|
|
|
First off: to all of the so-called experts that we talking about their iron-clad theories of A-Roid having to return for one day and then retiring to preserve his contract; or that he would be suspended for life; or that he couldn't be suspended for never having tested positive under Baseball's drug program: YOU ARE STUPID AND YOUR MOMMA DRESSES YOU FUNNY.
Baseball is a business and it is nothing more. Baseball is doing what it must do in its own best interest, nothing for the fans, but for itself.
Baseball is a unique business, as evidenced by the congressional exemption that is unique to any professional sport in the United States, the vaunted anti trust exemption, and for its place in America. Baseball relies on individuals (men - in name only, more likely a gender reference) that can either throw a ball with accuracy and velocity, catch said ball with a skill unlike most and the most importantly, the ability to make contact with that same ball - known as a baseball.
Baseball is always on the search for that talent and being the arbiter of said talent, still makes errors in judgement that many, it seems beyond us, that Baseball (Major League Baseball) can be so blind. That is the way the ball bounces, frankly, and there is no other way to quantify the unique entity that baseball is. For many, it is a game, a game that is played on grass fields, barren plots of land, asphalt or anywhere where one can enjoy the ability to play with or against one another.
A-Roid is one of those players, blessed with a fine arm, fast wheels and vision that allowed him to play the game better than most. He can still play, but his skills are lacking, as what happens to all of us, eventually. For whatever reason A-Roid used performance enhancing drugs, we have evidence that he did. Further, we have evidence that he purchased them and that he tried to coerce others into siding with him, not with Major League Baseball. Serious stuff, all of it. Major League Baseball, as a money-making entity (business), is now doing what it must when rules have been broken AND when it has been lied to you: suspend the employee. That happens often in the real world! If they wanted to fire him, they could, but they didn't because in the realm of business, A-Roid has been good for Baseball for a long time and while he seems to have alienated himself from Baseball, his employer chooses not to get rid of him, but simply suspends him.
I am not shocked, nor am I surprised. Having being a shop steward for my union, this is playing out just as it would with my employer. Looking at A-Roid as a employee, this suspension is about right or appropriate. Anyone wasting time about the moral issues of this situation have argument to make, but to whom? Baseball? No one at Major League Corporate is listening. They would, if attendance were affected. If television deals lose value, then they would listen. If internet traffic were to drop or sales of merchandise waned . . . then.
Looking at everything, Major League Baseball is not listening. I wouldn't. Baseball's pockets are telling me that they are doing something right. Baseball's revenue is at all-time highs, there is labor peace and attendance over the last eleven years has been outstanding, setting records in at least eight of those years.
A-Roid is lucky that he wasn't charged with a crime, that may still come to pass. For now, we move forward and wait to see if A-Roid appeals his suspension and Baseball's new, Santa Monica-based arbitrator rules. It will be interesting.
A-Roid cheated. He lied. He broke Baseball's rules and laws. Now, he must pay for breaking the rules of the game. We'll see if he gets a chance to play again and frankly, if he can hit the ball, he'll play again.
Again, to all of those idiots out there: YOUR MOMMA STILL dresses you funny, you stupid idiots.
No comments:
Post a Comment