Have you ever wondered what it is like to be an MLB beat writer for MLB.com? Recently, I talked to Royals beat writer Jeffrey Flanagan about what it is like being a journalist for MLB.com. He said on a normal day he goes to the ballpark about “Four or so hours before first pitch.” During spring training, however, reporters usually show up to the spring training sites at about “8:00 in the morning.” Other than showing up to spring training, reporters don’t travel with the teams to games. When it comes to reporting, according to Jeffrey Flanagan, “Sometimes the team makes news announcements. Other times we dig it out ourselves.” When I asked Flanagan what the most difficult part of his job was, he said, “The most difficult part is the grind of a baseball season, the travel and being away from your loved ones from the beginning of spring training until October. Even when you’re home, you will be at the ballpark from 3:00 p.m. until 1:00 a.m. You have to love your job to do this. It’s not for everyone.” A beat writers pay can depend on “your experience and talent.” Flanagan shared some great advice for young writers. “Persevere. The industry has been shrinking for years and job openings aren’t as prevalent as they once were. But if you really want to get into sports journalism, get your degree, work for your college newspaper, and be flexible and willing to relocate to anywhere in the country.” When I asked Flanagan his thoughts on young writers taking unpaid positions to start, he said “yes.” “If you have an opportunity to write for a website that doesn’t pay, take it and run with it until another opportunity opens up.”
