Alison Gordon was the first full-time female beat writer in the history of Major League Baseball. Seen in clubhouses throughout the sport in the late 1970’s and early 1980’s, Gordon broke the gender barrier many times throughout her vast career since joining the Toronto Star in 1979.
The sports writer passed away Thursday in Toronto at the age of 72 after being hospitalized with a lung ailment.
When reading up on her impact on the sport she loved, it becomes readily apparent that Gordon was much more than a trendsetter in the sport.
We had four or five guys that really rallied around not letting her in the clubhouse, but I don’t think Alison gave a damn, to tell you the truth,” former Major League Baseball Player Lloyd Moseby told the Toronto Star upon hearing of Gordon’s death. “She could have very easily taken the words that a lot of guys said and took it to heart and went back to her bosses and said, ‘I’m not doing this. I don’t get paid to take abuse.’ But she never did. She kept showing up. And it was amazing, really. I’m just proud to have known Alison.
Even in today’s professional sports climate, the clubhouse/locker room dynamic is dominated by a masculinity that many on the outside likely don’t fully comprehend. Now taking into account the fact that Gordon began covering teams from inside that atmosphere in the 1970’s, and you understand full well what she was up against.
Known for being a passionate reporter that possessed thick skin, Gordon took on some of the worn out gender stereotypes of her time—stereotypes that even led to the Texas Rangers banning all reporters from their clubhouse rather than letting Gordon in.
As we continue to push for gender equality in the sports journalism community, it’s important that we take a step back and realize those before us who were trailblazers in this aspect of the media world. None more so than Gordon herself.
Photo: Yahoo Sports