Roger Maltbie's interview with Stewart Cink

**sonicblue** · February 25, 2008

After getting spanked by Tiger Woods 8 & 7, there really isn't a way to make a guy feel real good, other than to congratulate him for making all the way to the final. However, Roger Maltbie sank to a new low in the realm of "is that really the best a sports reporter can think to ask?" I'd rank this even lower than the all-too-prevalent-makes-me-want-to-burn-my-TV, "So -name- how difficult/hard/satisfying/meaningful was this -event-?" question.

Roger Maltbie opens his interview with, "I'd like to know, what's it like standing on the 1st tee when you know your opponent's better than you, he knows he's better than you, and everyone else knows he's better than you?" I would have bought Stewart Cink a drink if he had promptly taken a 9-iron and beat Maltbie into a bloody pulp. I'm not sure I could imagine a more disrespectful, insulting, rude question. I hope that old coot loses his job. It was a travesty, not only of journalism, but of simple courtesy and respect.

**hawkeye** · February 25, 2008

poor question yep!

Though i'm sure Cink didn't think that way - he's an excellent player in his own right and will win Majors. The beauty of matchplay is that anyone can beat anyone. Colin Montgomerie said as much - 64 guys - all of them have the game! Tiger has not won every matchplay competition he's entered. He went to extra holes twice this week. Who would have bet on Nick O'Hern beating him once, yet alone twice.

Heck - even if what Maltbie said is true - you don't say it to the player who has been anihilated on the course.

I'd put this commentator quote higher than anything Kelly Tilghman said on a list of the worst golfing quotes of 2008!

**TourSpoon** · February 25, 2008

I had thought that maybe he let Cink know that the question was coming because Cink just went with it. Either that or Cink was a real gentleman and quick on his feet.

I didn't particularly care for the question, it could have been phrased a little better using the analogy of being the underdog and not so much "in your face" even though it was a true statement.

**themasteroncbs** · February 25, 2008

After getting spanked by Tiger Woods 8 & 7, there really isn't a way to make a guy feel real good, other than to congratulate him for making all the way to the final. However, Roger Maltbie sank to a new low in the realm of "is that really the best a sports reporter can think to ask?" I'd rank this even lower than the all-too-prevalent-makes-me-want-to-burn-my-TV, "So -name- how difficult/hard/satisfying/meaningful was this -event-?" question.

Stewart should've responded with a fat joke or something. I think Maltbie is a good guy (at least from what I've seen on T.V.) but there is no reason to ask a question like that. Just a lack of professionalism and class.

**Cleveland Gunmetal** · February 25, 2008

Stewart Cink is a classy guy so his response was not a surprise. I do agree, that's a bad question to ask. I mean, there are better ways to ask pretty much the same question. For example -- what's it like standing on the first tee with the number one player in the world? Or, what's it like preparing to play the number one player in the world? I dunno... he didn't have to state the obvious in a 'in your face' type of manner. Oh well. Kudos to Cink for making it to the finals.

***iacas*** · February 25, 2008

I'm not sure I could imagine a more disrespectful, insulting, rude question.

I can. It's what everyone's thinking. Stewart knows Tiger's better than him - come on... everyone does. I was actually happy to see more than the usual fluff questions being asked.

Stating the facts aren't rude. If it were, even saying "You just lost 8&7" would be rude. And as TourSpoon guesses, the TV guys will usually run their questions by the guys before they ask if they're at all out of the ordinary. Stewart didn't bat an eye - he knew and had already okayed the question.

I had thought that maybe he let Cink know that the question was coming because Cink just went with it. Either that or Cink was a real gentleman and quick on his feet.

Raidermatt · February 25, 2008

I was taken aback by the question when I heard it, but it was more in the phrasing than the conent. It's a legit question and ignoring what everybody is thinking would be "wimpy" journalism.

But I do agree it could have been phrased a little differently. Fortunately for everybody, Cink took it in the spirit in which it was intended and handled it like a gentleman. I respect him for that, not to mention that he's a heck of a player who was a 1/2 inch away on a lot of putts from at least making it an interesting match.

**sonicblue** · February 25, 2008

I can. It's what everyone's thinking. Stewart knows Tiger's better than him - come on... everyone does. I was actually happy to see more than the usual fluff questions being asked. Stating the facts aren't rude. If it were, even saying "You just lost 8&7" would be rude.

Everyone knows that Tiger is "better" than everybody, but - as Chris Berman says - 'dat's why dey play da games! I thought it was akin to saying, "what was it like to know that you didn't stand a chance out there at all," to a guy that had won all his matches up to that point, including handily dispatching Justin Leonard the day before, going against a world #1 that still needed extra holes twice to beat his opponent.

It may be a fact that Tiger is "better" but - see the "Nick O'Hern clause" - that has no bearing on the outcome every time. Roger could have easily said, "what was it like to be on the first tee with a guy whose wife is hotter than yours, hotter than mine and hotter than pretty much anybody's?" Fact, yes - relevant, no.

jstewart09 · February 25, 2008

I agree with iacas. It isnt rude to state the facts not to mention like iacas said Tiger is way better than Stewart anyway.

**Cleveland Gunmetal** · February 25, 2008

not to mention like iacas said Tiger is way better than Stewart anyway.

Well, yeah, but do you really need someone to tell you this?

Anyways, I agree the idea was fine but I think it could have used a little editing. But Cink probably did OK it so no harm done.

**TourSpoon** · February 25, 2008

I can. It's what everyone's thinking. Stewart knows Tiger's better than him - come on... everyone does. I was actually happy to see more than the usual fluff questions being asked.

Exactly...these guys have enough of a relationship to do that with each other and I really think that was the case here.

**Finn07** · February 26, 2008

Poor question on national TV to ask someone, doesn't matter if Cink knows it or not or the whole world knows it. You dont ask John Daly, so whats it like being a fat slob, its just rude. There are plenty of other questions to ask Cink that aren't the usual fluff questions. A question like that turns more people off IMO.

**MasterOfTheBogey** · February 26, 2008

How could he have acted any differently, he is on national television, he has to hold his composure and answer the question. No matter how horrible it was. I earned alot more respect for Cink after that match. He didnt give in, when I certainly know I would have, and he held himself to the standards that I thought he always had. Cink is a good player and an even better person in general.

I am glad you made a thread about this. At first I didnt even think I heard correctly then re-winded a lil bit and infact he did ask that question.

And his question wasnt really even a question really, more of a statement that he made but gave it a lil bit of a spin to act like a question.

He could have said, Today wasnt your day out there, but even if you were playing at your best do you think you could have given Tiger a run after seeing how hot he was today?

That question seems more fitting of the situation.

**greenail** · February 26, 2008

I can. It's what everyone's thinking. Stewart knows Tiger's better than him - come on... everyone does.

Why don't we just cancel the 08 tour and give tiger all the prize money?

**JaY_B** · February 26, 2008

Having not heard the question I can only give my opinion on the question itself, and not how it was said etc.... but it does seem very irresponsible and badly phrased, it was not a question that needed to be asked, in a way it seems like it was the reporters own way of getting one up on Stewart Cink and getting in Tigers good books.

**Elsfan** · February 27, 2008

He wouldn't have said it to Vijay, Ernie, or Phil thats for sure.

**srjorion** · February 27, 2008

Sounds like the question made Cink look like a classy guy and Maltbie a turd. Then again, its media, and they get paid to keep people's interest.

**Undr Par** · February 27, 2008

for all of you who think it was ok to ask this question and it that is was just stating the facts. (doesn't surprise me 1 bit that iacas was 1 of them )

how about changing the situation a bit then....let's say your Wife is having a affair on you, and (only stating the facts) is it ok if someone would come ask you...gee dude how does it feel that your Wife is boning another guy?

or lets say your Wife is 400lbs...(only stating facts again) and a buddy or someone else asks you, gee dude you like whales huh? how it's feel on the bottom?.....

just because it's stating facts doesn't make it a ok question, what happened to respect of others? that question was uncalled for imho...no matter who Cink was playing.........

and anyways I didn't hear this question being asked to Holmes, Baddeley, Stenson whom Tiger is better then as well......

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