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July 13, 2007

Dear Mr. Selig;

I was invited by a writer from the Record in Hackensack, New Jersey to write you so I have accepted his invitation.

While covering the Yankees and Devil Rays game at Tropicana Field on Thursday, July 12, 2007 for Metro Sports and TBSN Radio I had the misfortune to witness one of the most despicable acts in modern major league history.

When everyone was asked to rise for the National Anthem, Pete Caldera did not. This reporter was also prompted by an Associated Press writer to stand and was ignored.

While this got my blood boiling because I am a former New York State law enforcement officer as well as a former Marine Corps veteran who served in Viet Nam, Mr. Caldera was confronted by another member of the press to find out why he would do such a deliberate act.

The response was simple. "I don't have time for it," he would say and followed that up with, "If you don't like it, write the commissioner."

Well Mr. Caldera, here we are.

The country is at war while young men and women put their lives on the line just so this "gentleman' can pursue his line of work in freedom and democracy. But cannot take a couple of minutes out of his precious time to honor those who made life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness a staple in his life?

Players wear flags on their hats; we sing God Bless America and remember the tragedy of September 11 each year. Major League Baseball wears patriotism on their sleeve and the stars and stripes fly over every stadium. You cannot miss it because it is everywhere we turn.

We condemn those who burn it, hailed your sport's first ever draft pick Rick Monday for stopping two people who attempted to desecrate it at a game yet we have to watch this man essentially spit on our flag?

Since when is it allowed for a member of the media, who really should know better, do something that is so repulsive it angered a number of others and flipped us off because his time does not permit him to do what 22,000 others did at that very moment?

Where is the patriotism Mr. Commissioner? Do you have the guts to sanction this person or even pull his credentials for such a vile act? Have we reverted to pre-9/11 days with your sport leading the way?

Mr. Selig, I was extended an invitation and I accepted in order to ask that you step up to the plate and knock one out of the park for every American and baseball fan.

Mr. Caldera has the Freedom of the Press on his side yet he chooses not to acknowledge those that came before to give him and his newspaper that right.

Freedom, no matter what end of the spectrum, comes at a cost. In years past and present it is being paid in blood. However, what you do in a certain moment in time can make that all seem irrelevant, like Mr. Caldera's actions on a fateful night at one of your ballparks.

If you choose to ignore this incident, Mr. Commissioner, you are just as culpable as this member of the media and would clearly label you as a hypocrite as you preach patriotism but allow a total disregard for what we all believe to go without sanction.

You ignore one, you get two. Then two becomes four and before you know it no one will care if they ever get up for something that is so important to everyone, our way of life.

The ball, as they say, is in your hand. Your next pitch could be an important one.

Yours truly,

Ted Fleming

President and Operations Officer

Harvest Thirteen Communications, LLC

P.O. Box 47401

St. Petersburg, FL 33743-7401

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POSTSCRIPT: At approximately 1:00 pm Friday afternoon I had the opportunity to chat with the Record's Sports Editor Frank Scandale and he listened to my side of the story.

While he mentioned that I could have talked to Mr. Caldera to get his side of the story before I ran this piece, I informed him that I tried to get his attention numerous times without any recognition from the writer.

Mr. Scandale added that he spoke to Mr. Caldera and was apologetic for his actions and while that may be a simple solution for other issues, it is the aberration rather than the norm with his employee. I accept that.

In addition, it was not that long after I spoke to the Record's Sports Editor that I received a phone call from Mr. Caldera and he apologized to me saying his actions were "embarrassing" and that there was no political statement or anything else that should be read into this.

One thing is clear. It is not my place to accept or deny the apology because this is not individual but rather broad based. I did, however, accept his apology on my behalf and we both agreed that this has opened a dialogue that hopefully will help others realize that a few minutes out of their work is not too much to ask in order to enjoy what our Constitution has given us.

The Record has been very cooperative in addressing this incident and I applaud them for not sitting on it and making a situation turn into something more.