Hall of Fame baseball writer Bill Conlin has recently been accused of child molestation that occurred during the 1960s and 1970s. Seven men and women have told the media that Conlin sexually abused them by fondling and touching their genitalia when they were between the ages of 7 and 12 years old.
The Baseball Writers Association of America, which decides which baseball players enter the Hall of Fame, recently voted to award Conlin with the J.G. Taylor Spink Award prior to news of the allegations. Conlin is recognized in the “Scribes and Mikemen” exhibit at the Baseball Hall of Fame for his “meritorious contributions to baseball writing.”
The New York Times has questioned whether the Baseball Writers Association of America should have moral standards that keep (accused) child molesters out of the Hall of Fame. After all, the BBWAA has appointed itself as the moral guardians of baseball with the debate over anabolic steroid use disqualifying otherwise eligible and worthy candidates from entering the Hall.
The BBWAA also awards the Major League Baseball Most Valuable Player Award (MVP). Sportswriters have been debating whether this year’s National League MVP award recipient should have his award revoked after testing positive for anabolic steroids (testosteorne). Milwaukee Brewers’ Ryan Braun failed an anti-doping test after a playoff game in October 2011.
If awards can be taken away because of steroids, should awards be taken away because of child abuse allegations?
A Baseball Hall of Fame spokesman was quick to point out that while Conlin is currently being honored in the Hall of Fame, he is not technically a member of the Hall.
The initial response from the Baseball Writers Association of America did not seem to express significant concern over the sexual abuse allegations against a Hall of Fame honoree.
“Bill Conlin has been a member in good standing of the B.B.W.A.A. since 1966,” according to a statement written by Jack O’Connell, the BBWAA Secretary-Treasurer. “The allegations have no bearing on his winning the 2011 J. G. Taylor Spink Award, which was in recognition of his notable career as a baseball writer.”
The statement created some disenchantment among the membership. It prompted O’Connell to apologize for releasing the statement without consulting the BBWAA board of directors. BBWAA President Bill Shaikin quickly released a revised statement.
“We were shocked and saddened to learn of the allegations involving Bill Conlin and we extend our sympathies to everyone involved,” wrote Shaikin. “This is a matter far more serious than baseball and, at this point, a matter best left to the proper authorities.”
The allegations against Conlin are infinitely more serious than steroid use by players. But the question remains: how should the BBWAA handle such cases?
Source:
Keh, A. (December 21, 2011). Abuse Allegations Leave the Hall of Fame in a Difficult Position. Retrieved from http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/22/sports/baseball/shocking-allegations-leave-hall-of-fame-in-difficult-position.html
Consentino, D. (December 22, 2011). The BBWAA’s Internal Explanation Of Its Initial Statement About Bill Conlin Says A Lot About The BBWAA. Retrieved from http://deadspin.com/5870459/the-bbwaas-internal-explanation-of-its-initial-statement-about-bill-conlin-says-a-lot-about-the-bbwaa
Fox Sports. (December 24, 2011). Conlin accused by 7th alleged victim. Retrieved from http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/Bill-Conlin-Philadelphia-columnist-accused-of-child-sexual-abuse-by-7th-alleged-victim-122311
