Media Running A-Foul
The media circus has been working itself into a frenzy in the lead up Alex Rodriguez's Spring Training debut. (image form Ben Lei)

Media Running A-Foul

Posted on 17. Feb, 2009 by John De Petro in Sports Journalism

Box Score Beat welcomes writer John De Petro.

Today is without a doubt the most anticipated day in baseball’s spring training history. Alex Rodriguez is scheduled to arrive at George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa Bay, FL sometime in the afternoon where he will answer questions for the first time since admitting to using performance-enhancing drugs.

Lately it seems as if no baseball writer or sports journalist can resist mentioning the much maligned Lightning-Rod, er, A-Rod in their pieces, whether the article is inherently about him or not.

Rodriguez made his way into the lede of ESPN.com writer Jerry Crasnick’s Feb. 16th column about the most compelling position battles going into spring training. That’s despite the fact that Rodriguez will be the Yankees 3rd baseman for the next nine years and his replacement is probably playing little league this year.

Yesterday NBC Channel 4 in New York posted the top six questions that will surely be answered during the press conference on their website. Now it’s necessary to read a Q&A without the A?

New $180 million dollar 1st baseman Mark Teixeira showed up for his first day as a Yankee one day early. MLB.com managed to keep A-Rod out of the first two paragraphs of its Teixeira coverage (although “human growth hormone” did make it into the lede).  The arrival of huge free agents into Yankee camp used to be big enough news. But that ceased to be case some time around February 16, 2004.

The fact is, steroids have changed the sports landscape forever. Alex Rodriguez, no matter what he does, will always be story. He is the biggest name in baseball. He screwed up. And as long as he does stupid things, journalists will write stupid articles about it.

Today the circus is setting up its tents in Tampa. Rodriguez’s arrival to the 2009 season has now become an appointment event for even the most marginal of sports fans. Will A-Rod actually say anything of note? Perhaps. But probably not.

We all know how his performance history in past big spots for New York. Now is the time for Rodriguez to really step up to the plate.

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9 Responses to “Media Running A-Foul”

  1. Kenny

    17. Feb, 2009

    Great article. It will be interesting to see how ARod performs after this media circus settles down.

  2. Andrew Kouridakis

    17. Feb, 2009

    Nice Work John..

  3. Cristina

    17. Feb, 2009

    Good job cuz!

  4. Fooley

    17. Feb, 2009

    Good work scoop! What would be your top 5 questions if you had A-Roid one on one for 15 mins?

  5. John De Petro

    18. Feb, 2009

    Fooley – Top 5 for A-Rod…

    1) For someone who cares some much about his body, his image and his standing in baseball history, how do you expect anyone to believe you didn’t know what you were injecting into yourself?

    2) You have said that you want to go down in baseball history as the greatest player of his or anyone else’s generation. Now that you have admitted to using performance enhancing drugs, do you believe it is possible anyone will ever see you that way when your career is over?

    3) You have been through so much during your career especially during your time in New York, much of it negative. Do you think you’ll ever get the fans and media on your side?

    4) If you were never exposed by SI, would you have come clean on your own?

    5) Was there any guilt weighing on you while playing under this lie for last five seasons?

    Bonus – Really? What were you thinking opting out of the largest contract in sports history last season when you knew that this story could come out at anytime? Really? Do you think the Yankees or anyone else would have given $270 million plus incentives to an admitted steroid user? Come on now, really? I guess that’s all moot because your contract, which was agreed upon in good faith, is guaranteed.

  6. Mike

    18. Feb, 2009

    Great Job Johnny….time for the follow-up about the very interesting press conference.

  7. Primetime

    18. Feb, 2009

    You have to bet that Jeter wishes A-Rod would fall off a cliff or get hit by a car.

  8. Collin Orcutt

    18. Feb, 2009

    My question now is: how long will this A-Rod mania last for? Can we set the over/under on how many consecutive days the major outlets will give this story top billing?

  9. Carla

    09. Mar, 2009

    John, I’m digging the Bonus question.

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