Saturday, September 1, 2007

I am writing to complain about the Post's Aug. 23 coverage of the Texas Rangers' stunning 30-3 defeat of the Baltimore Orioles the day before -- the most runs scored by a major league team in 110 years.

The Post was caught flat-footed. The fact that you were forced to run an Associated Press story rather than one written by one of your own reporters highlighted the flaw in your decision to increasingly rely on wire copy to inform your readers about games involving an area professional sports team.

I'm sure Post editors would argue that it makes sense not to waste resources covering a Baltimore-based team -- particularly late in another disappointing season -- now that Washington has the Nationals.

However, that view misses two points. Thousands of Post readers have been Orioles fans for years and still attend many games. And for many Post readers who live in Maryland, including those in Howard and Anne Arundel counties, the Orioles are the home team, with Baltimore closer than Washington.

Please reconsider your decision to not dedicate one of your reporters to covering the Orioles' home and away games.

-- Paul Kirby

Silver Spring