G-Fafif

Votto quote expanded:

Bryan Curtis of the Ringer, as perceptive a media writer as there is, on the developing situation: https://www.theringer.com/2020/3/10/21173499/coronavirus-locker-room-mlb-nba-nfl-sportswritinghttps://www.theringer.com/2020/3/10/21173499/coronavirus-locker-room-mlb-nba-nfl-sportswriting When access is impinged on, fans often ask, What's the big deal? Since game stories do not typically include stage directions, it's worth spelling out what actually happens in locker rooms. Writers might ask a player a question for quotation. They might ask a question not for quotation but for information. They might yuk it up to build a relationship with a player, which may inform future articles. Sometimes, the writers just observe how the players act or how they hobble. As the Reds' Joey Votto told writer C. Trent Rosecrans: “How a player reacted can be told through facial expressions, getting to know that person, and tone.” Over the weekend, Sports Illustrated's Grant Wahl suggested such rituals could be replicated outside a locker room. They could be observed in a soccer-style “mixed zone”—basically, an area where reporters stand and hope a player stops to talk to them. This system—which we're gonna test-drive starting Tuesday—removes the single most important thing about American locker room access, which is the involuntary part. Now, the player will decide whether he or she will even stop to hear nosy questions. Ask a European soccer writer how often they do. Closed locker rooms have created a post-access hellscape in the U.K., where most writers barely know the players; where they barely fake-know the players; and where any sort of in-depth feature, even about a Clint Capela–level supporting actor, is bartered for with a product plug. There are a lot of dreary things about American sportswriting. This vision is way worse. In high-traffic situations like the NBA playoffs, postgame interviews are often moved from the locker room to a podium in another room. Even this, however well-intentioned, is generally bad. Podiums create theater rather than human conversation (the old White House briefing comes to mind). Plus, the reporters who thrive in those settings are the ones who've been in the locker room all year, gathering material they can use in the postseason.

A half-decent cover.

=Centerfield post_id=33097 time=1583853484 user_id=65] It always struck me as odd that reporters (and their cameras) were allowed in the clubhouse anyway. Why not allow the players to dress, then come out to meet the media?

MLB among sports leagues shooing reporters from clubhouses, selectively citing health concerns. The NBA, NHL, MLB and MLS are closing access to locker rooms and clubhouses to all non-essential personnel in response to the coronavirus crisis, the leagues announced in a joint statement Monday night. The leagues said they made the decision "after consultation with infectious disease and public health experts." The NBA, in a call with teams earlier Monday, stressed that the move is not to ban reporters but to ensure the safety of players and staff in those areas. The statement, in part, read: "Given the issues that can be associated with close contact in pre- and post-game settings, all team locker rooms and clubhouses will be open only to players and essential employees of teams and team facilities until further notice. Media access will be maintained in designated locations outside of the locker room and clubhouse setting." The changes, which the leagues say are temporary, will begin Tuesday, though some NHL teams began closing their locker rooms to the media over the weekend, with player availability at practices and after games held outside the room or, in many cases, at news conference podiums. The NBA said interviews with players would continue in settings other than the locker room, stressing a gap of 6-to-8 feet between reporters and interview subjects. https://www.espn.com/espn/story/_/id/28873409/nba-nhl-mlb-mls-close-locker-rooms-virus-concernshttps://www.espn.com/espn/story/_/id/28873409/nba-nhl-mlb-mls-close-locker-rooms-virus-concerns

Conforto to NY for Altchek exam after tweaking his side making a catch in a game that didn't count. FLA MRI not enough, apparently.

30 Alonso 29 deGrom 28 McNeil 27 Lugo 26 Conforto 25 Wheeler 24 Ramos 23 Rosario 22 J.D. Davis 21 Syndergaard 20 Frazier 19 Matz 18 Cano 17 Wilson 16 Smith 15 Vargas 14 Stroman 13 Nimmo 12 Avilan 11 Gsellman 10 Diaz 9 Lagares 8 Brach 7 Hechavarria 6 Rajai Davis 5 Nido 4 Panik 3 Guillorme 2 Sewald 1 Gomez

Betances sighting today.

Newest ep of Hollywood & Levine has Ken Levine trace his journey as a comedy writer who detoured for several years into baseball announcing. Great stuff on the minor league PBP experience in particular.

First cuts (deepest). We've optioned LHPs Stephen Gonsalves & Thomas Szapucki & RHPs Jordan Humphreys & Franklyn Kilome to minor league camp. We've re-assigned RHPs Matt Blackham, Nick Rumbelow, Francisco Ríos & Stephen Nogosek, Cs Austin Bossart & David Rodríguez & OF Tim Tebow to minor league camp.

Collin McHugh has signed with the Red Sox.

Less than three weeks to go.

Regal. That's the word for deGrom. Also the word for a Beagle somewhere in Southern California.

There was also a Met injury in this game.

BTW, the date for Mets HOF Day is Sunday, May 17, prior to the 1:10 game vs PIT.

Mets have announced Saturday, June 13, as Kooz Day. 36 gets officially retired prior to the 4:10 game vs. WSH.

Johnny Lunchbucket wrote: Edge is quoting the Times obit on Bill Curtis. James Lipton is insulted. So is Bill Kurtis.

Johnny Lunchbucket wrote: Gotta say, I prefer the low-drama guys in our rotation, regardless of where they rank in face-ability. Gimme reliable-but-boring over exciting-but-inconsistent anyday. DeGrom is low-key but quietly charismatic. Best of all worlds, perhaps.

The Scratch Off appears well done, right down to the faux team captain caption, but those were 1970 inserts. 1971 Topps included metallic coins designed for easy scratching of faces with keys by curious eight-year-olds (my apologies to Lew Krausse's perfectly fine face).

Edgy MD wrote: Jank Mejia, man. Jow soon they forget. They ruled Mejia out based on his multiple suspensions. For those who don't subscribe to the Athletic (and, honestly, it's worth it for Joe Posnanski's Baseball 100 alone), the Metrospective will be available via standard non-paywall means starting this week.

Ka-BERM!!!!

I'd bugged Pete McCarthy previously on the number-sourcing. Glad he picked up on it.

Terrible news for the Olerud family.

Trump Loses takes on the 1962 yearbook in the next round.

Johnny Antonelli, ace for the 1954 world champion Giants, 89. The Mets picked him up prior to their first season, but he retired from the grind and returned to his native Rochester. Only 15 New York Giants remain. https://www.democratandchronicle.com/story/sports/2020/02/28/johnny-antonelli-dies-new-york-giants-pitcher-world-series-hero-1954-rochester-ny-businessman/4902150002/https://www.democratandchronicle.com/story/sports/2020/02/28/johnny-antonelli-dies-new-york-giants-pitcher-world-series-hero-1954-rochester-ny-businessman/4902150002/