One pressing question was asked by many after the 2014 MLB All-Star Game broadcast: Where was any mention of the tragic passing of Tony Gwynn? The Hall of Famer died on June 16 and remained one of the game’s most recognizable stars of the last few decades. Yet somehow he was never mentioned during the broadcast on FOX.
FOX, Major League Baseball fail to adequately explain absence of Tony Gwynn tribute
MLB and Fox made a joint statement on Wednesday that didn’t really say anything at all.
Kent Horner
The network joined with Major League Baseball on Wednesday to issue an official statement on the reason they left Gwynn’s passing out of the coverage:
Tony Gwynn
"We are deeply saddened by the loss of Hall of Famer Tony Gwynn, an extraordinary individual whose memory we have honored in numerous ways in recent weeks. The Baseball family has sadly lost a number of people this year -- including Hall of Famer Ralph Kiner, Frank Cashen, and former All-Stars Jerry Coleman, Jim Fregosi and Don Zimmer -- and did not want to slight anyone by singling out one individual."
While the statement at least acknowledges the absence of any tribute for Gwynn, it fails to provide any real substance for the official stance.
1. Since it might be seen as unfair to only mention Gwynn, why none pay tribute to each of the aforementioned players or persons associated with the game? Is it not a night to honor the heroes of the game?
2. Does it not seem absolutely silly to leave out Gwynn because the network could not figure out how to give him equal time with, say, Cashen?
3. If equality for everyone in a particular category is paramount to the powers-that-be at FOX and Major League Baseball, then explain the Jeterfest we watched for several hours.
While some fans, especially Yankee haters, might have taken issue with the spotlight given to Derek Jeter during the All-Star Game, everyone else knew it was going to happen. Players had their photographs taken with him. Others paid tribute. Fans stood and cheered. It's what you do when you lose one of the best.
Baseball gave a proper goodbye to a favored son on Tuesday night. Unfortunately, they completely ignored another one.
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