Whatever happened to journalistic responsibility? And whatever happened to the notion that print media was more reliable than blogs because of said responsibility?
The latest irresponsible and sensationalistic sportswriter to join the John Tomase club is Mark Feins of the New York Daily News, who wrongfully claims that Jonathan Papelbon said he should be the one to close the All-Star Game, not Mariano Rivera. Feins blatantly ignored contrary statements Papelbon made. Statements like this one:
"Mariano Rivera will be closing the 2008 All-Star Game in Yankee Stadium. I'm making a statement right now, saying I don't want it, I want him to have it. I said all that earlier, but that's the way I feel about it."
Why ignore this? Because Papelbon had also said this:
"If I was managing the team, I would close. I'm not managing the team, so it don't matter."
And from that bland, incorrectly grammared statement, Mark Feins the New York Daily News were able to extrapolate a lengthy column, as well as a cover.
It's just a frigging shame. Terry Francona and the other Red Sox have spent the last few days in the Bronx being respectful, and heaping praise and respect on the Yankees. Francona placed Derek Jeter and Alex Rodriguez in their normal spots in the AL lineup. Ortiz didn't blow off the festivities to stay at home and rehab his wrist. In fact, Big Papi was more of a presence at last night's HR Derby than Alex Rodriguez.
And how does New York treat them? By greedily demanding Mariano Rivera START the All-Star Game. And by publishing this slanderous nonsense.
Remember the 1999 All-Star Game? Remember when Joe Torre was CHEERED by the Fenway crowd? I guess that kind of class and respect is just too much for some New Yorkers to achieve.
Papelbon was pissed about the Daily News story.
“It just kind of (ticks) me off because if that gets (expletive) written and I’m riding in a (expletive) parade today with my wife (Ashley), so she doesn’t feel safe because some (expletive) from the Daily News says I want to close the game and that ain’t true...That was an easy headline for that (expletive) to say, ‘Yeah, Papelbon wants to close.’ Of course I do, that’s my competitive nature. But I’m stepping away and saying I don’t need to close.”
See, Mister Feins, unlike Alex Rodriguez, Papelbon is a competitive guy who always wants the ball. If Francona asked him to start, he would. If he asks him to pitch to one batter in the top of the 6th, he would. If he asks him to close, he would. He's not going to say "Coach, I really think Mo should be closing."
Mark Feins is just another sportswriter in an ever lengthening line of so-called journalists who publish before they think. And this story is another sad example of just how pathetically desperate the Yankees and their fans are to trash the Red Sox.
Sources:
Boston.com's Extra Bases
Boston Herald
NY Daily News
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