Erin Andrews Was A Clubhouse Distraction For The Cubs Last Night (Updated)

Thursday, July 31, 2008


I was trying not to do back to back posts on someone I've covered to death, but alas this story just needs to be examined. Erin Andrews obviously wears different outfits in the clubhouse, or on the sidelines, than traditional reporters and finally someone is calling her out because of it. Mike Nadel of the Peoria Journal Star wrote a piece this morning about how Erin Andrews was the fodder of Cubs' locker room talk and even refers to her as a sexpot....

Erin Andrews, the ESPN “it” babe who clearly isn’t afraid to flaunt it, sauntered around the visiting clubhouse, flitting from one Cubs player to another. Her skimpy outfit — designed to accentuate her, um, positives — had players leering at her. Some made lewd comments under their breath. Others giggled like 12-year-olds. More on that later, as the scene was just one part of Bizarro Wednesday at Miller Park.

Moments later, the blonde reporter was chatting with Alfonso Soriano. At one point, she placed her hand suggestively on Soriano’s left biceps. Was I reading too much into all this? I don’t think so. I’ve been a paid observer for a long time ... and I wasn’t exactly the only one who noticed. As two Cubs stood near their lockers, one asked the other: “Hot? Or just attractive? Does she do anything for you?” The inquisitor then made eye contact with me as if saying — to use a term my uncle might have — “Hubba-hubba!”

This went on for at least an hour. Finally, Piniella emerged from his office, ready for his dugout media session. As he turned the corner, there was Andrews in all of her bare-legged, high-heeled, low-necklined glory. “Hey, hey, hey! Look at this!” Piniella said, loudly and excitedly. “Are you doing a baseball game today or a modeling assignment?”

Did she really feel playing the sexpot was necessary to practice journalism? She is good-looking enough and has enough of a high-profile job that she would get plenty of interviews and attention even if she showed up in a burlap sack.
Guys acting like this in locker rooms is nothing new, but like Nadel said, she's talented enough to leave the short dresses at home. It's a shame if she feels she HAS TO use this method, but hey....it's her career and body. She's already wearing thin on myself and other websites, and with this method it'll just be a matter of time before she's "phased out" in the Sports World. I don't know if someone is tell her to wear these things (last night's above), but they might want to tell her to tone it down a bit....


(See also: Jill Arington)

Update: Another shot via Deadspin....


Nadel: Blonde bombshell can't distract red-hot Cubs (PJ Star)
Erin Andrews - what she was wearing that got the Chicago Cubs and Lou Piniella all bothered (Stiles Points)

29 Comments:

Two questions by way of comments on the story. 1) Is it me, or does it sound a little bit like Mike Nedal is jealous that the lovely Ms. Andrews gives her attention to the subject of her interviews and not other faithful members of the press corps? The section you pulled sounds cattier than a mouse convention without security. 2) How necessary are sideline reporters in baseball?

In concurrence, I think that serious backlash against Erin Andrews is probably less than a month away. She's good at what she does, but too frequently, her colleagues at ESPN (Sutcliffe and Vitale) and fellow reporters are making her the story. Always a bad sign.

Anonymous said...
Jul 31, 2008, 12:02:00 PM  

I wonder how other the competent women reporters at ESPN (Kolber, etc.) feel about Andrews' behavior. They've always felt marginalized there because of their gender, and now this type of stuff going on in their own house. Yikes.

Anonymous said...
Jul 31, 2008, 12:04:00 PM  

1) Definitely.
2) Not at all.

I agree on the backlash comment as well, but the interesting thing is where it will come from. I think she'll get it from jealous female and male reporters as well as people in the booth. People just have to get tired of throwing to her 20 times a game.

There were honestly more Sports Center updates and EA pieces than the actual game last night.

Jul 31, 2008, 12:07:00 PM  

Just get naked already and then we can move on to the next "It" ESPN girl. Seriously though, her popularity will decline to the point where nobody is talking about her anymore and ESPN will phase her out. Then its time to call up Playboy or Big Bouncing Blonde Boobs Monthly and say I'll sell out your magazine if you pay me $X million. I really don't see this happening because EA looks like a good girl but a guy can dream can't he?

Jeremy said...
Jul 31, 2008, 12:21:00 PM  

I think the interesting thing is how EA always says in interviews about how she cares about what she does, not how she looks, etc. but it seems pretty obvious her outfits have become a lot more eyecatching since her popularity online started to soar. She was always pretty but was always wearing subdued outfits...the really short skirt and heels look is not necessary for covering a baseball game, clearly.

It's odd because she's actually one of the best sideline reporters and a decent interviewer, she doesn't need to do any of this. But then again, no one is constantly telling me how good I look...it would probably go to my head too.

Anonymous said...
Jul 31, 2008, 12:27:00 PM  

I can't believe people are complaining that a hot chick who is not annoying is dressing hot-ly.

What the hell is wrong with you people? There are always going to be sideline reporters whether we like it or not - so it may as well be her instead of someone like (insert every other sideline reporter in history).

I can't believe this bothers anyone even for one second. Jesus Christ. Complaining is rivaled only by porn as the thing that has grown most exponentially since the advent of the internet. There isn't anything left about which to complain, so therefore we're now complaining about an attractive, talented woman being on television. The only complaint is that she's not banging any of us - well, of you guys *stretch*

No dig at you Brian.

Wait I just spent three paragraphs complaining about you guys

Jul 31, 2008, 1:15:00 PM  

Let me echo preston. WTF, people? It's not like she's wearing a bikini. She can be a pro and have style. Yeesh, lay off.

ben said...
Jul 31, 2008, 1:17:00 PM  

Give Ms. Andrews credit for dressing WELL as opposed to provocatively (like, say, Jillian Barberie). She has a bit of style and, lucky her, a figure that can carry off her sartorial choices.

End of story. *



* At least, that is, until I hear a host of complaints about how distracting it is for dopey football "analysts" to wear loud suits and foot-wide Windsor knots in their ties.

Anonymous said...
Jul 31, 2008, 1:43:00 PM  

Let me see, a competent, attractive female reporter wears clothing that shows off her figure.

And the problem is????

Mike Nadal is either: A. Bitter, or B. Living an alternative lifestyle.

Either way, why would this be an issue ? Was anyone else there offended?

Anonymous said...
Jul 31, 2008, 2:10:00 PM  

EA's is about 14 minutes into her 15 minutes of blogger "it girl" fame.

Anonymous said...
Jul 31, 2008, 2:13:00 PM  

Oh C'mon it's not that short.

Anonymous said...
Jul 31, 2008, 2:42:00 PM  

I agree with Breeze. There's a difference between a girl dressing sexy and a sexy girl dressing nice. She wasn't wearing anything provocative at all. Hell, I even took a photo with her after the game and she was leaning forward a bit to get in closer for the shot...hardly any cleavage. Sadly. But still, she's an attractive woman who knows how to dress. And she does her job. Let it go, Nadel.

Unknown said...
Jul 31, 2008, 2:44:00 PM  

Sounds like a no-namer trying to make a name for himself.

Unknown said...
Jul 31, 2008, 3:15:00 PM  

It is summer in Milwaukee, it isn't exactly great weather for EA to be wearing pantsuits or whatever the hell she wears during NCAA games. Yeah she could wear something else, but come on you don't think that her bosses drop subtle hints here and there for her to maintain an appealing image? This is sports, no matter what people say women are always treated as either eye candy or just a distraction from the actual game being played. Andrews does her job very well, but it's still her looks that is allowing her to catapult up the ESPN ladder. If she distracts Cubs players maybe they shouldn't have the hormones or maturity level of 12 year olds, I'm positive most of them have seen their fair share of blonde bimbos around Wrigleyville anyways.

Anonymous said...
Jul 31, 2008, 4:40:00 PM  

Two words for Miss Andrews: Jill Arrington. Arrington was the hottest thing for awhile. Where is she now?

Anonymous said...
Jul 31, 2008, 4:48:00 PM  

Just hire the Planters Unibrow chick to do sidelines and be done with it.

/watched too much ESPNews

Anonymous said...
Jul 31, 2008, 6:24:00 PM  

preston +1. Is every other blogger on here gay? Jesus Christ, whineasses.

Anonymous said...
Jul 31, 2008, 6:44:00 PM  

Mike Quade (2nd pic, left) is my new favorite 3rd Base Coach.

Anonymous said...
Jul 31, 2008, 7:06:00 PM  

Sounds like a no-namer trying to make a name for himself.

In a completely unrelated note, Mike Nadel will speak to Deadspin tomorrow.

Jul 31, 2008, 7:24:00 PM  

She better hit up Playboy while that stock is high. A grainy videotape of Jeter banging the bejesus out of that can't be too far off.

Btw, I wish Rachel Nichols would follow EA's lead and spice up her wardrobe a little.

Anonymous said...
Jul 31, 2008, 11:51:00 PM  

Yes if she was only more like that fat rumpled bastard in the untucked yellow shirt, blue shorts, ankle socks and black shoes. Maybe she could get some food stains on her.

Oh wait I just described Rosie O'donnell. is that what you people want?

Anonymous said...
Aug 1, 2008, 12:14:00 AM  

Jesus H. Christ on a pogo stick, we're not talking about Barberie or Lisa Guerrero, we're talking about someone who is hot AND competent, in fact, way beyond just competent at what she does. She asks solid questions, and can't help that she's gorgeous.

Have you people forgotten Pam Oliver already? She was EA before EA.

There sure are a lot of hatin' going on here, and it's unwarranted.

Steve Steffens said...
Aug 1, 2008, 12:51:00 AM  

"Btw, I wish Rachel Nichols would follow EA's lead and spice up her wardrobe a little."

From what I saw on the one-minute SportsCenter Right Now this morning, Rachael Nichols is (still) one Snickers bar away from having Dana Jacobsen hips.

Anonymous said...
Aug 1, 2008, 10:21:00 AM  

Seriously, what are the temperatures for the past few days? I'd wear shorts and flip-flops to work if they would let me. Nothing wrong with a girl wearing a sundress in the summer. More power to her.

Anonymous said...
Aug 7, 2008, 12:10:00 PM  

Are you guys kidding me? Erin is an extremely smart and knowledgeable reporter and woman. She knows what shes talking about and she knows her sports. What more could you ask for: a beautiful woman who loves sports? C'mon, she's the best of both worlds. Keep it up Erin, you're great.

Anonymous said...
Aug 7, 2008, 12:23:00 PM  

WHAT'S THE PROBLEM NOW, Mike "S-h-i-t-d-i-c-k" Nadal?

Anonymous said...
Aug 7, 2008, 2:07:00 PM  

She is an attention whore (and likely a real whore), who will always be an attention whore. Her networks love it, so teams gotta get over it. Image is more important than reality.

Anonymous said...
Aug 7, 2008, 3:38:00 PM  

I think Nadal is just jealous that Andrews was getting all the attention in the locker room. I mean seriously, she could wear a monkey suit as long as I get my sports info and an occasional shot of the body. Nadal needs to lighten up and realize that we aren't in some Arabic nation where women have to be covered from head to toe. It's America-let her wear what she wants!

Side note: Go Gators!

Anonymous said...
Aug 7, 2008, 5:03:00 PM  

Wow this site kinda blows. So we're hating on EA because she's gorgeous but also happens to ask the best questions of any sideline reporter??? What the hell is wrong with you people...

Anonymous said...
Aug 12, 2008, 10:37:00 AM  

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