The Week In WIEblog: Michael Bamberger Smackdown
Lots of harsh and mostly well deserved criticism of Michael Bamberger from readers of WIEblog. Here are a few choice selections from this past week:
I just finished reading the Q&A on SI’s site as well, I still don’t buy it. For someone as knowlegeable about the game as Bamberger, you can’t tell me that he didn’t know she’d be DQ’d after signing an incorrect card. His timing betrays is seemingly altruistic, “for the love of the game” excuses. The guy was a caddy for cryin’ out loud! Her first pro match will forever have an asterisk by it with Bamberger’s name forever etched in the history books, congrats Mike. — Darryl Lee
To say Michael wants his 15 minutes of fame is an understatement…what better time is it to have your name put on the map than Michelle’s debut. If Michael wanted to maintain the integrity of the game he should’ve brought it Michelle’s attention before she finished the round. — ML
Every other sport accepts “human errors” in refereeing–if all the official participants (players and officials) missed the call and Wie had no malintent, why should she be punished? — Laura
Oh, come, now. Bamberger really plays that air violin, doesn’t he? He hasn’t always been that “highly regarded” either, judging from a bit in The Death of Sportswriting by Alan Richman:
“So empty is the reservoir of talent that last year the Philadelphia Inquirer assigned two cityside reporters to cover premier sports beats, assigning the Eagles to Mark Bowden and the Phillies to Michael Bamberger. I’m sure morale in the sports department soared after that. Neither experiment went for extra bases. Bowden wrote well, if naively. Bamberger wrote earnestly but ineptly and continually discovered what fans already know: that defense wins games and that ‘baseball is a wholly unpredictable game.’” —Dave Oshel
I’m not sure Bamberger had malicious intent, but I disagree with his definition of integrity. My own conscience would have told me that I relinquished all right to report the incident once the scorecard was signed. — Karl Hasegawa
As for WIEblog? I can probably count the number of highly regarded sports journalists on one hand. Sportswriters are writing about things that “don’t really matter,” they’re entertainment reporters. As journalists reporting facts all they should really supply the readers with is the final score.
So while I still feel there was no malice involved in his actions, it is his intent that warrents questioning. His stated defence in the SI Q&A is reasonable enough, but still appears constructed after the fact. Ethical journalism comes when one reasons before acting, and in Bamberger’s case his reasoning is self-serving. It’s the sort of thinking encouraged by the “new journalism.” You can thank a certain Aussie media magnate for that.
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October 26th, 2005 at 11:20 am
Michael_bamberger@timeinc.com ……
October 26th, 2005 at 10:39 pm
LEXUS CUP WILL BE EVEN BETTER IF SPORE INVITES WIE
Singapore must invite Michelle Wie to Lexus Cup, a fresh tournament between the Asian Team(led by Grace Park) against the International Team (led by Annika Sorenstam).
Michelle, a professional now, though an American Korean, is also the pride of Asia. Asia can lay claim on an indivisible part of Tiger Woods too. Therefore, Lexus organizer, the Singapore Tourism Board and the associated Singapore organizers and sponsors should earnestly request and persuade Grace Park to include Michelle Wie as a Captain%u2019s choice or as the wild card in the Asian Team in this Lexus Cup to be held in Tanah Merah Country Club (Tampines Course) on 9 - 11 December 2005. What top draw can we ask for if we have Michelle Wie vs Paula Creamer or Annika Sorenstam!
However, we could face a hitch. Feminine instinct may pre-empt it. Grace Park may find that the hype of Michelle will overshadow everybody else. No lady fellow golfers would want this super star and darling of Nike and Sony around, if they can help it. Only Lexus the sponsors and Singapore Tourism Board and Singapore organizers can make it happen.
It will be fantastic for Asian Golf! It will be more fantastic for Singapore! It will be an awesome golf tournament for all golfers who want to reach the next level, young and old, be they duffers, hookers (10%: better players), slicers (85%: beginners) or even hackers (5%: who has not any clue where the ball is going!).
We want Michelle Wie, the new star power of the Women%u2019s Golf in Singapore. Don%u2019t we?
For Lexus sponsors, Singapore Tourism Board and associated Singapore organizers, please do not disappoint Singaporeans and Asians. This is a rare window opportunity for Singapore. It is still not too late. The very Michelle%u2019s presence and performance will crown the glory of this Lexus Cup and enhance Singapore golf and tourism beyond our dream. Tiger Woods will not come to Singapore without the appearance fees. So invite the next best top draw for Asian golf. Let us make it happen.
BY ALEXANDER LING
THE STRAITS TIMES, THURSDAY OCTOBER 27,2005
October 26th, 2005 at 10:48 pm
TO BLOW THE WHISTLE OR NOT ON MICHELLE WIE%u2019S INFRACTION OF RULES IS NOT THE REAL QUESTION.
On the abovementioned incident, I cannot help but reach certain conclusions on the disqualification of Michelle Wie in the Samsung World Championship.
Duty of an experienced Journalist on golf
What is the duty of a senior reporter, Michael Bamberger, in this case? And when has he to report the rules infraction of Michelle Wie, after tracking her like Sherlock Holmes and personally making a microscopic remeasurement of the distance between the spot and the point of relief when Michelle Wie redropped the ball nearer to the hole?
At that critical juncture, while in remeasuring the historic spot for redropping Michael found an irresistible time bomb. Lo and behold, an unexpected and rare window of opportunity for historic journalism presented itself for the wildest dream of a journalist.
Indeed, Michael knew his or the professional %u201Cethics%u201D expected of a senior reporter and former professional PGA caddie. But, still, why did he delay in the premeditated plan of blowing the whistle on Michelle? Ulterior motive with clear %u201Cmens rea%u201D and ambition to write an epic golfing history on this American Korean. Michelle should have asked for a confirmation from an official.
The direct and simple answer is to report as soon as possible, practical and certainly before Michelle signed her scorecard for the Third Round on Saturday evening. The pain of two strokes of penalty would be more bearable and acceptable to all than total disqualification.
Now Michael deliberately delayed and staged the timing of blowing the whistle on Michelle Wie. Why? That%u2019s the real question. Let us dwell on the following salient observations.
Michelle had 11 more holes to play. Plenty of time available for Michael to check with the Editor and report . Why did he deliberately refrain from doing that? There must be an ulterior motive. Yes.
As an ex-professional caddie in the PGA Tour and European Tour Michael knew perfectly the rules resulting either 2 penalty strokes or disqualification. In fact, he went to remeasure it. He is out to realize the
American dream of journalism %u2013 the extension of history. That would be an understandable ambition.
Why Michael only contacted Jim Herre, the Editor, only on Sunday (time?) and not between the time when Michelle played the remaining eleven (11) holes and before she signed her scorecard on Saturday? Michael must have carefully and surreptitiously planned and staged the timing of the performa request only on Sunday for confirmation of sports %u201Cethics%u201D from the Editor to mask his real %u201Cmens rea%u201D and personal agenda.
Why Michael wanted Michelle to finish and submit her final scorecard on Sunday itself before blowing the whistle on her? To pen the most sensational and exciting golf story in the professional tours in recent times.
Prima facie, there are four remote overlapping possibilities or probabilities in not reporting the incident on Saturday.
Firstly, being an avid golfer and journalist admiring the talent of this youngest golf prodigy in the professional rank he wanted to watch this young and vivacious Michelle with a swing as good as Tiger Woods and Ernie Els to finish the final round of golf. She is 6%u2019 2%u201D tall with a swing speed of 177 MPH, hitting %u201Clonger than average Pro on the men%u2019s tour,%u201D said Johnny Miller.
If she were a pro and over 18, she would have earned over US$550,000 at the age of 15. That is an incredible story to write especially, when Michael has then the exclusive secret of the time bomb he detected as Sherlock Holmes in the LPGA Tour.
Secondly, he did not want to be a spoilsport. There is an element of truth in that perspective.
Thirdly, fear that over zealous fans and followers of Michelle might land Taekwando punches or flying kicks on his ribs, apart from booing or threatening calls. That is a distinct possibility. Let us be fair to him.
Lastly, there was allegation of racism in view of already acrid hue and cry of American women professionals on Michelle%u2019s hype. I doubted racism was in his mind. He just wanted a sensational story.
There were many American fellow women professionals who rejoiced over Michelle%u2019s disqualification for different reasons. That is understandable where woman is concerned: the unexpected quite often happens.
Michael would be their hero. Michael%u2019s mere presence in future Michelle%u2019s tournaments will put an added psychological pressure on her. They would love him dearly for that!. But no doubt. Michelle will be more mature, physically and mentally stronger, hungrier at the same time and will call the official henceforth on taking any relief.
Nobody knows the answer to this hypothetical question except Michael himself. If the same infraction the golf rules were committed by Paula Creamer instead of Michelle or less known American lady golfer, not an Asian, would Michael have bothered to blow the whistle on her? Rebuttable presumptions abound for sure.
Even Tiger Woods found it horrifying and failed to understand Michael%u2019s real motive in delaying the reporting.
The truth is that Michael knew perfectly well that there are only two likely scenarios at the end of 4th round. Nevertheless, he still wanted that option namely to stick to that planned private agenda at all costs.
First Scenario
In the first scenario, Michael actually wanted Michelle to play well on Sunday believing that she had a sporting chance to snatch the cup from Annika.
Now, just imagine for a second, if Michelle were to win and got disqualified, that would be the most sensational and extraordinary story. The wildest dream story of any journalist !
History remembers the villains better than normal goody-goody. In an epic drama, the audience love to watch the %u201Cvillain%u201D. Without this epic drama at the expense of Michelle, where will Michael Bamberger be? Who is Michael Bamberger? The world would have never known him.
If Michael now is considered infamous or famous while living, he would become ten fold more of that when he is no more around. The headlines would linger in the minds of avid golfers e.g. %u201CMichael (M) Bamberger (B) blew the whistle (W) on Michelle (M)%u201D
Second Scenario
However, on the second scenario as it happened, Michelle finished no. 4 on the Tournament but was disqualified. That story was still very sensational for her first professional debut.
Even if Annika were to jump into a pond, no one would have noticed or paid any attention, as she was %u201Calready a forgotten champion figure before the champagne was chilled%u201D. The buzz and hype were on Michelle Wie.
Perhaps, in America, Journalism is %u201Capt to be regarded as an extension of history.%u201D
The poetic justice will be that the price of justice is eternal publicity for Michael and Michelle. It is up to the individual to judge whether it is positive or negative.
Ethics might have troubled him up to a point but he deliberately staged the timing of the blowing the whistle on Michelle at the end while letting the world enjoy another round of her golf. That incidental part must be acknowledged.
Michelle had been courted and treated and paid beyond the dreams of other envious professional lady golfers at such a tender age on her worldwide appealing and marketing hype by Nike and Sony. It would not be unfair for her to take on the Senior PGA Tour too! Let the old guys have some fun, colour and excitement too.
Many skeptics and cynics have castigated her professional performance in the future; they think she will end up like the frustrated former Russian tennis model, Anna Kournikva yet to win a professional title and past glamorous LPGA lady golfer, such as Laura Blaugh. Morgan Pressel and Pinky Paula Creamer grumbled that Michelle had too much undue publicity and hype without winning tournaments. Life can be unfair or fair. Not every actress can become a movie star. Hawaiian, Korean, Asian and American cultural fusion is a very powerful marketing hype too. At 15, Michelle has already mastered the Tiger Woods%u2019 high flying cut short (not just a fade shot) into a tight green with the pin behind the bunkers surrounding by thick rough. How many lady professionals can play this special shot in the LPGA Tour? Annika Sorenstam is now trying to master this shot which will become the worst golf shot if not properly executed - the shank shot.
However, I believe she will win a Major too. We should not begrudge her success and hype. We should give credit to where credit is due. Encourage her to excel.
The media likes this almost fairy tale teenage golfer who received contributions of US$12,000 from her small home town of 45,000 population through her grandfather%u2019s strenuous effort of passing his hat round in order to get proper clothes and equipment for Michelle Wie to play in the PGA and LPGA Tours in 2003. Michelle is ever so grateful. So was Vijay Singh grateful to Sarawakians and Sabahans who helped him during his despondent period of refuge and his lonely days in the professional wilderness in Borneo Island. Vijay Singh found his %u201Cshaolin temple%u201D in Borneo to sharpen his high level of golf skill before he took up the European (No. 10 after two years) and US Tours (No. 1 in 2004) by storm. NO wonder he married a Malaysian too!
At the age of 13 she shot the same score as ADAM SCOTT (world No. 7 now) in the PGA Sony Hawaii Open, missing the cut by one stroke. That is unheared of. David Leadbetter said that her swing is just as good, if not better than Tiger Woods.
Microscopic attention of media will be focused on Michelle. She will mature; she can take it; and she will take all the ups and downs in her stride. Let us wish her well.
Whether Michael deserves the title of Machiavelli or villain or outstanding professional journalist in this epic drama that is debatable. Certainly, it is beyond a matter of prick of conscience or justification on grounds of ethics of a journalist. Therefore, it is understandable when toasting to Napoleon, Thomas Campbell quipped: %u201CGentlemen, I agree with you that Napolean is a tyrant, a monster, the sworn foe of our nation. But gentlemen - he once shot a {newsreporter }.%u201D
We know that in any article written against fame and hype has the author%u2019s name on the title page to make his own name famous and historic in American journalism %u2013 an extension of history. Hell has no fury or power like a hustler in journalism. %u201CThe importance of history,%u201D according to Maitland %u201Cis not what happened but what people thought and said about it.%u201D