I know that I am a little late to the party here, but yesterday my friend and fellow blogger- Howard Megdal revealed in his Lo Hud Mets Blog column that he has had his access to the Mets revoked because they “didn’t like his reporting”.
First off let me say that Howard is one of the biggest – most die hard Mets fans that I know. He cares about the Mets, he bleeds the proverbial orange and blue, and to deny him access to the Mets because he authored a well written and thoroughly researched book about the finances of the Mets ( Wilpon’s Folly) in my own opinion reeks of pettiness. The last time I heard of an organization puling the credentials of a writer is when the Knicks pressured the Daily News to pull Frank Isola off their beat.
Yes this in my opinion this comes across as a petty punishment of Dolanesque proportions, and to see the team that I rabidly follow do this to one of the kindest, thoughtful guys in journalism/blogdom just makes me sick.
I just hope whoever sent down this mandate would please reconsider.
To read Howard’s column click here.
21 comments
kingman 26
2/7/2012-2:51pm at 2:51 pm (UTC -4)
I kind of have mixed feelings about this.
Of course I hugely support the press and free speech, but this guy’s main mission in life is to attack/mock/destroy Met ownership and management.
Why should the team welcome him in to make this job easier?
Not sure if I support it, but I certainly understand it.
Mr North Jersey
2/7/2012-2:52pm at 2:52 pm (UTC -4)
With all due respect to Mr. Megdal but his access to the Mets was a privilege not a right. He is entitled to his opinion and his right to write what he feels but the Mets are not obligated to give him access.
kingman 26
2/7/2012-3:04pm at 3:04 pm (UTC -4)
Completely agree.
Joe D.
2/7/2012-3:21pm at 3:21 pm (UTC -4)
I was gonna blog about this, Ed, but Mack asked me to post my thoughts on his site and so I did.
Here is what I wrote:
Howard’s a good writer and I’ve enjoyed listening to him on a few podcasts on the Happy Recap and Mike Silva’s show in the last two years. But sometimes you have to understand that a press credential is not a right, it’s a privilege. Especially for non media types like me and him. Sure Howard might be on the Mets’ shit list for now, but lately it seems like the Mets have been on his shit list, so it’s not really a big surprise. You reap what you sow in this game. In time Howard will be back, but of course that depends on how he handles this slight adversity. Hopefully he will take the high road and he’ll be back by Opening Day.
Going back to 2009 when Jay Horwitz first allowed MMO access to the players and the press box, I’ve been very grateful and appreciative. He has always been very cordial, professional and more importantly a very fair and decent guy. His team of Shannon, Danielle and Ethan have always reflected those qualities at the highest levels as well, and they all do a great job in the Mets Media Relations Dept.
The way I look at it is that we should repay fairness with fairness. I don’t always agree with everything the Mets do, but I respect their decisions as I’m sure they respect my opinions. These types of relations are always pretty delicate and should be handled very carefully and in good taste at all times. I would urge Howard to put on his favorite Mets cap, take a drive down the Van Wyck, stick his head out the window and shout out LETS GO METS at the top of his lungs. He’ll feel much better, he’ll go back to his roots, and he’ll entertain us with a great essay on why it’s so awesome to be a Mets fan.
Anyway – I think this a big deal over nothing. The Mets have a right to decide who can or cannot have access to their players and assets.
If you are not a BBWAA member, a credential is a privilege. As for the book, it’s 75% speculation and 25% fact. It was based on a couple of sources, everyone has sources, and we know most sources are not fact factories.
Anyway, those are my thoughts and I know I’m in the minority.
Mr North Jersey
2/7/2012-3:25pm at 3:25 pm (UTC -4)
Hi Joe D, did you see the exchange on twitter between Cerrone and Megdal over Cerrone’s post?
Joe D.
2/7/2012-3:29pm at 3:29 pm (UTC -4)
No, I didnt let me check. Thanks!
Joe D.
2/7/2012-3:46pm at 3:46 pm (UTC -4)
Wow that was pretty uncomfortable to read at times, but in an evil grin sort of way. Hee hee
MetsFan4Decades
2/7/2012-3:33pm at 3:33 pm (UTC -4)
I didn’t purchase his book although I came close back in December. I’ve got a Kindle. I passed more b/c I’m just that frugal more than anything else. That and after reading the extensive digging both Rubin and AA did on this whole subject already I figured Howard’s book might have been more of just the same.
Now…given this latest turn of events, I’m actually thinking of purchasing it to read what all the fuss is about. Which goes back to my comment below about this.
Ceetar
2/7/2012-3:39pm at 3:39 pm (UTC -4)
well said.
Actually I think you’re last paragraph is the important one. The BBWAA is supposed to protect the writers from the team they cover so they can give the fans the news and analysis they want. But that avenue of information is rapidly changing and there are bound to be some growing pains in readjusting who needs to be protected and who needs access,and what kind, to do their job/hobby.
rustyjr
2/7/2012-3:40pm at 3:40 pm (UTC -4)
You’re right Joe – the Mets do have the right to deny a blogger access – but we both know Howard had no uterior motives & his book was well researched – he did reach out to the Mets when writing the boom but they declined
rustyjr
2/7/2012-3:41pm at 3:41 pm (UTC -4)
It’s only $3.99 & Rubin borrowed heavy from Howard’s book
MetsFan4Decades
2/7/2012-3:59pm at 3:59 pm (UTC -4)
Did I mention I was frugal? Maybe I should have said ‘cheap’
kingman 26
2/7/2012-4:31pm at 4:31 pm (UTC -4)
Really though, what all mature, thinking people want to know is what Bayonne thinks about it.
MetsFan4Decades
2/7/2012-3:28pm at 3:28 pm (UTC -4)
I’ll give Howard credit for the courage of his convictions – in that he probably knew publishing that book wasn’t going to go over too well.
On the other side of the house….all the Mets really succeeded in doing here was garnering more publicity for Megdal and his book. Also, they didn’t pull all the Journal News credentials, just Megdal’s. So not exactly sure what the Mets accomplished here other than maybe retaliation against him and/or to make a point.
RealityChuck
2/7/2012-4:11pm at 4:11 pm (UTC -4)
This is just plain stupid on the part of the Mets.
First of all, it publicizes the book. I had barely noticed it before and many fans never heard of it. But now it’s all over the blogs and will soon be in the mainstream media. So, ultimately, it does exactly the thing the Wilpons don’t want.
Next, the pressure will be on the team to change their mind. It will be a major distraction, so much so that eventually, the Wilpons will cave. Now they look even stupider.
A smart owner would shrug and say nothing; silence ends controversy. The act is petty and everyone will be on Megdal’s side, and it won’t die down until they give him the credentials.
It’s just plain stupid.
Ceetar
2/7/2012-4:27pm at 4:27 pm (UTC -4)
yeah, none of that’s going to happen. Pitchers and Catchers are going to report and no one’s going to care who’s covering them.
kingman 26
2/7/2012-4:45pm at 4:45 pm (UTC -4)
The more I think about this, the more I agree with the Wilpons. I have not read his book, but this guy is a blatantly self-promotional individual, and many people have said that much of his book is baseless speculation from unidentified sources.
Why should the Mets support a blogger’s quest to damage ownership and management?
Much ado about nothing here but bloggers talking about other bloggers.
rustyjr
2/7/2012-4:54pm at 4:54 pm (UTC -4)
Kong – I know Howard personally & what you say is farthest from the truth – he’s published a book about being a Mets fan & how he wants his daughter to grow up a Mets fan also – he’s not a grandstanding sensationalist
kingman 26
2/7/2012-4:58pm at 4:58 pm (UTC -4)
Thanks buddy; clearly I have to learn more about this case.
But I guess I am judging from his campaign to be GM.
I am tempted to read his book on the Wilpons; seems like an interesting issue.
rustyjr
2/7/2012-4:55pm at 4:55 pm (UTC -4)
Kong – I know Howard personally & what you say is farthest from the truth – he’s published a book about being a Mets fan & how he wants his daughter to grow up a Mets fan also
LongTimeFan
2/8/2012-3:00am at 3:00 am (UTC -4)
My impression of Megdal has evolved into that of self-serving opportunist and is from his own doing. Good for the Mets for the decision they made. Megdal got what he deserved.