Denver Post puts right Rockies story up front

This morning's Denver Post features a Colorado Rockies story on page one -- but it's not about the team's eleventh straight victory, which tied a franchise record. Rather, it concerns an interview with catcher Yorvit Torrealba on the subject of his son's kidnapping and eventual rescue in Venezuela. And its...

By Michael Roberts

June 15, 2009

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This morning's Denver Post features a Colorado Rockies story on page one -- but it's not about the team's eleventh straight victory, which tied a franchise record. Rather, it concerns an interview with catcher Yorvit Torrealba on the subject of his son's kidnapping and eventual rescue in Venezuela. And its placement was more than justified by writer Troy Renck's straight-forward yet sympathetic prose.

At times, the Post has pushed sports stories onto its cover that may not have truly earned the privilege. Not this time, though. The broadsheet's editors are to be applauded for recognizing that, in this case, off-the-field events were far more important than diamond heroics.

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Michael Roberts began his career with Westword in 1990 as music editor. In 1999, he took on a new role, full-time media reporter, as author of a column called The Message. In 2008, he became the lead writer for Westword's news blog, The Latest Word, a position he held until January 2023. Michael continues to freelance for Westword, covering everything from business to sports and the media; he also contributes to Jazziz, a national music magazine. He holds a bachelor's degree from what is now Colorado Mesa University and master's degrees from the University of California, Los Angeles, and Northwestern University.

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