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GQ
Whiffs in Morgan Story
By
Randy Williams
I've long enjoyed GQ's Peter Richmond but "Joe Morgan's
Cool Anger" has more flaws than Bill Clinton's character.
The October article focuses on the ESPN and NBC broadcaster's
misgivings about Major League Baseball's attempts (or lack thereof)
to discover and develop the African-American ballplayer. The premise
is good and the interviewee is candid but Richmond doesn't get
it done.
Like most of Richmond's pieces, the article is well-written and
spliced with insightful comments. But the veteran writer makes
a rookie mistake in failing to note a racial incident from Morgan's
past.
Several years ago, the retired Hall of Famer was thrown to the ground
and handcuffed because, police said, he resembled a suspect. Every
article I've read about this event said it had a profound impact
on Morgan but you won't find it mentioned in October's GQ.
I was also puzzled by Richmond's attack of Commissioner Bud Selig,
whom he failed to interview for the article. I don't think Selig
is a great leader but it bothered me that Richmond didn't even speak
with him for the piece, instead using quotes from USA Today and
referring to a conversation that he had with the former Brewers
owner several years ago. Usually, writers learn to report both
sides of the story in Journalism 101.
Despite these errors, the story does have its good points. The article
flows well and Richmond does a nice job of drawing Morgan's anger
into the open. The announcer's comments show frustration at
a sport that provides endless funds to scout foreigners but doesn't
look for players in its own backyard.
Though I found the story interesting and enlightening, I was
quite disappointed at Richmond's failure to provide ample background
information and talk to Selig. A veteran journalist simply shouldn't
put his byline on an article without providing background data and
interviewing all affected parties.
Grade: D
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