Over the years, readers have asked if I ever pre-write the lede, or opening paragraph, to a story when I know a big event is coming, such as World Series clinching, the final game of a player's career, things like that.
Usually, I don't. I try to let the atmosphere and the news, and particularly the vibe or some great anecdote from the clubhouse, dictate the lede. It seems more organic, fresher, to proceed that way.
I broke my own rule on Aug. 7, 2007, when Barry Bonds hit his 756th career homer, at AT&T Park, to break Henry Aaron's record.