Speaking out after not speaking
» MLB: Astros violated access policies in issue involving Verlander, reporter.
Major League Baseball said Thursday that the Astros violated its policies, as stated in the collective bargaining agreement that governs baseball, by delaying a Detroit Free Press reporter from entering the team’s clubhouse Wednesday night.
The Astros, meanwhile, said the team acted appropriately in light of what it described as “past history” between the reporter and Astros pitcher Justin Verlander.
The Free Press said its reporter Anthony Fenech, who has worked for the newspaper since 2015 and is a member of the Baseball Writers’ Association of America, was prevented from entering the Astros clubhouse following the team’s 2-1 loss to the Tigers.
The newspaper said the delay lasted six minutes and that Fenech was admitted only after Verlander, who pitched a complete game in the loss, had finished a brief session with local reporters.
The team did not communicate to other media representatives at the time that a reporter had been barred from the premises.
The Astros said in a statement: “This course of action was taken after taking into consideration the past history between Fenech and (Verlander), Verlander’s legitimate concerns about past interactions with Fenech, and the best interests of the other media members working the game.
“We chose to prioritize these factors when making this decision. Fenech was allowed access to the clubhouse shortly after other media members and had the opportunity to approach Verlander or any player he needed. We believe that our course of action in this isolated case was appropriate.”
MLB’s statement on the matter, however, said, “Per our Club-Media Regulations, the reporter should have been allowed to enter the clubhouse postgame at the same time as the other members of the media. We have communicated this to the Astros.”
Astros spokesman Gene Dias said the team had no additional reaction to the statement by MLB and a separate comment by the BBWAA criticizing the team’s decision.
Verlander, meanwhile, acknowledged on Twitter that he did not wish to speak with the Free Press reporter present.
“I declined to speak with the @freep (reporter) last night because of his unethical behavior in the past,” Verlander tweeted. “I reached out to the @freep multiple times before the game to notify them why and to give them an opportunity to have someone else there. Ironically they didn’t answer.
“Although I tried to avoid this situation altogether, I’ve still reached out to @freep multiple times today with no response. They’re still not interested in my side of the story.”
Verlander was not available in the Astros’ clubhouse during the 50-minute period Thursday that it was open to reporters. Fenech was present in the mostly unpopulated clubhouse for at least 20 minutes.
“Blocking a working reporter from doing his job is unprofessional, disappointing and intolerable,” Free Press executive editor Peter Bhatia said Wednesday. “We will be protesting to MLB and the Astros.”
After Verlander’s Twitter comments Thursday, Free Press sports editor Chris Thomas wrote on Twitter: “Hey, @JustinVerlander: I would like to know who you have contacted @freep about telling your side of the story. My reporter has not heard from you directly, nor have I. I am more than happy to speak with you about it.”
As for the BBWAA, which among its activities works to ensure access for its members, the organization said it was “alarmed” by the Astros’ actions.
“This action by the Astros violated the MLB club-media regulations, which are laid out in the Collective Bargaining Agreement,” the BBWAA added.
Fenech, in a statement Thursday night, said he was disappointed with what he descried as the Astros’ “inexplicable decision” to limit access.
"In my time as the Tigers beat writer for the Free Press, my foremost goal has been fair and ethical coverage,” the writer said. “I am confident that goal has been clearly and consistently achieved in my body of work and with the personal and professional way I build relationships across baseball.
“As I do with every player in the clubhouse each season and dozens around the game whom I have covered over the past five years, I wish Justin Verlander good luck and good health for the remainder of the season.”