CALLING THE SHOTS:

I have received some hateful e-mails while working in the newspaper business. It comes with the territory. Yet, I’m pretty sure I have never received a message with the subject title: “You suck.”

And for why you ask? I answer, for doing my job.

Yet, according to an e-mail from Brett Padgett, it’s a different story.

His e-mail read:

“What in the hell were you thinking putting the U.S. men’s volleyball gold medal victory in your section before it being televised??? So now all the folks like me who were looking forward to watching in hopes of a victory now have it ruined. Thanks!!!! Now I know why your newspaper will never amount to anything except small time news — did you ever think hey maybe the respectable LA Times isn’t listing the victory, so maybe I shouldn’t. Or are you one of the people who get off on being the first to tell someone something. Whatever it is, I will never read your paper again!!! The Olympic experience is something special and you took that away from me.”

My first thought was, why? Why me?

Of course I asked that question only after having a good laugh.

To date, the most bizarre e-mail I have ever received.

What in the hell was I thinking?

Sitting at my desk at 11 Saturday night, I was expecting the Olympic men’s volleyball gold medal match to go to a fifth game and I would not be able to get in the result. Our deadline is at 11:30. (A side note, the Los Angeles Times has an earlier deadline to put out its Sunday edition).

But the great story was revealed, Team USA had won. Our paper has two local connections with the team and we had been following the Americans throughout the Games.

It had to go in.

I never even thought I would be ruining it for some readers.

Apparently, I did.

And it wasn’t just an e-mail from Padgett. I received some negative feedback from another angry reader on my voice mail at work.

“I just hope you feel better that you ruined it for all those people that didn’t know,” the woman’s voice said facetiously. “Thanks buddy. The Olympics only come around once every four years.”

I wasn’t angry about insults or the unnecessary complaints. Honest. My only thought was, if it was that important, why even open up the newspaper Sunday morning?

That’s what I do when I tape a special event. Go near the Internet? No way. Watch my favorite television station, ESPN News? Not a chance.

Why even tempt fate by reading the newspaper, especially one that has been tracking the U.S. men’s volleyball team?

For the record, I did not intend to ruin anyone’s Olympic experience.

With these Olympics, I don’t think anyone could ruin the Games.

The most memorable scene for me was Michael Phelps’ reaction during the 4x100-meter freestyle relay.

But I will also never forget Jamaican track sprinter Usain Bolt showboating toward the end of a record-breaking finish in the 100 meters.

And, to think the Daily Pilot’s coverage area also made its mark in these unforgettable Olympics. Today’s main story tells all about our local athletes’ accomplishments.

I don’t think any news could spoil that.

I’m especially sure it couldn’t spoil the great story of the U.S. men’s volleyball team. I expect there will be a movie made about it.

I’m sure you’ve all heard by now, Team USA showed great resolve in winning the gold medal.

The Americans’ head coach, Hugh McCutcheon, continued with his job amid tragedy, as his father-in-law, Todd Bachman, was murdered after a knife attack a day before competition began.

His mother-in-law, Barbara Bachman, was seriously wounded. She, along with McCutcheon’s wife, Elisabeth, asked McCutcheon to continue coaching. And so he did.

Surely the pain of losing a loved one remains. Yet, the gold-medal victory is one of the most inspiring sports stories I’ve ever seen.

No spoiling there.

STEVE VIRGEN may be reached at (714) 966-4616 or by e-mail at [email protected].