Just a thought: the editor of the New York Times is a Southerner for the first time since Howell Raines, and the editor of the New York Times Magazine, while not technically from the South, was educated in Virginia and has spent most of his career in Texas. In any case, Silverstein’s hiring has been characterized as bold and slightly exotic; a line like this is typical, “an eyebrow-raising choice that brings a bit of Southwestern swagger to a position traditionally held by New York media insiders.”

Richard Fossey also hopes the elevation of Baquet, who is from New Orleans and went to Catholic school, means they’ll lighten up on the Catholic-baiting.

Then again, Richmond roots for the Yankees.