WRIGHT: Let government rule baseball for a while
wright — Oct 4th, 1996
The all-purpose, politically correct, universally applicable mantra of the day closes in on us from every direction in every corner of the media:
"Get government out of our daily lives and let private business grow. Let business decisions be made by those who know it best — the people who run the businesses."
Makes for a great sound bite, so simple, so clear-cut.
The mantra washes over everything in its path, including professional sports, where it has been suggested in this state that government has no role in a partnership with business interests for the purpose of constructing new stadiums.
We have now an example in front of us that sinks this politically correct ship — the disgusting mess that has evolved out of the Roberto Alomar spitting incident.
I understand this suggestion will never happen in the current political climate that demonizes any politician who suggests a new government program.
But I'm no politician, so let me advance the opinion that the federal government needs to inject itself in an oversight role in the business of professional sports, the Alomar incident being the latest obvious example of what can go wrong with unrestrained business control of business.
Baseball is ruled by spineless, aging, white, male lap dogs with aluminum foil fists. Baseball, in fact, has had no commissioner for years now, no one in a position to make the hard decisions covering what's in the best interest of the game, especially when it means ruffling the over-stuffed feathers of the owners.
So when Alomar spit in umpire John Hirschbeck's face on Sept. 28, the role of top cop fell to American League president Gene Budig, whose response was both swift and asinine.
Budig, a farcical puppet of the owners, ruled Alomar would be suspended for five games without pay — next year — and that there would be an additional hearing on the matter as soon as the playoffs were over.
If there exists anyone in this country who believes Budig's decision was fair and in the best interests of baseball, that person has escaped my view. Alomar immediately appealed the ruling, apparently thinking it would delay any action long enough for him to avoid postseason games.
Then on Wednesday, Alomar cleverly drew back his appeal, which meant he would not contest the decision, which meant he would abide by Budig's decision.
And that means the entire sordid matter could be put off until after the last playoff game this season at the very earliest.
This is how the inherently inept baseball people run their business.
It is a joke, a travesty of the culture that sends a direct message to other players, fans and young people that in this game you'll become accountable for your misgivings only after the important business of the day is concluded.
First, we all make money, then we make you stand in the corner for a while.
Imagine a baseball world overseen by knowledgeable, government-appointed baseball people who rule on such issues when the business people don't want the music or the turnstiles to stop playing their profitable music.
In the corrupt corporate world of baseball, owners find ways to get back to a commissioner they feel has wronged them. The game is full of examples of baseball's business bullies who run out individuals who have made sound decisions owners don't like.
My heart pumps bile for the plight of the owners.
Let's say the government appoints Hank Aaron commissioner and selects two others with the game's best interests at heart to preside over the two leagues, and let's say a government panel sets down clear guidelines for immediate and harsh rulings in such matters as the Alomar incident — an the increasing incidents of abusive umpires.
The owners, players and umpires would be hopping mad, wailing injustice whenever one of their own is punished for conduct detrimental to the game.
The rest of us would feel good, completing a neat about face from the current system.
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