The talk of the of nation Thursday was not the BP oil spill nor the NBA Finals. Nope, the focus was on the blown call by Jim Joyce spoiling Armando Galarraga’s perfect game for the Detroit Tigers. This story went was so hot that even CNBC was discussing it.
Anchors Mark Haines and Erin Burnett were discussing the play on their show Thursday. Haines was expressing the general feeling that the call was ridiculous and was outraged that Galarraga was denied his perfect game. Burnett shrugged it off and stated that she thought it was beautiful how the ump and the pitcher hugged afterward and that everyone admitted fault. Haines was unhappy with Burnett’s comments to say the least, and here’s what he had to say:
Of course Burnett was shocked that those words had even escaped her co-anchor’s mouth and was at a loss for words. She then joked that maybe there would be a punch thrown and that their studio would resemble the UFC. That’s professionalism. She let it roll off her shoulders instead of firing back with an equally rude comment.
My question for Mr. Haines is do you realize it’s 2010? Women have a much bigger role in the sports world that you can possibly comprehend. Yes, I agree that Burnett’s comments weren’t exactly the most compelling I’ve heard about this particular incident, but to embarrass her and characterize women like that was just plain sexist.
Women are reporters, agents and owners in the sports world as well as countless other roles. And though women may never dominate the field like men do, they are gaining presence at an amazing pace. What Burnett said may not have been the most intelligent of comments, but his was much more ignorant. Men may wear the pants in the relationship, but any married man will tell you that when it comes to sports, it’s the women who decides if he gets to spend his money on tickets to the game. So don’t tell me women aren’t in charge of sports!
Sources:
Mark Haines Makes Sexist Comment on CNBC, Refuses to Apologize [Huffington Post]
