A veteran sportswriter and columnist for the Philadelphia Daily News was accused in a newspaper report Tuesday of molesting three girls and a boy in the 1970s, including his niece, who is now a prosecutor.
Authorities said no criminal charges would be pursued against Bill Conlin because the allegations of abuse happened too long ago.
Conlin, a Hall of Fame baseball writer and author, retired just ahead of the story's publication online by The Philadelphia Inquirer, his former editor said. Conlin's lawyer said his client would not comment about the story but would fight the claims.
"Mr. Conlin is obviously floored by these allegations which supposedly happened 40 years ago. He's engaged me to do everything possible to bring the facts forward to vindicate his name," said attorney George Bochetto.
The newspaper reported that the four accusers claim Conlin groped and fondled them in the 1970s, when they were ages 7 to 12.
Kelley Blanchet, a niece of Conlin's who is now a prosecutor in Atlantic City, N.J., and others told the newspaper they were speaking out in part because of the child sex abuse allegations being faced by Jerry Sandusky, a former Penn State University assistant football coach. Like in the Sandusky case, people aware of the allegations involving Conlin years ago did not go to police, the newspaper said.
"This is a tragedy," Blanchet said. "People have kept his secret. It's not just the victims, it's the victims' families. There were so many people who knew about this and did nothing."
Prosecutors in Gloucester County, N.J., took videotaped statements from the four accusers last year but said no charges would be pursued because assaults that occurred before 1996 fall under the statute of limitations. The alleged victims said they also came forward to highlight the shortcomings of those time limits.
Conlin had worked at the newspaper for more than four decades, starting in 1965 and becoming the beat writer for the Phillies the next year. He held that job for 21 years and became a columnist in 1987. He also was a commentator on the ESPN program "The Sports Reporters" and wrote two baseball-related books, the "Rutledge Book of Baseball" and "Batting Cleanup, Bill Conlin."
He received the 2011 J.G. Taylor Spink Award presented at the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, N.Y., and is honored in the hall's "Scribes and Mikemen" exhibit. The Baseball Writers' Association of America said the allegations would not affect his award.
Daily News editor Larry Platt, speaking at a news conference, said he accepted Conlin's offer to retire by phone on Tuesday afternoon. Platt would only characterize the conversation as "painful."
Platt said he didn't know about the allegations until Tuesday. He described the emotions in the newsroom as "overwhelmingly a sense of shock, a sense of outrage, a sense of sadness."
The Daily News and Inquirer are owned by the same company, Philadelphia Media Network, and operate out of the same building downtown but compete on stories. Inquirer editor Stan Wischnowski said at the news conference the story had been in the works for about a month.
In one recent column titled "Tough Guys Are Talking About Sandusky," Conlin questioned people who say they would have intervened had they witnessed child sex abuse.
"Everybody says he will do the right thing, get involved, put his own ass on the line before or after the fact. But the moment itself has a cruel way of suspending our fearless intentions," he wrote.
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
Friday, December 16, 2011
No. 15 Wisconsin beats Savannah Condition
Wisconsin coach Bo Ryan has simple rules for his defense.
Get rid of the other team's habits. Remain in position. Pressure tough shots. Cleanup the glass after.
Once more, the 15th-rated Badgers demonstrated they're good audience.
Jared Berggren obtained 13 points to guide four Wisconsin gamers in double figures because the Badgers beat Savannah Condition 66-33 on Thursday evening.
It had been the 4th time this year Wisconsin (10-2) held a rival to 33 points or less, while permitting just two teams to get involved with the 60s.
"We stuck to the rules," Ryan stated simply from the effort of his Badgers, who arrived quitting a national-best 44.7 points a game title.
The Badgers were largely dominant from beginning to end, save for any brief letup to begin the other half.
Wisconsin used runs of 11- and 11-2 within the first half to push their result in 30-10 with 4 minutes left. The Tigers (4-8) then appeared as if they may give Wisconsin challenging at the start of the other half. They cut charge to fifteen points two times, the final time at 41-26 with only under 14 minutes to visit.
But Wisconsin put it on after that, spinning off a 23-4 go beyond the following 12 minutes before Ryan drawn the starters.
Cedric Cruz and Arnold Lewis brought the Tigers with eight points each.
Jordan Taylor and Ryan Evans obtained 12 points each for Wisconsin, while Josh Gasser added 10.
It had been the final time the Badgers performed before final exams. They go back to action 12 ,. 23 against Mississippi Valley Condition, and Taylor stated the Badgers reduced as much as start the other half.
"Individuals are lapses we are not likely to have the ability to afford against other teams," Taylor stated.
Regrettably for that Tigers, their numerous struggles offensively avoided them from benefiting from the outlet.
Shooting just 33 percent for the overall game, the lone vibrant spots for that Tigers were the 12 offensive rebounds that brought to 10 second-chance points.
But which was about this. They'd no outdoors presence, going for 3 from three-point range, despite the fact that the Tigers averaged 16 3-point attempts entering the overall game. Additionally they reached the free throw line just five occasions, striking three.
"I figured we did an excellent job of removing the things they posed his or her risks," Ryan stated. "All the games you are trying to achieve that.Inch
Savannah Condition regularly saw the Badgers take advantage of their mistakes, turning 16 turnovers into 24 points.
It did not assist the Tigers' cause that leading scorer Rashad Hassan committed his second foul under a few minutes into the overall game and would be a nonfactor. He seemed to be drawn at the start of the other half after missing a layup, not coming back until half way with the period. Calculating 13 points a game title arriving, he carried out with six in only 12 minutes.
Savannah Condition coach Horace Broadnax stated he limited Hassan's minutes within the other half to transmit a note towards the redshirt junior, who sitting out last season. Instead of taking the layup he skipped at the start of the other half, Broadnax stated he wanted Hassan to visit strong towards the ring and check out dunking the ball because he preaches used.
Likewise, he sitting Preston Blackmon for some time to transmit a note over his failure to chase a loose ball. The guard is third around the team in scoring at 7.5 points a game title, but he'd just two points in 16 minutes.
"He will be okay,Inch Broadnax stated of Hassan. "We want him to experience in a greater level only at that level to become competitive. If he isn't going to get it done, he then just must be an assistant coach for some time.Inch
Get rid of the other team's habits. Remain in position. Pressure tough shots. Cleanup the glass after.
Once more, the 15th-rated Badgers demonstrated they're good audience.
Jared Berggren obtained 13 points to guide four Wisconsin gamers in double figures because the Badgers beat Savannah Condition 66-33 on Thursday evening.
It had been the 4th time this year Wisconsin (10-2) held a rival to 33 points or less, while permitting just two teams to get involved with the 60s.
"We stuck to the rules," Ryan stated simply from the effort of his Badgers, who arrived quitting a national-best 44.7 points a game title.
The Badgers were largely dominant from beginning to end, save for any brief letup to begin the other half.
Wisconsin used runs of 11- and 11-2 within the first half to push their result in 30-10 with 4 minutes left. The Tigers (4-8) then appeared as if they may give Wisconsin challenging at the start of the other half. They cut charge to fifteen points two times, the final time at 41-26 with only under 14 minutes to visit.
But Wisconsin put it on after that, spinning off a 23-4 go beyond the following 12 minutes before Ryan drawn the starters.
Cedric Cruz and Arnold Lewis brought the Tigers with eight points each.
Jordan Taylor and Ryan Evans obtained 12 points each for Wisconsin, while Josh Gasser added 10.
It had been the final time the Badgers performed before final exams. They go back to action 12 ,. 23 against Mississippi Valley Condition, and Taylor stated the Badgers reduced as much as start the other half.
"Individuals are lapses we are not likely to have the ability to afford against other teams," Taylor stated.
Regrettably for that Tigers, their numerous struggles offensively avoided them from benefiting from the outlet.
Shooting just 33 percent for the overall game, the lone vibrant spots for that Tigers were the 12 offensive rebounds that brought to 10 second-chance points.
But which was about this. They'd no outdoors presence, going for 3 from three-point range, despite the fact that the Tigers averaged 16 3-point attempts entering the overall game. Additionally they reached the free throw line just five occasions, striking three.
"I figured we did an excellent job of removing the things they posed his or her risks," Ryan stated. "All the games you are trying to achieve that.Inch
Savannah Condition regularly saw the Badgers take advantage of their mistakes, turning 16 turnovers into 24 points.
It did not assist the Tigers' cause that leading scorer Rashad Hassan committed his second foul under a few minutes into the overall game and would be a nonfactor. He seemed to be drawn at the start of the other half after missing a layup, not coming back until half way with the period. Calculating 13 points a game title arriving, he carried out with six in only 12 minutes.
Savannah Condition coach Horace Broadnax stated he limited Hassan's minutes within the other half to transmit a note towards the redshirt junior, who sitting out last season. Instead of taking the layup he skipped at the start of the other half, Broadnax stated he wanted Hassan to visit strong towards the ring and check out dunking the ball because he preaches used.
Likewise, he sitting Preston Blackmon for some time to transmit a note over his failure to chase a loose ball. The guard is third around the team in scoring at 7.5 points a game title, but he'd just two points in 16 minutes.
"He will be okay,Inch Broadnax stated of Hassan. "We want him to experience in a greater level only at that level to become competitive. If he isn't going to get it done, he then just must be an assistant coach for some time.Inch
Weber's late goals lead Potential predators over Red-colored Wings
The Nashville Predators' red-colored-hot energy-play unit got one chance from the Detroit Red-colored Wings making probably the most from it.
Shea Weber obtained two goals late within the third period, including one using the guy advantage, to provide the Potential predators a 4-3 win from the Red-colored Wings on Thursday.
Detroit native David Legwand and Jordin Tootoo also obtained for Nashville in the 4th consecutive victory.
Tomas Holmstrom, Henrik Zetterberg, and Nicklas Lidstrom obtained for that Red-colored Wings, whose three-game winning streak ended.
"In large moments, you'll need your top gamers to step-up, and Shea walked up inside a huge way today," Nashville coach Craig Trotz stated of his captain. "The Detroit Red-colored Wings, how they happen to be playing, they've been the very best team within the league the final month. They're tough to play against."
Nashville took its only energy play of the overall game with 4:46 residing in the 3rd when Detroit goaltender Jimmy Howard was evaluated a connecting penalty on Tootoo. Only 22 seconds following the penalty was known as, Weber's blast previously mentioned the left faceoff circle beat a tested Howard around the glove side.
"Whenever we got that energy play, we understood i was going to need to score because we were not getting a different one,Inch Weber stated. "I was lucky enough to acquire one therefore we used the momentum in the crowd next.Inch
The Potential predators have obtained a energy-play goal in seven consecutive games and therefore are 14-for-43 over their last 13 games.
Weber's wrist shot in the right point just below three minutes later returned while watching internet and ended up by Howard for that eventual champion.
"They were given an excellent bounce there in the finish," Howard stated. "Weber just put a knuckle-puck on internet, it returned right before me and went over my shoulder."
Holmstrom obtained the game's first goal at 5:15 from the opening period.
Using the Red-colored Wings on the energy play, Ian White's shot in the right point deflected off two Potential predators before landing around the edge of Holmstrom's stick just left of Nashville goaltender Pekka Rinne. Holmstrom had a simple tap-set for his sixth goal of year.
Legwand came the Potential predators even half way with the first when he collected their own rebound right from the Detroit goal and set it past a diving Howard.
"You want to have fun with charge a bit more,Inch Legwand stated. "We don't wish to need to return in each and every game we play."
Detroit obtained charge with 9:57 to use the 2nd on Zetterberg's energy-play goal. Within the low slot, Todd Bertuzzi found Jiri Hudler within the left circle. Hudler rapidly found Zetterberg around the right side, where he sent a wrist shot right into a virtually open internet.
Before Thursday, Nashville hadn't permitted a energy-play goal in the last five games.
Lidstrom gave Detroit a 3-1 lead with 8:30 left within the second when his slap shot in the left point beat Rinne high towards the glove side.
"It's disappointing, especially getting charge starting the 3rd and using the penalty with under 5 minutes left," Lidstrom stated. "It always stings when you're losing, particularly when you play a division rival that you want to beat."
Nashville clarified with 2:38 remaining at that time on the goal by Tootoo, who converted the rebound of Kevin Klein's shot in the left side.
Tootoo has ten points in the last ten games.
Shea Weber obtained two goals late within the third period, including one using the guy advantage, to provide the Potential predators a 4-3 win from the Red-colored Wings on Thursday.
Detroit native David Legwand and Jordin Tootoo also obtained for Nashville in the 4th consecutive victory.
Tomas Holmstrom, Henrik Zetterberg, and Nicklas Lidstrom obtained for that Red-colored Wings, whose three-game winning streak ended.
"In large moments, you'll need your top gamers to step-up, and Shea walked up inside a huge way today," Nashville coach Craig Trotz stated of his captain. "The Detroit Red-colored Wings, how they happen to be playing, they've been the very best team within the league the final month. They're tough to play against."
Nashville took its only energy play of the overall game with 4:46 residing in the 3rd when Detroit goaltender Jimmy Howard was evaluated a connecting penalty on Tootoo. Only 22 seconds following the penalty was known as, Weber's blast previously mentioned the left faceoff circle beat a tested Howard around the glove side.
"Whenever we got that energy play, we understood i was going to need to score because we were not getting a different one,Inch Weber stated. "I was lucky enough to acquire one therefore we used the momentum in the crowd next.Inch
The Potential predators have obtained a energy-play goal in seven consecutive games and therefore are 14-for-43 over their last 13 games.
Weber's wrist shot in the right point just below three minutes later returned while watching internet and ended up by Howard for that eventual champion.
"They were given an excellent bounce there in the finish," Howard stated. "Weber just put a knuckle-puck on internet, it returned right before me and went over my shoulder."
Holmstrom obtained the game's first goal at 5:15 from the opening period.
Using the Red-colored Wings on the energy play, Ian White's shot in the right point deflected off two Potential predators before landing around the edge of Holmstrom's stick just left of Nashville goaltender Pekka Rinne. Holmstrom had a simple tap-set for his sixth goal of year.
Legwand came the Potential predators even half way with the first when he collected their own rebound right from the Detroit goal and set it past a diving Howard.
"You want to have fun with charge a bit more,Inch Legwand stated. "We don't wish to need to return in each and every game we play."
Detroit obtained charge with 9:57 to use the 2nd on Zetterberg's energy-play goal. Within the low slot, Todd Bertuzzi found Jiri Hudler within the left circle. Hudler rapidly found Zetterberg around the right side, where he sent a wrist shot right into a virtually open internet.
Before Thursday, Nashville hadn't permitted a energy-play goal in the last five games.
Lidstrom gave Detroit a 3-1 lead with 8:30 left within the second when his slap shot in the left point beat Rinne high towards the glove side.
"It's disappointing, especially getting charge starting the 3rd and using the penalty with under 5 minutes left," Lidstrom stated. "It always stings when you're losing, particularly when you play a division rival that you want to beat."
Nashville clarified with 2:38 remaining at that time on the goal by Tootoo, who converted the rebound of Kevin Klein's shot in the left side.
Tootoo has ten points in the last ten games.
Friday, December 2, 2011
New youth reporter 'blessed' by opportunity
Throughout her 14 years, ninth-grader Meggie Zahneis has never shied from a challenge and continues to conquer one obstacle after another.
That determination, and a charming personality, has not only given a life without limits, it's opened many doors. And the one she's about to walk through is a really big one.
Meggie, who penned the grand-prize-winning essay last summer in Major League Baseball's Breaking Barriers initiative, will become MLB.com's youth reporter and get to write stories about her hometown Cincinnati Reds and baseball at large.
"I am really blessed and really honored to be a part of something like this. It's a pretty cool feeling," Meggie said just before an assembly in her honor Thursday at the Lakota West Freshman School.
With several dignitaries representing the game, Major League Baseball held a presentation for Meggie to announce her new job featuring Reds second baseman Brandon Phillips and Sharon Robinson, the daughter of baseball icon Jackie Robinson and the founder of the Breaking Barriers program.
As about a dozen media members and MLB staffers entered the auditorium before her classmates, Meggie was poised and didn't shrink under the spotlight. She even embraced Phillips not long after he walked in and the two had an extended private conversation -- although at one point, Meggie couldn't help shouting to her father, "Dad, come meet Brandon Phillips!"
The two had interacted in the past at games or events, but Phillips didn't really meet her until Thursday.
"She said I was so nice to sign her autographs all the time," Phillips said. "There's something about her presence that just makes you want to smile. I feel like I can just sit around and talk with her all day. She's very well-spoken."Florida Marlins Jerseys
Breaking Barriers began in 1997, and each year it has held a contest for students in grades 4-8 to submit an essay about barriers or obstacles they faced, still face or overcame.
Meggie was born with a very rare disorder known as HSAN II (Hereditary Sensory and Autonomic Neuropathy, type 2), which causes her to be unable to feel pain, temperature and touch like most people.
"With her disorder, there are not a lot of people that have it," said Meggie's mother, Cindy Zahneis. "So there is no one to look to to see what's going to happen or what's possible. I think she has pretty much exceeded what people thought might be possible."
Meggie is also 100 percent deaf, if not for the aid of her cochlear implants.
"It may not be on a baseball field, but I face many of the same social and emotional barriers that Jackie Robinson did," Meggie's winning essay read. "Every day, I try to make a conscious commitment to focus on the things I CAN do, and not the ones I can't. I like to think I have the determination to forge forward with my strengths and use them to the advantage of not only myself, but of other kids with special needs. It's my dream that someday, just like Mr. Robinson paved the way for African-Americans to play baseball, I can pave the way, through my writing, for other kids with special needs."
Meggie's essay was one of 10,000 received by Breaking Barriers this year. That large pool was broken down to 100 finalists. Meggie's was the clear winner, according to Robinson.
"First of all, she is a very good writer," Robinson said. "The focus of her essay was on doing what I can do. What she can do is write. It was such a positive essay and a positive spirit that came out, and a great message for kids in general -- and adults. I know adults who have been inspired by her story, as well. It's a message for everybody. Be fearless. Don't let anyone stop you or tell you that you can't do something. Be fearless and move past it. Be the best you can be."
Phillips was also impressed with the essay, especially the part about Meggie focusing her life on what she can do.
"It really inspired me," Phillips said. "It touched my heart and showed me people should look at the world different. You really don't know what people go through."
The grand prize was initially supposed to be a trip to the 2011 All-Star Game in Phoenix, but more opportunities soon came. Robinson and MLB asked Meggie to attend a game at the World Series in Arlington, and that was where she walked into the suite of Commissioner Allan H. "Bud" Selig.
Meggie has a way of making fast friends with people from all walks of life, and this one opened another door for her.
"I've brought a number of kids to the Commissioner's office for the Breaking Barriers contest. He met her very briefly at the All-Star Game, and I knew it wasn't enough," Robinson said. "I said I needed a picture of Meggie and the Commissioner together at the World Series for our program.
"[Selig] just embraced her immediately. What he didn't know was just how strong her knowledge was about baseball. The two of them sat down and fell into this conversation where they were laughing and talking. And they were talking baseball. When he called me, he said, 'I couldn't get her off my mind. She reminds me of [my daughter] Wendy when she was a young girl.' She was that interested in baseball and that knowledgeable."
Meggie impressed Selig in a profound way. With full support of the leadership at MLB.com and in the league office, he knew Meggie should have a meaningful opportunity in baseball. By the end of the World Series, her breakthrough job was in place. Selig personally told Meggie about the offer on a recent conference call that included Robinson. Meggie also will become a special envoy for Breaking Barriers to continue to share her experience and to encourage kids to write their own stories.
"It was a dream come true," Meggie said of the All-Star Game and World Series. "Now to be able to go and do that on a regular basis, I can't even imagine."
"MLB just keeps calling us and it's one thing after another -- getting to do all the things she has, the World Series and now this wonderful opportunity," Cindy Zahneis said. "She loves to write and loves baseball. She's had to struggle in her life with different things, but there have been a lot of positive things to keep her going. And this, obviously, I don't know how it can be topped."
On Thursday, Robinson announced that the Breaking Barriers essay contest was expanding to allow ninth-grade applicants to share their experiences.
Not only did Meggie get her entire school out of class for nearly an hour, her schoolmates can thank her for another bonus. While speaking, Reds chief operating officer Phil Castellini invited the entire school of about 600 students to a game at Great American Ball Park in April.
"The fact that she's from Cincinnati and a Reds fan, this is her accomplishment," Castellini said. "We're just blessed to be along for the ride with her. We're blessed it's our town she is from and she supports our team. This is a day for her, but my thought coming here was, 'Let's make it a special day for the whole school and just make what's she has done all the more the special, because more people will get to enjoy it with her.'"
During the event, Meggie presented Phillips with a special Breaking Barriers jersey with Jackie Robinson's No. 42 on the back.
"Amazing, especially as a Reds fan. I've always been a fan of him," Meggie said of Phillips earlier. "To get to meet him, it's absolutely amazing."
Now she will get to meet and speak with Reds players all season long. The next time, it will be part of her job.
That determination, and a charming personality, has not only given a life without limits, it's opened many doors. And the one she's about to walk through is a really big one.
Meggie, who penned the grand-prize-winning essay last summer in Major League Baseball's Breaking Barriers initiative, will become MLB.com's youth reporter and get to write stories about her hometown Cincinnati Reds and baseball at large.
"I am really blessed and really honored to be a part of something like this. It's a pretty cool feeling," Meggie said just before an assembly in her honor Thursday at the Lakota West Freshman School.
With several dignitaries representing the game, Major League Baseball held a presentation for Meggie to announce her new job featuring Reds second baseman Brandon Phillips and Sharon Robinson, the daughter of baseball icon Jackie Robinson and the founder of the Breaking Barriers program.
As about a dozen media members and MLB staffers entered the auditorium before her classmates, Meggie was poised and didn't shrink under the spotlight. She even embraced Phillips not long after he walked in and the two had an extended private conversation -- although at one point, Meggie couldn't help shouting to her father, "Dad, come meet Brandon Phillips!"
The two had interacted in the past at games or events, but Phillips didn't really meet her until Thursday.
"She said I was so nice to sign her autographs all the time," Phillips said. "There's something about her presence that just makes you want to smile. I feel like I can just sit around and talk with her all day. She's very well-spoken."Florida Marlins Jerseys
Breaking Barriers began in 1997, and each year it has held a contest for students in grades 4-8 to submit an essay about barriers or obstacles they faced, still face or overcame.
Meggie was born with a very rare disorder known as HSAN II (Hereditary Sensory and Autonomic Neuropathy, type 2), which causes her to be unable to feel pain, temperature and touch like most people.
"With her disorder, there are not a lot of people that have it," said Meggie's mother, Cindy Zahneis. "So there is no one to look to to see what's going to happen or what's possible. I think she has pretty much exceeded what people thought might be possible."
Meggie is also 100 percent deaf, if not for the aid of her cochlear implants.
"It may not be on a baseball field, but I face many of the same social and emotional barriers that Jackie Robinson did," Meggie's winning essay read. "Every day, I try to make a conscious commitment to focus on the things I CAN do, and not the ones I can't. I like to think I have the determination to forge forward with my strengths and use them to the advantage of not only myself, but of other kids with special needs. It's my dream that someday, just like Mr. Robinson paved the way for African-Americans to play baseball, I can pave the way, through my writing, for other kids with special needs."
Meggie's essay was one of 10,000 received by Breaking Barriers this year. That large pool was broken down to 100 finalists. Meggie's was the clear winner, according to Robinson.
"First of all, she is a very good writer," Robinson said. "The focus of her essay was on doing what I can do. What she can do is write. It was such a positive essay and a positive spirit that came out, and a great message for kids in general -- and adults. I know adults who have been inspired by her story, as well. It's a message for everybody. Be fearless. Don't let anyone stop you or tell you that you can't do something. Be fearless and move past it. Be the best you can be."
Phillips was also impressed with the essay, especially the part about Meggie focusing her life on what she can do.
"It really inspired me," Phillips said. "It touched my heart and showed me people should look at the world different. You really don't know what people go through."
The grand prize was initially supposed to be a trip to the 2011 All-Star Game in Phoenix, but more opportunities soon came. Robinson and MLB asked Meggie to attend a game at the World Series in Arlington, and that was where she walked into the suite of Commissioner Allan H. "Bud" Selig.
Meggie has a way of making fast friends with people from all walks of life, and this one opened another door for her.
"I've brought a number of kids to the Commissioner's office for the Breaking Barriers contest. He met her very briefly at the All-Star Game, and I knew it wasn't enough," Robinson said. "I said I needed a picture of Meggie and the Commissioner together at the World Series for our program.
"[Selig] just embraced her immediately. What he didn't know was just how strong her knowledge was about baseball. The two of them sat down and fell into this conversation where they were laughing and talking. And they were talking baseball. When he called me, he said, 'I couldn't get her off my mind. She reminds me of [my daughter] Wendy when she was a young girl.' She was that interested in baseball and that knowledgeable."
Meggie impressed Selig in a profound way. With full support of the leadership at MLB.com and in the league office, he knew Meggie should have a meaningful opportunity in baseball. By the end of the World Series, her breakthrough job was in place. Selig personally told Meggie about the offer on a recent conference call that included Robinson. Meggie also will become a special envoy for Breaking Barriers to continue to share her experience and to encourage kids to write their own stories.
"It was a dream come true," Meggie said of the All-Star Game and World Series. "Now to be able to go and do that on a regular basis, I can't even imagine."
"MLB just keeps calling us and it's one thing after another -- getting to do all the things she has, the World Series and now this wonderful opportunity," Cindy Zahneis said. "She loves to write and loves baseball. She's had to struggle in her life with different things, but there have been a lot of positive things to keep her going. And this, obviously, I don't know how it can be topped."
On Thursday, Robinson announced that the Breaking Barriers essay contest was expanding to allow ninth-grade applicants to share their experiences.
Not only did Meggie get her entire school out of class for nearly an hour, her schoolmates can thank her for another bonus. While speaking, Reds chief operating officer Phil Castellini invited the entire school of about 600 students to a game at Great American Ball Park in April.
"The fact that she's from Cincinnati and a Reds fan, this is her accomplishment," Castellini said. "We're just blessed to be along for the ride with her. We're blessed it's our town she is from and she supports our team. This is a day for her, but my thought coming here was, 'Let's make it a special day for the whole school and just make what's she has done all the more the special, because more people will get to enjoy it with her.'"
During the event, Meggie presented Phillips with a special Breaking Barriers jersey with Jackie Robinson's No. 42 on the back.
"Amazing, especially as a Reds fan. I've always been a fan of him," Meggie said of Phillips earlier. "To get to meet him, it's absolutely amazing."
Now she will get to meet and speak with Reds players all season long. The next time, it will be part of her job.
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