tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-833969417128114419.post3837905463746312463..comments2023-03-21T17:10:51.587-04:00Comments on Window, please: No cheering in the pressboxJordan Bastianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16095466886233118800noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-833969417128114419.post-69312121125851118662010-02-09T18:08:29.945-05:002010-02-09T18:08:29.945-05:00I'm sure you've had a great time during th...I'm sure you've had a great time during the last 2-3 years, covering the Jays. Lots of interesting stories (Thomas released, Gibbons fired, Ricciardi vs. Dunn, Jays hot start in 09, BJ Ryan, Ricciardi fired and Alex A hired, Halladay traded, to name a few).<br /><br />It's certainly been a treat for us to have you cover it all so thoroughly and so well.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-833969417128114419.post-56367572554851156492010-02-07T10:44:30.833-05:002010-02-07T10:44:30.833-05:00Hi Jordan,
I TOTALLY hear what you're saying. ...Hi Jordan,<br />I TOTALLY hear what you're saying. I'm also a journalist, and a few years ago I pitched a story to my editor (and the Blue Jays) which involved being a Batgirl for a day. I'm a die hard Jays fan (I,too, did the whole scrapbook thing) and thought this would be the most awesome experience of my lifetime.<br /><br />It was - don't get me wrong - but it also made me really happy that it was a one-time thing. It's weird when something becomes 'work'...you just start seeing it differently. <br /><br />Because baseball has always sort of been my escape, it was strange to see that the players were real - they weren't just characters on my television screen - and some of them were douchebags (really just one of them was...but still). I also remember sitting in the dugout and craving a beer the whole time -I just wanted to kick back with my friends in the cheap seats and enjoy the game, rather than worry about how I was going to sum up the experience in 800 words.<br />Long story short, thank you! Your job isn't an easy one and I really appreciate the awesome coverage. You're definitely the first place I turn to when I'm in a fanatical stupor, craving the latest Jays news to add to my scrapbook.Vanessa Chrisnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-833969417128114419.post-5775350430509200852010-02-06T11:41:45.748-05:002010-02-06T11:41:45.748-05:00Correction: I can't speak for your dad sending...Correction: I can't speak for your dad sending you a Blue Jays clock, but your brother didn't dress in Blue Jays stuff for a White Socks vs. Blue Jays game because he thought you were a BJ fan. Yes, it was because he was proud of the job you had landed so soon out of college, but it was actually because a Blue Jays fan dared him to wear the clothing to a White Sox home game and your brother was curious to see how White Sox fans would treat him, a White Sox fan in "enemy" attire. And because as an advid blogger I'm always looking for entertaining posts for my readers. It was a great post after all!Karl Bastianhttp://kidologist.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-833969417128114419.post-28865885471830892562010-02-06T04:07:46.297-05:002010-02-06T04:07:46.297-05:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.Karl Bastianhttp://www.kidologist.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-833969417128114419.post-56525421232623126552010-02-05T19:06:49.798-05:002010-02-05T19:06:49.798-05:00Great post, Jordan. Truly a pleasure to read.
I ...Great post, Jordan. Truly a pleasure to read. <br /><br />I think it's dangerous for reporters to cheer for the teams they cover. A personal bias can negatively affect the objectivity of a beat writer's coverage. A sports writer has to have the ability to criticize and question the decisions or performances of the organization they cover. It would be a disservice to the fans and the readers if they didn't.<br /><br />But it's naive to think sports writers don't have their own biases or personal allegiances to certain teams. It's not like they weren't fans of the game growing up.<br /><br />I relate it to other forms of news reporting. For instance, political or government reporters have a lot of control over shaping public opinion when it comes to politcs. Thus, <br />they are expected to cover politicians and parties fairly and without partisanship. But it would be naive to think they don't have their own personal political opinions. Just like the sports beat grunt has his or her favourite teams, the Parliament reporter has their preferred political parties or ideologies.<br /><br />The ideal of the journalist who is a blank slate and free of personal opinions and biases is false. Those individuals do not exist. The most important thing is to present factual material and practice sound journalistic ethics -- something I think you do very well, Jordan.<br /><br />I work in the university press and I always make a note of telling my staff (most of whom are still getting their feet wet in journalism) to not cheer for the university's team. Despite my best efforts, I still recieve plenty of copy from my writers blaming bad officiating for a loss or spinning a defeat into a moral victory.<br /><br />It becomes especially difficult to encourage quality journalism in a town like London, ON where the leading newspaper practices some of the cheapest, most biased and laziest journalism I've ever seen -- but that's beside the point.<br /><br />It was very refreshing to read a beat writer's take on the relationship between the grunt and the team they follow. It's also very interesting to hear players (well, maybe just the one you talked to) are interested in the relationship as well and don't all view the media as burden of their job.<br /><br />I'm really enjoying the new blog, Jordan -- keep up the good work. Looking forward to spring training.<br /><br />Arden Zwelling<br />Sports Editor<br />The Gazette<br />The University of Western OntarioArden Zwellinghttp://www.uwogazette.canoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-833969417128114419.post-70631028104186430822010-02-05T12:59:56.499-05:002010-02-05T12:59:56.499-05:00James,
Like I said, I'm still as big a fan of...James,<br /><br />Like I said, I'm still as big a fan of the game as ever. I've learned to appreaciate baseball in a whole new light. So, no, I don't really miss being a "fan" of one team. That said, I make a point each year to watch a game or two from the stands. I do miss the time when taking my wife to a baseball game was a favorite thing for us to do. I've turned my hobby into my job, so she has attended many games alone. That's a topic for a whole other post someday.<br /><br />~JBJordannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-833969417128114419.post-44486230002310543212010-02-05T12:08:39.953-05:002010-02-05T12:08:39.953-05:00Jordan,
Do you ever miss being a fan?Jordan,<br /><br />Do you ever miss being a fan?Jameshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08516628770185768877noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-833969417128114419.post-28119684193321407002010-02-05T11:47:28.884-05:002010-02-05T11:47:28.884-05:00Jordan. Just added your blog to my bookmarks. Love...Jordan. Just added your blog to my bookmarks. Love to hear your stories, you've done a great job covering the Jays for us and wish you nothing but the best. When I'm feeling ambitious gumption I will chime in and give my thoughts on your thoughts.Petenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-833969417128114419.post-86505056599474869872010-02-05T08:50:37.530-05:002010-02-05T08:50:37.530-05:00I completely get what you're saying, JJ. And I...I completely get what you're saying, JJ. And I do agree to an extent. That's why I wrote that reporters tend to root for people -- not teams. The point is I'm not heading to work with a Jays hat on hoping they win that day. When/if they do finally do great, and maybe even reach the playoffs, there are a LOT of guys I will be happy for inside that clubhouse. That doesn't make me a Blue Jays fan. As you said, though, it is different than covering teams on a smaller level, where you get closer to the team. In our realm, there aren't many reporters who players feel are "a part of the team" either. I completely understand your view and am glad you shared. That's what I want! Love having these posts turn into topics for conversation and debate.<br /><br />Thanks for the comment.<br /><br />~JBJordannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-833969417128114419.post-32199166727317771082010-02-05T00:35:29.320-05:002010-02-05T00:35:29.320-05:00Hi Jordan,
While I respect what you're saying ...Hi Jordan,<br />While I respect what you're saying I can't help but disagree.<br />A reporter myself, as much as I tried to be professional and distance myself from the players and treat them like stories...I found it couldn't be done - for the exact reasons you mentioned.<br />I've found, and I know it's the exact same with my best friend (and former competitor) from our radio station that when you get to truly know the individuals involved you can't help but root for them...try as you might.<br />Mind you neither of us have spent a lot of time covering professional sports...we covered High School and Junior Hockey....but try as we might the lines were blurred between the professional relationship and that of truly caring about the individuals you dealt with - be it five hours bus rides, plane rides, or team dinners...you couldn't help but be attached...and while you could still write an unbiased story at the end of the day you truly lived and died with the team....they considered you a member...and you couldn't help emotiontally but to agree.<br />Perhaps it's different dealing with multi-millionaires on a daily basis, but when you're dealing with people - especially in our case young people - it's very difficult, if not impossible, to build the us Vs. them relationship...try as you might to prevent it.<br />Just thought I'd pass my comments along.JJhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14447052459773088973noreply@blogger.com