It’s been a while since I’ve posted to this site, primarily because most of you have become accustomed to reading my stories on the various sites I write for these days such as Examiner.com and Inside Sports. But this is the appropriate place to publish the following in response to a recent situation that has occurred.
The following is an email sent by me on Sunday to the Dodgers organization in an attempt to apologize for the opinion piece I wrote on Friday on the Examiner website about the recent assault at Dodger Stadium. I felt it was important to share this with my readers, whom I’ve encouraged to come here to read as opposed to on the Examiner site itself, as the original story has thankfully been removed from the site:
To those in the Dodger organization,
It is with a great deal of humility and regret that I type this email in response to the article I attempted to write on Friday evening regarding the state of security surrounding Dodger Stadium and concerning the unfortunate events that occurred on Thursday. Please allow me the opportunity to apologize to you both individually and as an organization.
On Friday, I posted an article concerning the security issues at Dodger Stadium that came to light yet again following a post-game incident involving a parking lot assault of Giants fans by two men who were purportedly Dodgers fans. The hope was to shine some light on an issue that was seemingly being hushed by the media both locally and nationally.
But in trying to state my opinion, I went so far over-the-line in lacking professional integrity and judgment that I’m surprised I can find the line again. A lesser person in my position would try to blame this on a variety of factors including: a recent introduction of medications stemming from a recent hospitalization for a pulmonary embolism; personalizing the story due to a familial relationship with the young man who was tragically murdered eight years ago at Dodger Stadium; and wanting to express a growing concern of several Dodger fans I had heard from in the hours leading up to the story expressing the exact same sentiments about a perceived lack of empathy and activity regarding this story.
However, through eleven years as a journalist and blogger, I have on occasion demanded that athletes, coaches, agents, owners, media, and fans of sports teams hold themselves accountable for their actions. Therefore, I accept full responsibility for these actions without excuse and offer my sincerest apologies. It is with a great deal of regret that the article was published, and the borderline inflammatory language contained within. I have a great deal of respect for the Dodgers organization, and have for many years. The PR staff has been above reproach in how they have handled providing me and fellow 'bloggers' with access to the team over the years, and my hope is that this incident will not damage those efforts.
As I had originally stated in the original piece, even if it is now at an arms-length: I would appreciate the chance to help the Dodgers present their side of what they are hoping to accomplish in terms of making fans feel safer at Dodger Stadium. This is an important issue, and I owe it to not only the people I work for and with at Examiner that are standing by me, but to those loyal readers that root for one of the best organizations in sports.
My hope is that this email will also be forwarded to Frank McCourt, Ned Colletti, and all those within the Dodgers organization that would find it useful and pertinent. Thank you for the time to read this today. I will be sharing this email apology with my Examiner audience as well.
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1 comment:
on may 19 2006 my husband that is a leukemia patint was badly beat unconscious at a dodger game his leg was severly broken and had to have his leg amputated we were never contacted but the stadium and never was a reward offered to find the low life men that did this
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