A Letter to Major League Baseball
Dear Mr. Selig and MLB:
Thank you for taking such a courageous stand for decency and social
responsibility, in what you have handed down in punishments and the
"reeducation" of Mr. John Rocker.
As I read some of the news reports, including coverage in the Covenant
News, I couldn't help but have some new hope since you have announced such
strong convictions about your role in what you call an "American Institution,
and the social responsibility that goes with it." That you saw Mr. Rocker's
ill chosen words as a "profound breach of the social compact we hold in high
regard."
You were mad and were going to do something about it!
Well, you did something, all right.
In your quest for political cover, while sentencing Rocker to the
sensitivity training gulag, where he was to be reeducated before he could
rejoin his fellow players on the field and in the dugout, while ostensibly
doing all this for the good of the "game" and Rocker himself--you now have
done the greatest damage to the young player. By depriving his team and his
teammates of Rocker's services for 28 games...you may well have trashed their
hopes for another crack at a Pennant and World Series berth. Rocker was their
star closer ! It won't really matter whether he would have won every game
they lose during that time--your punishment for his antics punishes an entire
team and franchise. Ask the players in a few months.
I can't imagine what tensions and ill will this may cause for this
business organization.
It's funny, in ice Hockey, a guy can nearly decapitate another player with
his wooden weapon, and what's the penalty -- a few minutes off the ice? And
increased ticket sales!
So, Mr. Commissioner, you think it was terrible that Rocker offended so
many folk, eh? Well, let's see you follow through in punishing the other
players and coaches who regularly -- and I mean regularly are seen on close-up
television spewing forth verbal filth every time a ball doesn't bounce right,
or gets hit out of the park, or an umpire seemingly misses a call. The "F"
word is more prevalent in baseball than in the current Hollywood trash movie.
How about it? I am offended all the time by your players -- by your
organization's lack of social responsibility. Why don't you clean up the act?
And while you are posturing and punishing, why not suspend Sports
Illustrated for 28 days too -- no interviews or coverage of any MLB teams or
individuals till Rocker's back on the field. They knew exactly what they were
doing when they published what they did -- and they have enjoyed every minute
of it -- at everyone else's expense.
That would be some sensitivity training. But you are too gutless to do
something like that. And hey, you are enjoying some free off-season
publicity too!
I'm pulling for the player's union grievance committee on this one.
Daddy.
Past Issues of 'Dear Daddy'
What is Gunophobia?
Reclaiming Freedom
Loving Correction
Throw Off the Shackles
Death Penalty 'Balance'
Keep Christ in Christmas
Ten Commandment in Schools
The Never-Born and Heaven
Who Do Your Serve?
Separation of Church and State
Flag Football
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