Once upon a time there was a young Dodgers fan whom we’ll call Rab. One morning, Rab read in the newspaper that Don Drysdale would be signing autographs at a nearby car dealership for an hour that morning. Rab was very excited, and he took his baseball glove and left the house to head for the car dealership. He was partway there when he was approached by a mysterious stranger on a street corner.
“Hey, kid,” the man said. “You a Dodgers fan?”
“Yes, sir, Mr. Mysterious Stranger,” Rab replied.
“That’s good,” the stranger said. “You know, Sandy Koufax is over at Oceanside High School signing autographs.”
“Really?” Rab gushed, but then he grew skeptical. “Wait, are you a credentialed member of the press? From what institution of higher learning did you get your degree in journalism?”
“No, kid,” the stranger said. “I have inside information. I have it from a guy who knows a guy who works for the Dodgers.”
Rab wasn’t sure. “I don’t know. . . .” he said.
“Plus ol’ Sandy is giving pitching lessons,” the nefarious stranger said.
“Wow,” said Rab, now convinced. He took off for Oceanside High, only to find a local famers’ market set up offering organic fruits and vegetables as well as artisanal craft goods.
Rab hurried to the car dealership, but the signing event had already closed. Rab had missed his chance.
Poor Rab was heartbroken. He stood in the middle of the street with tears streaming down his face and shouted at the sky “Never! Never again will I trust unsubstantiated rumors in lieu of the honest reporting of a journalist!”
He paused.
“A Real journalist!” Rab amended. “Not just someone posting garbage as click-bait! Never!”