This is the last time I’m going to link to anything related to this story because I’d really prefer to just let it die. Sam does a nice job exposing why the story became a story in the first place. The only thing I’d add: It’s these guys’ job to sell papers, and they know enough to recognize that fans are going to eat up stories about three of the most hated players on the team disrespecting veterans. The other players and especially team brass need to realize that and keep their “fuming” private.
Tedquarters
Ted Berg
Tedquarters 
At the end of the day I dont care if these guys go or not. But the one thing that is clear, is that it was blown up into the story that is has, not because 3 players skipped, but because of which 3 specific players skipped.
There is no denying that. Imagine if Frenchy were still on the team and he skipped it? Would there be the same media backlash?
Or, looking at what Chris M said another way – it was reported (very lightly, because it would apparently detract from the outrage) that Beltran visited a VA hospital in the offseason – why did nobody raise a fuss that there weren’t other players there with him then?
Plus i read that they’ve done this 4 straight years, and each year the turn out has gotten bigger, meaning in prior years there were even more players who chose not to go. Why wasnt there outrage last year or the year before over the players that didnt go?
There are lazy people in every business. Can you imagine if all waiters were judged on standards set by the 16-year-old at Applebees who doesn’t care enough to refill your water?
Cops, pols and journos are all good bunches ruined by a few bad apples. And Mike Lupica is rotten.