting reactionaries who overreact to the slightest perceived offense to black athletes, and that readers of Deadspin have no interest reading that kind of bullshit. Ever think of that?

That's pretty funny. Huh? I'm the Co-Editor of the Ghosts of Wayne Fontes. I've never met Will Leitch, I don't live in New York.

I'm glad you're so critical of our blog...when you've probably only read a select sample.

We do lots of different ideas. Far be it from me to say we are the most original blog, but we try our best.

Personally, I'm not bothered by your backlash...I was just want to clarify that every Friday we do a goofy post just for shits and giggles. Hence, you'll probably notice the run-on "made-up" dialogue of some sort or Nintnedo clips. You'll probably notice most if not all those links take place on Friday or Saturday.

Apologies if you're not a fan of our little humor, but it entertains us (the writers) and the small group that reads our site regardless of links.

So no hard feelings on your blatant and mis-guided attack. We respect Will Leitch a great deal, but certainly don't do anything out of the ordinary to garner his attention. And we certainly don't by him any drinks.

In fact, we actually think it's pretty cool that he's even given us a link at all. You'll notice he does this for a lot of smaller blogs like ours...to help them build their fan base.

Sometimes it takes a comical post to gain that attention. So why get upset at Will about this?

Lastly, we've had many links published on True Hoop, which as you may know is all about the best in NBA Analysis. You won't read anything about Tony and Eva on a ficticous date night. In order to get Henry to link you...it needs to be sound, informative and educated.

Again though, you'd have to read more on our site to gather that.

SML, thanks for the love bruh..much appreciated. Very honored that you view us the way you do.

Will links to us when contacted. We may not be in his favs, but hey we can only be so lucky.

"Maybe he doesn't link to TSF because they are nothing but race-baiting reactionaries who overreact to the slightest perceived offense to black athletes."

Hmmmm, very interesting...

Oh, so the fact that Tank Johnson and Pac Man Jones lead off a world renowned sports show while almost totally disregarding alleged roid rage induced deaths is overreacting?

Dude, you suck! ;)

Oh great, now I'm going to have to buy Will a drink.

Since you linked me does that mean I have to buy you a drink too? I can do it, but you'll have to settle for a warm Milwaukee's Beast.

Wow. He hate me.

Will Leitch links to a post about who Will Leitch links posts to.

You're inside his head now, SML. I'm like Jordi. I got a lot of love at one point, and recently not so much. I feel like a spoiled brat when I realize that I started to expect those numbers. I obviously choose to cover the unknown (and uninteresting? You be the judge...) often, so I made my choice and have nothing to complain about. But I'll always have my porn name all-stars if I need a prurient boost.

Ah just missed the cut. Oh well. Atleast I was criticized on my own site, ha. I did make $2 bucks through adsense yesterday so I guess I owe Will a Colt 45, I'll send it in the mail.

What type of tampon do you use? I want to make sure that I don't buy that brand. You sure take some nasty shots at other blogs. I don't see how that is going to help you after today.

Incredible post. Either you have huge balls on your mangina or you are incredibly dumb.I would never link your dumbass now if I was Will. In fact, I might be Will and you can't confirm or deny.

I am sure that there is some reason he doesn't link you. Maybe you suck. I don't know that you do suck, maybe he thinks that you suck...

I am sure he thinks you suck now...in fact, I think you suck too. Don't piss off the people that feed you, bring your mail or that pay you...

You my friend have pissed off a lot of bloggers. You might as well piss on the fire and call off the dogs. This hunt is over.

Yo Clickclack,
I don't really care if I get linked to by Deadspin or not - I would just like to see links go to sites like TSF, MC Bias, Extrapolater, Pacifist Viking, etc - small sites that trying to take a look at sports without just taking the mainstream view point and simply adding snark.

As for dumping on other blogs (and/or Will Leitch) - please look at my first two comments above - one, I never criticized anyones blog, only the posts that were linked to. If that offends some of them (um, and I see that it does), so be it. They can rip my posts if it makes them feel better - I certainly have plenty of material that "sucks", right?

And I understand Will can link to whoever, and I'm not proposing "equal links" or whatever - everyone has their favorites. But my point remains - it would be nice to be able to find some blogs out there with an alternate take on sports that goes beyond just snark. I didn't even know about Dave Zirin until TSF interviewed him. That's so preposterous, but it's true. And you know what? I bet you lots of Deadspin readers, lots of Deadspin bloggers, don't even know who he is. And he's one of the biggest names in political discussions of sports. What opportunities do the smaller blogs have?!?

That's my point. It would be nice.

Why does some much of the attention only go to one kind of blog - the irrelevant, tangently-related-to-sports, mostly entertainment blogs? Why not show some love towards the more thought-provoking blogs?

Dear F. Scott Fitzgerald (that is you SML):

As maverick from Top Gun was told: "Son your ego is writing checks your body can't cash".

You are an arrogant bastard. Surely you don't include this blog in your quote from above?

BTW, If I don't like a post on a blog, I do not rip the author. Or criticize the effort made by the blogger. That is just bad form and manners.

I just don't say anything at all. Yeah I read your comments. You still don't see that you were slamming bloggers, or a style of blogging you don't like? Hey, it is your blog. Knock yourself out.

Like I said, if I had a blog, I would never link your arrogant ass.

Which tampon do you use?

SML - there's never really any accounting for the link selection process (it's a fairly random thing), and I agree with you; as a TSF fan, it'd be nice to see more of their stuff get wider traction (as well as the other blogs you mentioned, in particular PV's rundowns of sportswriter cliche usage). So much of it is sending the links to web sites via email. Some folks just don't do that as much.

Personally, I'm just happy if Deadspin or anyone links to something I wrote, at all.

(By the way: love the DFW brief interview format.)

Note: none of my comment is intended to slam Leitch or the blogs who get links -- I enjoy the snark too much to slam it.

Stopmikelupica-

Look, I'm not upset or do I take offense to the roasting, honestly. In fact, I understood your point and thought it made perfect sense. The only gripe I had is that we do post on plenty of prevelant topics and aren't just a gimicky sketch comedy act that posts psuedo dialogue (which is fairly common place in the blogosphere). The fact is we try and send all our links around…it just so happens that the some of our more blantant snark gets the most links. Yeah, I wish some other stuff would get noticed, but every blog has good post and lousy posts…it's the nature of things.

And I'm dead on when I say there aren't any hard feelings over the post. It's all about entitlement. And yes, I'd love to see Extrapolator and Pacifist Viking get linked more. Two of my favorites, along with Empty the Bench, Flyers Fieldhouse, etc.

Yo, this just made me laugh:
BTW, If I don't like a post on a blog, I do not rip the author. Or criticize the effort made by the blogger. That is just bad form and manners.

No doubt! You just hide behind an anonymous name, without a real e-mail address or website, and then repeatedly state that the blog and author "suck"!

I can't believe some of you bloggers/commenters are so horrified by this post. It's ok for some of you bloggers to knock ESPN or some athlete, but if someone critiques a blog site, it's unfair? Run that logic by me again? Look, if this is the worst blogging criticism you'll get this year, you must have a great blog. So enjoy that and ignore this post, if you have it that good. And I still haven't seen a factual rebuttal to SML's points.

SML-
Thanks, man. You said what you said and a lot of people are butt-hurt, though they'll try to say they aren't.

Remember, Will Leitch is not a reporter, columnist, or journalist - at least that's what he says. He's also loyal to his fanbase.

By linking to TSF it would piss off a lot of his constituency. Dude is just doing a job for whatever the name of that company he works for - Gawker Media?... it's entertainment, not journalism.

----------------
Mike-
"Maybe he doesn't link to TSF because they are nothing but race-baiting reactionaries who overreact to the slightest perceived offense to black athletes, and that readers of Deadspin have no interest reading that kind of bullshit. Ever think of that?"

You obviously don't read TSF and I really don't care if you do or not. However, you're dead wrong in your assessment.
---------------

And Steve Spurrier-
ad hominem attacks are so useless, especially on the Internet. Know why? Because no one can get punched in the face through a monitor.

SML-
Thanks, man. You said what you said and a lot of people are butt-hurt, though they'll try to say they aren't.

Remember, Will Leitch is not a reporter, columnist, or journalist - at least that's what he says. He's also loyal to his fanbase.

By linking to TSF it would piss off a lot of his constituency. Dude is just doing a job for whatever the name of that company he works for - Gawker Media?... it's entertainment, not journalism.

----------------
Mike-
"Maybe he doesn't link to TSF because they are nothing but race-baiting reactionaries who overreact to the slightest perceived offense to black athletes, and that readers of Deadspin have no interest reading that kind of bullshit. Ever think of that?"

You obviously don't read TSF and I really don't care if you do or not. However, you're dead wrong in your assessment.
---------------

And Steve Spurrier-
ad hominem attacks are so useless, especially on the Internet. Know why? Because no one can get punched in the face through a monitor.

Stan: I totally understand - we do the same here. Just look at a few of our posts, and you'll see some "political" posts, some "irrelevant" or "entertaining" posts, and some actual analysis, too (hey, I've been linked by Henry Abbott, too - that is an honor). Sounds like you take the same approach.

My original point was that the links that you got were for mostly for one kind of posts, and that they are often given to that kind of post. I was obviously harsh In retrospect, I could have made my point without actually calling your posts "crap", which don't really help my case and only leads to distracting from my real point.

There was no need for that on my part, that was my bad. Sorry.

But on the larger point - it seems like a lot of people, judging from the comments - agree, including you and I. It seems like people do have an interest in thought-proviking posts, right? And we agree they are underrepresented, right?

Again, Wow!!!

He Hate Me

stopmike-

Yeah- I understood your point...the whole time, was struggling to word my response/explanation.

Hopefully, it made sense. WE are by no means offended or pissed by your post.

In fact couldn't agree more how the snark gets the most recognition when there are tons of great reads to find that aren't geared towards the usuual.

The funny thing is, our most prolific and recognizable post is the "Classic Nintendo Sports" post and I posted that late at night after a few drinks, because I was bored & couldn't think of anything to post...yet, somehow that got us a ton of links and recognition, which is fine by us, but yes we were chuckling because if that's what it takes well then...

Sounds like someone needs a baby wipe. Talk about complaining about not getting enough attention. Here is some constructive criticism for you....WRITE BETTER MATERIAL.

What a douche.

Jai-
...just read your post... Steve Spurrier - that's clikc clack, for all you slow ones - handed who, what? All I really notice is that Spurrier engaged in personal attacks (in the tried-and-true fashion of not knowing someone from Adam),played holier-than-thou but said:

"BTW, If I don't like a post on a blog, I do not rip the author. Or criticize the effort made by the blogger. That is just bad form and manners.

I just don't say anything at all. "

If he didn't like the post, then why did he/she comment - right?

SML-
Sorry for the double post... The first time I tried to post I received an error message saying I'd posted here too many times recently,so get lost.

I hope my explanation for Gawker, I mean Deadspin helps...

I did not see the Spurrier comment. Where is it?

You all suck. I am the best. Nanny-nanny-boo-boo. JK, of course, good read SML.

I'm inclined to think that if you do something NO ONE else is doing, Will throws it a link (I say that from personal experience with my site and then some of the others)...the problem is that a lot of mid-major sports blogs are all talking about the same things, so you defer to the current favorite most of the time (Lioninoil is very good, but should they get linked for a post a million other sites are doing? Matter of opinion, I guess).

There are sometimes where I'm sure many people, myself included, have felt like something you wrote deserved a link more than a hacky post about Pacman Jones, but what can you do? I'd just say that it's like Publicity...you have to make a grabbing Email subject, present the post material upfront, and if it's something unique, Will (and especially MJD, before he leaves) would link it.

First off, I want to say that I am really thankful to Will, Henry Abbot, Matt Ufford, Dan Steinberg, Jamie Mottram, and all of the other blogs and bloggers that have shown my little blog love and thrown some links my way. I really do respect how much of an honor it is to be recognized in that manner by some of my favorite blogs.

Secondly, I want to say that Stop Mike Lupica is being a dickwipe. Why be so negative man? Who are you to measure the "worthiness" of other people's posts? I don't know if it was your intention, but you come off as being a complete crybaby here, and you have also likely signed your link death warrant for the rest of eternity. A large part of the sports blogosphere in my view is about being supportive of one another. That is exactly why I did my post yesterday about a blogger draft: it was my way of showing some appreciation to blogs that I really enjoy reading. It really is sorry to see a member of the community who can't just be happy when other people have some modicum of success. I thought your treatment of GoWF was particuarly appaling by the way. That is a really quality blog that I am very happy to see has been having a lot of success lately and getting a lot of recognition for it. I hope your little boo-hoo fest was worth it, because you have really offended a lot of people.

Thank you Hank for completely missing the point. I would take the time to explain it to you in detail, but I have a plane to catch. If I did sign my "death warrant", I got news for ya - I ain't going nowhere. Lack of links from you or anyone else ain't going to stop me from writing, so f*ck you and your f*cking "death warrant". You want to execute me, come get me, big man. Big man who can't take some tough words on the internet.

My point: Deadspin has built up alot of blogs over the short time it has been around - KSK, Ladies, With Leather. It showed a lot of love to those guys, and that's cool. Will Leitch can shower love upon whoever he wants. It would just be nice if he tried to share some love with blogs that aren't just posting irrelevant posts, but to little blogs that are trying to have real discussions. Not every freaking link has to be to "serious" posts, but it's safe to say that a vast majority are to non-serious posts - look at those three names again. Great sites, yes. But they aren't in the business of having serious sports discussion. That is because, as D-Wil hinted at, Gawker and Will are both apolitical and purely for entertainment.

Still, judging from some of the responses to the Deadspin post, and some here, it seems like there are people who would like to see more serious stuff get linked to. There is an audience for that kind of stuff. That was what I was trying to bring across. I'm sorry I hurt your feelings, Hank. For the record, I wasn't begging or crying for a link to my site, idiot. I have mentioned several times over much better sites that are growing that should be linked to. Try reading it again.

I had a link from Deadspin a while back for something silly - I think it was The K-Rod is a Pretender post. It was great to be linked, and I was very happy. But it also is not a post that I would even consider top-10 in my opinion. In fact, I would have called it "crap" if I was reviewing it like I was these other posts. GoWF does real posts, too. I would be more likely to go check out their website if they were getting links for their real work, not their frivilous Friday stuff. That's all. In fact, when Henry Abbott links to stuff, I make a point to keep checking out those sites, okay?

You'll never get a link from us again! Screw you, SML.

No more love for you. You're dead to us! Damn you for making fun of another blog's post!

If you want Deadspin to link to "serious" posts, you have completely missed the point of the site. You've probably missed the point of sports altogether, which is to escape the seriousness of everyday life. If you want a "serious" blog, start one and get your own 7 million readers a month. If you want the ridiculous shit that Will puts out and links to, go to Deadspin.

That said, Will gave you your link despite the complete irrationality of this entire post. Maybe tomorrows post can be about whining that you never get to make love to blonde twins.

Oh, and count up...I think you missed another 5-linker. And I didn't buy a single drink...or a hooker...so why would I know that Will likes brunettes and Newcastle?

We've suspend SML for two weeks due to his flagrant violation of blogging protocol. You won't be hearing from him until mid-July.

Ok, I have calmed down from initially reading your post. I'm sorry for my first comment, it was reactionary and immature.

Brush the haters off SML. They mean nothing.

It's crazy what offends people these days.

Have fun on your trip. You better bring me what I asked ;)

Actually, Bugs and Cranks - I knew you were a 5-timer. But, like The Big Lead, I saw most of your links were to "real" news. So that's why I didn't put you down as "irrelevant".

Wow, bloggers sure can write, but not so good at the reading.

Is it completely irrational? I think I've proven that there is some portion of the Deadspin audience for those kinds of posts. So why not endulge them with some links? I'm not saying that they need to stop linking to silly, entertaining posts - obviously, that's how they built up their audience. But they can still show love for those blogs and find some time for some other angles, too....

Who knew bloggers were so thin-skinned?

Hey SML

When you write the next Great American Novel let me know. I put my real email so you can alert me. Newsflash dickweed, not everyone has a blog.

For someone who doesn't care, you sure seem to care what Deadspin does....like the dude said, write something worth reading and maybe, just maybe, some other site might link you.

After today, I doubt that they will.

Thanks Mizzo. Not worried, I appreciate everyone's feedback, even those attacking me. I'll try my best to bring that back, Mizzo!

Hank - no sweat. Like I told Stan, I could (and should) have made my point without dissing other people's posts, because that was not the point of my post.

It is pathetic that you threw such a hissy fit to get Will to notice you. I hope you get your deadspin link.

Yeah, again, I was out of line. Thanks for acknowledging my apology.

Hank thanks for the support, much appreciated. Yeah, I think like you I read it at first and was kind of like man what the f-? Dude, hates my blog. Yet, I do see his point to an extent...a little harsh on us, but oh well. I mean if we put it out there...we gotta be able to take the criticim. So yeah, in reality he kind of went after us both, but in the grand scheme of his point he wasn't trying to make it as negative as he did, which he somewhat has touched on in the comments portion. (understandable).

Besides, I'm not about to let it bother me if he likes my blog or he doesn't...it's his freedom of choice and speech. Like he said, much better than an "annonymous" commenter.

Anyhow, that said...to be honest most of the more prolific sites and bloggers such as D-spin, W-leather, Shanoff, Mottram, Abbott, etc. are all pretty cool about posting links. No, they don't post every link you send, but if they like it they tend to post it. And I'm sure they have a tough time juggling the many emails and "dude post my link" requests they get.

I've never viewed it as favoritism, rather as privilage.

Will linked to my post on Milton Bradley on Monday. That's just the 2nd link I've gotten from him.

Point being, the Bradley story was covered everywhere. I'm a smaller blog, and I'm not sure I had the very best take on the Bradley story, so I have to believe he was trying to help me out just a bet.

-Reid

And here comes the Deadspin army.....

You know, sometimes I'll go on a run where I'll eat Count Chocula cereal for a month straight. I assume at times it gets like that for the links.

I think the bigger problem is that people are seemingly relying so heavily on being linked to by deadspin.

I think Jack makes the best point too that I felt about this. I think the difference is that you have to be able to captivate people when they're linked to read more....maybe if some people were doing that more, they wouldn't feel compelled to point out an "unjust linkage system" (not directed at SML specifically because I'm sure others feel the same).

The reality is a link from Deadspin or Ufford or Big Lead are great. But if you're not keeping some of those readers in pocket off of it, you're not really gaining anything.

For whatever reason, I'm cracking up at this. I'm going to watch Iron Shiek talk about getting Brian Blair of the Killer B's in the butt again.

Not to defend anyone, but sometimes a really cool subject in an email helps.

SML -
Something to consider: if you want to get killer hits, write about porn. For real. For all my writing about sports and all the compliments, comments, etc I have gotten (and I appreciate them all), my most consistently hit post is an interview with a pornstar. Google Kayden Kross and my post is like 5th down or something. Criticizing Bill Simmons is another good approach, but that was only good for a week. An interview with a porn star was a long term investment. Hell, I might even do a follow-up.

Have fun on your trip.

Sometimes, too, it's just a matter of hitting the right story at the right time. I dashed off a goofy little "Top 10 Crazy Sports Wives" post a couple weeks back on a Sunday night--by Tuesday, it had gotten picked up by Sports Illustrated and decimated my server, and by Thursday I was on the radio talking about it. And now? Now I've simmered back down to normal traffic levels, as forgotten as freshman meat the morning after a frat party. I feel so used.

Thoughtful article on a topic that many writers (I absolutely refuse to use the word "bloggers") probably wonder/think about from time to time.

I often wonder the same thing about True Hoop--the same sites are linked to almost every day in the Bullets. *Not* saying the man isn't doing great work, but it does confound at times.

Now that this post has been deserted by the more reactionary types, I'm back. Jack Cobra is a smart man. I too have been wondering, "Why do blogs need to depend so much on some sugar-daddy mega-site like Deadspin or TBL to get visitors?" We need to find other ways to generate traffic, especially those of us who keep sending e-mails to Deadspin with catchy subject titles like "Possible Blogdome post" (Yes, I am that unoriginal, ha). Some of you are already thinking that way, I see, and that's cool.

My first time reading SML, and I can see why it's not linked. It's awful.

I can't get the last half hour of my life back, can I?

What a waste of perfectly good name-calling and bickering.

I DON'T KNOW WHAT WE'RE YELLING ABOUT!

I was on vacation when this whole thing went down, but also write for GoWF. I couldn't care less that some people think we suck, just wanted to add that at least half of those posts were on the weekends (like Stan mentioned), so it wasn't even Will who linked them.

In general, when you're trying to be funny, it's really easy to bomb. We do it all the time, but you hope to get it right once in a while.

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