Our condolences
We’ve flamed Bob Ryan many times. However, we were saddened to learn about the death of his son Keith in Pakistan. No one should have to deal with the death of a child. I feel very bad for Bob and his family.
However, i was a little confused as to the press coverage of it. Bill Burt, the Eagle Tribune sports editor and hostage taker of the blog “Bradford on Baseball,” filed a breathless report from Phoenix, reporting that Ryan was “killed in Afghanistan” yesterday. Personally, I was hoping it was wrong because Bill Burt is a tool. However, today, the Herald reported Ryan’s death by an apparent suicide. It looks like in the rush to get his name out there Billy Burt decided not to check the facts and ran with a bad story. Hmm. That doesn’t sound like him does it? I guess Bill graduated from Rupert Murdoch’s school of journalism. Then again what do you expect from a hack outfit like the Eagle-Tribune anyway?
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January 29th, 2008 at 1:48 pm
the globe has an extensive obit with quotes from ryan. it came much later in the day, well after burt’s blog post.:
http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/obituaries/articles/2008/01/29/keith_ryan_at_37_attach_for_us_customs_in_pakistan/
perhaps your confusion was because rob bradford…er, bill burt, reported that ryan’s son was “killed”…”in afghanistan,” which would lead one to believe it was a military casualty. when, in fact, he committed suicide. in pakistan.
but hey, bill burt, rob bradford. suicide, killed in battle. pakistan, afghanistan. what’s the difference really? as long as you get it first.
plus he gave you the caveat that he didn’t know the details. so why would you expect anything more?
January 29th, 2008 at 4:40 pm
It’s a further injustice that a scrub hack like Bill Burt broke the news. Literally.
I feel horrible for this guy’s kids - he had nine-year-old triplets. And for Bob, who I personally have always admired as one of the best sports columnists around.
January 29th, 2008 at 8:52 pm
Perry,
You are the opposite of write when it comes to Ryan, but that is for another column and another day.
The Mgmt.