Courtesy Baltimore Sun

(April 3, 2009) The Baltimore Orioles have again denied a media credential to WNST (1570) owner/talk host Nestor Aparicio. The club would not say why, but spokesman Greg Bader pointed out that others at the station have been credentialed.

"WNST will continue to receive access to the ballclub," Bader said Wednesday. "They are receiving more than their share of credentials for a station not ranked in the top 30" in Baltimore radio.

As I said when this came up last year, I would issue Aparicio a credential if it were my decision because he does serve in a media role.

On the other hand, it's easy for me to say that; he didn't lead a walkout during a game at my ballpark.

The Orioles have extended credentials to those harshly critical of them in the past. To cite one example, former Sun columnist Ken Rosenthal was unrelenting, particularly when it came to owner Peter Angelos, and Rosenthal wasn't barred from Camden Yards. Then again, Rosenthal never distributed "Free the Birds" T-shirts.

Meanwhile, another season begins with Aparicio calling his show Limited Access, holding himself up as the Baltimore media's only truth-teller about the Orioles and even referencing Jim Valvano's "don't ever give up" speech in a blog entry about the credential situation.

Hey, Orioles, give him a press pass. At least then we don't have to hear about it anymore.