Remember how I told you that sportswriters act like they know the players when they really don't. Here's another example.
According to the local sports media, Jamie Moyer is the essence of character and security but Donovan McNabb is insecure and fragile.
The Phillies decided to make Pedro Martinez their fifth starter and sent Moyer to the bullpen.
Here's part of a story written on Philly.com by Andy Martino about Moyer's reaction:
"There existed in Philadelphia the myth of the wise old pitcher who would accept his inevitable decline with grace and humility. In just a few minutes on Tuesday, Jamie Moyer shattered that fable and bared his flaws in public.
Moyer is not a bad guy, and this reporter has admittedly covered him for only a sliver of his career, not long enough to develop a deep feel for his character. The pitcher's charitable work is noble, and his usefulness as confidante to young pitchers like Cole Hamels is real."
…….. "Moyer then essentially called owner David Montgomery and general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. liars, saying that the two "misled" him during off-season contract negotiations by offering oral assurances that he would not be asked to pitch in relief."
…………"Now compare Moyer's behavior with that of two younger colleagues in a similar situation. When the Phils selected Chan Ho Park as their fifth starter in March over J.A. Happ, the 26-year-old Happ was livid. But he took several deep breaths, asked reporters for a few hours to collect his thoughts, and presented himself with maturity."
Notice that he has to write that Moyer isn't a bad guy, then comment on his charitiable work and willingness to help teammates.
The same things could be said about McNabb with regard to his charitable work and willingness to help teammates.
Would this have been included in a McNabb story if he were benched for underperforming, then called the Eagles front office liars and went off pouting?
McNabb, who is supposed to be so sensitive was the first person with the idea to bring in three-time Pro Bowl quarterback Michael Vick to back him up. Despite that the local media continues to paint him as being too sensitive.
The truth of the matter is that every player is sensitve about his job. In fact all the media persons are sensitive about their jobs, but I hear all this nonsense about McNabb being so sensitive.
I hear the newspapers crying constantly about their jobs because the newspaper business is on shakey ground.
I've been around sports a lot longer than a lot of these guys and I haven't met any athletes who were true professionals who weren't sensitive about their jobs.
The guy that doesn't care is the one I worry about.
Remember this the next time you see an athlete portrayed a certain way in the media.
