After nine MLB players and five coaches sat out
Tuesday's games in protest over the U.S. government's
handling of the Elian Gonzalez case, the Nashville
TENNESSEAN's David Climer writes that the players'
"involvement in the protest would have greater impact had
this not been a paid day off." Meanwhile, the media was
"caught with our notepads and mini-cams down. We are
unaccustomed to sports being used as a forum for protest of
anything other than salary caps. But maybe this is a sign
of things to come" (Nashville TENNESSEAN, 4/27). In DC,
Thomas Boswell writes, "This time, baseball got one right.
We can't say we wish athletes were more responsible
citizens, then criticize them, or dock their pay, when they
take a stand on an issue that's larger and more
controversial than their game" (WASHINGTON POST, 4/27). In
Miami, Armando Salguero writes, "In an age when John Rocker
is applauded in Atlanta, I would argue that condemning the
six Marlins who joined the work stoppage reeks of
intolerance and borders on bigotry." Salguero: "The sad
thing is these players were criticized by the same people
who would defend Sandy Koufax's right to stay off the mound
on Jewish holidays, or Serena Williams' right to pull out of
a South Carolina tournament because that state flies the
Confederate flag over its capitol" (MIAMI HERALD, 4/27).
But in CA, Neil Hayes wonders why players were given a paid
day off and writes that a "personal political protest should
be based on personal beliefs and it should involve some sort
of sacrifice" (CONTRA COSTA TIMES, 4/27). In CA, Bob
Padecky wonders "what's the point" of the player protest: "I
mean, it's not like we look at Major League Baseball for
moral leadership." His message to the players: "Be good
citizens. Donate time. Donate money. ... Go for it. Show
your soul. Just don't think that removing yourself from a
baseball game is going to create sympathy or a backlash,
unless laughter is your envisioned response" (PRESS
DEMOCRAT, 4/27). In Cincinnati, Tim Sullivan: "As a class,
professional athletes are historically apolitical,
hysterically uninformed and committed primarily to their own
comfort. When any of them takes a political stand --
however worthy the cause -- the reflex is to regard it with
suspicion" (CINCINNATI ENQUIRER, 4/27)
WHERE DOES THE LINE GET DRAWN? USA TODAY's Mike
Lopresti writes, "Players have sat out for religion, for
money, for bad rotator cuffs. But for politics? Is this
the right road to start down? There is ample reason to
hesitate. ... Causes do not always come as cuddly as a
little boy. This time, Elian. Next time ... what? And who
will know where to draw the line?" (USA TODAY, 4/27). In
Toronto, Garth Woolsey: "Would officials be so supportive if
players asked for time off in support of anti-abortion
pressure groups, say, or in protests over South Carolina
flying the Confederate flag? To attend a rally for or
against gun control?" (TORONTO STAR, 4/27). In CA, Neil
Hayes: "What about when Bubba Joe Shortstop decides to
protest federal agents raiding a survivalist camp in
Wyoming?" (C.C. TIMES, 4/27). In Cincinnati, Tim Sullivan
writes that the "problem is that baseball's sensitivity to
the Gonzalez case sets a pandering precedent. ... Baseball
[says] it will evaluate each [protest] case individually.
Its consolation is that most players aren't much interested
in anyone but themselves" (CINCINNATI ENQUIRER, 4/27). In
FL, Dave George writes that what the protest "showed is that
hereafter the Marlins will decide which personal and social
issues are more important than taking a shot at first place
and which are merely frivolous." George, on the decision:
"What it said is that a team with money problems, a team
that wants public help to build a ballpark, can afford to
take a day off from full-bore baseball every now and then
but never from politics" (PALM BEACH POST, 4/27).
WHERE IS THE TEAM SUPPORT? In Chicago, Ron Rapoport: "I
have the greatest respect for the Latin players who sat out
..., but I wonder why not a single one of their non-Latin
teammates saw fit to join them" (CHICAGO SUN-TIMES, 4/27).
