Deconstructing media.

Intrepid sports fan Cousin Matt writes in with an annotated article for your perusal. Matt's comments are in bold--nothing else has been added or edited.


LAKEWOOD, Colo. -- Colorado Rockies pitcher Denny Neagle was cited Friday on a charge of soliciting a prostitute after a woman in his car said he paid her $40 for oral sex, police said. (I don't know much about these things, but that seems a little on the CHEAP side to me)

After the officer asked Neagle why his belt was unbuckled, the woman said Neagle had paid her for sex. (Ouch: "Goddamn,  baby, now why'd you have to go and say THAT?")

Davis said the woman, Jill Russell, 40, of Denver was issued a citation on a charge of prostitution. Her phone number wasn't available. (Huh? Just in case an interested reader in the Lakewood area is looking for a cheap date???)

Neagle signed a five-year, $51.5 million contract with the Rockies in 2000 that includes a team option for 2006. He is set to make $10 million next year, with a $9 million buyout. (Now I feel sorry for the guy...tell me they didn't include his 10 million dollar / year salary just to make him look like an even BIGGER loser for paying $40 bucks for a blow job from a 40 year hooker who TELLS cops what she does for a living...cleary he could have afforded better!)

He is married and has three children. (OK, now,  I feel REALLY sorry for the guy...though I do wonder why there is no mention of whether his wife's phone number is available?)

In 2003, Neagle pleaded guilty to driving while impaired after his Hummer struck another vehicle. (So do you think this makes it into the article if he isn't driving a Hummer? I am just curious!)