 |
| EJ Manuel |
 |
| Colin Kaepernick |
Wednesday, September 4, 2013
A Lot Of Black At Quarterback To Start This NFL Season
The Buffalo Bills say they will start they're number one draft pick at quarterback this Sunday
against the New England Patriots. E.J. Manuel was the first QB taken in the 2013 NFL draft. He has performed so well during the pre-season, that following just the second pre-season game, a Buffalo newspaper called for Manual to start. The second quarterback taken in this year's draft, who is also African-American, will also start this Sunday. Geno Smith didn't have as good a pre-season as Manuel, but it was good enough to beat out veteran Mark Sanchez. The number of black quarterbacks set to start at the position this season has got to be a record for any year. Not only are Manuel and Smith starting, but Josh Freeman, Robert Griffin III, Russell Wilson, Cam Newton, Michael Vick, Colin Kaepernick, and Terrelle
Pryor are also due to start. That's 9 starters. About a third of all teams. This is both an encouraging and a curious development. Based on the performances of Wilson, Kaepernick and RG III last year, are NFL teams expecting similar results from this new crop of black QB's because of the teams assume the new guys will also be able to run the read option? Even though this should be good news, the flip side is black QB's have a higher standard. Not only are they expected to be able to throw the football, but every one of these guys is a threat to run. Meanwhile, guys like Matt Ryan, Matt Schaub, Matt Stafford, and Sam Bradford, for example, can be as one-dimensional as they like. And at the same time black QB's are getting a shot, black coaches are getting shot down. Don't forget, that out of the 8 head coaching vacancies in the NFL this off season, not one went to a black man. So even though the NFL might be setting a record for the number of black QB's to start a season, don't expect to see Manuel, Pryor, or Smith even next week if they don't do well on Sunday. Unlike Tim Tebow or Alex Smith, these guys won't get a second, third and four chance to make a first impression.
Sunday, August 11, 2013
For Alex Rodriguez, The Hits Keep On Coming
There are two more, what I like to call, hit pieces out on Alex Rodriguez. I say "hit pieces" because they are attempts to assassinate, further, Rodriguez' character. The first hit piece was published in Romanoski, sought help for LEGAL supplements from Victor Conte. Conte founded BALCO, the Bay Area Laboratory Co-Operative. Conte cut a deal with federal prosecutors looking into drugs and sports and in 2006, spent four months in prison for his role in providing illegal or banned drugs to athletes. The first hit piece was in the
the New York Daily News on Sunday. The story claimed that Rodriguez, with the help of former NFL player and admitted steroid user, Bill
The story freely admits that neither Conte or Rodriguez was interested in doing anything illegal. Still, every other sports page has now picked on the story and is playing it as more evidence that Rodriguez was trying to cheat, or trying to break the rules. He wasn't.
Last week, Major League Baseball suspended Rodriguez for 214 games for violating the MLB's Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program. Rodriguez' name appeared on a list complied by the Biogenesis Lab of Miami. One or more former employees provided the list of names, which included Ryan Braun, to a local weekly paper, the Miami New Times. The Biogeneis Lab is now closed but billed itself as an anti-aging clinic. MLB says Rodriguez possessed and used banned drugs, but no evidence about that has leaked out to the press. Rodriguez appealed the suspension and is allowed to play until the appear is heard.
The second story comes from the Washington Post. The writer, David Epstein, pulls out the big guns for this one. Epstein brought in the work of a Yale economics professor to support his claims that what led Alex Rodriguez use steroids in the first place (Rodriguez did admit to using them for three years while he played with the Texas Rangers from 2001-2003) was his obsession with looking good, with vanity. Epstein says the reason Rodriguez got involved with the Biogenesis Lab was to add more years to his career. Rodriguez already has money. He signed a 10 year, $275 million contract with the New York Yankees in 2007.
Epstein and his Yale professor muse say hitters have a slide in production after the age of 29, but the article did not provide any numbers. Epstein said:
You can add Babe Ruth to the list, but before we do I think its worth noting that our Yale professor only found Gehringer to be exception even though he and Ruth played against each other for nine or ten years. The comparison between Gehringer and "the list of age-defying outliers," is an apples to oranges comparison. Mark McGwire, Barry Bonds, Ken Caminiti, Rafael Palmeiro and Sammy Sosa were all home run hitters. Gehringer only hit 184 in an 18 year career.
The professor says players begin to decline the age of 29. Well in 1924, at the age of 29 Babe Ruth had 200 hits, 46 HR's and lead the league with 142 walks. Ruth only played in 98 games the following year, but between 1926 when he was 31 and 1931 when he was 36, Ruth hit 302 of his 715 homers, he also led the league in walks in each of those years. And in 1932, Ruth hit 41 home runs. Two things: one it appears that the professor forgot to add Ruth to the short list which he says contains on Charlie Gehringer, and two its clear that Ruth had phenomenal years AFTER he was 29. In fact, he hit his record setting 60 homes in 1927. What's the reason?
The only thing that stopped Gehrig was the disease he had that was so rare, they named it after him! In 1939, Gehrig played in only 8 games and was dead in two years.
I don't understand how Epstein or any other steroid fanatics, can dismiss the fact, that players now take better care of themselves so they could play long enough to earn the salaries he's talking about.
Every guy on his list, except Bonds, admitting using drugs, but these same drugs were also only banned after 2002. So the whole premise that they cheated long enough to make a huge impact on their numbers isn't even accurate.
Maybe Mr. Epstein should call Yale back so they can provide him with a professor who can show us how using those drugs helps you hit a baseball when its coming at various speeds and on different planes. Maybe that professor call also enlighten us as to how these drugs help a player block out the mental pressure of having to deliver the big hit in a crucial spot, let alone in any spot. Maybe we can start with Ruth. If Ruth could have the best years of his career after the age of 29, why couldn't any of these guys. HGH, testosterone repair muscles, that's it. The player has to do the rest. There are tons of guys who we know used, but did do jack. Why did Mr. Epstein leave those names off his list? A-Rod may be a bad guy, but lets not assign to much credit to how much good steroids can do in baseball, and haven't we trashed him enough. A-Rod is less popular now than George Zimmerman.
 |
| Alex Rodriguez |
The story freely admits that neither Conte or Rodriguez was interested in doing anything illegal. Still, every other sports page has now picked on the story and is playing it as more evidence that Rodriguez was trying to cheat, or trying to break the rules. He wasn't.
Last week, Major League Baseball suspended Rodriguez for 214 games for violating the MLB's Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program. Rodriguez' name appeared on a list complied by the Biogenesis Lab of Miami. One or more former employees provided the list of names, which included Ryan Braun, to a local weekly paper, the Miami New Times. The Biogeneis Lab is now closed but billed itself as an anti-aging clinic. MLB says Rodriguez possessed and used banned drugs, but no evidence about that has leaked out to the press. Rodriguez appealed the suspension and is allowed to play until the appear is heard.
The second story comes from the Washington Post. The writer, David Epstein, pulls out the big guns for this one. Epstein brought in the work of a Yale economics professor to support his claims that what led Alex Rodriguez use steroids in the first place (Rodriguez did admit to using them for three years while he played with the Texas Rangers from 2001-2003) was his obsession with looking good, with vanity. Epstein says the reason Rodriguez got involved with the Biogenesis Lab was to add more years to his career. Rodriguez already has money. He signed a 10 year, $275 million contract with the New York Yankees in 2007.
Epstein and his Yale professor muse say hitters have a slide in production after the age of 29, but the article did not provide any numbers. Epstein said:
 |
| Charlie Gehringer |
"But in his analysis, the economist Fair identified 18 hitters who, for a while anyway, kept Father Time at bay. From that group, all but one (Charlie Gehringer) retired after 1989 — in or near the steroid era. The list of age-defying outliers includes a notorious who’s who: Mark McGwire, Barry Bonds, Ken Caminiti, Rafael Palmeiro and Sammy Sosa. Clearly, some of the stars of the steroid era used drugs to compensate for, or protect, what Father Time was absconding with."
You can add Babe Ruth to the list, but before we do I think its worth noting that our Yale professor only found Gehringer to be exception even though he and Ruth played against each other for nine or ten years. The comparison between Gehringer and "the list of age-defying outliers," is an apples to oranges comparison. Mark McGwire, Barry Bonds, Ken Caminiti, Rafael Palmeiro and Sammy Sosa were all home run hitters. Gehringer only hit 184 in an 18 year career.
 |
| Babe Ruth |
The professor says players begin to decline the age of 29. Well in 1924, at the age of 29 Babe Ruth had 200 hits, 46 HR's and lead the league with 142 walks. Ruth only played in 98 games the following year, but between 1926 when he was 31 and 1931 when he was 36, Ruth hit 302 of his 715 homers, he also led the league in walks in each of those years. And in 1932, Ruth hit 41 home runs. Two things: one it appears that the professor forgot to add Ruth to the short list which he says contains on Charlie Gehringer, and two its clear that Ruth had phenomenal years AFTER he was 29. In fact, he hit his record setting 60 homes in 1927. What's the reason?
How about Ruth's teammate, the luckiest man of the face of the earth, Lou Gehrig. From 1932, at the age of 29, until the age of 35 in 1938, Gehrig was unstoppable.
Hits Home Runs
1932 208 34
1933 198 32
1934 210 49
1935 176 30
1936 205 49
1937 200 37
1938 170 29
The only thing that stopped Gehrig was the disease he had that was so rare, they named it after him! In 1939, Gehrig played in only 8 games and was dead in two years.
I don't understand how Epstein or any other steroid fanatics, can dismiss the fact, that players now take better care of themselves so they could play long enough to earn the salaries he's talking about.
 |
| Lou Gehrig |
Maybe Mr. Epstein should call Yale back so they can provide him with a professor who can show us how using those drugs helps you hit a baseball when its coming at various speeds and on different planes. Maybe that professor call also enlighten us as to how these drugs help a player block out the mental pressure of having to deliver the big hit in a crucial spot, let alone in any spot. Maybe we can start with Ruth. If Ruth could have the best years of his career after the age of 29, why couldn't any of these guys. HGH, testosterone repair muscles, that's it. The player has to do the rest. There are tons of guys who we know used, but did do jack. Why did Mr. Epstein leave those names off his list? A-Rod may be a bad guy, but lets not assign to much credit to how much good steroids can do in baseball, and haven't we trashed him enough. A-Rod is less popular now than George Zimmerman.
Tuesday, August 6, 2013
Johnny Manziel, or Johnny Football, Could be Johnny Toast
The best college football player in the land may have already played his last college game.
Last year's Heisman Trophy winner, Johnny Manziel is under investigation by the NCAA. Not for underage drinking, or those three misdemeanor's he was charged with last year, but for being paid to sign collectibles. Collectibles are things like pictures and footballs, or baseballs, depending on what sport the athlete plays, that are sold to other collectors or fans. Earlier this week, ESPN reported that Manziel traveled to Miami to attend the national championship game between Alabama and Notre Dame on January 6th. (Apparently, no one is curious about who paid for the flight, the tickets to the game or the hotel) The report indicated that Manziel met a collector in the airport, and later visited the man's home, where he signed memorabilia in front of other witnesses.
Now it appears the collectibles have surfaced. A rep with an autograph business attending a National Sports Collectors Convention told CBSSports.com. that several different autograph dealers were selling stacks of Manziel autographed 8x10 and 11x14 photos accompanied with a Professional Sports Authenticator. An Authenticator is just like a notary, but for sports memorabilia. The rep told CBS it is not unusual to see merchandised by college athletes at these shows, but the number and the pattern associated with Manziel merchandise is something usually only seen with collectibles athletes have been paid to sign.
“It's rare for this quantity and quality to be out there (from a college athlete),” said the rep, who spoke on condition of anonymity and whose company has been in the autograph business for more than a decade. “At these shows if we see one or two signatures from guys still in school they could have been signed in person with no compensation. There were a number of different dealers at this show all with stacks of (Manziel) photos, all certified as if they came out of a signing. I've really never seen that from a guy still in school.”
The Manziel photos were packaged and the signature was in the same place on each photo. Manziel memorabilia was "all over the place" during the convention, which was held in Rosemont, IL.
The problem for Manziel is that the NCAA rules for college athletes prohibit them from making money directly from the privilege of playing college sports. Do so often results in suspensions. Former Ohio State quarterback Terrelle Pryor and four teammates were suspended for the first 5 games of the 2011 season.
The NCAA said the players sold thousands of dollars worth of memorabilia and university apparel, while receiving discounts at a local tattoo parlor. The OSU quarterback sold his 2008 Big Ten
Championship ring, 2008 Gold Pants charm and his Sportsmanship Award from the 2009 Fiesta Bowl. Pryor never played another down in college football. He renounced his eligibility, left school and entered the NFL draft. He now plays for the Oakland Raiders. The next nail in the coffin for Manziel would be the witnesses ESPN claims were at the collector's Miami home. If that part of the report is true, Manziel will most likely be ruled ineligible for this season. And given all the other trouble Manziel has already been in, its hard to see him doing anything else but cashing in on his autographs and declaring for the NFL draft.
Last year's Heisman Trophy winner, Johnny Manziel is under investigation by the NCAA. Not for underage drinking, or those three misdemeanor's he was charged with last year, but for being paid to sign collectibles. Collectibles are things like pictures and footballs, or baseballs, depending on what sport the athlete plays, that are sold to other collectors or fans. Earlier this week, ESPN reported that Manziel traveled to Miami to attend the national championship game between Alabama and Notre Dame on January 6th. (Apparently, no one is curious about who paid for the flight, the tickets to the game or the hotel) The report indicated that Manziel met a collector in the airport, and later visited the man's home, where he signed memorabilia in front of other witnesses.
 |
| Johnny Manziel |
Now it appears the collectibles have surfaced. A rep with an autograph business attending a National Sports Collectors Convention told CBSSports.com. that several different autograph dealers were selling stacks of Manziel autographed 8x10 and 11x14 photos accompanied with a Professional Sports Authenticator. An Authenticator is just like a notary, but for sports memorabilia. The rep told CBS it is not unusual to see merchandised by college athletes at these shows, but the number and the pattern associated with Manziel merchandise is something usually only seen with collectibles athletes have been paid to sign.
“It's rare for this quantity and quality to be out there (from a college athlete),” said the rep, who spoke on condition of anonymity and whose company has been in the autograph business for more than a decade. “At these shows if we see one or two signatures from guys still in school they could have been signed in person with no compensation. There were a number of different dealers at this show all with stacks of (Manziel) photos, all certified as if they came out of a signing. I've really never seen that from a guy still in school.”
 |
| The two pics from same game. Two signatures in the same place |
The Manziel photos were packaged and the signature was in the same place on each photo. Manziel memorabilia was "all over the place" during the convention, which was held in Rosemont, IL.
The problem for Manziel is that the NCAA rules for college athletes prohibit them from making money directly from the privilege of playing college sports. Do so often results in suspensions. Former Ohio State quarterback Terrelle Pryor and four teammates were suspended for the first 5 games of the 2011 season.
The NCAA said the players sold thousands of dollars worth of memorabilia and university apparel, while receiving discounts at a local tattoo parlor. The OSU quarterback sold his 2008 Big Ten
 |
| Terrelle Pryor |
Monday, August 5, 2013
Alex Rodriguez, Without A Positive Drug Test, Is Suspended By MLB
Alex Rodriguez headlines a list of 13 players suspended by MLB on Monday. The players are all
accused of violating the league's Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program. Every player on the list accepted the suspension, except Rodriguez who filed and appeal and is allowed to play until the results of the appeal are filed. The league suspended Rodriguez of the rest of this year and the next. Every other player got a 50 game suspension. Here is the list:
Ryan Braun was suspended earlier this year. He accepted a 65 game suspension. The players on the list all had connection to the Biogensis Lab in Miami. Now closed, the lab advertised itself a place that provided anti-aging treatments. MLB says Rodriguez suspension was based on his use and possession of numerous forms of prohibited performance-enhancing substances, including Testosterone and human Growth Hormone, over the course of multiple years. MLB gave no evidence of this. Rodriguez has not ever tested positive for any of these drugs. He did admit to using steroids between 2001-2003 while playing for the Texas Rangers. Still, Bruan is the only player on the list of suspended players who tested positive. Following the 2011 season, a year Braun won the National League MVP, he tested positive for a synthetic testosterone.
In 2012, Braun won an appeal of the 50 game suspension he received following the positive test. He used his victory to claim he'd been victimized by an unfair system and suggested the Major League Baseball employee who took Braun's sample, may have intentionally drugs to his urine sample. Many sports writers believe Braun's story. Unlike Rodriguez who was vilified for volunteer information about his use of banned drigs, the media fully accepted Braun's explanation. In 2012, Braun hit 41 homeruns and batted .319. He finished second to Buster Posey in the MVP race.
A competition MLB writers decide by vote. But just before the 2013 season, Braun's name was included on a list of players who are alleged to have done business with the Biogensis Lab. Braun tried explaining that the lab's founder, Anthony Bosch, had been a consultant during Braun's appeal. Braun's lawyer denied that had been the case. Another, more complete list was leaked tothe press in February. That list included a dollar amount next to Braun's and other players names on the list. In July, Braun excepted his suspension, which appeared to have been negotiated in advance of its announcement by MLB. Braun had been playing with an injured thumb so he can fortuitously use his suspend time to heal until his suspension ends in time for the beginning of next season. MLB is doing an investigation into the names on the Biogenesis list, but has not publicly released any findings that put banned drugs into the hands of the players the league suspended.
 |
| Alex Rodriguez |
Astros: LHP Sergio Escalona (minors)
Mariners: C/1B Jesus Montero (minors)
Mets: UTIL Jordany Valdespin and OF Cesar Puello (both minors)
Padres: SS Everth Cabrera and RHP Fautino De Los Santos (minors)
Phillies: LHP Antonio Bastardo
Rangers: OF Nelson Cruz
Tigers: SS Jhonny Peralta
Yankees: 3B Alex Rodriguez, C Francisco Cervelli and OF Fernando Martinez (minors)
No Team: LHP Jordan Norberto (free agent)
 |
| Nelson Cruz |
Ryan Braun was suspended earlier this year. He accepted a 65 game suspension. The players on the list all had connection to the Biogensis Lab in Miami. Now closed, the lab advertised itself a place that provided anti-aging treatments. MLB says Rodriguez suspension was based on his use and possession of numerous forms of prohibited performance-enhancing substances, including Testosterone and human Growth Hormone, over the course of multiple years. MLB gave no evidence of this. Rodriguez has not ever tested positive for any of these drugs. He did admit to using steroids between 2001-2003 while playing for the Texas Rangers. Still, Bruan is the only player on the list of suspended players who tested positive. Following the 2011 season, a year Braun won the National League MVP, he tested positive for a synthetic testosterone.
 |
| Ryan Braun |
| Braun |
Saturday, August 3, 2013
Aaron Rodgers, and not Greg Jennings, Started It!
Jennings remarks about "12" a retaliation, not an unprovoked attack.
The media is hounding Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Greg Jennings for refusing to call his QB in Green Bay by his name. During an interview with a Minneapolis newspaper Jennings called Aaron Rodgers, "12," and "the guy they have now." Jennings also accused "12" of "of creating a "spotlight for himself'' and putting himself above the Packers team. Well, you would have thought he left the cap of the toothpaste tube, again because the media and fans went after Jennings like pissed off spouse. In fact, in a follow-up interview with other members of the media, first they made him say Aaron Rodgers, then asked him if he would apologize.
Meanwhile, at a banquet last April, mild-mannered Aaron Rodgers graciously accepted the Inspirational Player of the Year award on behalf of teammate James Jones. When asked about Jennings free agent signing with the Vikings, Rodgers replied, "Greg who," the crowd erupted with oohhs. Rodgers responded with, "must be some Vikings fans in here," which, of course, elicited a chorus of boos. I don't think there's any doubt that Jennings heard about this and has been stewing for months just waiting for a chance to strike back at Rodgers. But that's what this is, retaliation. The media is portraying Jennings comments as an unprovoked attack. Its even curiouser and curiouser, that Rodgers comments never became a national story even though the crowd clearly didn't approve. I guess all that mattered then and now, was whether the media thought it was a story. Jennings, by the way, said he's not calling to apologize to Rodgers.
 |
| Greg Jennings |
 |
| Aaron Rodgers with Jennings |
Thursday, August 1, 2013
Riley Cooper Is Sorry (what he said hit the internet)
Reaction to Riley Cooper's use of the "n" word is coming in from all around the NFL. Fellow
Philadelphia Eagle LeSean McCoy says he's lost a friend. "I can't respect a guy like that," McCoy told the NFL Network. McCoy's reaction came about a day after many of Cooper's teammates said they would accept his apology. "Riley is still my teammate and he just stood in front of us and apologized for what he said. Somewhere deep down you’ve got to find some level of respect for that," said QB Michael Vick.
Vick spent 18 months in a federal prison for killing dogs. He's
the last guy who would have the gumption to criticize the judgment of others. Michael's brother, Marcus Vick's Twitter offer probably more accurately captures the feelings of the NFL players, two-thirds of whom are black.
“Hey I’m putting a bounty on Riley’s head. 1k to the first Free Safety or Strong safety that lights his a** up! Wake him up please …..” Marcus has already deleted the Tweet but one has to question how serious he was in the first place. Is $1000 a lot of money to guys who make $3-$5 million a year. In other words, whose going to get into trouble over a grand. Still, the idea that Cooper will be a marked man is not far-fetched. Two Cowboys defensive backs said Cooper will have a target on his back.
"Absolutely. I'm just going to be honest," said Will Allen. "There are going to be players in the league that definitely are going to put a target on him, said Barry Church. In case you missed it, Cooper was at a Kenny Chesney concert last June, and got into an argument with a black security guard while at the show. For some reason, Cooper decided having beef with this guy wasn't enough. He wanted to take care of every black person there. He looked right into the camera and said so.
NFL players weren't the only ones who reacted. Kenny Chesney, the man who gave the concert and one of America's leading country music performers spoke to ESPN. “I’m as shocked as
anyone to see the video of Riley Cooper that’s started circulating on the Internet. I don’t believe in discrimination in any form, and I think using language like that is not only unacceptable, it is hateful beyond words,” said Chaney.
Cooper deserves some credit for coming out and apologizing. I've read what he had to say, and unless he's the world's greatest liar he's got me believing he's truely sorry. And there is something funny about Cooper vowing to beat up black people at a country music concert. How many fights did Cooper really think he'd have on his hands? I believe Cooper means what he says, but I'm not his problem. Cooper has at least two: the first is this happened in June and Cooper said nothing until this hit the Internet in August, suggesting he was hoping no one would find out about what he said, and second he KNEW he was being recorded and it didn't seem to phase him. And then there's that very big third problem that two Dallas Cowboys defensive backs say Cooper needs to
worry about; the target on the back of his jersey. Don't think for a second a black DB who has a chance to crack Cooper upside his head won't take it over concern about getting a penalty. This shouldn't be limited to black DB's either. White players in the NFL should be pissed too. Cooper has just made them all suspects. After all, everyone in Philly is saying Cooper was a good teammate, above reproach. Finding out differently is worse than being a racist upfront because people accepted him, feeling are hurt now. Thanks to Riley Cooper white players may have to start building trust all over again with black players in a league where most of the players are black and most of the managers are white.
 |
| Riley Cooper August 1 |
Vick spent 18 months in a federal prison for killing dogs. He's
 |
| LeSean McCoy |
“Hey I’m putting a bounty on Riley’s head. 1k to the first Free Safety or Strong safety that lights his a** up! Wake him up please …..” Marcus has already deleted the Tweet but one has to question how serious he was in the first place. Is $1000 a lot of money to guys who make $3-$5 million a year. In other words, whose going to get into trouble over a grand. Still, the idea that Cooper will be a marked man is not far-fetched. Two Cowboys defensive backs said Cooper will have a target on his back.
 |
| Marcus Vick |
"Absolutely. I'm just going to be honest," said Will Allen. "There are going to be players in the league that definitely are going to put a target on him, said Barry Church. In case you missed it, Cooper was at a Kenny Chesney concert last June, and got into an argument with a black security guard while at the show. For some reason, Cooper decided having beef with this guy wasn't enough. He wanted to take care of every black person there. He looked right into the camera and said so.
NFL players weren't the only ones who reacted. Kenny Chesney, the man who gave the concert and one of America's leading country music performers spoke to ESPN. “I’m as shocked as
 |
| Kenny Chesney |
Cooper deserves some credit for coming out and apologizing. I've read what he had to say, and unless he's the world's greatest liar he's got me believing he's truely sorry. And there is something funny about Cooper vowing to beat up black people at a country music concert. How many fights did Cooper really think he'd have on his hands? I believe Cooper means what he says, but I'm not his problem. Cooper has at least two: the first is this happened in June and Cooper said nothing until this hit the Internet in August, suggesting he was hoping no one would find out about what he said, and second he KNEW he was being recorded and it didn't seem to phase him. And then there's that very big third problem that two Dallas Cowboys defensive backs say Cooper needs to
 |
| Barry Church |
Sunday, July 28, 2013
Tino Martinez Resigns. Another Late Call
Tino Martinez resigned as hitting coach of the Miami Marlins on Sunday following his admission that he was verbally, and physically abusive with players.
"I was frustrated at times, the way players were behaving and, certain ways they were doing things. When I asked them to do something and they wouldn’t do it, whatever it may be, I thought the way to get through was by being firm with them, and I probably used some four-letter words.”
Martinez' apology is to blame the players for making him verbally abuse to them. In addition to the verbal abuse, there was physical abuse. Martinez admitted grabbing second baseman Derek Dietrich by the front of his jersey in early May. Dietrich says, by jersey, Martinez means neck. According to the Miami Herald, Martinez also became excessively angry with outfielder Justin Ruggiano, first baseman Casey Kotchman, infielder Chris Valaika and minor-league infielder Matt Downs, among others.
And according to one player, who understandably didn't want his name used, "it’s been a problem since Day One.” Day one was spring training, back in February.
And why would anyone want to come forward? Even though Martinez had no prior experience coaching at any level, he was hand-picked by the team's owner, who, by the way, rejected Martinez first resignation attempt just two days ago. Players complained to the manager, but nothing was ever done. Remember, the Marlins never disciplined Martinez, he disciplined himself by resigning.
Even if people within the organization were reluctant to speak out against the owner's handed picked boy, at least one person should have felt like they had cover just as the season started. On April 3, 2013, two games into the 2013 season, as the Marlins were
preparing to get shutout by the Washington Nationals, ESPN aired video of Rutgers University head basketball coach Mike Rice, talking to his players like he was trying to win an insult contest, and roughing them up like a pimp does a sex worker. The video shows Rice whipping a basketball at a player's head, kicking a player and using a homophobic slur directed at a player. The public was shocked and the university reacted by firing Rice.
And yet, not one of the victims of Martinez' abuse came forward, and Martinez never changed his behavior. The rookie Dietrich must have decided this was abuse worth taking as long as he was in the show. When he was no longer there, he became a victim. Just days after Dietrich was sent back to the minors, Dietrich told his agent, who ADDED his voice to those who had already complained about Martinez to the Marlins.
Manager Mike Redmond must have known about the abuse. Hell, he must have witnessed it on several occasions. If this were a McDonald's the phrase hostile work environment would have used on someones write-up. This whole sad situation is another example of people looking the other way when it comes to certain athletes or coaches. This kind of abuse was probably more likely in an NFL camp. That's why Martinez hollering would have/did instantly shock people, who in turn must have wondered why Marlins management was doing nothing to stop it. Its not like it was working. The Marlins are last in the majors at scoring runs with a 3.16 run per game average. At one point, they didn't score a run for 37 innings. That's equal to 4 games! The Marlins could have fired Martinez for lack of performance, or abusing players instead THEY did nothing.
 |
| Tino Martinez |
"I was frustrated at times, the way players were behaving and, certain ways they were doing things. When I asked them to do something and they wouldn’t do it, whatever it may be, I thought the way to get through was by being firm with them, and I probably used some four-letter words.”
Martinez' apology is to blame the players for making him verbally abuse to them. In addition to the verbal abuse, there was physical abuse. Martinez admitted grabbing second baseman Derek Dietrich by the front of his jersey in early May. Dietrich says, by jersey, Martinez means neck. According to the Miami Herald, Martinez also became excessively angry with outfielder Justin Ruggiano, first baseman Casey Kotchman, infielder Chris Valaika and minor-league infielder Matt Downs, among others.
 |
| Derek Dietrich |
And according to one player, who understandably didn't want his name used, "it’s been a problem since Day One.” Day one was spring training, back in February.
And why would anyone want to come forward? Even though Martinez had no prior experience coaching at any level, he was hand-picked by the team's owner, who, by the way, rejected Martinez first resignation attempt just two days ago. Players complained to the manager, but nothing was ever done. Remember, the Marlins never disciplined Martinez, he disciplined himself by resigning.
Even if people within the organization were reluctant to speak out against the owner's handed picked boy, at least one person should have felt like they had cover just as the season started. On April 3, 2013, two games into the 2013 season, as the Marlins were
 |
| Mike Rice |
And yet, not one of the victims of Martinez' abuse came forward, and Martinez never changed his behavior. The rookie Dietrich must have decided this was abuse worth taking as long as he was in the show. When he was no longer there, he became a victim. Just days after Dietrich was sent back to the minors, Dietrich told his agent, who ADDED his voice to those who had already complained about Martinez to the Marlins.
 |
| Martinez |
Manager Mike Redmond must have known about the abuse. Hell, he must have witnessed it on several occasions. If this were a McDonald's the phrase hostile work environment would have used on someones write-up. This whole sad situation is another example of people looking the other way when it comes to certain athletes or coaches. This kind of abuse was probably more likely in an NFL camp. That's why Martinez hollering would have/did instantly shock people, who in turn must have wondered why Marlins management was doing nothing to stop it. Its not like it was working. The Marlins are last in the majors at scoring runs with a 3.16 run per game average. At one point, they didn't score a run for 37 innings. That's equal to 4 games! The Marlins could have fired Martinez for lack of performance, or abusing players instead THEY did nothing.
Texas Rangers Pitcher's Lie Falls Apart
 |
| Tanner Scheppers |
Despite poor ole Tanner being jumped, he refused medical attention or to file a police report. The witness said Scheppers had 10 chances to walk away but didn't. I will say this about the social evolution about this country. Scheppers knew better than to claim a bunch of black guys had jumped him. Nowadays, that's an obvious tell. And by the way, I'm sure Pierzynski and Natan might not like having to explain who the women were. Oh and Rangers manager Ron Washington might have something to say about being lied to.
Friday, July 26, 2013
Dockett's Crazy, Tony Montana, Pet
Darnell Dockett is asking the Arizona Cardinals if he can bring his pet TIGER, Little Buddy, to training camp to meet players and fans.
(What could do wrong!) Two years ago, Dockett bought a pet alligator (pictured here) named, wait for it..."Nino." Like Nino Brown who along with G Money formed the CMB or the Cash Money Money brothers. I'm not saying bringing a Tiger to training camp to be around other million dollar athletes and children is a bad idea, but I don't know another way to finish that sentence.
 |
| Darnell Dockett |
 |
| Percy Harvin |
We didn't even get a chance to get used to seeing this jersey on his back. One of the Seattle Seahawks main off season acquisitions, Percy Harvin, might have to have hip surgery. The news was released today by head coach Pete Carroll. Carroll said Harvin injured his hip during a workout last week. The 'Hawks lost to their NFC West rivals in last season's NFC Championship game. Harvin is one of the players they traded for or drafted in order to make sure they win that game this season. This is yet another setback for Harvin, who missed half of last season's games with an ankle injury. He also missed significant playing time in the past with acute migraine pain.
Wednesday, July 24, 2013
Scheming Belichick Can Say Nothing About Hernandez Without Saying Something About Himself
 |
| Bill Belichick |
 |
| Hernandez (81) and Belichick |
| Tom Brady and Tim Tebow |
 |
| Belichick |
Ryan Braun Brings The Hitler Out in Baseball Fans
 |
| Ryan Braun |
For the record, Braun's father is Jewish, not his mother.
And this is only the Huffington Posts list of the ten MOST anti-Semitic. That was my reaction too. You mean there's more?!
Ryan Braun really pulled a Jew move. He ancestors taught him well #steroids #cheatingthesystem
— JMahoney26 (@JMahoney26) July 22, 2013
Dear Ryan Braun, burn in hell you dumb Jew.
— Jimmy Jablonowski (@JimmyJabs5) July 22, 2013
Great, another famous Jew who lied to get ahead. Ryan Braun, I welcome you to the prestigious company of Bernie Madoff.
— Andrew Gerson (@grrrson_person) July 22, 2013
ryan braun you had this coming you jew
— Tommy Kirkpatrick (@bornin93) July 22, 2013
Of course Ryan Braun took steroids. He's a Jew, and last I checked, sports aren't really their thing.
— Tyler Winslett (@TylerWinslett1) July 22, 2013
Ryan Braun typical sneaky Jew
— Justin Spisto (@Just_In_Time618) July 22, 2013
THEY FINALLY GOT THAT JEW RYAN BRAUN!!#cheater
— Money Makin Mitch (@THEFREEMAN24) July 22, 2013
"@Team_nola: Ryan Braun's Jew ass just got suspended come on man!!! Can't be juicing!" Might be the Jew way to cheat!
— Mr. Steal Ya Girl ! (@DJTHAImyshoes) July 22, 2013
Didn't anyone report this as inappropriate? What if the same number of people spewed this garbage against the Twitter Mothers and Fathers? Are we even reading this?
Following the Trayvon Martin verdict I was really starting to feel like a marked man. Now, I'm glad I'm black.
Monday, July 22, 2013
Lyin' Ryan Braun Suspended Without Pay
Ryan Braun is suspended without pay for the remainder of the season. The story on the MLB website does not say why Braun was suspended. It only says Braun came clean about about violating Major League Baseball's Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program.
The posting quote Braun:
"As I have acknowledged in the past, I am not perfect," Braun said in a statement released by MLB. "I realize now that I have made some mistakes. I am willing to accept the consequences of those actions.
AND
"Finally, I wish to apologize to anyone I may have disappointed -- all of the baseball fans especially those in Milwaukee, the great Brewers organization, and my teammates.
Braun not only broken the rules, his indignant denials have earned him a special place the hypocrites hall of fame. Following the 2011 season and during the playoffs, Braun was notified that he had tested positive for an elevated level of synthetic testosterone. Braun won the MVP award that year.
Braun was given 50-game suspension, but had that punishment overturned on appeal. Braun never argued that elevated levels of synthetic testosterone weren't in his urine. Instead, he argued that the chain of custody of his sample violated testing procedures. In a statement, Braun called his victory the "first step in restoring my good name and reputation." His second lie. Despite Braun's likelihood of guilt, given his positive test, baseball writers still tried to award him a second straight MVP. Braun finished second in the voting to the San Francisco Giants Buster Posey. Can you imagine Barry Bonds testing positive for elevated levels of synthetic testosterone, and like Braun, coming out and hitting .319 the very next year and then finishing second in the MVP voting? Barry would have been buried. Bonds has been out of the game for 5 years, and in his first year of eligibility of the Hall of Fame did not make the cut. And yet, Braun almost won another MVP after testing positive? Braun's treatment in the media is more of a continuing pattern. Despite clear observational and documented evidence of cheating, Braun, Roger Clemons, Lance Armstrong, and Mark MacQwire all required rock solid evidence before being convicted in the media. We had Clemons DNA on a steroids soaked needle, 11 of Armstrong's
teammates testified against him, Braun had a positive drug test, but since he won his appeal, the media backed off, and MacQwire refused to deny he'd taken steroids under oath in front of congress.
Braun was also linked to the Biogenesis Lab of Miami. Earlier this year, a story in the New Miami Times first linked several other players to banned drugs produced by the lab. Those players, including Alex Rodriguez, and last year's All-Star game MVP Melky Cabrera were handed down a guilty verdict in the media. Later, when Braun's name was linked to the same list, the media did not show the same blood lust Braun as it had for A-Rod and Cabrera. MLB was expected to suspend a number of players linked to the Biogenesis Lab. Why Braun is the only name on the suspension list so far is a bit of a mystery. Media reports quoting anonymous sources say Braun declined to answer questions put to him earlier this month by MLB investigators. That may be why Braun and only Braun was suspended, although the New York Daily News said 10 other players also did not cooperate.
|
| Ryan Braun |
The posting quote Braun:
"As I have acknowledged in the past, I am not perfect," Braun said in a statement released by MLB. "I realize now that I have made some mistakes. I am willing to accept the consequences of those actions.
AND
"Finally, I wish to apologize to anyone I may have disappointed -- all of the baseball fans especially those in Milwaukee, the great Brewers organization, and my teammates.
Braun not only broken the rules, his indignant denials have earned him a special place the hypocrites hall of fame. Following the 2011 season and during the playoffs, Braun was notified that he had tested positive for an elevated level of synthetic testosterone. Braun won the MVP award that year.
| Braun accepts MVP |
 |
| Mark McQwire |
Braun was also linked to the Biogenesis Lab of Miami. Earlier this year, a story in the New Miami Times first linked several other players to banned drugs produced by the lab. Those players, including Alex Rodriguez, and last year's All-Star game MVP Melky Cabrera were handed down a guilty verdict in the media. Later, when Braun's name was linked to the same list, the media did not show the same blood lust Braun as it had for A-Rod and Cabrera. MLB was expected to suspend a number of players linked to the Biogenesis Lab. Why Braun is the only name on the suspension list so far is a bit of a mystery. Media reports quoting anonymous sources say Braun declined to answer questions put to him earlier this month by MLB investigators. That may be why Braun and only Braun was suspended, although the New York Daily News said 10 other players also did not cooperate.
Saturday, July 20, 2013
Feds Charge Two Men with Threatening Lance Armstrong Investigator
 |
| Lance Armstrong |
| Travis Tygart |
 |
| Gerrit Keats Gran Jury Doc. |
 |
| Floyd Landis |
Friday, July 19, 2013
Alex Rodriguez Returning to the New York Yankees, but for how long?
The Yankess are confirming (to the USA Today) that Alex Rodriguez will return to the Yankees on
Monday. A-Rod underwent an operation to repair a torn labrum and bone impingement in his left hip in January. He hasn't played one game this season.. Rodriguez is currently rehabbing in the minors at Trenton, NJ. Fans would say A-Rod's absence is the reason the team is under achieving, again. The Yankees have played four people at third base this season. New York's third basemen are batting .230/.291/.316 with four home runs. Their .607 OPS the lowest mark in the American League at the position. The Yankees are only doing a little better. They're sitting at 51-44, good enough only for 4th place in the American League East. No one is looking for A-Rod to be a savior because know one knows how long he'll be in the line-up. It's not another injury fans are
worried about, its this Biogenesis Labs investigation MLB is conducting. A local Miami weekly paper blew the lid off an alleged drug supply chain to the majors from the lab. All of the information is being supplied by anonymous sources. A-Rod's name appeared on a lab list along with other players, including Melky Cabrera, last year's All-Star game MVP, and Ryan Braun, the NL MVP in 2011. At least one media outlet is saying A-Rod was interviewed last week by the league in connection with the investigation. If the league finds Rodriguez responsible, he could be face a 100 game suspension. Even if he is suspended, I'm betting he'll return to the league. He's got 647 career home runs, but 700 sounds sooo much better.
 |
| Alex Rodriguez |
| Biogenesis Lab list |
Thursday, July 18, 2013
New Brooklyn Nets Introduced on Flatbush Avenue
The Brooklyn Nets today introduced the core of their new team.
Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Jason Terry were traded to the borough of Brooklyn from the Boston Celtics. The Nets are essentially rebuilding with players another team jettisoned so it could re-build with younger players. How hopefully are Brooklyn's trolley dodgers? The NY Daily News is ignoring the elephant in the room. All three will be 36 years-old during the season. That's young, if you're the head coach. (Nets head coach Jason Kidd is 40) But if you're just a few years away from receiving an AARP card and you're trying to play in the NBA, it could be a problem. On the other hand, Terry, Garnett, Pierce and Kidd all have NBA champiionships in the past 5 years. And despite being being 36 last year, Garnett averaged 30 minutes and 14.6 points a game. The Celtics were 17-10 in games Garnett out scored his match-up man. Pierce averaged 34 minutes and 18.6 a game, and were 27-17 in games he outscored
HIS match up man. And let's not forget, Deron Williams is on this team and he can finish like Tony Parker. Joe Johnson and his $21.4 million salary is also still on Flatbush Avenue. With the pressure off of Johnson you might see him improve on his 14.9 points per game. And a lot of people forget, Williams 20.6 ppg weren't enough for leading scorer honors on the Nets. Brook Lopez sank 22.3 a game last season. The question for the Nets; is age nutin' but a number or will be the reason for another re-build after this season.
 |
| Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Jason Terry |
 |
| Jason Kidd |
Happy Birthday Nelson Mandela
Today, July 18th is Nelson Mandela's 95th birthday. He spent 27 off those years in a South African cell.
His crime: trying to burn down the country's racist Apartied system. A boxer in his youth, Mandela always believe sports played an important role in bringing people together. The movie Inviticus tells how Mandela used the 1995 Rugby World Cup, held in South Africa, to unite the post-apartheid nation. Recently, Mandela has been sick enough to require around the clock medical observation. Take a minute today to think about Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela and his contributions to peace and sport.
 |
| Nelson Mandela |
Sunday, July 14, 2013
KTVU Gaffe The Result Of Ignorance, Not Malice
By now, you've all heard about the tremendously racist gaffe KTVU made on Friday July 12th. The gaffe news hit the digital pages of the New York Daily News, Huffington Post, the Los Angeles Times and overseas at the Daily Mail, to name a few. Cable TV news outlets in this country assigned reporters to cover it. And on YouTube, the video of the segment has registered 6.4 million views as of Sunday night. At least one internet site is calling this the worst gaffe in the history of TV. The mistake threatens even to over-shadow the horrible life and death mistake an emergency rescue squad made by running over one of the crash victims from flight 214 on the way to the crash site.
What Channel Two did, did not do, will now be required reading in every journalism school for years to come, and not just because the mistake is also comically funny as well as sad. This is a cautionary tale for journalists young, and older. The incident also shows how a TV station, which has established itself over several decades as a news leader, can undo much of that work with one stupid mistake. I am intimately familiar with KTVU. I helped to maintain KTVU's competitive advantage as a reporter and anchor there from 2005-2012. Haste and ignorance of Korean and Chinese culture lead to what happened on Friday.
The station identified the pilots of Asiana Airlines flight 214 during the noon newscast. The names were not only wrong, they were a joke. The gag is so hackneyed it would make the author of the Yellow Rivers in China, blush with embarassment. The names KTVU broadcast and set to a full screen for its audience to read were akin to the name of I.P. Freely, or Anita Bath. In other words, not only were the names a joke, they were obviously jokes.
These names shouldn't have even required an out loud read to under cover their real intent. They mock the Chinese people and the accents they develop trying to learn the English language. You might be surprised to learn who was responsible for this racist gaffe. It wasn't an KTVU intern, it wasn't a writer, but two senior producers. One is a manager, the other has decades of experience as a producer, newspaper reporter and college instructor. This was a rookie mistake made by two veterans. The senior producer who was given these names should have laughed, told the person to lose his number and hung up the phone. Instead, the names were passed up the chain of command.
A source at the station, someone I used to work alongside, told me one of the producers got a call from a source. That source gave four names and identified those people as the pilots of flight 214.
The senior producer then gave those names to the second senior producer, the manager who was involved, and she called the NTSB. When she reached the NTSB, she didn't ask for the names of the pilots of flight 214, she read the names she had to the person, who later was identified by the NTSB as an intern, who essentially nodded his head in agreement. Both KTVU and the NTSB have apologized. The NTSB said that an intern confirmed the names, but that the agency has a policy of not giving out pilot's names. The station admitted that the person from KTVU who called the NTSB, the person you know now was a manager, never asked for the name of the person with whom she was speaking.
The first problem with these names is they are fake CHINESE names. They're not fake KOREAN names. Thirty-percent of the Bay Area's population claims Chinese hertigage, and the Korean population is the fourth largest in the country. Yet two out of two senior KTVU producers can't tell the difference! To them, theses were just Asian names. Despite living and working in the Bay Area for decades (I know both of these people. Both grew up in the area. In fact my older brother grew up, and went to high school with the senior producer who took the name from the source) neither one of these experienced, and trained professional smelled anything funny.
KTVU's problem didn't end there. The two senior producers weren't the only ones to see, and tacitly approve what was happening, and in doing so show incredible ignorance of the Chinese and Korean culture. That full screen graphic that you see, had to be made by someone in the graphics department. After it is completed, the same graphic is stored in master control in a holding pattern, but visable to everyone in the control room BEFORE it goes on the air. That means at the very least, the director and line producer had a chance to see those names.
There is one more gatekeeper, the anchor of the noon broadcast Tori Campbell. KTVU's statement claims that Campbell didn't read this copy before it went on the air. I worked with Tori, I anchored with Tori, I know Tori. Folks, Tori Campbell read that copy. Tori is a true professional. She would never have risked embarassing herself, or the station, by not looking at, and reading the copy of such an important story, with the names of people written in a language with which she is not familiar BEFORE she read the story on the air.
What we have here is a failure to recognize a racist joke, at the region's number one station, among senior producers, a senior manager, a producer, a director and an anchor who has been at the station 21 years. This is only a list of people I know saw these names. There were probably others looking over their shoulders with giddiness and anticipation as the station seemed on the brink of breaking a big story.
What none of those people considered was the impact of the information. How big was this story, really? In news you want to provide "new" information. That's why its called "news." But the names of these Korean pilots weren't essential information to the story. The story was so rushed that KTVU squeezed it in following a story about one of the two teenage girls who died in the July 6th crash at San Francisco International Airport. What made the producers think, these names HAD go on the air, right then, right now? The pilots weren't local people. No one would have remember their names at the end of the newscast. This wasn't even the George Zimmerman verdict, and yet KTVU rushed the names onto the air, like they were giving is the names of Lee Harvey Oswald, or John Hinkley.
Furthermore, the station already had some of the crew members names. On July 10th, twelve members of the flight crew appeared at a press conference in Korea. Here are some of their names: Yoo Tae Sik, Kim Ji Youn, Lee Han Woo, Lee Jin Hee, Kim Yun Ju, and Lee Yoon Hye. Those are Korean names. Nothing like Sum Ting Wong, or Wi Tu Lo, two of the four fake names broadcast by KTVU. People who are really interested in and/or paying attention to other cultures can easily see a difference between those Korean names and the fake pilot's names. Just like the rest of American culture, KTVU lumped the Korean pilots into a larger, catch all word; Asian. Jackie Chan can't be Mr. Miagi. He's Chinese, and Mr. Miagi is Japanese.
Had their been the slightest bit of knowledge of either the Chinese or Korean cultures, the senior producers at KTVU would have had to ask themselves another question. Is it reasonable, or likely
that a Korean Airline would hire four Chinese nationals as pilots. South and North Korean are still officiallly at war and have been since 1950. Their troops are at this very moment standing off against one another at the demiliterized zone on the border between the two countries. The Korean people live under constant threat of the beginning of World War III. China provides nearly all of the North's weapon and finances and North Korea's ability to make war. Armed with this knowledge, the producers should have been suspicious of the likelyhood that a South Korean company would entrust four Chinese crew members to fly more than 300 people across the Pacific. Would an American company trust four members of the Taliban to fly one of our triple sevens?
This isn't the first time something like this has happened at Channel Two. Back in 2009, in a desperate search for a picture of soon to be arrested (at that time) Melissa Huckaby, the station
searched and found one. The picture they found was a picture on MySpace of a 28 year-old woman who lived in Manteca and taught pre-school at her local church in Tracy, where she graduated from high school. Her name was Melissa Huckaby. This Melissa Huckaby was not the one kidnapped an 8 year-old girl, molester and killed her, then stuffed the girls body in a suitcase and threw it in the Delta. But now, because of KTVU, a lot of people thought she was the same one. Consequently, the innocent Melissa Huckaby had to withstand angry emails and death threats.
If the station is really concerned about preventing a repeat performance someone is going to have to be severely and publicly (within the station) disciplined. Local TV managers like to blame competition from the Internet as the reason for declining marketshare. This latest gaffe, the broadcasting of false and in this case racist information, is at least one of the other reasons.
| KTVU Full Screen |
The station identified the pilots of Asiana Airlines flight 214 during the noon newscast. The names were not only wrong, they were a joke. The gag is so hackneyed it would make the author of the Yellow Rivers in China, blush with embarassment. The names KTVU broadcast and set to a full screen for its audience to read were akin to the name of I.P. Freely, or Anita Bath. In other words, not only were the names a joke, they were obviously jokes.
| Flight 214 |
Captain Sum Ting Wong
Wi Tu Lo
Ho Lee Fuk
Bang Ding Ow
These names shouldn't have even required an out loud read to under cover their real intent. They mock the Chinese people and the accents they develop trying to learn the English language. You might be surprised to learn who was responsible for this racist gaffe. It wasn't an KTVU intern, it wasn't a writer, but two senior producers. One is a manager, the other has decades of experience as a producer, newspaper reporter and college instructor. This was a rookie mistake made by two veterans. The senior producer who was given these names should have laughed, told the person to lose his number and hung up the phone. Instead, the names were passed up the chain of command.
 |
| NTSB at SFO |
The first problem with these names is they are fake CHINESE names. They're not fake KOREAN names. Thirty-percent of the Bay Area's population claims Chinese hertigage, and the Korean population is the fourth largest in the country. Yet two out of two senior KTVU producers can't tell the difference! To them, theses were just Asian names. Despite living and working in the Bay Area for decades (I know both of these people. Both grew up in the area. In fact my older brother grew up, and went to high school with the senior producer who took the name from the source) neither one of these experienced, and trained professional smelled anything funny.
KTVU's problem didn't end there. The two senior producers weren't the only ones to see, and tacitly approve what was happening, and in doing so show incredible ignorance of the Chinese and Korean culture. That full screen graphic that you see, had to be made by someone in the graphics department. After it is completed, the same graphic is stored in master control in a holding pattern, but visable to everyone in the control room BEFORE it goes on the air. That means at the very least, the director and line producer had a chance to see those names.
There is one more gatekeeper, the anchor of the noon broadcast Tori Campbell. KTVU's statement claims that Campbell didn't read this copy before it went on the air. I worked with Tori, I anchored with Tori, I know Tori. Folks, Tori Campbell read that copy. Tori is a true professional. She would never have risked embarassing herself, or the station, by not looking at, and reading the copy of such an important story, with the names of people written in a language with which she is not familiar BEFORE she read the story on the air.
What we have here is a failure to recognize a racist joke, at the region's number one station, among senior producers, a senior manager, a producer, a director and an anchor who has been at the station 21 years. This is only a list of people I know saw these names. There were probably others looking over their shoulders with giddiness and anticipation as the station seemed on the brink of breaking a big story.
What none of those people considered was the impact of the information. How big was this story, really? In news you want to provide "new" information. That's why its called "news." But the names of these Korean pilots weren't essential information to the story. The story was so rushed that KTVU squeezed it in following a story about one of the two teenage girls who died in the July 6th crash at San Francisco International Airport. What made the producers think, these names HAD go on the air, right then, right now? The pilots weren't local people. No one would have remember their names at the end of the newscast. This wasn't even the George Zimmerman verdict, and yet KTVU rushed the names onto the air, like they were giving is the names of Lee Harvey Oswald, or John Hinkley.
 |
| Flight 214 |
Furthermore, the station already had some of the crew members names. On July 10th, twelve members of the flight crew appeared at a press conference in Korea. Here are some of their names: Yoo Tae Sik, Kim Ji Youn, Lee Han Woo, Lee Jin Hee, Kim Yun Ju, and Lee Yoon Hye. Those are Korean names. Nothing like Sum Ting Wong, or Wi Tu Lo, two of the four fake names broadcast by KTVU. People who are really interested in and/or paying attention to other cultures can easily see a difference between those Korean names and the fake pilot's names. Just like the rest of American culture, KTVU lumped the Korean pilots into a larger, catch all word; Asian. Jackie Chan can't be Mr. Miagi. He's Chinese, and Mr. Miagi is Japanese.
Had their been the slightest bit of knowledge of either the Chinese or Korean cultures, the senior producers at KTVU would have had to ask themselves another question. Is it reasonable, or likely
 |
| The DMZ |
This isn't the first time something like this has happened at Channel Two. Back in 2009, in a desperate search for a picture of soon to be arrested (at that time) Melissa Huckaby, the station
 |
| Melissa Huckaby, the murderer |
If the station is really concerned about preventing a repeat performance someone is going to have to be severely and publicly (within the station) disciplined. Local TV managers like to blame competition from the Internet as the reason for declining marketshare. This latest gaffe, the broadcasting of false and in this case racist information, is at least one of the other reasons.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)