Eagles Vs. The Editors

In 1977, a feud erupted between the band and ‘Rolling Stone.’ It was settled with a grudge-match softball game played in front of a star-packed crowd.

- Andy Greene

IT BEGAN WITH A SINGLE SENTENCE IN THE SEPTEMBER 8th, 1977, issue of Rolling Stone. Tucked into a Random Notes item about Joe Walsh’s new solo album was this line by writer Charles M. Young: “The rest of the Eagles, on their first vacation in three years, seem more interested in finding a softball team they can beat – having lost in recent weeks to teams fielded by Andrew Gold, Jimmy Buffett, employees of several San Francisco radio stations and their own road crew.”

Singer-guitarist Glenn Frey fired off a response in the magazine. “What you have failed to mention is that the Eagles won two out of three games against Jimmy Buffett,” he wrote. “Anytime you pencil-pushing desk jockeys want to put on your spikes, we’ll kick your ass, too.” The challenge was accepted immediately.