Here's something weird to me. You're a beat writer. You're bored. You're looking to get more hits to your website from people other than the people who normally read you.
So you make up a rumor.
Completely unfounded. Doesn't really make a whole lot of sense, even to somebody who doesn't follow the Angels whatsoever.
Blogger makes fun of your lame rumor.
And then two days later, headlines abound:
"Padres | Bud Black could leave for GM job"
"Padres CEO: 'Bud Black can manage this team as long as he wants to"
"Bud Black appears to be a candidate elsewhere, but is perfect fit here"
"Padres' Moorad strongly supports Black"
Like... What is that? The OC Register, with literally not much more analysis than "He used to work at Angel's Stadium and there's a bobblehead of him somewhere in the building" now has created a non-story with legs. Four other (arguably) respectable news sources are now pushing the narrative of The Angels want to hire Bud Black as their General Manager, but Jeff Moorad wants Bud Black to stay here forever because Bud Black is the perfect manager.
I'm trying to think if this is awesomely cool or awesomely frightening.
On the one hand, I think it's kinda cool. I can see very clearly how this made up rumor has now forced the hands of front office executives to say things (or strategically "not" say things). The media machine controls the game!
On the other hand, people really believe this rumor, which is kinda scary.
Since it's October and I like scary, I will continue to give the rumor legs however I can. Think on this: As soon as this rumor shows up in front of Bud Black, it's only human nature to consider what it might be like to be a General Manager for the Angel's, even if only for a moment. It's like if I told you not to think about elephants. I can now write the headline that says, "Gaslamp Ball readers thinking of elephants today".
Therefore, I can (and possibly will) write the following headlines over the next week:
BUD BLACK CONSIDERING JUMP TO ANAHEIM'S FRONT OFFICE
JEFF MOORAD SPECULATING ON FUTURE CANDIDATES FOR PADRES MANAGER POSITION
THE PADRES MANAGER IN 2012? JED HOYER DECLINING TO COMMENT. COULD BE ANYBODY.