Eight game suspension? That's Outrageous!!

Ross J · Jun 7, 2003

Re: Eight game suspension? That's Outrageous!!

I don't know too much aboput your national game but I do know a thing or two about woodwork. It would take more than an ounce of skill to drill, then insert and glue in a cork centre to one of those bats and I wonder if he'd have enough skills to do that himself, or would he have paid a carpenter to do it? Secondly, I agree with previous statements about knowing he was using a drilled bat! My son plays cricket and soccer. There's no way he could ever mistake the competition gear with the practice gear and he's a schoolboy! This guy knew exactly what he was doing and has bought disrepute to the game. He has made no effort to admit the fact or to stand up to his numerous fans and accept blame for the event. Over here that would harm his standing more than the loss of a few games. Ross

plywoody · Jun 7, 2003

Re: Eight game suspension? That's Outrageous!!

Only if you can get away with it! Ah, what's the risk anyway? The worse thing that could happen is you'd be provided three squares and a roof by the government, and free medical.

aspeck · Jun 7, 2003

Re: Eight game suspension? That's Outrageous!!

PW, are you just lookin for an argument? You really can't believe that everything is okay, as long as you don't get caught! So Sammy appeals, doesn't admit he was wrong or agree with the suspension that is in line with other suspension in hte past, and gets to play in the game against the Yanks and Clemens where he goes 2-4 with an RBI and a run scored. Where is the justice in that? Gives PW a case, doesn't it!

Carphunter · Jun 9, 2003

Re: Eight game suspension? That's Outrageous!!

Some of the so-called "experts" are saying that a corked bat doesn't help anyway. Sammy has said that this was a practice bat, why would you even have a corked bat for practice? It all seems fishy to me. Look what happened to the Michigan basketball program, they were caught doing some serious recruiting violations, and they erased the "Fab Fives" records from the history books. Maybe Sammy deserves the same fate. Its really a shame, I know enough about Baseball to know that Sammy does not need to cork a bat to be a great hitter.

SCO · Jun 10, 2003

Re: Eight game suspension? That's Outrageous!!

From my youth, I remember the term "fungo bat", used by managers hitting pop flies to fielders. Is this a corked bat? I am with most of you, that he would know which bat he picked up. This is a bit like the Martha Stewart debachle( if she is guilty), Losing her empire for 200k potential loss. And, to address Pw, society should not make it "ok" to do the wrong thing. I'm glad people are outraged, shows we still have some moral fiber, a sense of duty, a sense of right and wrong. I don't think this is moral superiority to have a strong opinion in a matter like this. I've done the wrong thing plenty of times. Knowing that has always steered me to making fewer mistakes that I regret.

Capn Mike · Jun 10, 2003

Re: Eight game suspension? That's Outrageous!!

(info note in the Tribune): The Chicago Cubs "Woodworking for Fun and Profit" class has been postponed.... I'm still a Cubs fan, tho...

KennyKenCan · Jun 10, 2003

Re: Eight game suspension? That's Outrageous!!

I don't have a problem with the 8 game suspension of Sammy Sosa, that's probably the correct disipline for the offense. I have a problem with the appeal! What right does Sammy, or the Cubs have to be able to appeal. It was very clear that the bat was corked, case closed! What can the Cub's possibly expect, that the league is going to reverse the decision of the umps and say that the bat wasn't corked, or Sammy didn't know, so it shouldn't be applied? I don't think so. The bat was corked and the umps saw it, the suspension should have been immediate, just like when Sammy was thrown out of the game. Sammy should serve out his suspension and get back to playing baseball. All this publicity about the controversy over the appeal is only further tarnishing Sammy's career and jeperdizing his chances of the Hall of Fame, which he probably deserves.

aspeck · Jun 10, 2003

Re: Eight game suspension? That's Outrageous!!

SCO, seems like more people are getting into Sammy's corner than those with the "moral fiber." Just read 2 articles, one by Ken Rosenthal and the other by Dave Kindred, both from Sporting News. Although they differ in their assessment of the situation, both feel they, and fans in general, are ready to, and should, let "Say it aint Sosa" off the hook. That, I think, is a travesty. Ken Rosenthal Dave Kindred

LadyFish · Jun 10, 2003

Re: Eight game suspension? That's Outrageous!!

I think they should start drug testing over there at Sporting News. Sosa admitted it was a mistake and that he was WRONG. He said that he was waiting for the suspension. Then, after his punishment of an 8 games suspension he appealed and said it was all BS. The fact that he appealed tells me that he is not even sorry for doing it.

Just sorry he got caught. I haven't checked to see where things are after this weekend and/or series with the Yanks, does anyone know?

SCO · Jun 10, 2003

Re: Eight game suspension? That's Outrageous!!

Aspeck, I read the links. Common thread is that it was a human thing, and they also seem to believe the act was willfull. Were I to agree with the humainty argument, I would be agreeing that cheating is not that bad. As a sports participater, I just cannot adopt that attitude for myself or my opponents. The game is meaningless if not played fairly.

ob · Jun 10, 2003

Re: Eight game suspension? That's Outrageous!!

I could feel a bit more passionate about punishing with a suspension or otherwise as long as all parties involved are also punished.Without that ,it becomes a scapegoat issue.It's not like these guys are shooting pool or bowling ,which are individual sports that the players are for the most part,their own boss.Baseball players are team members ,most of which get their directives from a manager,coach,owner etc..as much as Cubby fans would like to see the games go on ,punishing just Sosa seems to fall a bit short of getting to the root of the cheating.

aspeck · Jun 10, 2003

Re: Eight game suspension? That's Outrageous!!

Hmmm, punish the team so the team does better self policing. Interesting arguement OB! But, let be be devil's advocate here, wouldn't that be unfair to the others on the team? It would hurt their self esteem. However, would also be in line with lakeman's agruement: in sports, or anywhere else in our immoral society of today any and all rules or regulations are non functory unless they are severe enough to make it not worth the risk of breaking them. Just a thought.

lakeman1999 · Jun 11, 2003

Re: Eight game suspension? That's Outrageous!!

Thank you aspeck, I say anyone that knowingly breaks a rule in sports, especially professional sports (knowingly, cheats with intent to have or get an advantage) should be banned for life, never to be able to compete again. And no one has any argument whatsoever against this, because it is absolutely uncalled for, and reflects upon the honesty of the individual, or anyone that does not support it. As an example, when the king (Richard Petty) knowingly puts an illegal part on his car, if found out should be permanently barred for life from a race track, or garage of a race team. This is not too severe of a punishment, as if this were the RULE, every one would compete fairly, and there would not be anymore cheating. The winner would truely be the winner. And to be honest, if a person is a cheat he should not be allowed to compete to start with. If you disagree, then you are part of the trouble with society today. YOUR CALL!!!!!

lakeman1999 · Jun 11, 2003

Re: Eight game suspension? That's Outrageous!!

PS ANYONE!! that knows about the cheating, and does not bring it too the attention of management first, and then officials second (if management does nothing) is also guilty of cheating, as they then become party of a cospiracy. When you cheat you are hurting every member of the team.

BassMan283 · Jun 11, 2003

Re: Eight game suspension? That's Outrageous!!

I think anyone caught cheating in a sporting event should be executed on the spot. Cheating would sharply diminish. ---------------- I have achieved perfection, and my critics are full of prunes.

ob · Jun 11, 2003

Re: Eight game suspension? That's Outrageous!!

Aspeck , Who said anything about punishing the team ??? What was implicated was to punish all involved.And if that's the whole team,too bad.Is what you are infering to allow the managers and coaches of a team to instruct players to cheat in any way that they can and then just let the player take the fall for it so that the cheating simply continues and Cubby fans baseball seasons won't be interupted?Fact is ,is that the entire baseball organizations are corrupt and cheating I guess is part of the game.That's why I don't waste my time or vocal chords for modern day team sports.I also don't watch or have heroes in the sport of wrestling. If a Nascar driver is suspended for cheating ,is the pit crew that changes the tires being falsely punished because they no longer have a job?

DJ · Jun 11, 2003

Re: Eight game suspension? That's Outrageous!!

The REAL issue here is that we, as a society, put FAR too much emphasis on these-games. They are no longer sports, they are MONEY. With the astonomocal amounts of money involved, someone is always going to try to get the upper hand, by the rules or not. Pro baseball, or any sport for that matter, is on the edge of becoming immaterial. The last (baseball) strike nearly did them in. If they keep up these antics, much longer, they will go down. I believe the NBA is the worst of them all. The morals, or lack of them, by the players is legendary.

LadyFish · Jun 11, 2003

Re: Eight game suspension? That's Outrageous!!

After his appeal, his suspension was reduced to seven games.

aspeck · Jun 11, 2003

Re: Eight game suspension? That's Outrageous!!

ob, just using a little "license" to extend what you were saying. However, the more I thought, the more the idea seemed good. Make sure the team polices themselves, because if they don't the punishment will be against the entire team. Sounds reasonable to me! lakeman, the problem with your solution is the "knowingly". That might be pretty hard to prove, and to ban for life for a legitimate mistake may be a bit harsh. But, ladyfish, I am with you, 7 games is too short! So what do you say if we let bassman loose to hang him, hang him high!

lakeman1999 · Jun 13, 2003

Re: Eight game suspension? That's Outrageous!!

Hey Aspec, if you keep the lawyers out of the decision, knowingly becomes no problem. If you have had acces to a copy of the rules, and you are in charge of the crew, and someone says hey look you are using an illegal _________ and you can see that it is illegal, that is knowingly.

Eight game suspension? That's Outrageous!!

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