Comments on: Writer Gets Into It With Ken Griffey Jr. at Wrigley Field

By: DBDR

DBDR — Mon, 16 Apr 2007 17:03:50 +0000

Stooge,

I’m not siding with anyone (not saying that you were directing your comments at me, but just in case). But I refuse to take that one little blurb as absolute fact, that’s all. Although I will say that Buzz’s silence on this so far has been somewhat interesting. If it didn’t go down in this manner, then why would he not tell his side…

By: ebradlee10

ebradlee10 — Mon, 16 Apr 2007 04:32:03 +0000

Apropos of nothing… Bissinger wrote a great book about Philly called, A Prayer for the City (joke here) about Rendell’s administration and how the city has evolved and then devolvoed through history…

By: Stooge

Stooge — Sun, 15 Apr 2007 04:42:58 +0000

I side with Griffey on this one all the way. If I was having a conversation with someone and another person simply interrupted, and then justified doing so by claiming an absence of his own time, I’d just walk away, talking my friend with me.

Buzz Bissinger, according the report above, showed no basic politeness, professionalism, or common decency. And when Griffey called him on his lack of courtesy, Bissinger insulted Griffey.

Perhaps Bissinger ought to explain to us all why he failed to get to the park much earlier to speak with Griffey and/or why he failed to work with either Griffey’s reps and/or the Reds’ public relations office to schedule a time for an interview. To do any of these things would have been to show initiative, common sense, and basic decency.

I would hardly walk into the doctor’s office or a restaurant, demand immediate service, cite my lack of time as a reason for prompt treatment, and then insult an individual when they failed to immediately tend to my needs. Instead, I’d make an appointment with the doc or reservation at the restaurant. Common sense dictates such preparation.

Why you’re siding with Bissinger on this one is a mystery.

By: seanfuchs

seanfuchs — Sat, 14 Apr 2007 23:51:05 +0000

I went to the game on Saturday and met Buzz for the first time. He seemed like a nice enough guy. After I read this post, I have to admit it was strange that he said “you’re not worth it” to me when I introduced myself to him in the cafeteria.

By: JS

JS — Sat, 14 Apr 2007 20:38:44 +0000

I’m with johndewar here – Bissinger is a tremendous non-fiction writer, much better than Feinstein, but gets none of the same accolades – but his reputation has always been spotty. Great talent, with an ego to match.

By: johndewar

johndewar — Sat, 14 Apr 2007 14:33:09 +0000

Bissinger is a very good writer (“Friday Night Lights”, “Prayer for the City”, and Vanity Fair article that spawned the movie “Shattered Glass”), but even in the Philadelphia area where he wrote for the Inquirer at one time, he’s known as very arrogant and that was BEFORE Friday Night Lights got made into a movie. I completely believe he would say that to Griffey.

By: Jip

Jip — Sat, 14 Apr 2007 01:26:53 +0000

I’ll agree that Buzz’s side needs to be heard. But based on these facts, Buzz is completely in the wrong here.

By: DBDR

DBDR — Sat, 14 Apr 2007 00:40:43 +0000

I’m with Joe. I’d like to hear Buzz’s side of it. I have a feeling the truth could be somewhere in the middle. Or maybe the beat writer is trying to gain some favor with Griffey Jr. by slamming a national guy…figuring he can make his life easier. Too many variables here to make a definitive statement. But who needs the facts anymore, right?

By: jay

jay — Fri, 13 Apr 2007 22:55:43 +0000

The few times I’ve seen Bissinger do interviews he definitely puts off an arrogant vibe, like he poops out strawberry soft-serve. Just my 2 cents.

By: Joe

Joe — Fri, 13 Apr 2007 21:47:23 +0000

First of all, Jarrett, Friday Night Lights was a non-fiction book, and a damn fine one at that. The movie and the show pale in comparison to the book. It’s by far the best sports book I’ve ever read, so I’m a big fan of Bissinger. I’d be interested to hear his side of the story, since I find it pretty tough to believe that he would try to big time Junior.