Cornell Note #10 1

Cornell notes

APA Citation:
Ventresca, M. (2011). Theres Something about Barry: Media Representations of a Home Run
King. NINE: A Journal of Baseball History and Culture,20(1), 56-80.
doi:10.1353/nin.2011.0037
Cue words:

Baseball
Reputation
Controversial
Sports media
Myths
Notes written:
The media idolizes certain traits as the main standards which baseball players should
abide to
There is huge assumption of what normalcy is for baseball which is premised on the
elites standard
There is a discrepancy in the manner in which positive and negative aspects of baseball
are shown especially with regards to players.
The baseball culture is highly engrained in its historical antecedents and well embraced by
its fans
Ventresca uses practical and evidentiary information using Barry Bond as an example to
do his study on this behavior
At page 56, Ventresca tries to show how the media has ingrained this cultural
misrepresentation.

Summary: Ventresca argues that myths regarding the baseball are used by the media to
idolize stars. The media will idolize stars irrespective of their controversial and questionable
character. This complicates the positive and the negative aspects of the persona. He uses
Barry as an example and who despite his glorious achievements in baseball, he is hated. The
medias role in shaping the character and the standard of what is acceptable in baseball uses
well-crafted messages full of myths based on the players character and the history of
baseball.

Analysis/reflection: the issue is why ideas about players and what should be considered
right are still embraced? The answer I would suggest is to impose mind control on the
players. The players are to be disciplined and should not abuse drugs. It is the societal
standards that should be upheld and not mythical beliefs as noted by Ventresca and society
decides what is mythical or not.