ARGUING WITH THE BEST

Twitter has undoubtedly changed the way news spreads across the world. I first learn about nearly every major sports or world news story through twitter. Many critics of this newer version of social media have learned the value of “tweeting” and have changed their views to now embrace that stupid blue bird. I can’t even remember how I learned about major stories before I started using Twitter! Did I really wait for those single, weekly visits to CNN.com or ESPN.com? Surely, I didn’t wait for the six o’clock news or Sportscenter to learn all the breaking news in the world!

Twitter has revolutionized the way the media spreads information. But the list of Twitter’s capabilities and uses extends much further than uses of the media. You can follow your favorite celebrities with hopes of gaining insight as to what they are like off the field, court, stage, etc. The more “followers” you gain, the easier you can promote a blog like this one or some kind of promotion from work. You can receive inspirational quotes or Bible verses several times a day. With the newest version of Twitter, not only can you use direct links to the latest news story, but you are one click away from looking at what other people have tweeted about that particular story. And yes, if you’re that guy or that girl, you can tweet about what you had for lunch and how stoked you are about the CSI rerun that’s on TV (don’t be ashamed. I’ve done it).

The more I use Twitter, the more I enjoy its nuances from other social media. But the other day I learned by far the most engaging and unique capability that Twitter has the potential to bring to its users.

Twitter can allow you to have a CONVERSATION with celebrities that you admire.

Okay, here’s the situation.

Yesterday morning, I was looking through Twitter on my phone like I normally do countless times throughout the day. I saw a tweet from my favorite baseball writer/reporter, Buster Olney.

Buster Olney’s Original Tweet: Character clause is in MVP voting, too "...general character, disposition, loyalty and effort..." So if HOF voters use it, why not in MVP?

Recently, news stories surfaced that Milwaukee Brewers outfielder and 2011 NL MVP Ryan Braun tested positive for performance enhancing drugs (PEDs). According to some reports, Braun’s testosterone level was twice as high as the HIGHEST test ever recorded since that type of drug testing started in baseball.

I have a strong opinion in regard to PEDs, baseball awards, and the baseball Hall of Fame (HOF) so I decided to tweet back at Buster. I do not tweet at celebrities very often but occasionally I will with no expectation of a response. The following is what I tweeted to Buster Olney:

Me in response to Buster: Awards/Records are already tarnished. HOF is still sacred. No members of HOF have used steroids.

After I sent the tweet, I jumped in the shower in preparation to start my day. When I got out of the shower, I checked my phone and saw I had a message from twitter with the name “Buster” in it. I assumed someone had retweeted what I said or messaged me back and included Buster Olney’s twitter handle in the message. When I looked closer, I realized that the Senior Baseball Writer for ESPN Magazine and my favorite baseball writer, Buster Olney had tweeted me back!

I have never witnessed a 15-year old girl see Justin Bieber for the first time, but I imagine my reaction to Buster Olney tweeting me back was similar to that girl catching her first glimpse of Bieber.

I was so ecstatic that Buster Olney tweeted me back that it took me a few minutes to come back down to earth and get into argue mode. Little did I know that those first two tweets would turn into a discussion with Buster Olney that spanned over an hour and include over 20 tweets.

The following is the actual conversation I had with Buster Olney via Twitter. I have not edited or changed ANY of our tweets in ANY way.

(PEDs = Performance Enhancing Drugs. HOF = Hall of Fame)

Buster: You say no members of the Hall of Fame have used PEDs? Please present your proof.

Me: No HOFer has EVER tested positive for PEDs. Burden of proof is in revealing guilt.

Buster: OK, I'll flip it back to you: Has Roger Clemens tested positive? McGwire? Do you have an MLB positive test for Bonds?

Me: McGwire admitted guilt. Bonds admitted use of PEDs but said he was unaware it was illegal substance. By HOF standards- guilty

Me: jury ruled mistrial with Clemens. The evidence is enough for HOF to rule him guilty.

Buster: You say a mistrial is evidence of guilt? Really? So why hasn't Clemens been sentenced to jail?

Me: HOF vote is similar but not same as court of law. Reasonable doubt makes no difference. ANY doubt- then he's not a HOF.

Buster: So what about the HOFers who've admitted or been shown to use amphetamines throughout their careers?

Me: What HOFer has admitted that? If they have admitted, then take them out of HOF. Like I said HOF is sacred, pure, spotless

Buster: You say the Hall of Fame is spotless, pure? Have you read about Ty Cobb? Tris Speaker? Gaylord Perry breaking rules? Etc.?

Buster: Go back and read books/articles about HOFers from 1950-2000; you will find many references to their use of amphetamines.

Me: "speed" wont make you a HOF. Drugs that make pple bigger-stronger-faster is an issue. Adderall is an amphetamine. Not an issue

Buster: So let me get this straight: You are saying 'speed' is not a performance-enhancer, and is pure, as far as HOF is concerned?

Me: Speed will not make a good player great or a great player a HOFer. Bonds/McGwire type drugs took them to a new/unseen level.

Buster: If speed/ amphetamines ok for hall of famers, in your eyes, why are they now banned in virtually every sport?

Me: what were rules against them AT THE TIME? Can't punish someone for a new rule 20-30 years after the fact.

Buster: You just stepped into it: what were rules during McGwire's career?

Me: Specifically- I would have to research. McGwire admitted to using ILLEGAL steroids according to reports.

Buster: Besides, your premise is HOF is pure, clean; are you sticking with that, despite speed use, Cobb, Perry, etc.?

Me: Yes to my original premise. Speed not going to create a HOFer. Breaking rules like Cobb/Perry not going to create a HOF

Buster: And current HOFers have admitted amphetamine use that was illegal.

Me: To quote...well you: "please present your proof."

Me: amphetamines not banned in baseball until 2005. Players before ban cant be punished for something that was legal at the time.

Me: It was an honor/pleasure discussing this @Buster_ESPN. If you need me for Baseball Tonight or Sportscenter, you know my twitter handle :)

That was the discussion. I have never smiled the entire time I argued with someone until that Twitter, back-and-forth with Buster Olney. I feel like I put him in check-mate when I asked him to provide proof that current Hall of Famers have admitted to using illegal amphetamines that were illegal at the time of their use. I’ll admit, Buster may have more important things to do than argue with some guy on twitter so he couldn’t continue with the discussion.

That being said, I still feel like I won the argument. Because of my victory, I also feel that I am deserving of a “follow” from Buster Olney. I tweeted a message asking everyone to ask Buster to follow me, but my plan has not yet resulted in a celebrity follow.

If you have read the argument and believe I was victorious or at least had the upper hand, do me a favor and tweet @Buster_ESPN and ask him to follow @aaron_vargas.

Here's what I want you to take away from my story: if you don’t have Twitter, you should get an account. If you have Twitter, don’t be shy about tweeting at your favorite celebrities when you have something intelligent to say, because you never know when you’ll end up ARGUING WITH THE BEST.