The last minute BART across the Bay, the frantic peering for
a cab in west Oakland and Lake Merritt, the white knuckled ride over the 980 to
the 80 to Fourth Street were all worth it to catch the last few minutes of
David Zirin.
I’m a fan of Zirin’s political writings about sports, but it was a whole ‘nother thing to see him live. Now I want him for an uncle. I want to see him at Thanksgiving with our plates piled high while the men gather around the tv for one football game after another. I want him for my future child’s little league coach. I want him for SF Supervisor. Shit, I want him for Mayor!
He has a sharp mind for sports history that is more impressive with his progressive analysis, all couched in a narrative more compelling than a This American Life show. AND a master understanding of sexism to the point of prioritizing questions from women in the audience.
It is rare for me to care about autographs, but last night, I had to have my two minutes with the man. Should I ask him about his tour schedule and if he planned to catch the All Star Game? Should I tell him how much effort it took to catch the last 20 minutes of Q&A given that he mis-publicized the location of his reading? I now wish I was more practical and asked the following:
I’m totally impressed with his firm grasp of his historical facts and his sharp analysis. As a fellow journalist, what are the concrete ways that you keep up with the news and do your research?
Go out and buy his new book for as he says, he’s got a three year old and “baby needs a new everything!”
Originally posted on nonogirl.vox.com
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