Bill Madden Is a Genius: The Pete Rose (Non) Story

When I first decided to write this post, I was going to take the angle that Bill Madden is completely insane.  I then realized that he may just be a sports-writing genius.

Yesterday, The New York Daily News published Madden’s article, MLB commissioner Bud Selig mulling pardon for hit king Pete Rose.  From national radio shows to bloggers everywhere, it was the story of the day.  I let my feelings on the subject be known.  Pete Rose is a lightning rod when it comes to sports talk.

Here is an excerpt from the article:

Thanks to the behind-the-scenes lobbying from some of the most influential Hall of Famers, commissioner Bud Selig is said to be seriously considering lifting Pete Rose’s lifetime suspension from baseball.

The tip-off that Selig may now be inclined to pardon baseball’s all-time hit king was Hank Aaron’s seemingly impromptu interview session with a small group of reporters in the lobby of the Otesaga Hotel on Saturday.

This morning, I learn that MLB commissioner Bud Selig will not ease up on Pete Rose.  The ironic thing is that this article was also written by Bill Madden.

Here is an excerpt from today’s article:

Despite growing sentiment from a number of influential Hall of Famers – most notably Hank Aaron—that 20 years has been a sufficient sentence for Pete Rose for betting on baseball, Bud Selig insists nothing has changed from his standpoint. Baseball’s all-time hit king remains permanently ineligible, persona non grata, out in the cold and taboo and I’m coming to the belief he’s going to remain so as long as Selig is commissioner.

Aaron, Selig’s close friend, said Saturday at the Hall of Fame that he believes Rose deserves to be enshrined in Cooperstown, and other Hall of Famers have privately suggested to baseball officials that perhaps leniency might now be in order. Selig, however, still appears unmoved and I think I understand why.

Riddle me this, Batman…

What changed in 24 hours?  The second article mentions nothing of the first, even though it states the complete opposite.  Does Mr. Madden have multiple personalities, or is this why he gets paid to cover sports?

He takes two completely different angles on what has turned out to be a non-story.  He writes an article on an issue that is nearly 20 years old.  It is an issue that a lot of people feel very strongly about.  It inspires bloggers and tweeters to link back to him like crazy.

The next morning, another article surfaces that contradicts the first without actually saying so.  Radio shows and the blogosphere are buzzing again.  Genius.

Conclusions?

Two days of national publicity for a sports-writer.  Lots of discussion about an issue that hasn’t changed one bit.