All Fun & Games? Player, Reporter Separated In Clubhouse
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Dodgers PR Staff Protects Video
Of Latest Bradley Incident |
Dodgers RF Milton Bradley and L.A. Times beat reporter Jason Reid “were separated in the [Busch Stadium] visitor’s clubhouse Wednesday after Bradley used a racially charged term against the reporter,” according to Joe Strauss of the ST. LOUIS DISPATCH. Bradley “made known his displeasure with Reid’s coverage of the incident on Sept. 28 at Dodger Stadium in which Bradley reacted angrily after being targeted by a bottle-tossing fan. When Reid debated the player, Bradley injected race into the dispute.” Bradley said to Reid, who also is black, “You’re an Uncle Tom. You’re a sellout.” Reid was “restrained by other reporters and club personnel,” but Bradley “never raised his voice and did not respond to Reid’s challenge.” NOT MADE FOR TV: Strauss reports the FSN Midwest film crew “erased the incident at the behest” of Dodgers Dir of PR John Olguin. While FSN Midwest News Manager John Venneman “was outraged by Olguin’s conduct,” FSN reporter Brent Stover said, “The situation felt very threatening. It was very intense. So at the time, (erasing the tape) felt like it was the best thing to do” (POST-DISPATCH, 10/7). REAX: Dodgers Exec VP Lon Rosen said of the incident between Bradley and Reid, “This is an issue that needs to be settled between the two individuals, and we will work with them toward that end.” L.A. Times Sports Editor Bill Dwyre said, “We back our reporter from every angle. We also agree with the Dodgers in the sense that this is something that can be, and will be, worked out between [Bradley and Reid].” MLB Exec VP/Baseball Operations Sandy Alderson added, “We’d like to gather some information before we decide how to proceed” (L.A. TIMES, 10/7). Dwyre indicated that Reid will not be disciplined “and will continue covering the Dodgers for the remainder of their postseason run” (L.A. DAILY NEWS, 10/7).
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