A controversy erupted when Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic wrote an article focusing on a sensitive subject and appeared to treat it insensitively by linking heinous crimes to the risks teams assume by signing players to massive contracts at very young ages.
The article highlights the importance of considering the ethical and empathetic perspective in sports journalism, especially when dealing with sensitive issues such as criminal accusations and their impact on the individuals involved.
Ken Rosenthal mocked for seemingly-contrasting takes on young player extensions https://t.co/ZITLRKgO15 pic.twitter.com/eMCdzQLH53
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) February 6, 2024
The incident reflects the ongoing debate about the ethical boundaries of sports journalism and the responsibility of journalists to consider the impact of their words on victims and the broader community.
Rosenthal"s article sparked significant backlash for linking the criminal accusations against a young player to the risks of signing players to massive contracts at a very young age.
The controversy underscores the complex intersection of sports, journalism, and ethical considerations in the public domain.
Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic under fire for how his Tuesday column of "Bobby Witt Jr. extension shows small-market teams can and should make big moves" seemed to differ from some of his past takes on big extensions for young players: Here’s a side-by-side look at the start of those pieces on Witt and Franco:
Ken Rosenthal pieces at The Athletic on Wander Franco and Bobby Witt Jr. And Rosenthal’s full Witt piece does include discussion of other long-term deals for young players, and some that haven’t worked:
"It didn’t work for the Marlins with [Giancarlo] Stanton, or for the Rockies with [Nolan] Arenado. And the arguments Rosenthal is advancing in the Witt, Franco, and Tatis pieces discussed above do have some distinctions."
The Tatis piece did offer praise to the Padres for signing him long-term but brought up questions on their overall ability to sustain a high payroll (which they are reportedly looking to cut in a big way this year) for the long term.
The Witt piece says, "Every club, no matter the size of its market, is more than capable of locking up at least one star player for $100 million-plus," but that’s not necessarily "capable of locking up one star player and also signing a whole bunch of other stars."
That would be arguing that small-market teams can and should lock up one young star long-term, but that that comes with risk, and that they don’t necessarily have the ability to sign as many pieces around that star as the biggest-market teams. And that’s maybe the overall argument Rosenthal is trying to make across pieces, and there may be some merit to it.
In particular, it has always been strange that he has focused his risk arguments on Franco, who has been accused of sex crimes involving minors.
That article also said Franco
“wasn"t the first in recent years to take a step back after signing a big contract … just think Fernando Tatis Jr. of the Padres."
It"s an odd comparison, given that Tatis was hit with the MLB suspension of the use of performance-enhancing drugs, but has never faced criminal charges.
After all, Rosenthal may have an opinion on players and deals. But some of the specific cases Rosenthal chose to make larger points may not have been the best examples, especially since Franco"s story is so different from anything else here thanks to the criminal case.
Of course, talking about contracts like Witt"s deal in the context of MLB"s national program is important and has an audience.
Each situation has a specific regional context, and while the works of Tatis, Franco and Witt are similar, they are also different.
Trying to draw each individual into a national dimension can lead to contradictions and the loss of individual characteristics.
“I"m used to people disagreeing with me in comments or tweets… its part of the job,"
Rosenthal said.
“If I write an opinion piece, the public has the right to express their opinion."
Rosenthal admitted that his arguments with the young players in general were very broad, emphasizing the negative attitude towards Franco.
When I say ‘Oh, that"s obvious", I understand better, but people think that this is a very important case that I wrote, not a case that applies to other cases.
Rosenthal also acknowledged that using Franco as the starting point for the “probably" column was a mistake.
“But my goal with an opinion piece is to make people think… If I"m not clear, they"re going to be upset for reasons I didn"t think about, and then things get messy."
This is not the first time Rosenthal has struggled. In 2022, he criticized MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred. After which he was fired from MLB Network.
Ken Rosenthal, one of the best reporters in baseball today, has reportedly been let go from his gig at MLB Network because of past criticism of MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred:
NEWS: MLB Network cuts ties with Ken Rosenthal after flap over Rob Manfred criticism, The Post has learned.https://t.co/uNHwQj0Sye
— Andrew Marchand (@AndrewMarchand) January 3, 2022
According to his report, things took a turn for the worse last summer when The Athletic"s Rosenthal wrote about the impasse in negotiations.
“MLB Network has cut ties with Ken Rosenthal, a whistleblower who was said to be the end of a scandal that reached the summer of 2020 after Rosenthal criticized the Commission and Rob Manfred."
It"s not clear why they left (i.e., who ordered it, etc.), and one might think that more context would make this situation seem less sinister.
The league released the following statement to the Post:
“Natural changes occur in the talent roster each year as MLB Network continues to explore new ways to bring baseball to viewers. Ken Over the past 13 years has played a key role at MLB Network."
Rosenthal reacted at that time as follows:
Can confirm MLB Network has decided not to bring me back. I’m grateful for the more than 12 years I spent there, and my enduring friendships with on-air personalities, producers and staff. I always strove to maintain my journalistic integrity, and my work reflects that. 1/2
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) January 4, 2022
Nothing else is changing for me professionally. I am proud to remain part of the great teams at The Athletic and Fox Sports. 2/2
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) January 4, 2022
Rosenthal"s intention to address the ethical complexities of signing young players to massive contracts may have been overshadowed by the insensitivity of the timing and context in which he chose to discuss the matter.
The fallout from the article has prompted discussions about the boundaries of ethical and empathetic sports journalism. Rosenthal acknowledged the backlash and expressed regret for the insensitivity of the article.
It remains to be seen how Rosenthal and The Athletic will handle similar sensitive topics in the future, and whether the incident will lead to changes in editorial oversight and journalistic approach.
The incident underscores the importance of considering the ethical and empathetic implications of sports journalism, particularly when dealing with sensitive subjects, and highlights the need for responsible and thoughtful reporting in the public domain.
Fans had this to say:
The thing is so many of these sports writers never even played at a high level yet they’re so called experts. There’s shit you can’t know unless you actually played the game for a significant length of time.
— Eric Nuanes (@enuaneswrites) February 6, 2024
— Megan Reindl 👩🏻🦰 (@MeganMarieInSD) February 6, 2024
He sucks.
— Tracy (@TracyWaldren1) February 6, 2024
It obvious now Kenny is racist
— Brandon (@BrandonPaul619) February 6, 2024
Because he's a racist little leprechaun
— THE Rogue Clown (@RogueWho) February 6, 2024
He’s a fckin joke
— Larry Cronenworth (@ScottzTottz_) February 6, 2024
First of all, they fired the wrong dude.
Second… "Rosenthal was still paid, but was put in a months-long penalty box."
Disappointed you didn't use a baseball analogy here. "Sent to the minors" or something.— Danielle-Royals ⚾ bad decisions & baseball (@danielleRoyalKC) January 3, 2022
@Ken_Rosenthal this is nonsense. You could have your own freaking show on any station you want to be on. What a joke.
— $SER PRONK 🧪 🐇 (@SportsCardNFTs) January 3, 2022
Jeez Ken is the man. Let’s not forget Manfred is the one that word for word called the Commissioners Trophy a "piece of metal"
— Noah Bieniek (@NoahB77_) January 3, 2022
Rob Manfred runs a dictatorship
— will: Riley Greene Truther (@wrhiv_72) January 3, 2022
This is so outrageous, Ken. Disgrace in the commissioner's office. A little well-deserved criticism, and boom! Kill the messenger. Your reputation and integrity are so far above reproach, your mind should be clear.
— Bruce Jenkins (@Bruce_Jenkins1) January 4, 2022
Is this the United States? Is there an amendment in our constitution for freedom of the press? It’s the press’ responsibility, obligation and duty to hold leaders responsible and accountable for their behavior and actions!
— David F (@nydavey) January 4, 2022
Support you 1,000%, Kenny! @MLBNetwork Just took a big hit… Look forward to your next report! 🥇
— Tim Gregory (@tim_greg20) January 4, 2022
Ken you will be missed and I will miss your special baseball analysis. You are always on beat, prepared and great to listen to. I will look for you on your next network, BIG fan in NYC!
— AMF9958 (@amf9933) January 4, 2022
MLB Network is a walking L good god
— Coach Eric Shun (@EShunESPN) January 4, 2022
You mean @TheAthleticMLB just won the rights to pay you more for more of your professional work? Sounds like MLB Network really missed out. You the man Ken.
— Jake Baker (@greaterNATI) January 4, 2022
We’ll still read you in The Athletic and watch you on FOX Sports! pic.twitter.com/vqbrKcA6dF
— Sons of Johnnie LeMaster (@SonsofJohnnieLe) January 4, 2022
Ken's a great journalist, but journalism is not what state TV wants. Cheerleaders need only apply.
— Robert Lusetich (@RobertLusetich) January 4, 2022
Ken Rosenthal just want you to know that you were by far the best Baseball reporter at MLB NETWORK. When I knew you were coming on air for your report I stopped whatever I was doing and paid attention to what your reporting. This is so wrong if Manfred is behind this. SHAMEFUL.
— MLB FAN 3110 (@janetsummers240) January 4, 2022
Your work is incredible. You're honest, trustworthy, and have the pulse of the game, the players, and the fans from where I sit. Wishing you all the best. And now, I HAVE to subscribe to The Athletic.
Wishing you all the best going forward. You're great for the game.— Wayne Tyson (@WayneTyson11) January 4, 2022
