Sarah did not consent to an interview, but rather was approached by Ms. Goldman who did not identify herself as a reporter. She began to ask many personal questions about the life of a wife of a professional baseball player. The comments reported by Ms. Goldman were taken completely out of context, and as a result, Sarah is extremely upset and feels violated by the situation.
Sarah says, “For every one fan that may upset us, there are 99 Phillies fans that we love. We have lived here for years, have many friends, neighbors and acquaintances -- who also happen to be Phillies fans -- for whom we have the utmost respect.”
The Madsons would like to dispel this misleading information which indicates that they have anything but admiration for the fans in Philadelphia.
Quotes being “taken out of context” is a difficult topic. Most of the time when it’s deployed in a public statement like this, it means “I said it, but I had no idea it would create such a stir.” At the same time, if the blogger did just sidle up to Ms. Madson and start talking without identifying herself as a reporter of any kind, there is a contextual issue in terms of “I never would have said this to you if I knew it would get around.”
And that’s an interesting ethical matter that has never been made 100% clear. If you’re working in the media -- whether it be paid or whether you simply style yourself as a reporter of things on your own -- there is a sense that, yeah, you should identify yourself if you’re going to use what you hear. I think this Laura Goldman person fits that description, as she is a reporter of some kind or at least has been in the past.
If it’s just a person who happens to have a personal blog and isn’t on the make, but gets into an interesting conversation in a bar? Eh, maybe a different matter. But that doesn’t seem to be the matter here.
10:00 AM: At least that’s what a Philly blogger is saying. Laura Goldman of the Naked Philadelphian blog claims that Sarah Madson, wife of the Phillies’ reliever Ryan Madson, said the following:Sarah Madson declared, “I hate the fans. It is bad enough that they bother us during the season, but they will not leave us alone in December when we go out to eat. We stayed here during the off season last year, but we will be going to California this year. There must be something particularly bad about Phillies fans because all the players leave in the off season.”
She had particular snappish words for the female fans of her husband. “Can you believe that they have the gall to give my husband their number in front of me?”
Some are questioning the overall integrity of the blogger here, but I have yet to see anyone deny that Ms. Madson made the statement.
I take a lot of crap from Philly fans, but that’s OK because I think it’s kind of fun. I’m guessing, however, that unless someone clearly and loudly establishes that these quotes were fabricated, Ms. Madson is going to think the experience is way less fun.