Anyone who reads this blog with any sort of regularity is aware of the fact that I am not a big fan of the media. There are exceptions, but for the most part I find that they manipulate stories and people to fit their own ends, which is to create controversy where there may be none and sell papers. This morning, two wonderful examples came to my attention. The first, about the changed release date on Selena Roberts’ book, comes via ESPN:
Selena Roberts’ unauthorized “A-Rod” was originally planned for May, then was moved up to mid-April after Roberts, a Sports Illustrated reporter, broke the news that the Yankees slugger had tested positive for steroids back in 2003.
But with Roberts needing more time for the book — which has been completed and was sent to the printer this week — publication was pushed back to late April and now is planned for May 12, according to publisher HarperCollins.
Do they really expect anybody to buy such a vague excuse? The book was pushed forward to be released upon the open of the new Yankees Stadium, so as to get the highest profile release possible. Could you imagine the headlines? “Stadium opens with dark cloud hanging over team.” However, with Alex injured and stowed quietly in Tampa, the story would likely have dissipated significantly quicker. So they pushed the date to May 12th, with Alex’s return slated for May 15th. If he comes back on the 4th, do not be surprised to see the book moved up a few days. Roberts is a muckraker, and this kind of manipulation is incredibly transparent as well as obviously mean spirited. Hey, anything to sell a few books, right?
In the other instance of media manipulation this morning, here is the NY Daily News report on the release of Joba Chamberlain’s DUI video:
He had the right to remain silent, and should have used it.
Yankees righthander Joba Chamberlain instead ripped New Yorkers as rude and city drivers as cutthroat after his drunken-driving arrest – before taking a boozy shot at pinstriped icon Yogi Berra.
Firstly, it is fairly obvious that Joba made the comments about New Yorkers to try and get out of his situation using the “everybody hates New York” shtick to try and get the cop on his side. Furthermore, here is the second comment on the BBTF thread on this story:
I watched the video, and he couldn’t be LESS ripping Yogi. He says that seeing Yogi every couple of days is the best part of being a Yankee, and he talks to the officer about how he and Yogi give each other #### every time Yogi comes into the clubhouse.
He also says that he likes New York more than Nebraska.
Its really hard to listen to the whole video and claim that he “rips” New Yorkers or “rips” Yogi….
Additionally, a poll at then side of the Daily News Report has 56 percent of readers agreeing that New Yorkers are rude and that it is part of our charm. I do not know about charm, but I do know that it is part of our persona and one that I do not find people disputing very often. Hey, anything to sell a few papers, right?
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6 Responses to Mediocy: The A-Rod Book, The Joba "Story"
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TIQ IQ
Roberts is sooo obviously out to get A-Rod. She’s a scumbag who’s out on a mission to destroy A-Rod’s reputation. I don’t understand how a human being could go to sleep at night knowing that they are benifiting from disclosing dirt on somebody else, and not only that, but they even make money off somebody else’s mistakes. This ***** is getting away with bloody murder. Sadly, she hides behind the curtain of “Journalist” and her bretheren in the media will only continue to protect her from any criticism.
I can see why the Daily Show is so good. There are so many idiotic stories in the media that you can just cherry pick from the dumbest. Thank God there are some great blogs out there to read b/c so many of the mainstream newspapers and magazines have become garbage.
I know its terrible to say because some good people are going to lose their jobs, but I can’t wait for the newspapers in the NY area to go under.
I think media people like Joel Sherman and Goerge King and to a greater extent Selena Roberts are the worst type of lecherous reporters. First off Joel sherman takes a cheap shot at Joba Chamberlain by insinuating that he might have an alchohol problem because his mother was a substance abuser. Why would that even be mentioned concerning a baseball player. To me that was a real low blow and shows how pathetic the media is. the kid screwed up and like millions of poeple around the world he is paying his dues. George King seems to be taking all types of cheap shots at the Yanks after one fing game. Hey I was not happy they lost but its one game saying tex and cc are busts is a little premature and kind of insulting to the intelligence of the fans. I dont understand how one can write an unauthorized book why doesnt AROD sue? I mean I hate the fact that these people never have to answer for anything and all they dod is try to rip people to further their careers.
Moshe. Not a big thing but calling Selena Roberts a “muckraker” is not an insult but a compliment and a label I do not think she is worthy of holding. Muckrakers were brave journalists who exposed corruption or injustices often laid upon impoverished people circa the turn of the 20th century. Suffice to say that is not the type of description you were looking for to illustrate Roberts’ opportunism.
Roberts is a “suckmaker” being that everything she makes, creates and publishes…sucks.
Did not know that Tony, I thought it was a pejorative. You learn something new everyday.