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Wilbon at Wrigley: Yes or no?

Discussion in 'Journalism topics only' started by Lyman_Bostock, Aug 11, 2008.

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  1. Lyman_Bostock

    Lyman_Bostock Guest

    So Wilbon throws out the first pitch Sunday night at the Cardinals-Cubs game, sings "Take Me Out To The Ballgame" ... the whole Wrigley ball of wax. Should he have done it? Does it compromise his objectivity? Or is he more of an ESPN personality and not a as much a "legitimate journalist" anymore?
     
    Lyman_Bostock, Aug 11, 2008
    #1
  2. Mizzougrad96

    Mizzougrad96 Active Member

    It's not an ideal situation, but...

    1. He doesn't cover the Cubs.
    2. His love of all things Chicago is known.
    3. He's a local guy.

    I'd be lying if I said it's a perfect situation, but I don't see a conflict of interest.
     
    Mizzougrad96, Aug 11, 2008
    #2
  3. ondeadline

    ondeadline Well-Known Member

    And, as Wilbon said while he was being interviewed on the Cubs radio network, he hardly ever covers baseball.
     
    ondeadline, Aug 11, 2008
    #3
  4. 21

    21 Well-Known Member

    Glad someone brought this up. I had the same reaction as Lyman.

    What it does is create a future conflict of interest. It's not unthinkable that a big story arises at some point, and now Wilbon has a perceived objectivity problem so he can't (or shouldn't) touch it. Maybe he has the objectivity problem already, given his public adoration for the Cubs.

    I understand why he did it. I can also see why he shouldn't have.
     
    21, Aug 11, 2008
    #4
  5. 93Devil

    93Devil Well-Known Member

    Honestly, I am more comfortable with a guy doing this than keeping a pent up hatred towards a team, coach or a particular fan base.

    I know there is no cheering in the press box, but shouldn't there be no hatred as well? Neutral is neutral.

    You know, all that Ying/Yang (love/hate) type of stuff.
     
    93Devil, Aug 11, 2008
    #5
  6. Mizzougrad96

    Mizzougrad96 Active Member

    This is the same guy who wears a Cubs jersey on PTI.
     
    Mizzougrad96, Aug 11, 2008
    #6
  7. Cousin Jeffrey

    Cousin Jeffrey Active Member

    Dude wears a cubs jersey on PTI all the time. This isn't new. I think his love of MJ during his Wizard days was more of a conflict than this. Plus he's a columnist. If he ever writes about the cubs in a column, it'll be from a fan's perspective.
     
    Cousin Jeffrey, Aug 11, 2008
    #7
  8. spnited

    spnited Active Member

    This has been discussed for the last day on the baseball thread.
     
    spnited, Aug 11, 2008
    #8
  9. Mizzougrad96

    Mizzougrad96 Active Member

    Now it can be discussed here, by the non seamheads... :D
     
    Mizzougrad96, Aug 11, 2008
    #9
  10. ondeadline

    ondeadline Well-Known Member

    How little does Wilbon even follow baseball? He seemed to think that it was news that La Russa was batting his pitcher eighth.
     
    ondeadline, Aug 11, 2008
    #10
  11. Stitch

    Stitch Active Member

    Wibon's a journalist? Who knew?
     
    Stitch, Aug 11, 2008
    #11
  12. Mizzougrad96

    Mizzougrad96 Active Member

    That's a pretty ignorant statement about one of the best columnists in the country.
     
    Mizzougrad96, Aug 11, 2008
    #12
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