MLB Suspensions

The Major League Baseball has announced the suspension of several players including three New York Yankees.  Alex Rodriguez, also known as "ARod" is the most noticeable on the list.

Another that is shocking to find on the list is Yankee's former star farm prospect, Jesus Montero who is now with the Mariners.  The players were suspended for their part in the Biogenesis case where players sought the use of performance enhancement drugs from a now defunct clinic.  The players were suspended 50 games with the exception of Arod who was suspended for this season as well as the 2014 season.  He plans to appeal the suspension on Thursday which will allow him to play with the Yankees until a final decision is made, perhaps in late November.

It is a sad day for baseball indeed.  America's pastime is once again tarnished by ambitious players
who will do anything to keep their huge paychecks.

Before, baseball used to be about the experience - the game itself. Now, it is about profit and fame.  No longer will we see great players like The Babe, Jackie Robinson, Lou Gehrig, Mickey Mantle, Willie Mays, Roberto Clemente etc, rise up to stardom by working hard and playing with heart.  Instead, we will be suspect of any player who is doing great and breaking records.  Only a few good players remain such as, Derek Jeter, Mariano Rivera, Jorge Posada, Bernie Williams; just to name a few.

I hope the MLB can clean the sport of this nonsense.  These players who are using drugs are giving a bad example to the youth and are turning off fans.  It is rumored that Babe Ruth was asked how he was able to hit homers so easily, he replied "with hot dogs and beer."

 



Source:

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130729&content_id=55168796&vkey=news_mlb&c_id=mlb

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130805&content_id=55948640&vkey=news_mlb&c_id=mlb

http://espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/9540076/mlb-suspensions-agreed-12-players-reports-say

  

"I give up..."

There was once a little boy named Thomas. He grew up watching baseball with his dad and wanted to be a player when he got older. When he was old enough, his dad took him to Yankee Stadium where he saw his favorite Yankee players. Derek Jeter was his favorite one.




"Oh that Jeter, he is awesome, right dad!?" Said Thomas.




"Yes son, he is one of the greatest players today - and you see over there son?" says his dad as he points to monument park.




"Derek Jeter's number 2 will be retired there some day and he will be up there with the Babe #3, The Iron Horse Gehrig #4, The Clipper DiMaggio #5, The Commerce Comet Mantle #7, Chairman of the Board Ford #16 and all the others."




Thomas looks up at his dad with great joy and smiles. The game begins. Jeter is up at bat. Detroit's Verlander is on the mount. He pitches, Jeter swings.

"Strikkkkeeee!!!" yells the umpire.

Jeter collects himself, gets ready for the next pitch.

"Strikkkee"

Jeter is calm as usual, Verlander pitches again.

"Striikkker yurr outtt.."

Jeter slighty smiles and walks back to the dugout. Third inning comes, Jeter is up to bat again and the same,

"strikkkee"

"strikkkeee"

"strikkkee"

"yerrr outtt!"

The pattern continues straight into the 7th inning. The Yankees are down by 7. Thomas is sad. The joy he had when he entered the House that Ruth built is no longer present.




"Dad?"  Thomas calls out,




"What is it son? asks the dad.

"What is wrong with Jeter? He is so good, he passed Gehrig's record for most hits. He is an awesome shortstop. But now he is just not hitting." Thomas complains.




His dad looks at him and says, "he is just going through a slump, don't worry son." Thomas sighs.




The Yankees catch up with 6 and Detroit has 7. It is the 9th inning and Jeter is up, there are 2 outs. Detroit's closer Valverde is on the mount.




The crowd at the stadium is shouting

"Derek Jeter" and claping with rhyme: Clap clap clap-clap-clap. "Derek Jeter!" Clap clap clap-clap-clap.

Valverde pitches, Jeter swings.

"Strikkee..."

The crowd gets anxious now for there are 2 outs and Jeter has his first strike. Jeter gathers himself again. His face seems annoyed, perhaps disappointed at himself. Valverdi winds up and pitches. Jeter eyes the ball and swings,

"strikkeee.."

The crowd gets upset, some boo, but others continue to cheer for Jeter to get one of his "Jeterian hits." Jeter is down by 2 strikes, one more and the game is lost.




Valverdi gets ready, checks first base and then pitches. Jeter looks and bammmm, he hit the ball. Jeter drops the bat and begins to run towards first base, but the ball is caught by Peralta and that's it. Game over!




Thomas slams his glove and shouts, "I give up!  I hate this!  Jeter is no good. I hate baseball. Jeter's poor playing ruined it for me dad!  I don't want to watch or play baseball again."




His dad looks at him with a smile of concern. "Relax Thomas, this is just one game and Jeter is just one player. He is in a slump and will come around. You can't bring down baseball just for the bad performance of one player."

This is a story I just made up - a modern parable if you will.  Thomas is named as such for "doubting Thomas" of the Gospels.  The moral of this story is that one bad player does not bring down the game of baseball.  Baseball has a lot of great history and many great players.

Similarly, one bad priest, one bad nun, one bad lay person or just one misbehaving Christian or person of faith does not bring down or tarnish the Catholic Church or any religion.

Don't be like Thomas and doubt.  Never give up!