Roger Clemmens Autograph Gets Japanese Writer Sacked

The rules are not the same in Japan and in America…even when it comes to playing baseball or in this case asking for autographs.

A rookie reporter from Japan brought a stack of photographs of Clemmens taken by the Japanese reporter's newspaper photographer. The intent was to present them as a gift. In passing, however, the man asked Clemmens to sign one, which he did.

Busted!

The reporter didn't know there was a rule –  

"There shall be no seeking of autographs, no touching or removing of equipment or personal items from lockers, and no sampling of players food spreads. Any member of the media who violates these regulations will lose his or her accreditation."

The rule is posted in Japanese and Spanish in some ballparks, but not Yankee Stadium.

His membership in the Baseball Writers' Association

of America was revoked. He has to wait till next year to reapply.

Ballplayers in Japan hang out with reporters, dine together, spend time together on road trips.

It's not like that in the U.S. Autographs are worth tens, hundreds, even thousands of dollars.

Language barrier? Cultural barrier?

The reporter will have a year to think about it.