We need folks like Fiers, less like Mendoza

OK. I get it. People who aren't in the media — the real media — don't necessarily grasp the nuances of the job. Just as I'm no expert on the vagaries of being an attorney.

But we discovered last week that even people in the media don't get it either.

Of course, we can quibble whether Jessica Mendoza, the baseball analyst on ESPN, is a journalist or a double agent, given that she's a special adviser to the Mets. Same with Alex Rodriguez and the Yankees. It screams conflict of interest. Alas, an argument for another day.

Mendoza's dizzying levels of obtuseness illustrated a fundamental lack of understanding of the media's job, especially in a day and age when anonymity stonewalls progress.

Her take on the baseball cheating scandal killed the messenger. Note to Ms. Mendoza: YOU are supposed to be the messenger, too. We need to support each other by encouraging transparency, not criticizing it.

"To go public, it didn't sit well with me," Mendoza said, alluding to former Houston pitcher Mike Fiers, whose bravery spearheaded a true MLB investigation. "It made me sad for the sport that that's how all this got found out. This wasn't something that MLB naturally investigated or that even other teams complained about it because they naturally heard about and then investigations happen. It came from within. It was a player that was a part of it ... it's something you don't do. I totally get

telling your future teammates, helping them win, letting people know. But to go public with it and call them out, it's hard to swallow."

I suppose I've heard something dumber in my life. I just can't think of anything else at the moment.

Here's why: Most people either don't know or comprehend the concept of accountability. The real media isn't about throwing it against the wall and seeing what sticks. That's fine for Facebook and Twitter. But for the real media to raise awareness and enact change, somebody's got to attach a name to a set of facts. That's what Mike Fiers did. It exposed a scandal. And Ms. Mendoza chose to criticize the messenger, not the act. Holy Hogwash, Batman.

She belongs in the media no longer. Go be an adviser for the Mets and bathe in all your clubhouse rules and regulations. But don't make the jobs of journalists everywhere harder by poisoning the population, half of which doesn't get it anyway.

I'd like to share how I spend most of my days as an example of what I'm talking about.

I begin weekdays with coffee at Muddy Waters in New London. A large group of us sit in the corner and solve the problems of the world. I get asked often, "don't you ever work?" They don't get that I am working. I meet people, talk to people, find out what's going on and either use news tips for myself or pass them along to our newsroom. Tips come by the dozens, believe me.

Often, however, I'm met with righteous indignation, albeit innocent sometimes. The chorus goes something like, "when is The Day going to tell the REAL story?" Or "who are you protecting?" Or "boy, you guys missed THAT one!"

Common denominator: When it's time for people to channel their inner Mike Fiers — attach a name to a quote — they balk. Fear of retribution mostly. I get it. So the whole story isn't told, or told the way they want.

But we're not the National Enquirer. We're not Facebook. We can't just accuse without corroboration. Sources can point us in the right direction, sure. But until such sources identify themselves, there are limits to what we can report.

I can give you a half-dozen local news stories off the top of my head right now that are one brave person away from exploding. Instead, though, it's our fault for bad reporting.

Au contraire. Once again: People don't get how it works, or are fooled into thinking that social media is real media.

My concern here is that Ms. Mendoza's national platform only reinforces such ignorance on the population. We in the media need people willing to come forth. She should know that. Sadly, she doesn't. Or she does — and doesn't care enough.

Either way, her words were shameful. We need more people like Mike Fiers. Not just nationally, but locally. You want your pound of flesh in the paper? Come forth and speak. Mike Fiers enacted some real change. Bet you can, too. This is the opinion of Day sports columnist Mike DiMauro

Freddie Gillespie and Jared Butler each scored 17 points, and Baylor beat Oklahoma State for its 14th straight victory. Baylor (15-1, 5-0 Big 12) overcame a 12-point deficit in the last 14 minutes. Devonte Bandoo scored 14 of his 16 points in the second half. Oklahoma State has lost five in a row. Isaac Likekele had 16 points, nine rebounds, five assists and four steals for the Cowboys (9-8, 0-5). Cameron McGriff also scored 16 points.

Florida 69, No. 4 Auburn 47

Florida's Omar Payne had the best game of his college career, finishing with 19 points and 11 rebounds. Payne, a freshman from Kissimmee, was a mismatch nightmare for Auburn (15-2, 3-2 Southeastern Conference). His three-point play put Florida (12-5, 4-1) up by 14 with a little more than 4 minutes to play. Danjel Purifoy was the only player in double figures for Auburn, which shot 25.5% from the field. He had 10 points.

DePaul 79, No. 5 Butler 66

Paul Reed scored 23 points on 8-of-9 shooting, leading DePaul to the victory. The Blue Demons (13-5, 1-4 Big East) knocked off a top-five team for the first time since beating No. 5 Kansas on Dec. 2, 2006. Jalen Coleman-Lands scored 20 points, and freshman Romeo Weems finished with 11. Butler (15-3, 3-2) trailed by double digits for the entire second half of its second straight loss. Kamar Baldwin led the Bulldogs with 16 points, and Jordan Tucker had 13.

No. 6 Kansas 66, Texas 57

Devon Dotson returned from a hip injury to score 21 points, including the final

Florida State forced 24 turnovers, including three in a row in overtime, and rallied from a nine-point deficit in the final 4:33 of regulation to earn their ninth consecutive victory. Sophomore Devin Vassell set a career high for the second consecutive game by leading Florida State with 23 points while adding 11 rebounds and five assists. His two free throws with six seconds left sealed the win. M.J. Walker had 19 points for the Seminoles (16-2, 6-1 Atlantic Coast Conference). Chris Lykes scored 24 points for the Hurricanes (10-7, 2-5).

No. 10 Kentucky 73, Arkansas 66

Kentucky kept its composure after coach John Calipari was ejected, holding off Arkansas for the road win. Nick Richards had 17 points and nine rebounds for the Wildcats (13-4, 4-1 Southeastern Conference). Mason Jones scored 19 points for Arkansas (14-3, 3-2).

Kansas State 84, No. 12 West Virginia 68

Cartier Diarra scored 25 points and Xavier Sneed had 16 for Kansas State. DaJuan Gordon scored a career-high 15 points for the Wildcats (8-9, 1-4). Miles McBride and Chase Harler each scored 11 for West Virginia (14-3, 3-2).

Houston 65, No. 16 Wichita State 54

Fabian White scored 14 points, part of a balanced attack for Houston (14-4, 4-1). DeJon Jarreau had 12 points and a game-high 10 rebounds for the Cougars (14-4, 4-1), which is tied with Tulsa

Dylan Smith and Josh Green each scored 13 points, and Arizona cruised to the victory. Nico Mannion and Zeke Nnaji added 12 points apiece for Arizona (13-5, 3-2 Pac-12). McKinley Wright led Colorado (14-4, 3-2) with 15 points, and D'Shawn Schwartz added 12.

Penn State 90, Ohio State 76

Lamar Stevens scored 14 of his 24 points in the second half and Penn State upset No. 20 Ohio State. Myreon Jones scored 20 points, Seth Lundy added 12 and Myles Dread had 10 for the Nittany Lions (13-5, 3-4 Big Ten). Duane Washington Jr. had 20 points for the Buckeyes (12-6, 2-5 Big Ten).

No. 23 Texas Tech 72, Iowa State 52

Kyler Edwards had 22 points for Texas Tech in its victory. Davide Moretti had 17 points for the Red Raiders (12-5, 3-2 Big 12).

No. 24 Illinois 75, Northwestern

Trent Frazier made four 3-pointers on his way to 16 points, leading Illinois to the win. Ayo Dosunmu scored 14 points, for Illinois (13-4, 5-2 Big Ten).

No. 25 Creighton 78, Providence 74

Marcus Zegarowski hit a tiebreaking 3-pointer with 2.7 seconds left, sending Creighton to the victory. Ty-Shon Alexander had 24 points for the Bluejays (14-5, 3-3 Big East). Providence's David Duke scored 24 of his career-high 36 points in the second half for the Friars (11-8, 4-2).