Subscribers to the Rocky Mountain News and Denver Post who still haven't seen their October 24 papers (see this blog for details) needn't worry about missing out on special sections commemorating the Colorado Rockies' World Series berth. They'll have plenty of chances to get more thanks to the Sports Authority, a business that may singlehandedly put the dailies back in the black.
An internal Rocky memo sent out under the signature of editor/publisher/president John Temple, reveals that the so-called "World Series/Rocky Mountain News Collector's Edition," known in newsroom shorthand as the "Sports Authority Wrap," will encase the tabloid every day of the series. These extras likely account for press room schedule changes that require much of the copy to be in earlier than usual, according to a knowledgeable source. Of course, sports deadlines can be pushed if a game runs long, but only so far. The memo states that four key pages can be held back until 11:30 p.m. if a game goes into extra innings -- "Sports Authority wrap cover, World Series section cover and 2 inside sports pages." But it also emphasizes that "all four must be sent by 11:30... even if the game isn't over."
Really? The Rocky would actually start printing before the outcome of a game is decided? Hard to believe -- but there's one way to find out. Come on, Rockies: Tonight, don't polish off the BoSox until the 18th inning. -- Michael Roberts
