The End of Innocence

No Longer Room for Blind Acceptance in Any Sport

By

Clinton Riddle

August 7th, 2006-Well, so much for American pride in France.

After Lance Armstrong retired, it was so nice to see another American win the Tour De France. Floyd Landis steps up for the US and wins the tournament in convincing fashion, and the country lauds his seemingly Herculean efforts. Because not only did he win a grueling bike race, he did it while battling several physical maladies, and we all thought even more of his win. Could this be the next great American bicyclist? Could he be the successor to a living legend?

Then, reality played its hand. We found out that Landis had stacked the deck.

To say that this was a disappointing, shocking turn wouldn't even begin to describe the way most Tour fans felt. I don't even follow cycling, and I was disappointed. Notice I said "disappointed", not "surprised" or "shocked".

The truth, I'm afraid, is this: We have all seen the Wizard behind the curtain. We know he's behind it all. We came all this way, we allowed professional sports to captivate us and draw our attention from all angles, we gave our heart and soul to our favorite teams or leagues, only to find that there are no legends, any more. They're all frauds; giants of iron and bronze with feet of clay. Baseball has men like Lou Gehrig and Babe Ruth, Cal Ripken and Buck O'Neil. Football has Dick Butkus, Joe Montana, Sammy Baugh, Jim Thorpe. In Basketball, it's Magic and Bird, Pistol Pete and MJ. Hockey has legends like Jacques Plante, Gordie Howe, Georges Vezina and Bobby Orr. Of course, each sport has its share of legendary names, far more than I can mention here.
But there are no more. There will never be another Ruth, another MJ. Partly because these men were once-in-a-lifetime players, larger perhaps than the game of which they were a part. But back in Ruth's day, noone talked about things like Dura-Decabolin or HGH. Noone knew anything about performance enhancers, unless you count beer and hotdogs. At the very least, there was no thought given to the integrity of the game or its players unless you were "throwing down", as they used to say. Shaving points. Flubbing easy grounders. Shooting wide of the net intentionally.
What I would give to have those days back. Somehow, it seems far less unsavory to deal with gamblers as opposed to finding out that a whole season was nothing but a circus act (see: 1998 MLB). Do you remember where you were when McGwire hit 61? Remember the looks on the faces of the fans who were there in person to witness what they thought, what we ALL thought, was history in the making? Do you remember how he went over to the section where the Maris family was seated, how he hugged Roger's sons, attested to his great respect for their father? Was it the same feeling you had when you saw your very first baseball game in person? It was for me.

Now, tell me this: How did you feel when you found out it was all a lie? How did you feel when the powers-that-be questioned the integrity of a man who seemed to do no wrong? A man who cried when he spoke of his son, or when he talked about his work with abused children? A man whose heart seemed to encompass all those who knew him and millions who would never even meet him face to face as well?

How did you feel when it was all brought to an abrupt halt by a Congressional nightmare, when the Man himself sat among the accused, who would not even acknowledge the questions being asked of him, other than to say, "I'm not here to talk about the past."? Why, if we couldn't trust such an honest, emotional man, who does so much good and feels so deeply, then who could we trust?

How did you feel when you finally realized, deep down, that there are no legends left?

We use the word a lot, sure. We throw it around an awful lot; every time someone hits 3 homers in a game, or scores 60+ on the hardwood, or goes on a goal-scoring tear for 2 months. Suddenly, they're ALL legends. But I'm here to say that there ARE no legends anymore. Not a one. At least, not the kind of legend we're used to believing in.

Those firefighters who died on 9/11. The cop who puts his or her life on the line every single day. The teacher that creates pride and self-esteem in a forgotten student and the thought, for the first time, that "I CAN DO IT!" The soldier who fights and dies so that you and I can express ourselves freely.

The mother or father who teaches a child about life, about truth and honor.

These are your legends in the Game of Life. In the end, no other game matters. In life, there is no cheating, because we all "retire" the same way. There is no Hall of Fame plaque waiting at the end, no huge crowds in a crush for your autograph, no tickertape parade when you win, no boos and catcalls when you lose. You don't get a shoe contract, or your own video game, or your picture on a bubble gum card for helping someone across the street. But if you're lucky, if you play the game fairly and justly, you'll always have a fan somewhere.

I don't believe we'll ever clean up sports. Maybe we'll be able to do it, someday, but it will never be finished. Until the day when it can be said that there are no more drugs in sports, until we can say that all the gamblers are out of the game, then maybe we can't look at ANYONE without the thought of impropriety entering our minds. That's the way I see it. Can you REALLY be sure? Maybe it's best to ignore it. Maybe we should just accept that professional sport is scamming its customers. Maybe we should just keep our mouths shut about it all and enjoy the ride.

But then, isn't that what got us here in the first place?

Clinton Riddle
Greendiamonds.com

Myers Faces Someone Who Hits Back

Allegations of Spousal Abuse Against Phillies Hurler

By

Clinton Riddle

Brett Myers, righthander for the Phillies, was recently charged with striking his wife while walking about in Boston. The Phillies reacted by sending him as far away as they could, all the way down to Class-A Clearwater. I'm thinking they were trying to wait for this to blow over a bit before bringing him back.

Myers has a court date set. Until that time, it's business as usual for him and the Phillies. I wonder how understanding and supportive they would be had he been a washed up, broken down middle reliever?

My guess is, NOT VERY.

"I talked to him a little bit, (but) I think he got enough schooling. I think he had a lot of people talking to him."

That was Charlie Manuel's take on the recent troubles of starter Brett Myers.

Mine is slightly different.

First of all, how much is "enough schooling"? If he is found guilty of battery against his wife, what will be done about it? Is it ever enough? Now, I know the whole "innocent until proven guilty" thing, and I'm not here to judge him, but I have to know one thing: What is hitting one's wife worth in the baseball world? A 10 game suspension? A month? A year? The point I'm trying to get at is this: Whatever happens with Myers, if he IS judged guilty, will doubtless be sufficient. He'll probably be ordered to attend anger management classes, make public speaking engagements denouncing spousal abuse, blah blah blah.

Would that make his wife any less abused? Would it make her any less frightened? Would it be justice?

It happened in public, also, and he's already made a half-hearted apology about it, so it's looking pretty bad for him in terms of guilt or innocence.

And for those of you who are part of the "She Can Always Walk Away" Club, let's hear your thoughts on the subject when you've actually been through it, yourself. Tell me how easy it was for you to "walk away" then, when you were imprisioned by your own fears, living a half-life, trying to remember what being human felt like. I probably sound pretty overwrought to a lot of you; that doesn't matter to me one bit. This is a serious issue, and it demands a serious approach.

Let's not forget, however, that while his wife will probably need counseling and support, so will he need it as well. This issue cannot be addressed without support for both sides involved, especially if it's happened before, because if it has then Myers needs help perhaps as much as his wife.

Whatever happens, I dearly hope that MLB handles this situation with the attention it deserves and Myers receives the counseling (and punishment, if necessary) that he deserves. No abusive act, regardless of its nature, should ever go unpunished.

And if Myers has a long history of abuse against his wife, or anyone else for that matter, then perhaps he ought to be given the rest of the year to think about it....in jail.


Clinton Riddle
Green Diamonds

Canseco Continues Evolution Toward Bitter Ex-Major Leaguer

Canseco Begins New Minor League Career With Another Potshot At Old Boss


Glad to see Jose Canseco is still employable. Being a circus freak still pays.

Are we really supposed to take anything this man says seriously? Here's the self-proclaimed "Godfather of Steroids" talking about how he's going to take the reins of the steroid issue in Major League Baseball. Is he serious? He says he wants to fight MLB, or in his words "the Mafia", regarding their handling of this problem. Personally, if I were Mafioso, I'd be a little put out right now. Does ANYONE out there really think this bitter, washed-up, ex-MLB'er has anything worthwhile to say?

Could it be, Jose, that you're a little perturbed about not being around to hit HR #500? Isn't that what at least some of this is about? That you're going to be remembered as Dave Kingman with speed, or maybe not even remembered at all? Of course, how could we forget? You won't let us. Maybe you're so worried about being on the wrong side of this thing that your desire to control the outcome of this scandal has overridden your common sense? "'It starts with me and ends with me'"??? Are you JOKING? How can you even begin to talk about honesty and integrity when your whole CAREER is a lie???

And what about this "difference" you're so interested in making? Aren't YOU the one who said that Baseball should embrace performance enhancers, that they should be accepted by Professional teams? But NO, you're not bitter at all: "I know what I know," he said. "The majority of the reason why I wrote the book is to show Major League Baseball that they cannot try to destroy an athlete's career. I've seen them blackball many players and I can't believe none of these players has taken a stand and said anything about it." Who would that athlete be, Jose? Do you really care about the careers of all those other players you swore were juiced? Maybe if you did, you would have tried to protect them or support them when it all hit the fan. Instead, you did your best to OUT them. This book of your's has little to do with helping anyone but yourself. If that's how you show your concern and caring, keep clear of me, please. I don't want any.

The truth as I see it is this: Jose Canseco is out for Jose Canseco. Not a single soul other than Jose Canseco. Noone else. You're mad that you were dumped before you could secure your place in the annals of legendary power hitters, and now you'll have to settle for the "annals of cheats and dirtbags" department. If you really want to help, how about you drop the whole victim routine, find a good shrink, and work with MLB instead of against them. I really don't see any of that happening, however. Everything you do in this matter is so blatently self-serving it's almost laughable. Sadly, just as laughable and pathetic as your legacy. What could have been remembered as an incredible career is becoming a punchline.

And YES, I believe you were blackballed. You had it coming. You're lucky none of those other players, whose careers you supposedly cared so much about, whose lives and reputations you have fought so hard to drag down with your own, haven't shown up on your doorstep to "thank" you.

The way I see it, you've got that coming, too. Just my opinion.

Clinton Riddle
Green Diamonds

Without Excuse

Grimsley Affidavit Shatters What Little Remained of Baseball's Integrity

By Clinton Riddle

Originally published on The Sporting News website by C. Riddle
sportingnews.com

Perhaps there's something inside of fans like me that wants to believe that MLB's steroid problem was isolated, localized. Most folks might call it simple naiveity. Some may say it's outright stupidity. I prefer to say that I wanted to believe that things were not as bad as I had heard. Either way, there was something at my core that desperately wanted the steroid issue to simply go away. My point of view bore a resemblance to that which Bud Selig seems to espouse: Close your eyes and it will go away. Though our reasons are distinctly different, we are both clearly mistaken.

Here's why.

First of all, Baseball does not have a steroid problem, as it were. Baseball has a DRUG problem. Yes, steroids are a major component of this. Yes, HGH and other similar drugs seem to be the point of most discussions related to this issue. However, amphetamines are far, far more prevalent than either HGH or steroids, and have been in use, according to Jason Grimsley, right out in the open: "'He stated "everybody had greenies (amphetamines). That's like aspirin". Grimsley stated that until last year, Major League clubhouses had coffee pots labeled "leaded" and "unleaded" for the players, indicating coffee with amphetamines and without." If we are to believe this statement, MLB has not only allowed the use of illicit substances, they have, in effect, ENCOURAGED it. And in this instance it is very easy to believe; one has only to look back to Jim Bouton's controversial Ball Four to note that "greenies" have been a welcome and accepted part of professional baseball for some time, now. Grimsley notes a number of current and former professional players as known users of performance-enhancing drugs. In the affidavit the names are redacted, no doubt to preserve the ongoing portion of this investigation, but the damage is already done. One has only to read the affidavit to understand, finally, just how great the damage to MLB will eventually become. Could it be that MLB has made an effort to keep the focus on steroids, in the hopes that the common fan could more easily overlook the reckless, indiscriminant use of amphetamines among what appears to be an even larger segment of players? Is it just that most fans are concerned only with what they perceive to be tainted records? Well, then, what does it take to 'taint' a record? So far, the only consistently discussed performance-enhancing substances are steroids or HGH, but what is a prescription-strength amphetamine if not a performance enhancer?? Don't you think that qualifies? If you don't, then perhaps you were deeper in denial than I had been. One thing is for sure; when the smoke clears, what baseball will have been shown to be will be nothing like what we had hoped it would be.

In other words, the days of baseball as a patriotic, American pursuit are OVER.

The only room for innocence in the game of baseball is in Little League. Perhaps that is how it should be, because this scandal has also exposed MLB fans for what they are: naive. I count myself among the most naive of all, because I had preconceived notions of who was involved in this disgusting business. The fact that someone like Jason Grimsley, a journeyman reliever with not a single noteworthy season to his credit, is hip-deep in this mess shows that if we are to base our judgement upon the players who show a noticible change in size or statistics only, then we have made ourselves blind to the truth: IT COULD BE ANYONE AT ALL. I can no longer look at baseball in the same, accepting manner. From now on, no matter what, noone is above suspicion. Perhaps it's better this way. MLB has the truth, regardless of how many players are involved, and whether or not it chooses to do what is right it is without excuse.

And as fans, from this point on, we also have the truth. We have seen what professional baseball has become, and if we choose to continue to support this travesty financially we also are without excuse.

And we now have noone to blame but ourselves.

C. Riddle

Bonds Hits No. 715, A Nation Yawns in Defiance

Bonds Passes Babe, Fans Unite In Their Indifference

May 29th, 2006

Barry Bonds, he of the engorged physique and less-than-approachable attitude, hit home run number 715 yesterday against Byun-Hyung Kim of the Rockies to claim sole ownership to the #2 spot for career homers.
Congratulations?
You know, I think that's what I'm supposed to say.
Good Work?
Nice Job?
You're the Best?
No, no...somehow, none of those fit.

How about GET BENT?
Or GO SUCK AN EGG?
Wait, Wait, I got it...BITE ME. There, that's the one.

Bonds has the number 2 spot now, and there's nothing we can do about it. That is, except what we already have done.

Respond with indifference. And that's what has happened, to a great extent.

Does it really seem like this is a nation that is embracing Bonds as a living legend? Not really.
I have to say, I don't get the "warm and fuzzies" when I think of our friend Barry. Rather, I get more than a little nauseous. And Barry's semi-regular lament, "How could someone hate someone else that they don't even know?", makes me want to plan a reunion with my lunch. The thing is, Barry, we DO know you. We know you from every single rude comment you made to a reporter, from everytime you turned a blind eye to a child who only wanted you to sign his/her program, from each F-bomb you dropped indiscriminately in the presence of those who were 'beneath you', from the utter disdain and isolationism with which you approached your teammates.

In other words, Barry, we see a pattern. That pattern indicates one absolute when it comes to you: Noone else matters.

You might make it through this season without spending half of it on the DL. You may get a whole lot closer to Aaron. You may even pass him. But if you do, it will only be numbers on a page. Hank Aaron knew what it was to be hated. You use the word 'hate' as a punchline. Aaron beat Ruth's record while enduring venom from total strangers so vile and perverse that a lesser man would have likely quit the game. You have a lot of hate directed at you, to be sure, but for a completely different reason: you created it. At the risk of sounding overly dramatic, Aaron should have received a medal for what he endured. But for all the aformentioned reasons, the record book of public sentiment and the memory of baseball fans everywhere will share one common
opinion of you. And that is this: "You, sir, are no legend. "

So when the day comes, if it must, and you finally pass Aaron for sole ownership of first place, I dearly hope that all the hurt, all the disapointment, all the disgust, all the empty feelings you have ever engendered in the fans, reporters, and everyone else who has had the great misfortune of making your acquantaince or witnessed the grand illusion that is now your baseball legacy, and every rude, obnoxious or out and out foul word you have ever spoken to anyone comes to bear on you and your moment in the sun. And it is my sincere hope and desire that fans, media members, and all who watch at home will take just a few seconds out of their lives, lives that would be so meaningless without having witnessed the majesty that is Barry Bonds, and stand up from their seats, open their mouths....

And yawn.


Clinton Riddle
Green Diamonds

The Best Is Yet To Come

Verlander, Papelbon, Willingham Among Dozens of Young Talents Leading Baseball Into New Golden Age

Most baseball fans out there tend to keep up with the up and coming rookies that make it through Spring Training each year and stick with the big club. Well, for those of you who have a pulse, you might have noticed a few things about this year's model. I do believe we're about to see a changing of the guard.
Yes, friends, this year is the Year of the Rookie.
We are about to see an new Golden Age in baseball, one that will make us all remember why we love The Game in the first place.
Now, I know that being this early in the season, this all sounds like so much bandwagoning, but it doesn't take a genius to figure out that the young talent currently in The Show is legitimate.
Take, for instance, Justin Verlander, who was recently clocked at 101 mph...on his 98th pitch of the game.
Or Jonathan Papelbon, who is spurring the semi-new look Red Sox to the dominant level that led them to their first WS title in 86 years in 2004.
How about Zach Duke, who as a former 20th round pick (!) is now one of the top young pitching talents in the majors?
There are lesser known pitchers who could very well be impact players this year. Sean Marshall is one of them. The young Cubs lefty is in a position to eat up a lot of innings that might have gone to Prior or Wood, assuming either of the two could manage to stay in one piece. Marshall's been working rather closely with Greg Maddux (actually, when you've amassed the career numbers and accolates that he has, they call you MR. Maddux), and should be expected to remain a solid contributor to the Cubbies' rotation. I watched this guy NO-HIT THE A'S for 9 innings in spring training with a 91 mph tailing fastball and a wicked sick curve. He knows what he's doing.
And the hitters! Josh Willingham is set to make a serious dent in NL pitching for the Fish, utilizing an astoundingly selective eye at the plate that could match that of Kevin Youkilis. Matt Murton hits the ball like he means it, and seems to possess intangibles unseen in players his age.
Edwin Encarnacion could be a special player, assuming his early season fielding miscues are a byproduct of rookie nerves and not something far more ominous....like the Stone Glove Syndrome. Dave Kingman, are you listening? Ryan Zimmerman is going to turn a lot of scouts' heads, even more so than he already has.
When Albert Pujols came up in 2001, we all felt like we were seeing a special player at work, not just a star talent, but a once-in-a-generation kind of player. Well, I'm here to tell you something: we haven't seen nothing, yet. With talents like Willingham, Zimmerman, Murton, Verlander, Papelbon and Duke, we may finally see the kind of baseball our grandfathers talked about.
The kind of baseball that makes you remember you were there.

Say hello to the early days of the new Golden Age of Baseball.

Do yourself a favor. Don't miss it.

Clinton Riddle
Writer
Green Diamonds

Baseball Annie Settles for Baltimore

Jan 30, 2006

Kris Benson, newest acquisition for the fairly pathetic Orioles, believes that he has found a home in Baltimore.

His wife, on the other hand, has already found her way into Baltimore, and New York, and Chicago, etc. etc. etc.

You see, Anna Benson is a "model" of sorts. By "model" I mean shameless, unprincipled trollope.
Hope I spelled that right.

This is the same woman, remember, that stated her intent to service the entire 40 man roster of whatever team Kris happened to be a part in the event that she found out that her husband was cheating on her. My question is this: can a woman pose in a magazine wearing not a whole lot of anything be considered faithful?
Would you be able to say that your husband, wife, fiance, etc., was faithful if he/she/it laid it out for all to see? In a manner of speaking, of course.
Could it really be said that the act of posing semi-nude (or even close to it) can be the act of a "faithful" spouse? Personally, I just don't see it.

The Orioles, however, are most certainly going to "see it". Kris Benson didn't even get a chance to see what Baltimore has to offer before Baltimore got to see what Anna had to offer.

Sounds prudish, right? The rants of a conservative, overwrought member of the Moral Majority? You got it.

She even had the media asking HER questions. I have a question for her. Do you throw a 90-mph fastball? How 'bout a curve? Slider?

No? Then step away from the microphone, and sit down. We know you're a model. We know you're narcissistic. We know you dig showing off for the menfolk. What we don't know is this: can you stand NOT being the center of attention?

Tell you what; when Kris wins more than 15 games, or at the very least stays healthy for a full year, then he will be relevant in the professional baseball world. When that happens, talk about him all you want. But, frankly, let me save you some time by saying this:

We know you're a "model". We don't care. See if you can manage to keep your clothes on while you're in Baltimore. And if Kris is unfaitiful, maybe therapy is the answer.

After making a threat to sleep with your husband's team, perhaps therapy is a good idea, after all.

C. Riddle
Bitter Old Prude
Green Diamonds