Greetings, nerds. It’s been a while. We’ve had some good times over the last few months, but we’ve also had some times where I moved to Pennsylvania, bought a heat gun, and was never heard from again. That’s not a joke, by the way. Siobhan got a radical new job, so we bought a 130-year-old house and decamped to the Amish Cradle. Since then, I have been painstakingly restoring our new home to its original splendor, mostly by screaming “bansai!” and attacking it with various mallets.
Did you want Women’s World Cup updates? Were you looking for my take on the Copa América? Sorry. I was busy holding a nail like a teacup while trying to type “millwork” into Wikipedia.
I’m interrupting these labors to bring you an announcement, which is that starting soon, I will be taking a job as a staff writer at Grantland. Those of you who have Twitter or already read the G might know that I did some stuff for them earlier this summer about Federer at Wimbledon. It was a lot of fun, and an honor to be included next to a bunch of writers I like, and I am extremely excited that this will now be a regular situation. Since you asked: I’ll be covering soccer, as well as (my choice) other sports. I’ve got some leads into second-century chariot racing that you’ll hardly even believe.
For Run of Play, this means…nothing at all, basically. I’ll probably be scarce around here for a while longer, but only because my house is barely 2% finished and I just figured out how to fit iPod earbuds under my lead-paint stripping mask. In the meantime, we have a bunch of great guest posts lined up, and I might manage a quatrain about Swansea before the season starts.
The News of the World is dead. It’s been a crazy summer.
This is exactly as kinky as it sounds.
Read More: The Belly of the Whale
by Brian Phillips · July 26, 2011
As first commenter, I feel an obligation to call you a sell-out. Here goes: You used to be cool, Brian.
Oh and congrats! Can’t wait to read what’s next!
@David Shut up. I was never cool.
Looking forward to the introduction of decent soccer coverage to the Grantland universe. While you’re there, please tell BS to stop pretending he cares about the Spurs, or at the very least, educate the man a little so he never again suggests Hope Solo should play for an MLS team to bring more fans to games.
@Brian Phillips You’re right. I was worried my internet scorn may be lacking. Off to youtube to find a more worthy disdainer
Seeing as Grantland was basically a ripoff of RoP, it’s only fitting that you ended up there. Ripping off yourself. WORMHOLE
Congratulations Brian, very well deserved.
@Edward Bauer Chris Ryan is actually pretty good over there at Grantland. Brian will further up the ante. Grantland has its flaws, but as long as it keeps hiring more writers like Brian… congrats, Brian
Welly-welly-well! Now who’s smart snarky opinions on the Prem will I pawn off as my own at the pub?
If you get the chance, trade house-rehab stories with Chris Jones. He is rebuilding a similarly aged residence besides being a terrific long-form or “take-out” piece writer.
I’ll think you’ll be a great fit at Grantland but know this; the second you take The Mouse’s money, The Mouse owns a little piece of ya’
@Edward Bauer It”s “Spurs” Ed. Not “The Spurs” Those guys play basketball in Texas
@jonathan you’re right: that piece on the sounders – timbers was pretty good; so was the Swansea one.
@Brian Phillips I like a lot of the writers at Grantland but you’re a different class. Thank goodness you’re going to raise the bar on soccer coverage there. I agree with other commenters that bringing Simmons into a better understanding of the game will be huge. I’m very glad he puts the game into the larger national conversation. I just hate wincing at some of the things he whips out.
Anyway, I assume this means more people will know of your genius. Good. You deserve it. I hope house insanity doesn’t drive you to arson.
Congratulations! Best of luck! Hope it turns out to be everything you wanted.
And good going on the Grantland thing, too.
good luck man, hope you bring some much needed quality soccer writing on here
*there
Super happy for you Brian! Although we all know that you didn’t cover the Women’s World Cup because 1) You hate America and 2) You are a sexist pig. Still, sins forgiven, I’m stoked to see your writing on Grantland.
Wonderful news. And should you need help wallpapering, Ich bin expert
/light denied.
congratulations on grantland, though, will look for you there.
Congratulations! My wife and I (yes, my wife is a willing reader of quality sportswriting!) quite enjoyed your pieces for Grantland on Federer; more – and better – soccer writing at Grantland can only be a good thing. Especially if it involves expanding Simmons’ knowledge of the game.
Of course Simmons hired you. I called it when I heard about Grantland, and it was set in stone after your first piece appeared on the site. Say what you want about Simmons (I am unabashed fan boy), but at least he recongizes great writing when he sees (reads?) it. Anyway, it is well deserved. Looking forward to your first soccer piece on the G.
Grant Land is swooping up the best writers; of course you’re on the list! I’m basically echoing everything that’s been said, but, wonderful!
That’s awesome, Brian. Keep up the good work. That Chris Ryan kid was doing some good things at Grantland, but two first names? Too confusing. What about Slate? Is that still going on?
Hey, you’re the goto extpre. Thanks for hanging out here.