Outrage at Olney’s Pujols/Howard Story Misguided Comments Off on Outrage at Olney’s Pujols/Howard Story Misguided
Yesterday, Buster Olney of ESPN became the story when he posted an article stating that a “sources” had informed him that there had been internal discussion within the Phillies organization about trading Ryan Howard to get Albert Pujols. Since then, lesser media outlets and the blogosphere has erupted with everything from “professional” condemnations to personal insults and attacks leveled at Olney.
So, we have journalists, both amateur and quasi-professional, accusing Olney of being unprofessional by casting insults at him? That’s the kind of irony that inspires Alanis Morissette songs!
The reaction over an utterly reasonable article seems to be prompted more by the fact that Olney is a nationally read writer for ESPN, the network that is the undisputed king of sports news. The story, in and of itself, lends nothing incredible and is, in fact, much more professional than many of the rebuttals.
While evidently not likely, a trade of Pujols for Howard is not without it's logic, regardless of which side of the table one looks from.
Some points to be clear on:
- Olney did not say there was discussion between the Cardinals and Phillies.
“It’s not fully clear whether the Phillies actually have approached the Cardinals with the idea”
- Olney immediately contacted Ruben Amaro, Jr., the Phillies GM and included his denial in the article.
“Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro flatly denied that the internal discussions have taken place. “Lies,” he said. “That’s a lie. I don’t know who you’re talking to, but that’s a lie.”” Read the rest of this entry →
