Media Blows Chipper's Words Out of Proportion

As the media so often does, they took Atlanta Braves' third baseman, Chipper Jones' words out of context in attempt to attract readers.

Earlier this week, with New York Yankees' third base slugger Alex Rodriguez becoming the youngest player in history to hit 500 home runs and Barry Bonds breaking the all-time home run record, Chipper Jones simply stated that with this being the steroid era and with how much scrutiny Bonds has faced in his chase for Aaron's record number, Rodriguez will likely face those same questions if and when he hits 700 home runs and beyond. Jones stated that he doesn't believe A-Rod has cheated in any manner, but that the questions, scrutiny, and doubters will face A-Rod square on, much in the manner they did with Bonds if and when he approaches Bonds' new home run record.

The media made it seem that Chipper was taking a shot at A-Rod and was making the claim that he believed A-Rod was on steroids.

In response, Rodriguez had this to say, "I'm friends with Chipper. I go back to high school days with him. He didn't say anything out of order. I don't have any issues with him or what he said. He included himself in the conversation."

Yankees' manager, Joe Torre, had this to say in regard to Jones' comments, "I read it and it was nothing like the headline. He said that anybody is going to come under scrutiny, get asked questions. And that is true."

First off, kudos to Rodriguez and Torre for not biting the bait the media fed them. They could've used the misleading headline to get involved in what the media wanted to become a feud or circus, but they didn't give in. They admitted the headline was misleading, what Jones said was honest and truthful, and that the media took it out of context.

Come on media. Don't you have anything better to do? It's not like the Yankees and Braves are rivals. They play in different leagues, for crying out loud! If the story revolved around A-Rod and a player from the Boston Red Sox, Manny Ramirez or David Ortiz perhaps, then there may have been a bit more fire in the response, whether the headline was misleading or not. But, Chipper Jones of the Atlanta Braves? A team that the Yanks may see for three games in a season? What, will A-Rod and the Yanks use the false headline to get their adrenaline flowing for a future series with the Braves next year? The media may harp all day long about how players in the future (including A-Rod) will face intense scrutiny and questioning if and when they approach Bonds' new record, but when a player comes forward and basically repeats what has been said by journalists all across the country? Let's use that in attempt to start a verbal war! But, kudos again to the Yankee third baseman and his (their) manager for acting in a more mature fashion than the media.