I generally applaud contrarians, even when I completely disagree with them. People who go against the grain are very useful to the larger discussion. Baseball stats guru Bill James has long been one of those flies in the ointment pointing out truths about sports and beyond and making the conversation richer for it. But it will be tough to ever take his reasoning seriously again after his ludicrous defense of Joe Paterno’s role in enabling Jerry Sandusky’s disgraceful behavior. Why James would try to split hairs over minor points when the preponderance of evidence against Paterno and Penn State stares him in the face is beyond me. He’s permanently damaged his credibility. From James:

“The Freeh reports states quite explicitly and at least six times (a) that the 1998 incident did NOT involve any criminal conduct—on the part of Sandusky or anyone else—and (b) that Paterno had forced the resignation of Sandusky before the 1998 incident occurred … In any case, what EXACTLY is it that Paterno should have done? Fire him again? It is preposterous to argue, in my view, that PATERNO should have taken action after all of the people who were legally charged to take action had thoroughly examined the case and decided that no action was appropriate.”