Baseball Musings
Baseball Musings
January 03, 2004
Rose Interview

ABC has landed an exclusive interview with Pete Rose to coincide with the release of his book on Jan. 8. Hard hitting reporter and sports journalist Morning fluff show host Charles Gibson will get the assignment. Where's Sam Donaldson to scoff at every statement Rose makes? Or why not John Saunders? John was among the best anchors I worked with at ESPN. He's intelligent, knows baseball inside-out, and won't hesitate to ask the tough questions. Or how about dipping into the ESPN talent pool and tapping Bob Ley, Mr. Outside the Lines himself?

It sounds to me as if Rose granted the interview to whomever would give him the most softballs to hit. The tough guy doesn't look like he wants to face the heat.


Posted by David Pinto at 07:58 AM | Interviews | TrackBack (1)
Comments

I think Rose got Charlie Gibson because Gibson is the most visible ABC person. Remember that part of the interview (cliffhanger?) will be on Gibson's Good Morning America the next day. I think this was more about the ratings instead of the softballs, thought I agree that Bob Ley would have been IDEAL. I'm hoping there's more interviews down the line.

Posted by: William Carroll at January 3, 2004 05:51 PM

Heck with Donaldson - where's George Will? Will's a hard-hitting journalist and a baseball fan. Or is he too much in MLB's pocket to get tough?

Don't think Rose's people didn't negotiate who'd be interviewing him. This is classic news management: speak only to the slo-pitch softball morning people.

Posted by: Crank at January 5, 2004 09:59 AM