Bernstein calls out beat reporters for not asking tough questions. Apparently MJH reward such actions.

I got upset with Bruce yesterday as he became upset with Carmen about the way MJH had treated Kenny and stated that Kenny will not come on the AIR with MJH BECAUSE THEY RIP HIM and Bruce was taking the side of Kenny.Again , Bruce works for ESPN and tells Carmen that MJH should watch what they say about baseball GM's and should expect NOT to get Kenny on.

This leads me to a couple of thoughts. 1. Bruce kisses these guys asses and is to afraid to challenge them on topics and does not do his job as a reporter.2. He's cheating the station he works for out true information about the teams they pay him to cover. 3. I think the guy comes off as a prick to the hosts sometimes and needs to show the hosts the same respect he shows to Kenny and Jim Hendry.

_________________
"lET ME , Worry about Luca Brasi"

It's a double-edged sword. If he's a hard-hitting, tough journalist going after a story no matter what it is or who he pisses off, he might break some kind of story. But, if he kisses ass, he gets much better access to players and management. It's a delicate balance, but I do agree that Bruce is TOO chummy with those he's supposed to be covering.

What's next? Will Bruce be photographed in a bikini at Kenny's poolside?

_________________

What happened to the man who challenged Ed Lynch with "without the media you wouldn't have a job".

Mac has inexplicably pimped Levine for years. His information seems to come out of the daily newspapers and his analysis is laughable. I can't believe I'm saying this, but Jesse Rogers is actually a far better baseball reporter than Levine ever has been or ever will be.

_________________

A little part of him died that day....

_________________
This is my signature...

The problem with with a Kiss-A$$ reporter like Levine is that their interviews are inherently uninteresting. Roger Clemens going on 60 minutes might have been a must-see...except that his buddy Mike Wallace was asking the questions. Booooring. Levine's smoozing build-up in preface to every question is just plain annoying. A good reporter knows how to ask probing questions in a manner which does not automatically offend the interviewee. All I ask is that they make an effort to address whatever issues would be of the most interest to the listener. Sometimes they will answer and sometimes they won't. Don't worry about offending someone...just ask the question!

and enough of the hysterical laughter after yet another unfunny joke by a coach

Didn't Mac take some verbal swipes at Levine back when Mac was at the Score? I remember when Mac moved WMVP thinking to myself how would Mac and Levine co-exist.

And I do find it funny whenever Levine comes on to any program he is introduced as the best baseball reporter in the city. Does Levine specifically ask to be referred to in this way? Reminds me of the story (not sure if its true or not) that whenever a then retired Joe DiMaggio was introduced to the audience, he had to be identified as the "greatest living ballplayer" per DiMaggio's instructions.

Mac's called out beat reporters on a few occasions for not asking the "tough" questions during post-game press conferences. He may not have singled out Bruce Levine, but Bruce does attend these conferences.

Mac ,

My first post was a reaction to what Bruce was spewing to Carmen about "WHY Kenny"would not come on your show.I don't think "WE and or I threw this out to see what would stick.I know you don't want to spilt hairs with Bruce and start an argument on the air but when you have time play the the tape of the exchange and you can decide if I was out of line in my comments.

_________________
"lET ME , Worry about Luca Brasi"

I agree with most of you guys, Levine doesn't seem like he will rip teams. Harry will defend him to the death for some reason, even if their fighting, a month ago he called Lynch a tool for going after Levine. I don't think Mac is really a big fan of his, Levine is one of the media members that doesn't ask the tough questions, basically the wusses, I remember they talked to a Cub last year, asked tough questions, and after it was done, Mac said that is how you ask tough questions and get and do an interview. He may be the best, I think overated.

On Finji's responses, it looks like somebody told him about this and he is just defending him like somebody told him to do, probably Harry.

I've often wondered about the same things being expressed in this thread. It seems to me the hard part of this has become what is sports considered to be--is it a news event or an entertainment event. I bring this up because I think the attitude taken by many news organizations in covering sports is to treat it like entertainment and not go after coaches and players hard after a game. Everyone wants to keep good relations so as to not destroy either existing/potential partnerships or relationships they've made with players or management. I offer as an example Comcast and their set up which is based on part ownership from the Bulls, Bears, Cubs, Sox and Blackhawks. You don't get much in the way of tough, insightful questioning because they don't want to rock the boat. NBC 5 is guilty of the same with the Bears. They covered their preseason games and became business partners with the team. The last thing they are going to do is ruin that relationship by digging for stories or asking tough questions.

I think Bruce Levine does a fine job and he realizes that there is a thin line he walks when he has to do his job. He has gotten a number of Chicago baseball stories first and I think more of the top people are willing to talk to him. That being said, I do think that he does have a reluctance in giving hard questions, such as when he has Bud Selig on. He and Selig are good friends (as Bud has stated when he makes an appearance) and I've heard Bruce compliment him many times on the job he's done. But, I've never heard Bruce call him to the carpet on such things as the steroids issue. When I've heard him broach the subject, Bruce will begin by defending Selig and his actions in handling the situation and will then toss a question at him that is easily answered by the commissioner. I understand how difficult it must be for beat reporters because they know they risk losing key sources if they become to tough with the questions, but the reporters must understand that they can ask tough questions without coming off as being in "attack mode" and adversarial.

I also think what makes things difficult is the sports teams unwillingness to talk with and be open with local reporters because they fear the backlash, or, in some cases, would rather be on a national scene because the questioning would be different. They don't seem to be to unhappy when the networks come calling, but if the local media wants similar access it seems that doors are shut. For example I give Brian Urlacher. He didn't seem to have a problem with going on Dan Patrick's show or Mike and Mike in the morning to talk about the Bears chances for the season. But, he never seemed to willing to go on MJH or any other local program. I think he believes that the nature of the questions would be less harsh on the national level than if they were given by local scribes or radio hosts. Why do you think he would only work with Jay Glazer and Fox.com? He could control the questioning and knew that whatever he gave to them would not be followed up with "but you didn't answer the question" types of responses.

I make a connection to this and Barak Obama's troubles with the Tony Rezko situation. In the Sun Times a few days ago, it was mentioned that he didn't like answering questions posed to him from the Chicago media. The reason was because of the knowledge they have about the Rezko case that the national media doesn't. Since they follow it more and would be more equipped to ask tough questions, Obama tried to steer clear of Chicago reporters knowing that handling the national press would be easier because they wouldn't focus on that touchy of a subject. I think sports teams and athletes are doing somewhat the same thing. They know they won't get drilled by the likes of ESPN and would be happier to talk to them. Thus, to get the access they want, local reporters will not be too confrontational.

yea i remember a few times during critics last year he would give the cubs media a thumb down for never having a good question.

i dont see the problem here. bruce seems to have the best info on both teams either at AM1000 or the score. i dont care how he gets it, i just want to hear what is going on with the teams. where is it said that he has to be a prick to kenny and hendry and the managers, and call them out and harass them to be doing his job well? that isnt going to get him better info. all that does is make the people who think confrontational sound bytes are funny happy. it doesnt help him do his job.

it doesnt make any sense for people to say he should be hammering away on people all the time, calling them out, making them uncomfortable, proving his "credibility" with the fans, when it is those people he has to deal with and go back to time and time again for info.

I agree.... Bruce seems to get the scoop so I don't care. I have also heard that the guy has zero life besides baseball....

What I want to know is which one of you guys is leaving Mac messages on his voicemail that he hits *2 after the 1st sentence????

_________________
SideshowBob311: "Sadly enough, I think we're the "intelligent" portion of the sports radio fanbase".
"I make fun of whoever sucks, including me"- Harry 11/30/07

I think Jeff Dickerson asks tough questions when he's covering the Bears and has questioned Lovie and his decisions during press conferences which pissed Lovie off and I respect the job he does in covering the Bears.I really have never heard Bruce challenge players, coaches or dugouts during his time with MJH.I like Bruce and I think you need a guy whom the players and coaches and GM's respect.That's not to say the Bears don't respect JD ,I think you handle the egos and attitudes in different ways.

I don't think baseball experts generate the buzz that a guy covering a football team does and I think Bruce thinks he's part of both organizations and has a different perspective on how things should be done.

_________________
"You can't put a bounty on a man's head"!

"Heyyyy Mac, Harry here... " *deleted*

_________________

Free Dave Miska????

_________________
"It's not the heat, it's the stupidity"

baseball is so much more of a grind, a day-to-day thing. different games and stories all the time, i think a beat reporter for a baseball team has to show a little more tact. there is more day-to-day interaction it seems. ive never been a beat reporter, so i could be way off base with that.

Please don't forget that the man WORKS for Vine Line.

_________________
President of Blake Shetlon fan club

how does this negatively affect his ability to report the day-to-day information about what is happening at cubs camp again?

Have you ever read Vine Line?
I wouldn't call that objective journalism.

_________________
President of Blake Shetlon fan club

"Subscribe to Vine Line, and get the inside perspective on your favorite team year-round.

Published out of the Cubs' own "Friendly Confines," Vine Line offers:

* Complete year-round Cubs coverage
* Revealing player features
* Extra Innings features on pertinent baseball topics as they relate to the Cubs
* Unparalleled minor league reports
* Updates on Cubs alumni
* Exclusive Cubs photography and much more"

The publication for "true" Cubs analysis?

_________________
President of Blake Shetlon fan club

what kind of analysis are you looking for exactly? scandal? corruption? political intrigue? i want to know who is hurt. i want to know who is getting playing time. i want to know if there are rumors of trades. i want to know who lou is leaning towards in the starting staff, and what the lineup might look like. maybe hear about a rookie who is swinging well, or a nugget about a minor-league pitcher who is turning heads.

he is there, watching the games, talking to the players, and telling the listeners what he sees and hears. it sounds ok to me. i look forward to his reports.

Perhaps honest, ....and objective?

_________________
There are only two examples of infinity: The universe and human stupidity and I'm not sure about the universe.

what are the big lies he is covering up due to his allegiance with vineline? wouldnt his relationship with the cubs and that magazine give the listener more access to the team through him? i still don't follow how any of this would not allow him to tell me who batted where today, and what pitchers looked good, and what any trade rumors are. that is all i am looking from a beat reporter. i guess i agree with finji:

I'm not going to get into calling the man a liar nor a hack, but he does have a certain tendency to report as if the taste of Cub Kool Aid is fresh on his lips. I can appreciate the tact and diplomacy that is required to be a baseball 'beat' reporter, but when most Cub stories sound as if they've been pre-approved by the marketing dept., enough is enough.

As to who batted where, looked good, etc., most semi-literate baseball fans can figure that out for themselves. His job would(should) appear to be to provide a real insight, that perhaps occasionally will ruffle a few feathers with an honest appraisal of the situations. To draw a parallel to another 'beat' reporter, that clown Greenie used to be the Bears' beat reporter on the Score. He gushed with descriptions of who practiced well, told a funny story at the press conferences or what anyone could read in the agate(?) pages in the paper. That is to say, uninsightful, fluff and generally usesless.

That is the case with any 'beat' reporter with blinders on, even Levine on the Cubs.

_________________
There are only two examples of infinity: The universe and human stupidity and I'm not sure about the universe.

i agree that during the season, i watch the games, i can easily figure out who is doing what. during spring training, it is interesting to hear nuggets about how the team is going, who is going to start the season where, who looks good and who looks crappy, what the rotation is going to look like, and that is what he provides. he does a good job of giving that kind of info each day. if i want deep-probing investigative reporting, i'll watch 60 minutes.

my journalistic expectations of someone covering a baseball team are much lower than some others, thats all.

by the way, that "clown" greenie has done alright for himself! i enjoyed his stay at the score, and enjoy him now as well. but i'll save that for another topic.