Casey Yoos
Sports Journalism Blog
Week 13 - Trujillo – Masculinity
In
Truijillo’s article, he states 5 characteristics that describe “hegemonic
masculinity”. These 5 characteristics are (1) physical force and control, (2)
occupational achievement, (3) patriarchy, (4) frontiersman/outdoorsman (5)
heterosexuality is defined. Sports have greatly influenced America’s idea of
masculinity. The media is responsible for reproducing these ideas in the minds
of Americans. Texas Ranger’s pitcher, Ryan Nolan, is known as one of the
“ageless wonders” of baseball. His achievement in the sport and endorsements
outside of the sport have made him a perfect example of how the media uses
sports players to express what masculinity is. Trujillo looked over 250
articles in newspapers, magazines and sport-oriented magazines to describe how
Ryan Nolan is expressed as an image of masculinity.
When
Nolan joined the Mets he had an extremely fast pitch and the media referred to
him as “flame-thrower” and “power pitch”. Although he lacked control with the
Mets, when he joined the Angels he gained control and began to win games and
was a power hitter. The media emphasized him as a strong and great player,
emphasizing his masculinity. When Nolan began to age, they described his
playing as “will-power” and that he often “played through the pain”, changing
the way they described him as masculine.
The
media also emphasized Nolan’s milestone achievements such as “no-hitter” and
“strike-out” achievements. In his later years the media also complimented his
work ethic and success. The media did everything they can to define Nolan as a
hard-working man to the public. The media even went as far as reporting on Ruth
Nolan and saying the Ryan Nolan was the breadwinner and that she chose not to
or failed to follower her career path. The media emphasized his role as a
father and the breadwinner in his family, almost defining what it means to be
masculine.
Following
this even further, according to the article Nolan was described as, “a rural
cowboy who symbolizes the frontiersmen of American”. He was even known in the
media to be a real cowboy who owned and worked three cattle ranches. The media
also reaffirmed his identity as a white male by presenting him as a white male
to the public. The media, such as sports illustrated describe Nolan in articles
as “handsome”, “a natural-born hero” and a heterosexual male who the women
found attractive. The perception of masculinity in the American culture has
made it extremely hard for women in sports, gays and lesbians.
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