If I had a dollar for every grown man that has complained about Jessica Mendoza commentating a prime-time game for the MLB, I would be a very rich woman. In the past, I have kept my opinions to myself, because I am just a collegiate softball player, what on earth do I know about baseball? My arguments are always immediately discounted and dismissed because I am a female. The fact that I’ve been a fan of the game my entire life and essentially grew up on baseball will never be good enough. And obviously, I am only supporting Mendoza because she is unfortunately a female, just like me.
Now I can go and rant about gender stratification in the world of sports, but by the time I finish I’ll be halfway to 100. My point is that Jessica Mendoza is an Olympian, and yes she played softball. And yes, softball and baseball are different. But that doesn’t mean that she hasn’t made relevant connections and done a good job commentating.
Everyone is entitled to their own opinions, and if you want to hate her, go ahead. But, hate her for not liking what she has to say, not because she ‘has no baseball knowledge’ and ‘she’s only commentating because ESPN is trying to make some point.’ I’m not making up these comments either, they are coming straight from twitter and other forms of social media. In fact, on Opening Day when she was commentating the Mets Royals game, I saw a tweet that said “What has America come to, having a woman commentate Sunday Night Baseball.” I was beyond baffled at the sheer ignorance of what this guy was saying. Now I know not every guy would think or stay stuff like this (despite the thirty something favorites on the tweet), but the fact that it is quipped ‘un-American’ to have a female announcer just illustrates the blatant discrimination of women who are involved in sports media and sports in general.
I look up to Jessica Mendoza for taking all of the hate she has received in the past few months, because she truly is a trailblazer for women such as myself, pursuing careers in sports media. Women like her, Erin Andrews and Charissa Thompson are just a few of the talented and all too often undermined professionals in a male dominated field.
I hope to see a day when there is equal representation of men and women in all aspects of sports, where women aren’t ridiculed for not having valid points regardless of their arguments. Unfortunately, the pessimist in me says that no matter what, this mentality will never truly be changed and women reporters and commentators will be the subject of criticism and never be accepted as equals.
On a final note, I commend Mendoza and all of the other women who continue to do what they love regardless of the inevitable hardships they face for being in this field. They are all brilliant examples of strong willed women who want to change the dynamic of sports. Regardless of how much people comment on their qualifications or their physical appearance, they are not silenced by societies restricting gender roles.