Bill O'Reilly, Keith Olbermann, New York Mets, Yankees

WILL OLBY GLOAT?

O'Reilly's Ballfield Trouble Already Sparking Petty Attacks







In the ongoing cable talk wars, no "issue" is too silly to use as fresh fodder against one's enemies, particularly when it involves Bill O'Reilly.

After Big O was booted from the Mets clubhouse yesterday for lacking proper press credentials, the mainstream media and lefty blogs quickly saw an opportunity to raise a stink. Will ratings- challenged archrival Keith Olbermann follow suit?

The New York Daily News went so far as to reassure readers that Bill's booting was not the result of political discrimination:

O'Reilly a non-factor in Mets clubhouse


Bill O'Reilly's right-wing politics may rub a lot of people the wrong way in New York, but his views had nothing to do with his ejection from the Mets' clubhouse yesterday before their game against the Yankees at the Stadium.

O'Reilly, the FoxNews Channel talking head, got inside the visitors' clubhouse before Stadium security realized that he was not wearing a credential granting clubhouse access. He and his party then were escorted out of the room.

According to a reporter from The Record of Hackensack (N.J.), the Big Righty complained to the security officer, "You don't have to escort us out - we're going."

Coincidentally, If there is some irony surrounding the incident, it's that MSNBC's Keith Olbermann was in the Mets' clubhouse before Friday night's game. Olbermann hosts the left-leaning "Countdown" on MSNBC and he and O'Reilly have frequently exchanged barbs on their respective programs.

Olbermann, a regular at both New York baseball stadiums and a former ESPN anchorman, was granted clubhouse access because of his sports background and regular attendance, not because of his politics.

Did Bill's political views play in role in the incident? It's hard to tell. Have these rules been uniformly enforced when other celebs have paid a visit? That would answer the question.

And does Olbermann still do enough sports- related reporting to justify maintaining a legitimate ballpark credential?

While the issue may seem silly, you can bet the farm Olbermann will be gloating as soon as he can get in front of a camera.


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