Summer of Sports Reading

I always complain that I never have free time to read casually. This summer, I decided to change that. I knew I had a busy summer ahead of me, what with working 40 hours a week at the MTC in addition to my wedding and such, but I was confident I could get a couple of books read over the summer.

You might say I surprised myself.

From May 1 to August 31, I will have completed TWELVE books. All but one of them are sports-related, so I figured this would be an appropriate forum to let you know what I thought about them. For my review of the non-sporty book, check out the married blog.

As for the other eleven, here they are, in the order in which they were read (At least, I think it's right):

1. A-Rod: The Many Lives of Alex Rodriguez by Selena Roberts

Oy...I've already written about this book. Let's just look at a funny ad instead, eh?

2. American Icon: The Fall of Roger Clemens and the Rise of Steroids in America's Pastime by the New York Daily News Sports Investigative Team

This was an engrossing read. Clemens is in the title and on the cover, but he is not the only one whose dirty laundry is aired within the pages. The back stories of unsavory characters like Brian McNamee, Kirk Radomski, Jason Grimsley, Rusty Hardin and many others are intended to give the reader a sense of just how deeply steroids dug into both baseball and the well-being of the steroids dealers and their associates themselves.

3. The Teammates by David Halberstam

After wading through the muck of a couple of scandal-based books, this was a nice change of pace. Bobby Doerr, Dom DiMaggio, Johnny Pesky and the immortal Ted Williams were four men who were clearly destined to be together. This recollection of decades-old stories frames the tragic motivation for their compilation: the imminent death of the Splendid Splinter in Florida. No mention of the cryogenic freezing, though. Probably for the best.

4. The Yankee Years by Joe Torre and Tom Verducci

A definitive history of the first dynasty I vividly remember as told by its ringmaster. The stories are straightforward: the book starts the week Torre is hired and ends when he refuses to take the Yanks' diminished offer. Lots of in-depth interviews with Torre's players also make this a very vivid story. My personal favorites were David Cone and the Captain, Derek Derek Jeter Jeter.

5. Game of Shadows by Mark Fainaru-Wada and Lance Williams


The book that started it all. I saw it in hardcover on a bargain rack at Barnes and Noble for $6 and gobbled it up immediately. If you already hate Barry Bonds, this book will thoroughly satisfy you. Victor Conte and his BALCO cronies don't come off any sweeter; slimier would be an appropriate word.

6. Hideki Matsui: Sportsmanship, Modesty, and the Art of the Home Run by Shizuka Ijuin

In addition to winning the "Most Intriguing Title" award, this skinny Dollar Tree find is very Japanese: succinct, honorable, modest, and interestingly translated. Maybe it's just because the author is a close personal friend of Godzilla's, but Matsui is essentially beatified throughout as the most honorable Japanese man in America.

7. Man in the Middle by John Amaechi

Another Dollar Tree pick-up. I remember the firestorm when this book first came out: A pro athlete coming out of the closet? I bought it specifically to see how he handled being in the SLC during his tank job with the Jazz. (He blames it entirely on not meshing with Jerry Sloan's abrasive coaching style. The lesson: Don't let large, sensitive, gay British men near Jerry Sloan. He will single-handedly force them to average 3.2 points and 2.0 rebounds per game...or less.)

8. The Punch by John Feinstein

My first Feinstein, which is a Dollar Tree find from nearly two years ago now. Not the smoothest read, but I was amazed that Feinstein could get over 350 pages out of a vicious blow that landed in less than a second. It is a study in contrast: Rudy T's rise to prominence as the Rockets' head coach, and Kermit Washington's fall from grace that has reverberated in his inability to both find an NBA head coaching job and maintain his marriage.

9. Friday Night Lights by H.G. Bissinger

I bought this from a bargain pile in the BYU Bookstore about two years ago and just now got around to it. I wish I had gotten to it sooner. The book vividly reminded me of the small Texas towns I served in during my mission. The human element in the machine that is Permian High football (and, really, Texas high school football as a whole) is at times heroic and at times tragic. A fascinating study of a small town's struggles to fulfill big-time aspirations.

10. Why Not Us? The 86-Year Journey of the Boston Red Sox Fans from Unparalleled Suffering to the Promised Land of the 2004 World Series by Leigh Montville

Yet another Dollar Tree find. I'm glad I found it there, because I would have been upset with myself if I had bought it for $22.95 when it first came out. For me, this quick mash-up just wasn't memorable. You can tell the fans' stories were mashed together very quickly to get this book on the shelves. Maybe I couldn't get into it because I'm a bitter Cubs fan. Oh, well...

11. Turning of the Tide: How One Game Changed the South by Don Yaeger with Sam Cunningham and John Papadakis.

This was a Wal-Mart $4 purchase. I don't know why I've been so intrigued with the blending of race and sports, but this book is a nice blend of the two. Plus, it's getting me excited for the impending college football season. As I said with Feinstein earlier, I am constantly amazed that writers can get so much material out of just one game or one moment.

Now school is starting and the leisure reading will probably stop for the foreseeable future. My next great read? Not sure yet, but you'll hear about it when it happens.

GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG!

What can you buy for $4.2 million? I googled it. No, really, I did! Some of my personal favorites: a dog tiara, a whole mess of pot and pot-growing equipment in Canada, and a shady painting found in an attic.

But no.....the Cubs found something else to spend that kind of money on:

Kevin Freaking Gregg.

Yeah, yeah. I know it seems like he's still having a better year than Kerry Wood. I know he has 23 saves compared to Kerry Wood's 15 in Cleveland. I know he has 58 strikeouts in 58 appearances and that his WHIP is .08 lower than Woody.

I dug deeper tonight after Greggers got shellacked by the LAST PLACE PADRES!

Blown Saves: Wood, 5. Gregg, 6.

Hits allowed: Wood, 37. Gregg, 50.

Runs allowed: Wood, 22. Gregg, 30.

Losses: Wood, 3. Gregg, 5.

Here's the kicker that reared its ugly head tonight in the form of Kyle (Don't call him Billy) Blanks:

Home Runs Allowed: Wood, 7. Gregg, 12!

12 Home Runs for a closer?!? Unacceptable. Especially when you consider that FOUR have come in August, in addition to three of the six blown saves.

At least Gregg has the chutzpah to admit it:

"It's just making stupid mistakes. Seeing something in a hitter and not executing it. The bottom line is getting people out. It doesn't matter how you do it. I could throw underhand. If they get out, I don't care. They hit three line drives and they're out, I don't care. The biggest thing is just getting people out and I didn't today."

Hold off on that underhand, buddy. Please.

Just to put it in perspective, Kevin Correia, the Padres' starter tonight, has also given up 12 home runs this season. He, however, has pitched 140.2 innings as opposed to Gregg's 56.1 innings. It's not like Correia is Lincecum-esque or anything. He's 8-9 with a 4.41 ERA.

I admire Sweet Lou's refusal to take this lightly:

"I think we are going to make some changes as far as what we're going to do late innings. We'll see what we do. I'm going to think about it tonight."

Trouble is, who else do we have? Marmol's stuff has fizzled. Maybe we can move Dempster out of the rotation? Angel Guzman?

Whatever the answer is, the Cubbies need to find it.

Fast.

Slick Like Vick

Photo Courtesy of Deadspin

Q: If an animal attacks a PETA supporter, do the rest of the PETA people have to stand there and watch it happen so as not to hurt the animal? Or, would the attackee even want to be saved because if he was saved, he would be interrupting the animal's meal?

This question was posed by an Edmontonite named Ronnie in a mailbag column by Bill Simmons back in 2004. Any time anyone references PETA for any reason, this question pops into my head and I have a good chuckle.

Let's just say I've had plenty of reasons to chuckle tonight.

Michael Vick is headed to the Illadelph with a two-year contract. Understandably, the most commonly-used adjective thus far has been "shocked". Listening to the Brian Kenny show on ESPN Radio on my way home from picking up dinner, the reaction was mixed. Some fans were geeked, one said he was turning in his season tickets.

Here's why I think this is a good move for Michael Vick:

The Eagles are one of the most stable franchises in a city full of incredibly faithful fans, no matter how boisterously they may boo some days. The team is already full of athletes and playmakers: Donovan McNabb, Brian Westbrook, DeSean Jackson, and the rookie Jeremy Maclin, among others. Despite all of Andy Reid's so-called struggles, he has shown that he can get all he can from his players. (Well, almost...but really, has ANYONE put a leash on T.O.?)

Anyhoo, Vick can be useful in that kind of system and may be a missing piece to the Eagles' Super Bowl puzzle. They do have to confront the Falcons in Atlanta, however, on December 6. What a reunion that would be...

PETA, of course, has already said their piece through spokesman Dan Shannon:

"PETA and millions of decent football fans around the world are disappointed that the Eagles decided to sign a guy who hung dogs from trees. He electrocuted them with jumper cables and held them under water. You have to wonder what sort of message this sends to young fans who care about animals and don't want them to be harmed."

As much as young Philly fans surely love puppies, they and their daddies would probably love a Super Bowl trophy a little bit more.

By the way, the answer to that question to start the column? Here it is from the Sports Guy himself:

I'm afraid to say anything right now. Those PETA people are like Scientologists -- you don't even want to look cross-eyed at them. They're terrifying.

**Chuckle**

Wait 'Til Next Year Already?

With Holly's recent health scares, you would think I haven't had much time to contemplate on things like sports. Truth be told, it's soothing to think about sports instead of stressing out while Holly is sleeping or resting.

Well, at least until I think about the Cubs' last week or so.

Maybe it's dumb bad luck, maybe it's a just couple of potent offenses back to back; I don't know exactly what it is, but the Cubbies are scuffling.

Four losses in a row, seven games dropped over the last ten, a thorough shellacking by the Rockies for three out of four games, a schooling by a 37 year-old in his first Major League start in NEARLY A YEAR, and the impending threat of Cliff Lee on the bump against them tomorrow.

Yeesh.

It makes the golden shower laid on The Flyin' Hawaiian Shane Victorino tonight almost justifiable. Almost.

Looking at the schedule for the rest of August, though, gives me a glimmer of hope still: home with Pittsburgh Lite, @ San Diego, @ Dodgers, home against the Nats and Mets and starting a series against the 'Stros. Having a good run heading into September can give us the momentum we need.

Maybe.

The Fightin' Primobolans Daily Update: 7/27/09

Holly and I went to the new Texas Roadhouse in Lehi tonight, so I'm surprised I even have the wherewithal to type, but I guess I found a way.

A new week, and a huge matchup of division leaders got started tonight! Let's rate the best and the worst from Monday, Monday.

MVP-Tim Lincecum, San Francisco Giants-9 IP, 0 ER, 4 H, 3 BB, 15 K

Wow. I tell you what, wow. The Freak strikes again with another dominant performance. Granted, it was against the usually toothless Bucs, but 15 strikeouts is what it is. I am so glad I took this guy with my first pick.

LVP-Felix Hernandez, Seattle Mariners-5.2 IP, 11 H, 7 ER, 1 BB, 2 K

Who knew the Jays could make King Felix hurt nearly as bad as this? Couldn't even muster more than 2 K's. OUCH!

The Fightin' Primobolans Weekend Update and Week in Review: 7/25-26/09

Got home late from a fondue function in Sandy last night, so didn't get a chance to update. SO, I'll double dip today, along with providing the new feature: The Week in Review!

Let's get to Saturday's action:

MVP-Gavin Floyd, Chicago White Sox-6.2 IP, 6 H, 1 ER, 3 BB, 7 K

Not the smoothest line of the day (adding to the fact the bullpen blew the win), but the 7 strikeouts are the reason I keep this guy around. He has 7 K's in each of his last three starts, and just crossed the 100 strikeout mark for the season.

LVP-Mike Cameron, Milwaukee Brewers-0/3, R

Only three hits this whole week for Cameron. Might be on the way out unless he gets hot soon.

Now for the best and worst from Sunday!

MVP-Justin Morneau, Minnesota Twins-2/4, 2 HR, 3 RBI, 2 R

An emphatic exclamation point to cap a sensational week for Morneau. Doing it at the expense of the red-hot Angels makes it even more impressive. He may just end up as the Primobolans' season MVP.

LVP-Ryan Ludwick, St. Louis Cardinals-0/4

Russell Branyan went 0/4, too, but I'll always take slighting a Cardinal any day. I drafted Ludwick, dropped him when he got hurt, and then picked him up again about two weeks ago. He's done OK since then, but not enough to keep the Cubs out of first place in the Central (Whoo-hoo!)

And now, let's take a look at the week that was with THE WEEK IN REVIEW!

A huge Monday set the pace for a dominating week for the Primobolans. Even though the final score against the Utah Lint Trap was 6-4, the numbers weren't that close. This is the 6th straight weekly win for the Primobolans, still tied for the division lead with the almost equally hot 92. With Movement, who wrapped up their 5th straight win today.

Now for the coronation for the MVP of the Week!

Justin Morneau, Minnesota Twins-.333 AVG, 5 HR, 11 RBI, 8 R in 7 games

Can you believe this guy fell to me in the 4th round? Two multi-homer games this week were enough for Morneau to beat out Ryan Braun for the award.

Next Up: A HUGE matchup against fellow division leader GAME OVER.

The Fightin' Primobolans Daily Update: 7/24/09

Went to the Owlz game with Holly tonight. Check out the pics on our married blog: http://daveandhollymort.blogspot.com/

Meanwhile, here's the update!

Most Valuable Player: Ryan Braun, Milwaukee Brewers-2/3, HR, 2 RBI, 1 R

The Braves beat the snot out of them, 9-4, but Braun landed one in the seats to try and make it respectable for the Brew Crew. They, like the Cubbies, have to be groaning about the addition of Matt Holliday to the Cards. Grr.....

Least Valuable Player: Brandon Inge, Detroit Tigers-1/7, 1 R (2 games)

Word on the street is he has a torn left patella tendon, but says he is playing through it and can hit 15 more homers this season. Just get more than one hit in a double-dip, and you and I are just fine, Brandon.

The Fightin' Primobolans Daily Update: 7/23/09

Thursdays are one of my more favorite days. Even though I start my first shift at 8 AM, I get off at Noon and then have a three-hour break until my second shift. Usually, this break is pretty uneventful: clean around the house, a bite of lunch, lounge around, etc.

Today, though, I got to catch the 9th inning of Mark Buehrle's perfect game on ESPN. I literally jumped off the couch when DeWayne Wise make his SPECTACULAR catch in left center. One of the best catches ever, given the circumstances. Big ups to everyone around.

Now, let's get to the Primobolan update!

Most Valuable Player-Yeesh! Pretty bland day across Primobolan-ville. Aw, what the heck? He isn't one of us, but we'll give it to him anyway!

Mark Buehrle, Chicago White Sox-9 IP, 0 H, 0 BB, 0 ER, 6 K

The first perfect game I ever remember was Kenny Rogers for the Rangers in 1994. I remember it mostly for Rusty Greer's circus catch to save it in the 9th. This one will be stored in the memory bank for a while, too, thanks to Mr. DeWayne Wise. Hope Buehrle hooks you up with somethin' nice.

Least Valuable Player-Russell Branyan, Seattle Mariners-0/4 against the Tigers

No one really did much of anything today, but Branyan got schooled by pitchers names French, Perry and Ni. Ouch. That puts you in LVP territory.

The Fightin' Primobolans Daily Update: 7/22/09

I have an ESPN Fantasy Baseball team lovingly named The Fightin' Primobolans. I currently hold an 11-4 record, tied for 1st in the Yuri Sucart division. I figured I could use this blog to praise the players who do me good from day to day, and vent about those who came up a bit short.

Without further ado, here's the winners and losers from today, July 22:

Most Valuable Player: Marco Scutaro, Toronto Blue Jays-2/4, 2 HR, 4 RBI, 2 R

I've had Marco since the second week of the regular season, and he's been a real diamond in the rough. Not someone with overpowering numbers, but someone who is consistent. Plus, he's eligible at 2nd, 3rd and Shortstop, adding to the team's flexibility. Tonight was his first multi-hit game since the All-Star break, but he sure made the most of it.

Least Valuable Player: Ryan Franklin, St. Louis Cardinals-L, BS, 0.2 IP, 4 H, 2 ER

I traded Mariano Rivera for Franklin about a month or so into the season. Mariano has been phenomenally consistent. Franklin had been, too, until tonight. The Astros just beat the snot out of him tonight. Hopefully, this is just a one-time aberration.

Book Review: "A-Rod: The Many Lives of Alex Rodriguez" by Selena Roberts

Sports Illustrated writer Selena Roberts' report on Alex Rodriguez's steroid use from 2001-2003 and Rodriguez's subsequent confession created a media firestorm this past February. If you scroll down long enough, you'll find my reactions to the whole saga, particularly ESPN's exclusive interview with the Yankees slugger.

The latest product of that firestorm is in the form of a (blatantly) unauthorized biography of Rodriguez as written by Roberts herself entitled A-Rod: The Many Lives of Alex Rodriguez. The release date was moved up to last Monday, May 12, after portions of the book were leaked to the media.

The book itself has created even more controversy based on allegations made by anonymous sources that Rodriguez was using steroids as early as high school and has used them since joining the Yankees in 2004. I decided to see what all the ruckus was about.

My first observation regarding the book is that it was very hastily written and published. A handful of grammatical errors, as well as missing words in some cases, should be something unbecoming of a senior writer like Roberts.

There were also many amateurish similes and metaphors peppering the pages: "flicking his wrist like a lion tamer", "Pitches looked as big and slow as soap bubbles", "like a cat pawing at yarn", etc. Closer to Mad Libs, if you ask me.

Roberts' research and interviews were quite extensive, and she devotes five whole pages to listing all of her sources (except those who who requested anonymity, of course). Because the research was so thorough and varied, I expected some in-text citations to clarify it all, but none appeared. The credibility of her research is not necessarily diminished, but I would have preferred seeing which quote came from which interview, particularly when Rodriguez himself was quoted.

With regards to the 19 anonymous interviewees, I understand the desire to make some concessions to get juicy information, but 19 times? Really? What do these sources have to lose by making themselves known? Is the clubhouse really that sacred that publicly violating it would bring more shame than what Rodriguez and others did to the game? Would other reporters have granted anonymity so many times to make such a damning argument?

My final verdict: A quick read which was quickly written to quickly smear someone who (by Roberts' language throughout the book) probably deserved it.

Paging Steven Stills...

After grappling for two weeks on whether to write about the Jon Stewart/Jim Cramer showdown and its ramifications, I decided to pull a Jarom 1:2 on the issue: "For what could I write more than my fathers have written?"

Since I'm more of a sports journalist guy anyway, I found an appealing story nonetheless.

The Washington Post recently hired Chico Harlan to serve as their beat reporter for the Washington Nationals, the still-fresh Major League Baseball team.

Trouble is, he'd rather be writing about something else.

In an interview with Washingtonian magazine, Harlan expressed that he did not see the Nationals beat as his life's calling:

“I don’t like sports—I am embarrassed that I cover them,” Harlan said. “I can’t wait to stop. It is a means to an end and a paycheck.”

Understandably, Nationals fans (though in small supply) expressed their outrage over the fact that the Post would alienate baseball readers with a writer who admittedly hates the game.

But...

Could his refusal to get into the details of the sport itself actually provide more objective coverage? The Post's other baseball writer, Tom Boswell, is notorious for his love/hate relationship with the fledgling Nationals, who have yet to finish over .500 since their move to Washington.

Harlan thinks he can.

“My approach might drive hard-core fans crazy because I might not get inside for that nitty-gritty play-by-play,” he said. “The passion I can drum up is wanting to capture what is unique about each game. I am interested in the characters more than anything.”

Obviously, every reporter will at some point have a beat or do a story outside of their hopes and dreams, but does it hurt one's credibility by making it public?

For me, all journalists ought to follow the mantra of Steven Stills:

"And if you can't be with the one you love, honey, love the one you're with."

Maybe I can snag that Nationals job in a couple years...I'd take it!

Jim Calhoun vs. Ken Krayeske...WHO YA GOT?

The #2 ranked University of Connecticut men's basketball team defeated #10 Marquette last night to give head coach Jim Calhoun his 800th career win, one of only seven men's college basketball coaches to achieve such a feat.

It was at his press conference after his 799th win over South Florida Saturday, however, that earns him a spot on the blog.

Among those in the press conference that night was blogger Ken Krayeske, a UConn law student. His blog, The 40-Year Plan, focuses mainly on issue affecting his beloved Connecticut, particularly how to dig out of a $2 billion budget deficit.

As you can see in the above video, Krayeske prodded Calhoun about his $1.6 million salary, making him the highest-paid Connecticut state employee (UConn is a public school), and whether that is the best thing for the state.

Calhoun, with a reputation for press conference tirades, apparently could not believe that such a question was being asked in this setting and ripped into Krayeske, refusing to give a serious answer.

Not surprisingly, reaction came swiftly.

Connecticut Gov. M. Jodi Rell was not pleased with Calhoun's tirade:

"I think if coach Calhoun had the opportunity right now, he would welcome a do-over and not have that embarrassing display," Rell told reporters, adding that Calhoun's tone was what upset her most.

The Hartford Courant posted an editorial saying that the question was an appropriate one, even if the setting was not ideal.

Jason Whitlock of FOXSports.com said Calhoun's tirade was "stupid" and "brainless".

Krayeske himself said he was "thrilled" that his blasting by Calhoun got the amount of press it did.

"It wasn’t me who created this. He happened to respond in that way," Krayeske said. "We have to question the amount of importance placed on athletics," he said. "I always wanted to have this discussion on a national level, and here we are."

Despite this groundswell of support for Krayeske, there were many who took Calhoun's side, as well.

Michael Wilbon of the Washington Post and ESPN's "Pardon the Interruption", in addition to calling Krayeske a "weasel" defended Calhoun.

"Calhoun has won two NCAA championships and come close to winning two others. What, some bozo comes into a press conference and gets to challenge everybody's salary? If I was Calhoun, I'd have served up this clown on a platter. He's earned everything he's gotten and will get in the future."

CBSSports.com writer Gregg Doyel, who ironically wrote a scathing 2005 article about Calhoun and some supposedly shady recruiting methods, said he had no reason to defend the coach this time, but did anyway.

In addition to refusing to put Krayeske's name in print and calling him a "grandstanding attention hound", Doyel wrote this:

"For his troubles, the attention hound got blown up, which is exactly what he deserved. He's the one, not Calhoun, who walked down the wrong dark alley and picked a fight. Shame on the guy who started the fight -- not the guy who finished it...There was only one thug in that exchange. And Calhoun knocked the thug on his [expletive]."

Here are my observations on the incident:

*Calhoun invited Krayeske to speak to him in private about the situation at the 0:37 mark. After having read Doyel's description of his private meeting with Calhoun over the 2005 article, I believe him. Many people say this in vain, but I think Calhoun would have responded more favorably to that question in a private setting.

*Notice the reaction of the other journalists in the room when Krayeske tells Calhoun "If these guys covered this stuff, I wouldn't have to do it." Such disdain for their alleged comrade. I think it seems like just another salvo in the Bloggers vs. "Real" Journalists tussle. The rift seems to be growing wider and wider, but is the blog takeover inevitable?

My final verdict: Krayeske may have a point, but he needs to pick his battles (and the battlefield) a bit more carefully.

The Continuing Saga of Alex Rodriguez

It's the sports story that just won't go away.

A-Roid and Journalistic Ethics: Where to Begin?

As an aspiring sports journalist, I had an entirely different level of fascination with the revelation that Alex Rodriguez of the New York Yankees tested positive for steroids in 2003, when he was with the Texas Rangers.

Selena Roberts and David Epstein of Sports Illustrated first broke the story Saturday on the SI website, which he confirmed on ESPN Monday. What a scoop! Journalism at its' finest: digging, scratching and clawing to find the truth! Not even the news pixie herself, Katie Couric, could get A-Rod to admit it!

To what extent, however, did Roberts dig, scratch and claw? According to A-Rod, a bit too much.

"What makes me upset is Sports Illustrated pays this lady Selena Roberts to stalk me," Rodriguez told Peter Gammons in an exclusive interview with ESPN (More on this later). "This lady has been thrown out of my apartment in New York City. This lady has, five days ago she was thrown out of the University of Miami police for trespassing. And four days ago she tried to break into my house while my girls are up there sleeping, and got cited by the Miami Beach Police. I have the paper here.

"And this lady's coming out with all these allegations, all these lies, because she's writing an article for Sports Illustrated. And she's coming out with a book in May." (Actually, Alex, the publication date just got moved up to April 14...hmmm) "And really respectable journalists are following this lady off the cliff, and following her lead. And that to me is unfortunate."

So, is Selena Roberts a crazy A-Rod stalker? Why don't we ask her via the Major League Baseball (MLB) Network, The New York Observer and SI.com, shall we?

From the MLB Network interview, as reported by Newsday (NY):

"'I've never set foot in the lobby of Alex's New York apartment. I've never set foot on his property. It's pure fabrication,' said Roberts, who did say she drove by Rodriguez's house after receiving permission from Miami Beach police to drive on public property near A-Rod's house. The Miami Beach police have a "miscellaneous incident" report of that conversation, but Roberts was not cited for anything.

"Roberts also asked for and received permission from security at the University of Miami to enter the school's workout facilities and talk to Rodriguez on Thursday.

"'I think it's a diversion, a shoot-the-messenger type of thing,' Roberts said."

Roberts told the Observer the following with regards to the above quote:

“It’s not at all close to what happened. I wrote it off: It’s a diversionary tactic to throw blame on the messenger. He’s probably upset with me and maybe he wants to divert the attention to the credibility of the article, which is not in dispute.”

Roberts told SI.com this:

"In a meticulous process, we verified and re-verified our information, because this is a human being here, so you absolutely do not want to be wrong. We made a decision to confront Alex with the evidence we had regarding his positive test, and give him a chance to explain. He chose not to."

So, what about Roberts' methods and motives? Are they a product of the modern era of journalism, or is she kickin' it old school?

Now back to the exclusive interview on ESPN. (I swear that was said about 20 times during the hour of Sportscenter on Monday during which it aired.)

Why the lovable Peter Gammons? ESPN has loads of excellent baseball writers, including Tim Kurkjian and Buster Olney, who covered the Yankees for The New York Times for pity's sake?

SI writer Jeff Pearlman offered his opinion on his blog:

"The reason Gammons scored the interview with [John] Rocker (ten years ago) a decade back is the same reason he scored one with A-Rod today: He’s the Larry King of sports television. Softball questions, limited inquisitiveness, an easy time for all involved."

Specifically responding to how Gammons did not react to A-Rod's rant on Roberts, Pearlman said this:

"I’m not sure if Gammons was jealous of Selena for scoring a huge story, but he had to—absolutely had to—follow up Rodriguez’s presumably ludicrous accusations with a question or two or three or 10. 'Alex, are you saying Selena Roberts literally broke into your building? Alex, can I see the paper you’re referring to? Alex, you rip Selena Roberts’ reporting? But wasn’t she, ahem, correct?'"

Gammons gave his answer in an e-mail to the sports blog Deadspin:

"I think in retrospect, I should have interrupted the A-Rod rant. My first question asked if Selena's story were true, he essentially admitted it was, and I believed she was therefore vindicated. I usually don't get into grudges, and felt he was promoting her book, which will be her response. I was trying to get Alex in his own words, but Jeff's criticism has merit that I accept."

Does this mean Gammons is going to start getting tough on his interviewees? It probably won't matter, since he will probably never cover as big a story as this in his remaining years.

Nevertheless, A-Rod has confessed and apologized. Does this make him a sympathetic figure? Will the media respect him a bit more?

Not the New York Post.

This photo of A-Rod preparing for the exclusive ESPN interview at his home was published in the Tuesday edition of the Post and its website. However, A-Rid saw it as an invasion of privacy and had it removed from the site.

I can understand his beef with Roberts, but with the photog? Really?

The intrigue is just beginning on this story, both in the world of sports and journalism. I see it as a primer for what I need to be thoughtful about as I pursue a story like this in my sports journalism career. On the other hand, no matter how thoughtful I am, will it even matter in the mind of the player or team? Won't they just see me as an annoying reporter?

Is that fair?