Irritating AP Habit

Vince · 11-01-2005, 08:39 PM

I've noticed this incredibly often, but have never said anything. Now I wonder...is anyone else irritated about the lack of lists in Associated Press articles? Maybe it's just small sample size, but in two articles, I have seen stupid little segments like:

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stupid AP Article

Golden State also announced its opening-night roster for Wednesday's home game against Atlanta, and it included undrafted rookie guard Aaron Miles, the Big 12's career assists leader at Kansas. Injured forward Ike Diogu and fellow rookie Monta Ellis will open the year on the inactive list.

Or

Quote:

Originally Posted by Another Stupid AP Article

Seattle right fielder Ichiro Suzuki, Minnesota center fielder Torii Hunter and Oakland third baseman Eric Chavez won their fifth straight Gold Gloves on Tuesday. Boston catcher Jason Varitek, Texas first baseman Mark Teixeira and Toronto second baseman Orlando Hudson were first-time winners, while New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter and Blue Jays outfielder Vernon Wells won for the second straight season.

Texas pitcher Kenny Rogers won for the fourth time overall and second in a row.

Don't both of these instances practically scream for a nice, concise list? At least the second has all the information you need, just in a really crappy format. The first instance mentions the Warriors' opening-night roster, and then doesn't tell you what it is.

Maybe it's just my proclivity for text-based simulations and desire for neat, concise information in an easily accessible format, but geez this is irritating to me.

JonInMiddleGA · 11-01-2005, 08:48 PM

Those almost read like broadcast wire copy instead of print wire copy, i.e. written to be read aloud instead of read silently. There's probably a better way to explain what I mean, but dogged if I know what it is.

Usually there's a print wire piece that clears separately on stories like this that's just what you're talking about -- a straight down list that looks something like

(Dateline)
2005 American League Gold Glove Recipients
C - Mike Piazza, Yankees
1B - Adam LaRoche, Braves
2B - Chuck Knoblauch, Twins
etc. etc. etc.

Vince · 11-01-2005, 11:55 PM

Yeah, I get what you're saying. I just wish the editors would take a little time to touch it up -- I mean both instances above would take about 3 seconds to type a little blurb at the end.

Ah well...pet peeves are great eh?

11-01-2005, 08:48 PM	#2
JonInMiddleGA Hall Of Famer Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Behind Enemy Lines in Athens, GA	Those almost read like broadcast wire copy instead of print wire copy, i.e. written to be read aloud instead of read silently. There's probably a better way to explain what I mean, but dogged if I know what it is. Usually there's a print wire piece that clears separately on stories like this that's just what you're talking about -- a straight down list that looks something like (Dateline) 2005 American League Gold Glove Recipients C - Mike Piazza, Yankees 1B - Adam LaRoche, Braves 2B - Chuck Knoblauch, Twins etc. etc. etc. __________________ "I lit another cigarette. Unless I specifically inform you to the contrary, I am always lighting another cigarette." - from a novel by Martin Amis

11-01-2005, 11:55 PM	#3
Vince Pro Starter Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Willow Glen, CA	Yeah, I get what you're saying. I just wish the editors would take a little time to touch it up -- I mean both instances above would take about 3 seconds to type a little blurb at the end. Ah well...pet peeves are great eh? __________________ Every time a Dodger scores a run, an angel has its wings ripped off by a demon, and is forced to tearfully beg the demon to cauterize the wounds.The demon will refuse, and the sobbing angel will lie in a puddle of angel blood and feathers for eternity, wondering why the Dodgers are allowed to score runs.That’s not me talking: that’s science. McCoveyChronicles.com.

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