Local Cincinnati writer fires back at Brandon Phillips

Sep 23, 2013; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Reds second baseman Brandon Phillips (4) makes a play during the second inning against the New York Mets at Great American Ball Park. Mandatory Credit: Frank Victores-USA TODAY Sports

Local Cincinnati media have a message for Brandon Phillips after he announced he will not be speaking to local Cincinnati media, and that message is, “So bleeping what?”

In a piece that likely echoes the sentiments of the majority of Cincinnati writers and on-air people, John Fay of the Cincinnati Enquirer informed Phillips why his promise to go “media mute” doesn’t matter.

Phillips took particular umbrage at criticisms from the media about his declining play in 2013, pointing out in his own defense that he was injured after being hit on the hand by a pitch, and accusing the media of overlooking that fact.

John Fay’s response to Brandon Phillips:

"Phillips isn’t talking to me, C. Trent Rosecrans, Mark Sheldon and Hal McCoy because he says we wrote that he struggled in the second half without mentioning he was playing hurt.Phillips can talk or not talk. That doesn’t matter to me. There will be 24 players on the roster who will talk. But the notion that we didn’t write about his injury is blatantly false."

Fay cites examples where he did mention Phillips’ injury as a reason for his drop in performance. He also praises Phillips for playing through the pain.

Selective perception much, Brandon Phillips?

I love when athletes take valid criticisms personally and fight back by making it even more personal.

I love it when they claim they’re not going to talk to the media. It’s like Shia LaBeouf saying he’s going to retire from public life and five minutes later announcing his new art installation.

If you want to be silent Brandon Phillips, just be silent. Do you think anyone would even notice?

Like we’re going to be sitting there one day when it suddenly hits us, “Hey, I haven’t heard Brandon Phillips say anything lately. I wonder what’s up?”

Just play second base Brandon Phillips. Swing your little baseball bat and run around your little bases.

And the next time some media person says something you don’t like? Remember that you have the choice to ignore it.

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