caustic wit now at the st pete times

Two and a half years ago, I wrote about the St. Pete Times taking over the entire area from the Tampa Tribune.  I noted that over the years, the Times simply took the talented writers away from them:

Howard Troxler, Tom Scherberger and Paul Wilborn all worked for the Tampa Tribune before being lured over to the St. Pete Times.  The latest to join them is Ben Montgomery (who has a group blog about the survival of newspapers).  In a conversation with the Weekly Planet, Montgomery says the Times is a place “where getting better at doing journalism is a priority”

Well, the Times got another talented writer that the Tampa Tribune simply cast off.

Today the Times welcomes to its opinion pages Daniel Ruth, who comments on Florida and Tampa Bay with particular insight and wit. His work last appeared in the Tampa Tribune, and his voice here will enliven and broaden our conversations about the region and the state. He may not always agree with the Times‘ editorial opinions, and that will be fine. The op-ed page offers a wide range of provocative, thoughtful commentary. Daniel adds another dimension. His weekly column will appear on Fridays.

I’d been wondering where he would show up.  Right or wrong, Dan Ruth’s columns were always entertaining, and we’re glad to see he is once again getting paid to write them…

10 comments - add to the conversation! → “caustic wit now at the st pete times”


  1. John

    1 year ago

    PR coup by the Times. And if they can get Ruth blogging – even bigger coup, because they have their other columnists doing it (Troxler specifically) and the Tribune’s rumor about going online-only becomes a bigger joke:


  2. Rosey

    1 year ago

    i have posted a video of Tommy frankly discussing his financial situation: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fK7RlbK9QcA&feature=channel_page


  3. Anonymous

    1 year ago

    I am so glad Daniel Ruth moved to the Times, he was instrumental in exposing wannabe confederate Bart Siegel for the charlatan that he was.

    I look forward to reading more of Daniel Ruth’s work.


  4. Clyde

    1 year ago

    Let’s hear it for the St Pete Times – a real newspaper!


  5. Meredith

    1 year ago

    Congrats Daniel! Best of luck at the Times.


  6. dreaming

    1 year ago

    smart of the sptimes. they only have to pay for one column a week and they gain some of ruth’s trib readers.

    this is another example of how the sptimes has danced rings around the trib for years, including snagging exclusive marketing deals at international plaza, the former ice palace and westshore mall. those are assets the dying trib wishes it had right now.


  7. junebee

    1 year ago

    Hey, can we get SP Times to hire Joseph Brown too?


  8. autismdad

    1 year ago

    Dan Ruth is important to newspapers. Like everyone else, I sometimes find him to be witty and insightful; other times, his columns are just “looky-me” bluster spewing from a creaking soapbox. But Dan knows this area. He knows the personalities, the issues, the conflicts. He can get too enamored of his style; at his worst, he’s a compilation of tiresome formulaic tics, and often all his sarcasm amounts to is petty bullying. But he’s fearless, and he takes on manner of fools and blowhards, and he never hesitates to burst bubbles that long ago should have been pricked. When he’s “on,” which is much of the time, he’s a rollicking force to be reckoned with. I wish him well, and the St. Pete Times also, as the Tribune continues its self-immolation at the hands of Firestarter herself, Janet Coats. Give ‘em hell, Dan!


  9. autismdad

    1 year ago

    Dan Ruth is important to newspapers. Like everyone else, I sometimes find him to be witty and insightful; other times, his columns are just “looky-me” bluster spewing from a creaking soapbox. But Dan knows this area. He knows the personalities, the issues, the conflicts. He can get too enamored of his style; at his worst, he’s a compilation of tiresome formulaic tics, and often all his sarcasm amounts to is petty bullying. But he’s fearless, and he takes on manner of fools and blowhards, and he never hesitates to burst bubbles that long ago should have been pricked. When he’s “on,” which is much of the time, he’s a rollicking force to be reckoned with. I wish him well, and the St. Pete Times also, as the Tribune continues its self-immolation at the hands of Firestarter herself, Janet Coats. Give ‘em hell, Dan! Life at the Tribune now really is ruthless.

  10. [...] might remember that Daniel Ruth was dismissed from the Tribune last November, only to hook up with the St. Pete Times before the year [...]


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