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How TV, Money Robbed Sports Fans—and Journos

Playing field used to be level enough for writers to give true portraits

By Will McCahill,  Newser Staff

Posted May 23, 2008 6:05 PM CDT
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(Newser) – The days when journalists could get to know professional athletes well enough to write the kinds of profiles that would give fans true insight are long gone, Pat Jordan laments on Slate, with television and the accompanying big money the main culprits. Where Jordan once spent days with Catfish Hunter, he can't get to today's stars without dealing with an army of flaks.

"Writers and fans alike no longer get to know the object of their affections in a way they did years ago," Jordan writes. "If Alex Rodriguez would let his fans know him instead of hiding behind a manufactured image as Dudley Do-Right, then maybe we would all be more forgiving of his foibles on the field and off. "

Boston Red Sox starter Josh Beckett declined an interview with Pat Jordan %u2014 though he did the same with all such requests, preferring to remain out of the spotlight rather than trying to control it.
Boston Red Sox starter Josh Beckett declined an interview with Pat Jordan %u2014 though he did the same with all such requests, preferring to remain out of the spotlight rather than trying to control...   (AP Photo/Winslow Townson)
Florida, 1978: Jim Catfish Hunter and son. Hunter happily agreed to a profile by Pat Jordan for Sports Illustrated during the 1970s.
Florida, 1978: Jim "Catfish" Hunter and son. Hunter happily agreed to a profile by Pat Jordan for Sports Illustrated during the 1970s.   (Magnum Photos)
San Francisco Giants' Barry Bonds watches his fly ball in Los Angeles, Wednesday, Aug. 1, 2007. Pat Jordan pursued him with interview requests for a year and a half before getting a no.
San Francisco Giants' Barry Bonds watches his fly ball in Los Angeles, Wednesday, Aug. 1, 2007. Pat Jordan pursued him with interview requests for a year and a half before getting a "no."   (AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian)
Pat Jordan pursued San Francisco Giants outfielder Barry Bonds with interview requests for a year and a half before getting a no.
Pat Jordan pursued San Francisco Giants outfielder Barry Bonds with interview requests for a year and a half before getting a "no."   (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez,file)
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Scenes from the front lines of adversarial new sports journalism
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We wouldn't care so about this kind of stuff if A-Rod weren't so phony
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NHL not getting coverage one way or another
Globe and Mail

Other things sports journos are whining about these days
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television • Barry Bonds • Josh Beckett • Alex Rodriguez • celebrity • sports journalism • Pat Jordan • Catfish Hunter

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