Baseball Writers Take Mulligan, Issue Statement on Conlin

Yesterday, Bill Conlin resigned from his longtime post at the Daily News amid allegations that he molested multiple children in the 1970s. Conlin won the Baseball Writers Association of America’s J.G. Taylor Spink Award this year for his career achievements as a sports writer. Jack O’Connell—the secretary/treasurer of the BBWAA—shanked his drive into a hazard when he issued a statement yesterday afternoon to remind everyone that Conlin was a good writer.

“Bill Conlin has been a member in good standing of the BBWAA since 1966. The allegations have no bearing on his winning the 2011 J.G. Taylor Spink Award, which was in recognition of his notable career as a baseball writer.”

Today, the BBWAA took a mulligan when president and Los Angeles Times writer Bill Shaikin issued an additional statement.

“We were shocked and saddened to learn of the allegations involving Bill Conlin and we extend our sympathies to everyone involved. This is a matter far more serious than baseball and, at this point, a matter best left to the proper authorities.” [Deadspin]