ETBlogs Sports - Latest Comments in Found in translation

Re: Found in translation

Gee — Fri, 06 Apr 2007 16:39:00 -0000

Sarah Brightman is definitely British.

The guy from Queens needs to work out the difference between 'biased' and 'unbiased.' Also reporters on many occasions eat or otherwise spend informal time with the people they write about, and they absolutely should. Would you rather they stayed at home and wrote their pieces based on reheated Google leftovers?

There's a BIG difference between sharing a meal and receiving a back-hander. The reporters' code isn't even slightly compromised by this sort of informal press event.

Re: Found in translation

Tom — Fri, 30 Mar 2007 04:44:00 -0000

Queen Guy,
The Sox only charge NY Post writers $10. It's the George King surcharge.

I suspect your argument is intentionally nonsensical so I'll let it stand on its own.

As for the Mets, I got no problem with them. It's the Yankees I don't care much for. But if George Steinbrenner buys me a buffalo chicken wrap and a diet Coke I may soften my stance.

Re: Found in translation

Anonymous — Thu, 29 Mar 2007 22:47:00 -0000

Queenie,

"if they bash these guys then word will leak to Japan that Boston isn't a great place afterall. Advertisers will shun Boston and those players will goto New York or California to play ball."

?

Huh?

What?

Firstly, neither Dice-K, Okaji, the Red Sox or the entire nation of Japan cares what a few beat writers from Boston think.

Secondly, a fine lunch isn't going to change what those writers from Boston think or write.

Thirdly, advertisers are not going to care what the writers think either and they certainly won't shun Boston, they want money, that's the bottom line.

Finally, both Dice-K and Okaji have contracts, so they can't just up and move.

And an afer though...there is no word "leaking" to Japan, not when you have a 150 member press entourage following these guys' every move.

Re: Found in translation

Anonymous — Thu, 29 Mar 2007 22:38:00 -0000

To the King of Queens,

Neither the Yankees nor the Mets have any pitchers worth taking to lunch.

How bout them apples?

Re: Found in translation

Anonymous — Thu, 29 Mar 2007 18:49:00 -0000

"This was another Mafia like setup these owners pulled."

Gosh, a free lunch? They OWN these guys now. They don't charge them to get into the games, either, it's just not fair.

We know you're bitter about Pedro, Guy, but please try to get a grip. Free food has always been part of the press box experience, and many a writer has lambasted the hometown team while munching on it.

By the way - another great post, Rob, keep it up.

Re: Found in translation

Anonymous — Thu, 29 Mar 2007 18:12:00 -0000

Tom,

Why is it that the Red Sox have never had one of these lunches? Why is it that the only lunch they had is with the two Japanese imports? They know these guys, especially Matsusaka, will be in the spotlight all year. They also know there is a chance he may have a few bad games. So, they are greasing the skids early to ensure these guys won't get bashed. Think about it, if they bash these guys then word will leak to Japan that Boston isn't a great place afterall. Advertisers will shun Boston and those players will goto New York or California to play ball. This was another Mafia like setup these owners pulled. (When is lunch with Doug Mirabelli??) The worst thing is, none of these reporters will call them out. Not one.

By the way, my buddy at the New York Post told me the Sox charge the media $10 to eat. So this was the case of greasing the palms.

PS: Go METS!

-- Guy from Queens.

Re: Found in translation

Anonymous — Thu, 29 Mar 2007 17:35:00 -0000

Contrary to previous posts, it was reported elsewhere that the Sox footed the bill for lunch, not Matsuzaka and the joke about the Globe paying is a CHB stand-by regarding the Globe's lack of impartiality because they partially own the Sox

Re: Found in translation

Tom — Thu, 29 Mar 2007 14:09:00 -0000

Jebus guys, it was a freaking lunch. If any of these guys can be bought for a tuna roll and an ice tea than they're not worth diddly do anyway. (The Globe paid its share, according to Shaughnessy. I suspect others might have as well.) Besides, I think the Sox have been putting out a spread for reporters for years so if their evil plan was to get soft coverage, it ain't working.

Re: Found in translation

Ian — Thu, 29 Mar 2007 13:49:00 -0000

Sarah Brightman as entrance music is really funny...

Re: Found in translation

Anonymous — Thu, 29 Mar 2007 13:45:00 -0000

Who says a reporter can't be a fan too?

Re: Found in translation

GREG — Thu, 29 Mar 2007 12:34:00 -0000

so much better of a article and information than what was published in the globe thanx

Re: Found in translation

Anonymous — Thu, 29 Mar 2007 12:11:00 -0000

Hate to say it, but I think the guy from Queens has a point. I just googled the reporters code of conduct and I think those guys broke a rule yesterday...Here is some of what I found....I hope you don't get in trouble Rob. You do a solid job!
Journalists should be free of obligation to any interest other than the public's right to know.
Journalists should:
— Avoid conflicts of interest, real or perceived.
— Remain free of associations and activities that may compromise integrity or damage credibility.
— Refuse gifts, favors, fees, free travel and special treatment, and shun secondary employment, political involvement, public office and service in community organizations if they compromise journalistic integrity.
— Disclose unavoidable conflicts.
— Be vigilant and courageous about holding those with power accountable.
— Deny favored treatment to advertisers and special interests and resist their pressure to influence news coverage.
— Be wary of sources offering information for favors or money; avoid bidding for news.

Re: Found in translation

Anonymous — Thu, 29 Mar 2007 12:02:00 -0000

Rob,

Question: How can you be a biased reporter when Dice-K pitches if he is taking you guys out to lunch. If he fails, will you report it as such or put a water boy type spin on it? Aren't reporters supposed to be biased? Isn't it also a code of conduct to not get free meals from people you report about? I just don't think it is fair to the other members of the team that you guys are breaking bread with certain members of the team. What is next dinner with Mike Lowell, brunch with Brandon Donnelly or breakfast with Coco Crisp?? Thankfully I am living in Queens where the reporters don't suck up to the Yankees and Mets like the Boston guys do to Dice-K.

-- Guy from Queens

Re: Found in translation

ugh — Thu, 29 Mar 2007 10:10:00 -0000

Well, it seems that Dick-K and Okajima have slightly better taste in movies than Hideki Matsui and his famous video porno collecion.

Re: Found in translation

Steve — Thu, 29 Mar 2007 07:11:00 -0000

Rob -

Thanks man - this great.

Re: Found in translation

Anonymous — Thu, 29 Mar 2007 06:16:00 -0000

Sarah Brightman = British

Re: Found in translation

SuchaMc — Thu, 29 Mar 2007 02:34:00 -0000

Rob, If you are serious about wanting them, you can buy genuine tabi socks at this website: http://www.asianideas.com/j.... The usual tabi worn in Japan is like a mitten for the foot, with one compartment for the big toe and another for the other toes. The site offers several styles, some of which are on sale at $4 a pair. I got some last Christmas to go with a Yukata (a Kimono shaped bathrobe) I was buying for my husband. They also sell lots of other Asian styled things, martial arts headbands, hats, footwear) http://asianideas.com/asian.... It's a fun site and the prices are fair.

Re: Found in translation

YG Bluig — Wed, 28 Mar 2007 21:28:00 -0000

Hey Rob.
Great read.

It's amazing that with all the Dice-K mania that has been going on since November/December, there's still stuff to learn about the guy.

He and Okijama each seem really nice.

They must have thought you were nuts to be asking them about socks.

great job.

Re: Found in translation

Michael — Wed, 28 Mar 2007 17:27:00 -0000

Hi Rob,

This Clay Buchholz start tomorrow is quite a big deal for us prospect junkies. Too bad we can't see it on TV (nesn or espn).

Are you going to be at the game? Maybe you could steal someone's pitching chart with his pitches thrown and velocities = )

Seriously though, do you know how many pitches/innings he is scheduled to throw... or any other information about his start?

Thanks!

Re: Found in translation

Anonymous — Wed, 28 Mar 2007 16:53:00 -0000

Interesting interview, Rob, thanks. There has been about zero Okajima press so far so it was nice to find out a bit about him. Basically an anti-CHB piece.
"When asked to show the grip on a nearby roll" - that's classic.

Re: Found in translation

Rachel — Wed, 28 Mar 2007 16:21:00 -0000

Thanks for an informative, interesting blog!!

I used to wear Tabi socks (I called them toe-socks) as a kid. They were strange. Definitely takes some getting used to. Best of luck with that!

Re: Found in translation

Anonymous — Wed, 28 Mar 2007 16:18:00 -0000

Rob -

My wife has a pair of Tabi socks or whatever Target calls them. She has been after a pair since I worked at Chapel Hill-Chauncy Hall in Waltham - they had a handful of Japanese kids.

Not back east anymore, Mainers that defected to Cali. So maybe it's the Targets in northern California that have the coveted footwear - I'll keep an eye out for you.

Don't want CHB to knock your site - but love it - great stuff.

Re: Found in translation

Anonymous — Wed, 28 Mar 2007 15:02:00 -0000

Oh my god, that lunch sounds like so much fun :).

Let us know if you try those socks!

Re: Found in translation

Anonymous — Wed, 28 Mar 2007 14:58:00 -0000

Rob,

Love the blog. Thanks! It's a service.

SI is reporting via the NY Post that "rumors are swirling of a Manny-for-Ichiro deal." Is this anything more than wishful thinking on the Post's part? That is, have you head anything? Thanks!

P.S. good luck with the marathon traning down in FL. Those 80 degree temps gotta be tough on the long runs.

Re: Found in translation

Mike — Wed, 28 Mar 2007 14:58:00 -0000

Rob, long time reader, first time commenter here. Just wanted to say that this is the kind of stuff Red Sox fans have been starving for. Today's description of the lunch with Daisuke Matsuzaka and Hideki Okajima was great reading. I'm looking forward to reading your blog once the season starts.

2 Questions for you:

After being around the relief pitchers through the spring, where would you slot Okajima among the other relievers?

Is there any one arm in the 'pen (besides Papelbon) that stood out over the others?