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| Lessons From Jim Gray
by John M. Curtis Copyright October 29, 1999
"Pete, are you ready to come clean and apologize in front the American people . . .?," asked Gray, seizing the moment to make headlines on national television: PETE ROSE CONFESSES AND APOLOGIZES TO THE AMERICAN PUBLIC. Regrettably, things didn’t turn out as planned. Reacting to Gray’s ambush, Rose remained collected though clearly stunned, "You know, I’m surprised you’re bombarding me with this . . . I’m here to do an interview with you on a great night, a great occasion — you’re bringing up something that happened 10 years ago." Insisting that he did his job, Gray reacted to the backlash of complaints, "I know what’s going on. I don’t live in a fish bowl, but that is news to me." Incomprehensible as that sounds, it reflects an abysmal lack of sensitivity driven by pretentious zealotry in the name of doing his job. Let’s get real. Embracing the Marquis de Sade is not part of any journalist’s job description. Gray’s miscalculation hinges on myopic blindness caused by an inflated ego and misguided grandiosity. Believing he’s at liberty to abandon common sense, he crossed the line between political incorrectness and downright offensiveness. Gray’s amnesia prevented him from grasping not only the adolescent inappropriateness to his actions but the repercussions to his employer and career. When the Yankees refused to speak with Gray following the game, the damage was beginning to sink in. Defending his actions still doesn’t deal with powerful negative public perceptions and unwanted fallout. When broadcast colleague Marv Albert was caught in another embarrassing situation, the network took draconian steps: Albert headed for the highway. After Albert lied to management, continued categorical denials, showed little contrition, and, eventually, folded in court, they had no other choice. NBC couldn’t ignore or excuse his behavior without antagonizing viewers and sponsors. Fortunately for Gray, sexual depravity is more politically incorrect than obnoxious talk — or is it? Unlike with Albert’s peccadillo, the network defended their man, "Jim Gray is the finest sports reporter in the business," said NBC Sport’s president Dick Ebersol. True or not, it fails to acknowledge the deeply offensive nature of his behavior. "Our station hasn’t received so many complaint calls since a man committed suicide on a freeway . . . ," said an unnamed NBC producer. Why? What’s behind the public outrage? Surely sexual depravity, drug abuse, domestic violence or other indiscretions carry more weight than shooting off your mouth. Why so much public outrage about this incident? Painful as it seems, a little analysis goes a long way in preventing future incidents. In and out of sports, certain rules of engagement apply to those privileged enough to wield a microphone or a wordprocessor. God knows, Pete Rose is no angel. MLB and John Dowd’s 225 page report indicated that the man who eclipsed Ty Cobb’s unthinkable record bet repeatedly on the sport he loved. When confronted with the ugly facts, Rose chose — on the advice of his attorney — to sign a plea agreement essentially banning him for life and preventing him from an otherwise deserving place in the Hall of Fame. A devastating punishment to be sure for the ball player whose career was spent eating dirt with head-first slides and symbolizing the working man’s ethic — affectionately nicknamed Charlie Hustle. Yes, more than any other in his sport, Rose personified the spirit of hard work, undaunted courage and unflagging determination. Many were more gifted, but none had more heart and toughness. That underdog, biting and scratching image left Rose at times onerous and even nasty. But you had to admire his true grit. It was like watching John Wayne in a baseball uniform. Like him or hate him, Rose commanded respect from anyone who watched him play. Like his idol, the eccentric and often maddening Ty Cobb, Rose also played with a chip on his shoulder — a cross to bear. Known in his day for womanizing, drunken binges and violent outbursts, Ty Cobb survived the treacherous road of public opinion leading to his rightful place in the Hall of Fame. Rose wasn’t so lucky. Whether deserved or not, Giamatti banned Rose from baseball and finding his way into the pantheon of glory. Clearly, Rose has been his own worst enemy. But that doesn’t entitle anyone else to add to his misery and heap on the abuse. While he played baseball to win, he lost the political correctness and damage control game. Showing a little humility and contrition goes along way in mending fences. That lesson applies to everyone — even reporters. When Gray blind-sided Pete during his special moment, it was like Rodney King being kicked and pummeled when he was down. Words are also powerful weapons. Just as Karate experts register their hands, journalists must also acknowledge the sharpness of their instruments. Speaking or writing for a living also involves occupational hazards. While not always obvious, timing, tact, sensitivity and good judgment go with the territory. "I tried to be very fair to Pete and I think I was very fair," prattled Gray, remaining clueless as to how his words rubbed salt in Pete’s open wound. Whether Rose deserves his punishment from Major League Baseball is anyone’s guess. Judging by the overwhelming public response, he didn’t deserve further humiliation and embarrassment. Regardless of the intentions, acting like a bull in a china shop also has its repercussions. No matter how you cut it, it’s just not the American way to kick a man when he’s down. About the Author John M. Curtis is editor of OnlineColumnist.com. He’s also the director of a West Los Angeles think tank specializing in human behavior, health care and political research and media consultation. He’s a seminar trainer, columnist and author of Dodging The Bullet and Operation Charisma. |
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did my job," insisted shell-shocked but still unrepentant NBC sports reporter Jim Gray, about the avalanche of notoriety surrounding his controversial interview with Pete Rose — honored just before Game 2 of the 1999 World Series at Fulton County Stadium in Atlanta. Banned from baseball in 1989 by the late commissioner Bart Giamatti for allegedly betting on baseball, Rose continued to assert his innocence, despite accepting a plea bargain barring him from his place in the Hall of Fame. When he received a deafening ovation eclipsing even Atlanta slugger Hank Aaron, there was a bizarre irony that the man who 'disgraced' his sport should receive such an overwhelming outpouring of fan support. As Rose savored the moment, Jim Gray sliced and slashed his way through the awkward interview, attempting to exact a confession from one of baseball’s fabled bad boys.|
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