Dell Throws her Career One Heck of a Curveball

While twitter images surface confirming speculations that Jenny Dell, NESN Boston Red Sox sideline reporter, and Will Middlebrooks, third baseman for the Boston Red Sox, are an item, opinions chiming ‘conflict of interest’ are heard loud and clear.

As American population increasingly grows more liberal, it seems counterproductive that the journalist world is taking such a despondent approach to a seemingly happy relationship. Let those that live, love. Right? Wrong! Although the two may have won the genetic lottery, the numbers will never fall in their favor due to the code of ethics for anyone in the field of journalism.

ESPN spokesperson stated when Samantha Steele was accused of dating NFL quarterback Christian Ponder, “We do not comment on, or confirm, personal aspects of employees’ lives. Regarding any policies, we expect any commentator to raise any relationship that could be a conflict with the sport they cover.” Fortunately for Steele, she was covering college football, which left Ponder wide open to drop down on one knee. Unfortunately, the Dell-Middlebrooks relationship is not so lucky

As Dell stated in an interview with Boston Magazine, “Whether I’m doing an end-game report or having a drink with a friend, I need to make sure that I’m smart about every decision I make.” Well Dell, it may be time to glance over those principles one more time.

While I cannot help to venture whether this would be an issue if it were a male reporter dating a female athlete, this is simply not the case. The popularity of the WNBA does not come close to the men’s league. And while the lingerie football game will draw a significant amount of television ratings, it is the much-anticipated Super Bowl game that deems something as silly as the ‘half-time’ flush. 

The apparent popularity of men’s sports over women’s is no secret, much like the lack of respect and existence of sexism for ladies within the world of sports journalism. Dell, admittedly aware of the double standards, should have been the first to realize that relationships in this workforce don’t come with the option of three strikes.

Difficulties in the respect category for women in this industry are just a quick Google search away. You will find the ‘hottest’ gals of sports journalism on the top of your feed, or even how sexy Erin Andrews looks while eating a pork sandwich. Ridiculous. Though I cannot fault either of the two for developing feelings for one another; I mean, look at them. Still, Dell should have realized this is one line that simply cannot be crossed.

“The important thing is for people to take me seriously as a journalistic reporter, because that’s my job,” said Dell. And as advised by her old producer, Russ Kenn, Dell told Boston Magazine, “You want to make sure people are talking about the content coming out of your mouth and not about what you’re wearing or how you look that day.” Although he probably assumed it went without mentioning, Kenn apparently should have included, who you’re dating that day. 

Hall of Fame Voting Issues Continue to Make Headlines

If issues surrounding Major League Baseball world were ranked, the Hall of Fame voting process would easily surpass even a hit by the iconic Mickey Mantle.

HOF voting for baseball generates controversy every year not always because who got in, but more importantly, who did not get in. And why they did not get in. A large part of the issues lies within the performance enhancing drug era players. ‘The steroid era’ has certainly generated some of the best players with the greatest numbers, yet some vote holders refuse to vote for players that may have been involved in steroid usage. The issue with this argument is that there is not always solid evidence against these players, and to add, there is no time frame for when the steroid usage began or ended.

Great players like Sosa, Clemens, and McGuire potentially will never be entered into the HOF because of performance enhancing drug usage. While these players cheated, they still are outstanding figures in the game of baseball. Enter them on the ballot, but under the terms that performance-enhancing drugs were being used at some point in their careers. These players have outstanding numbers next to their name and until solid evidence is generated that they used throughout their entire career, it is a disgrace that their talents receive no acknowledgement. 

In most recent news, Dan LeBatard selling his vote to Deadspin has sent the criticism meter over the fence. First, the world must recognize his actions for what they truly are: voting fraud. While a “flawed” process or the “sanctimony of the hall of fame gatekeepers” are reasons he gave for selling a vote he no longer believed to hold value, he still made an extremely egotistical decision. Issues exist, but the HOF voting system gives one man one vote. There are not many more democratic processes existing in this world.

The biggest concern surrounding LeBatard’s narcissistic move is the fact that the only way to change the system is to advocate. Do not simply toss the vote in a trashcan, but utilize available outlets to object to the areas that require change. LeBatard has written for Deadspin, he has a national radio show, and a national television show. For him to not lobby for the changes he would like to see in the system was, simply put, a cop out and a disgrace to his character.