06/02/2008

The Thick-Skinned Mr. Roto

Sports Suits Matthew Berry doesn't back down from discussing the hate mail he receives. He casually mentions the death threats readers have sent him.But then he amends that to "more like death wishes.""A lot of 'I wish you would die' stuff," he explains. "I get a lot of letters from people who think their lives would be better if I were no longer among the living. One guy wants to beat me with a baseball bat."Mr. Berry may be a national journalist, but he's not issuing opinions on the economy or the war -- simply on which free-agent second baseman is likely to get you the most stolen bases after Memorial Day. As ESPN's senior director of fantasy sports, he ranks among the most polarizing figures in his business. (I worked for Mr. Berry at ESPN from 2006 to 2007 and consider him a friend.)If you don't believe Mr. Berry, look no further than the comments that follow his columns. One "Conversation" entry this season included an observation that stated, "You are quite simply the worst." Message board posters mock his haircut and television presence. Chats he hosts on the Web site are littered with ill wishes from fantasy players who claim their seasons are going down the toilet thanks to his advice.He says he receives four positive notes for every nasty one he receives -- he just prefers to print the harsh ones in his online column, The Talented Mr. Roto. (Here's a recent example of his writing.. Notice the photo of him wearing a gold thong on top of his suit in a nod to Jason Giambi's recent goof with the New York Yankees.) Mr. Berry keeps the kind notes from his columns because "there's nothing interesting about the nice ones. It's hard to be funny off those."Some fantasy fans go beyond letters. Witness the Web site I Hate Matt Berry, run by Californian Ben Westrup. Mr. Westrup, whose site now focuses more on his own fantasy baseball league, actually has no problem with Mr. Berry's advice. But he couldn't stand the constant pop culture references. One of Mr. Westrup's explanations for having founded his site included Mr. Berry's "recurring questions and comments about Jessica Alba, Mr. Belvedere, [and] Hulk Hogan," in a 2007 ESPN chat.But Mr. Berry takes it in stride, saying, "You don't see people getting upset about middle-of-the-road guys. I guess that means I'm doing my job well."ESPN's upper management seems to agree."I think it's brave to directly interact with the criticism," says Rob King, the editor-in-chief of ESPN.com. "Matthew's gotten people truly engaged in talking about fantasy sports. He's breathing real life into fantasy."WSJ's Fantasy Sports Expert Nando Di Fino speaks to WSJ's Christina Jeng about ESPN's Matthew Berry, quite possibly the most hated man in the industry. (May 30)In Howard Stern's autobiography "Private Parts," the most common reason listeners cited for continuing to listen to the show despite their dislike for Mr. Stern was "I want to see what he'll say next." Mr. King sees a lot of Mr. Berry's readers adopting a similar attitude: "A common theme we hear is 'I disagree with everything you say.' That's a good thing for editors, because it means they're reading everything you write. Matthew takes some very controversial positions."Mr. Berry agrees with the sentiment, noting that a lot of the readers who hate him still read his writing regularly, then send disparaging e-mails or post nasty comments anyway. He just labels those readers "passionate.""I suppose I inspire passion on both sides," he says.Mr. Berry joined ESPN early last year after running and operating Talented Mr. Roto as an independent site that combined sound fantasy advice with a clever tone. The site won a load of industry writing awards and was staffed by fantasy fans and some of Mr. Berry's friends from his previous career as a Hollywood screenwriter (credits include "Married … With Children" and co-authoring the unforgettable "Crocodile Dundee in Los Angeles"). His fantasy sports career began as a side venture on fantasy site RotoWorld.com.Some would consider his old work a dream job, but Mr. Berry calls his current gig "the best job in the world." His responsibilities include writing three columns a week, co-hosting a daily podcast that consistently ranks among the top 10 on iTunes, appearing on everything from ESPN2's "First Take" in the morning to "Baseball Tonight" at night, and showing up at events like ESPN's fantasy baseball kickoff party in Las Vegas.Still, the poundings come, usually anonymously, and without later apologies if his maligned predictions prove right. Nate Ravitz, who co-hosts the "Fantasy Focus" podcast with Mr. Berry, attributes the poison pen notes to jealousy. "People want to do his job," he says.I saw an example of his pull first-hand last November. Mr. Berry and I were at a bar in midtown Manhattan on a relatively non-descript Wednesday night. We were enjoying some drinks and talking sports when a group of 20-something guys in suits and ties approached us."Are you Matthew Berry?Before he got three words out of his mouth, the group began throwing out questions."How do you feel about LaMont Jordan this week?""Here are four guys, which two should I start?""Is Marques Hagans worth a roster spot?"It was football season -- but more importantly to a group of guys in a bar on a Wednesday night, it was also fantasy football season. It's no accident that ESPN now places its Fantasy tab to the left of the other tabs for all of the actual sports, including the mighty National Football League, at the top of its home page.Mr. Berry shrugs and calls himself flattered by public interruptions like this, though Mr. Ravitz jokingly points out, "Much to his chagrin as a single man, it always happens to be guys looking for fantasy advice."While a trio of women in the corner of the bar that November night noticed the scene, trying to place this obvious celebrity they didn't quite recognize, Mr. Berry amiably answered all questions from the semi-circle of fantasy owners. He even offered to buy one a drink after he said he was a fan. The group departed with some cell phone photos, plenty of free fantasy advice, and one Amstel Light.But not before one of the men told Mr. Berry that he didn't agree with much of what he wrote.

rhinestone zipper

Sequined Motif SIZZLING Sisters, a quartet from north Norfolk, will be among 15,000 walkers striding through the dark streets of London this weekend - wearing decorated bras.The four - Clare Glenn, 47, Bridget Grimsey, 48, Karen Lindsay, 41, and Angie Rusbridge, 39 - are taking part in the annual Playtex MoonWalk, which starts on Saturday night, raising money for breast cancer charities.Walkers, including men, all sport their own customised bras as they set off on a circular half or full sponsored marathon route from Hyde Park.Aylsham residents Bridget, Karen and Angie, and Clare, who is from Marsham, have appliquéd their black bras with a flickering-flame motif, beads and sparkling sequins, based on a design by Clare's daughter Millie.The Aylsham trio, who are all members of the town's Community Church, have a close friend who is undergoing treatment for breast cancer, while two of Clare's three sisters have successfully fought the disease.Bridget, a nurse, has also cared for cancer patients at the Priscilla Bacon Lodge in the past.It will be her fourth MoonWalk and the second for the other women. Last year the quartet managed to raise over £2,000 for the cause and are aiming for at least the same amount again.They will be tackling a full marathon and their training has included 6.30am power walks before work and a 20-mile circuit of the Norwich ring road.

A refreshing breeze is blowing on Fort Myers Beach

East Winds....contemporary fashions...naturally! This is not your typical beach store packed with tee shirts and souvenirs...no typical tee shirts here!! This is an upscale resort wear boutique.In East Winds you will find anything you need for resort living, casual elegance. This store has been in business since 1977 owned by Cheri Boyer. The day I was in I talked to Joanie who works there and has been with East Winds for a long time. She said the things flying out the door are anything by Tribal. Easy care shorts, Capri's and Bermudas ... yes she called them Bermudas, at $36. All of the above come in neutral colors to pair up with the many tops found here. Tribal also makes skirts, I saw a pretty blue print flared skirt, great comfort for travel. You will also find the ever popular Travelers group in easy wear tops and pants. A show stopper was a sleeveless sweater with zebra trim down the front with a rhinestone zipper. It came in bright turquoise or rose.There is a nice selection of casual summer dresses that would travel well. I especially liked the black and white polka dot halter dress with a flared skirt at $54. Some hung straight from the shoulders or others with an elastic waist all in great prints and easy care.There were some different choices like multi print boleros, $56. and long tops $52.that looked like printed fish net. Also the soft cotton T jacket with a hood in deep shades of blue and turquoise, $48. matching Tee $34. Looks great with crisp white pants.I loved the blue and white print jacket $69. with an embellished matching tee $38. Perfect for a trip to the tropics. A fabulous jacket in pink, orange and purple by Monito, $82. Lots of cool cotton sweaters. The collection of gray, black and white city shorts, Capri's and jackets was really sharp. The apple green Capri's with matching embellished top also caught my eye.Everything was in easy care fabrics for leisure or travel, many in poly and spandex. There were a lot of delightful prints.Another thing they can't keep on the shelves are the silk scarves that are loosely woven, hand loomed in Italy. All are in yummy color combinations at $36. There are colorful purses of woven grasses from Cambodia by Sayare, $24.95-38.95. I can't forget the fun fashion watches that come with a beaded band for $48. You can change the band in many choices of beads, the extra band is $28.