Baltimore Orioles: Media critique

Can the media make or break stars from the Baltimore Orioles?

Like most teams, the Baltimore Orioles rely on media coverage. This is not just for games, but also in general. Unfortunately we live in a world where if your name isn’t out there in the media, someone else’s will be.

So in the case of a professional sports team, if the Orioles don’t communicate with their fans through the media and so forth, some other team probably will. Specifically in the Orioles’ case, there’s another team down the pike which I’m sure would be happy to communicate with Orioles fans if the Orioles didn’t want to use the media to get their name out there. Luckily the O’s use the media very well, and they don’t have to worry about any of that.

However there’s a downside to the media, and yes I say this as a writer myself. In watching the situation involving Peyton Manning unfold in the news, it’s obvious that two things sell: heros and villains. In Manning’s case, he’s always been a hero – and he’s been treated as such by the national media. This of course compared to his “nemesis,” Tom Brady, who’s generally been the villain.

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But in Manning now, the media is really hitting paydirt. They have a hero who’s very slowly going to be turned into a villain – and for off the field actions at that. Now I will say that I’m not willing to hold the Peyton Manning of today accountable for his actions as a college student twenty years ago. Especially when it appears that he settled out of court in the situation in question.

But I would submit that I’m the exception to the rule. I’ll tell you on good authority that I’ve had skeletons in my closet from my past pop up like that (nowhere near as serious, mind you), and it comes off as incredibly unfair. So that in and of itself might be why I’m somewhat sympathetic to Manning – or to anyone who’s “continually held accountable.” But this article isn’t about the Manning situation per se…

…in reality it’s about the media. Sports figures, including those on the Orioles, need to know that the media (and by that I’m referring mostly to the national media) will build you up if only for the reason that they’ll bring you back down when and if the time comes. The Orioles’ Machado found this out ever so slightly after the bat-throwing incident. Previously he had been held in high esteem, mainly because he was so good. However while he wasn’t totally broken down and slaughtered by the national media, his character was very much called into question.

Unfortunately we now live in a society where you’re required to mind ALL of your P’s and Q’s at ALL times. It’s not good enough to be a good competitor and a good sport on the field anymore. Peyton Manning, who has always been such a respectful player and a good role model on the field, is finding this out first hand now. Issues from years ago are now coming out. And the national media will pounce if given the opportunity. 

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I say unfortunately we live in a society where you have to mind yourself at all times. How can that be unfortunate? Is it bad to be on your best manners at all times?

Of course it’s not. However we also shouldn’t lose sight of the fact that public figures are human. Is it fair to brand Machado as a hot head after one incident in which he lost his temper? Some might say it is. I have a bit of a short fuse myself, so I’d hate to see what peole say about me. But unfortunately all it takes is to have on incident like that, or worse yet to get caught off hours doing something questionable, and suddenly you have a reputation. And the media will take that and run with it.

Next: Baltimore Orioles: Play Ball, Mr. President!

This is not to say that the media are all bad people – that’s not the case. They’re trying to sell commercials, ads, and/or get clicks on their articles (such as people like me). They’re trying to report what sells. But even athletes of the highest esteem need to know that they aren’t above this. If they get caught doing something once, there’s a good chance they’ll be ripped apart. Unfortunately, people’s mistakes and misfortune sells.