“FEEL” FOR THE UNWRITTEN RULES (COMMENT). Annalisa commented here that she was taken aback that reporters would lose access to players if they wrote about team chemistry issues. She posed the hypothetical: “What if “the team chemistry has anything to do with racism or hazing tactics or something else toxic?”
I have thought about this. My only response is that the rules may not apply to what would be major scandals. I have seen few mentions of team chemistry problems of any kind. I have seen hints when a talented player is traded for a small return that he was not good in the clubhouse but very little discussion in detail. The major rule in the Lindbergh and Miller book is that rookies should be deferential. The spokesman for the oldtimers in the book says that rookies lack “feel”.