I have to think the Sports staff at the L.A. Times is still rattled by the gaffe and front page skimback on the Roger Clemens investigation. They should be. Now it looks like the next hire in Sports will be an investigative reporter. Memo out today:

From: Denley, Susan
Sent: Tuesday, January 15, 2008 2:37 PM
Subject: Projects reporter--Sports

Projects Reporter--Sports

Sports is looking from within the newsroom for an investigative/projects reporter.

Modern sports news has expanded far beyond games and how they were won or lost. The sports department has at various times assembled teams of reporters to uncover these stories outside the lines. Now, we are hoping to assemble such a team again.

The job doesn't require in depth knowledge of sports, though some would be useful. But experience in investigative reporting is preferred.

Interested candidates please contact sports editor Randy Harvey or deputy sports editors Mike James and Steve Clow.

I suspect whoever gets the job will work with Clow, who has experience on the news side in Metro and National and recently returned to Sports as projects editor.