Writer Bill Conlin Accused Of Child Molestation

In his latest missive, Murray Chass draws a parallel between Ryan Braun’s failed drug test and the shocking allegations against legendary Philadelphia sportswriter Bill Conlin.

In the end, Chass does not agree with the arguments that Braun should be stripped of the MVP Award he just won. But Conlin’s Spink Award -- the proof of which is displayed in Cooperstown for all to see -- is a trickier matter. Especially for the Hall of Fame, and for the BBWAA. Chass:

Hey, if it’s in the Times it must be true.

Prediction: Something is done with that exhibit before Memorial Day, when the tourists start showing up in Cooperstown again. Some things just won’t do.

Tuesday, Philadelphia Daily News columnist Bill Conlin resigned his position amid allegations of child molestation. Conlin, 77, was this year’s J. G. Taylor Spink Award winner. The allegations became public Tuesday morning, and Tuesday afternoon Philly.com published a story by the Inquirer’s Nancy Phillips, detailing the molestations of four children -- three girls and one boy -- that allegedly happened in the 1970s:

There will be no prosecution, as the statute of limitations on such crimes would have expired many years ago. Still, the allegations have obviously made Conlin’s highly visible role with the Daily News untenable.