From: David F. Pinto
Sent: Friday, August 16, 2002 2:20 PM
To: Schoenfield, David
Subject: Baseball Bomb
David,
Sorry to have to say this, but I think the picture of the baseball bomb on the front page of ESPN.com is in really poor taste, and I've said so in my blog.
David
From: Schoenfield, David
Sent: Friday, August 16, 2002 2:48 PM
To: David F. Pinto
Subject: RE: Baseball Bomb
I would ask, however, what is in poor taste about it? Because of 9/11? The feeling here is it presents a powerful and accurate statement about a potential strike -- which has absolutely nothing to do with 9/11
From: David F. Pinto
Sent: Friday, August 16, 2002 2:53 PM
To: Schoenfield, David
Subject: RE: Baseball Bomb
Yes, because of 9/11 and because of all the terrorist bombings that have been taking place. Baseball players are not terrorists. There are a lot of negative things you can say about the owners and players (and ESPN has), but putting them in the same class as bomb wielding terrorists is not appropriate or fair.
David
From: Schoenfield, David
Sent: Friday, August 16, 2002 3:00 PM
To: David F. Pinto
Subject: RE: Baseball Bomb
You're reading too much into the graphic ... baseball has nothing to do with war or terrorists or 9/11 ... but a strike that could blow up the season is a possibility, thus a powerful and accurate graphic
From: David F. Pinto
Sent: Friday, August 16, 2002 3:04 PM
To: Schoenfield, David
Subject: RE: Baseball Bomb
Normally I would agree with you, but these are not normal times. An empty stadium shrouded in black might be more appropriate. Besides, a strike destroying baseball is not a forgone conclusion. It's survived 8 other work stoppages. I seem to remember during most of those people saying the fans will never come back.
What killed baseball for a lot of people in 1994 was the loss of the World Series, not the loss of some games during the season. A short strike will do little to hurt the game in my opinion. Baseball does not end if the players walk out on Aug. 30. It will end if they are not back in time for the playoffs.
David
From: Schoenfield, David
Sent: Friday, August 16, 2002 3:08 PM
To: David F. Pinto
Subject: RE: Baseball Bomb
well, in the graphic, the baseball isn't lit yet, so it's not really saying the season will be destroyed (but has the potential, which is obviously true)
as a colleage of mine writes:
It's a media-blamed 'negative' spin, because a strike date has been set and the two sides are WAY apart on the central issue? Hardly. And notice, the fuse isn't lit on the picture. If Aug. 30 comes and goes and they find a way to keep playing, the FAKE BASEBALL won't blow up.
Comparing the fake baseball to exploding humans is quite a leap.
No matter how much one loves baseball, if this season isn't completed, believe me, it's no spin to make things negative.
(me)
Anyway, I appreciate the email. We had a discussion here and everyone is in agreement to stick with it.
From: David F. Pinto
Sent: Friday, August 16, 2002 3:14 PM
To: Schoenfield, David
Subject: RE: Baseball Bomb
Okay, thanks for listening.
Sides are not that far apart on the central issues, as Jayson Stark and Dave Campbell point out. Most of the articles that I have read on ESPN.com in the last couple of weeks were good news with negative headlines. (You can look through my blogs for the comments.)
Take care,
David
P.S. Do you mind if I publish this exchange?
From: Schoenfield, David
Sent: Friday, August 16, 2002 3:18 PM
To: David F. Pinto
Subject: RE: Baseball Bomb
sure, go ahead and publish the exchange
not sure how much good news there has been ... good news is coming to a deal and they've had two years to make one (the original CBA ran out last year) and have failed to do so ...
From: David F. Pinto
Sent: Friday, August 16, 2002 3:23 PM
To: 'Schoenfield, David'
Subject: RE: Baseball Bomb
Thanks. I thought the movement on drug testing was good news. I thought the movement on the luxury tax, world wide draft and other small issues were good things. And the fact that neither side was calling the other a liar was very good news. Compared to previous years, this is a lovefest. :-)
Negotiations tend to go down to the wire, so each side can try to get its best deal. Up to now, there hasn't been a wire. Putting up one is good news. It means we'll know in two weeks if owners are serious about getting a deal.
David
I enjoyed working for David Schoenfield last year, and I enjoy his columns on ESPN. Although I wouldn't have used that graphic, I'm glad ESPN.com has discussed its merits, and were happy to explain their views on the subject.