MLBPA Condems Reporting Tactics Of USA Today's Nightengale
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MLBPA Upset With Reporter's
Tactics In Giambi, Sheffield Interviews |
Two recent incidents, in which players' quotes “resulted in disciplinary action taken against them, have prompted the [MLBPA] to condemn the reporting tactics” of USA Today baseball columnist Bob Nightengale, according to Bob Raissman of the N.Y. DAILY NEWS. The two instances were Yankees DH Jason Giambi “admitting he used steroids,” and Tigers DH Gary Sheffield “labeling [MLB Commissioner] Bud Selig a liar and grandstander over Barry Bonds and the steroids issue.” MLB sources said that the union “concluded the two players were misled by Nightengale” into believing their conversations were off-the-record. But Nightengale said that he “did not mislead either player and was entirely comfortable with the way he handled both interviews.” He added that no one from the MLBPA “had contacted him to discuss any player complaints.” Nightengale: “(I had) no complaint at all from Jason (Giambi). … Jason knew exactly what I was talking about. With Gary (Sheffield), his agent (Rufus Williams) called (after the Selig story ran) and said he was trying to put Sheff in a positive light and didn't want any negative things in stories anymore after the Joe Torre stuff." On HBO's "Real Sports," Sheffield said Torre treated black and white players differently. The union is said to be “mulling what action -- if any -- it might take in regard to how players should deal with Nightengale.” One source said, "It's not unprecedented for the union to recommend players to stay away from a particular reporter" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 8/12). In N.Y., Bill Madden cited sources saying that Selig “considered suspending” Sheffield for his remarks in USA Today. Sheffield has filed a grievance over the fine levied against him (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 8/11).
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