'It Was What It Was, I'm Just Moving On'

The New York Times calls out Serena Williams for falling back on the hoariest clichés in the arrogant athlete's book

The New York Times editorial board gives Serena Williams a royal tongue-lashing for turning her would-be apology after she berated a lineswoman into a litany of sports-apology clichés. She gasped a few "faux zen" pseudo-apologies, they say, without actually admitting she was wrong. Here's a sampling:

"It was what it was"
"I just go for it"
"It was what it was"
"I'm moving on"
"I don't remember [what she said to the line judge] anymore. I was in the moment."

Athletes who have taken the high road aren't always better off. Some of those who were more honest in admitting to mistakes--such as Alex Rodriguez--have still been raked over the coals.

The best approach may have come from Manny Ramirez after he tested positive this year for a steroid-masking drug: fess up, don't skimp on the apologies, play dumb about the details, and move on.