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As Doc notes -- there are a number of unwritten rules surrounding pro sports in general, (and baseball in particular). 
I think the disconnect from some fans is that they either just don't get (or are choosing to temporarily ignore) the #1 rule in MLB. 
YOU DO NOT THROW TEAMMATES UNDER THE BUS -- EVEN IF IT IS TRUE.
The telling point in all of this is that the players and management (many of whom were players at some point) are angry at either the reporter and/or the players who spoke to said reporter.  NOBODY on the team is angry with Griffey in all of this.  Why?  Because he's the one being thrown under the bus. 
When Palmeiro said Tejada gave him a B12 shot -- he was immediately personna non grata in the baseball world.  Not because Tejada was a potential Hall of Famer -- but because Raffy had broken rule #1.  From Jim Bouton to Caminiti to Canseco -- the TRUTH is not a factor in the discussion (as far as the players are concerned).  The simple reality is all kinds of stuff goes on in the dugouts and clubhouses that players understand are NOT for public consumption.
In this case, the nature of the quotes appears to be a case where it doesn't appear the intent of the PLAYERS was to throw Griffey under the bus.  And Sweeney's tirade was simply intended to convey very clearly that "if it was" - that behavior is unacceptable.  And it is unacceptable in ANY MLB clubhouse - against ANY MLB player.
The notion that the players are playing favorites in regards to this rule is just plain nonsense.  Washburn was excoriated because his comments about Johjima's pitch-calling were perceived to be throwing Joh under the bus. 
The problem here is that LOTS of times, players answer a question honestly, without intending to come across as slamming another player.  To this day, I think Washburn was more annoyed at HIMSELF for not shaking Johjima off -- than he was at Johjima.  Basically, *I* don't think it was Washburn's intent to throw Joh under the bus.  But, the near universal interpretation of that Wash was intentionally attacking Joh.  And, I suspect that this WAS an issue - which was handled quietly and in the clubhouse - *AS IT IS SUPPOSED TO BE - PER THE UNWRITTEN CODE*.
Tomes could be written on the many stupid aspects of said code.  But, in the end, players need to feel they can trust the guys they roam around the country with to not go blabbing every indiscretion in the world to a press that (nowadays) is not hesitant to print anything that might sell. 
And if Griffey were hitting .750 with 2 or 3 HRs ... the fans would be all over the press every bit as much as the players are at the moment.