If you’re on the internet you’ll come across today’s Former Mets Player In Hot Water Story, this time involving a former relief pitcher.
As I mentioned the other day, I really don’t want to dwell of this sort of thing (such as the 1986 outfielder’s various headlines.)
I do hope that this story encourages baseball to discuss homophobia in the game.
I’m going to guess that statistically there has been at least one gay major league baseball player, and there is likely one now. Baseball was once at the front of societal change – let’s see how this one plays out.
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How many of the 1986 Mets have gone untouched by unfortunate news headlines?
Do we only notice it because of the particular team? Is it because guys like me call them “86 Mets” as opposed to the equally accurate “87 Mets?”. Would we notice if lots of the 1993 Brewers were in the papers?
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I will be late to twitter tonight. Another Little League game to coach. I’m @MetsPolice
Oh and everyone wish @mediagoon a happy birthday.
I’m starting to think it was incredibly smart not to schedule any big events to honor the 1986 team this year. I’m wondering how many players would be there that I’d still want to clap for.
Did you read “The Bad Guys Won”? Let me save you some time…if all the 1986 Mets assembled, you could cheer with a clear conscience for:
Keith*
Gary Carter**
Darling***
Mookie
Ed Hearn
Sid
Hojo
Teufel
Knight
That’s about it. The only really likeable guy in the book is Mookie.
* Must overlook prior drug use and somethimes aloof behavior
** Must overlook a selfish nature per the book
*** Must overlook alleged tax evasion
Well, as someone who has been a Mets fan since their inception (I was 8 years old in 1962), and who had season tickets through most of the 1980s and into the mid 1990s, I will say this: with a few exceptions, the 1986 Mets were a bunch of dirtbags.
I rooted like hell for them but looking back they sure were not my kind of team.
Kinda have to agree. I just told my wife the story. Mookie, the Kid, Ray Knight and Hojo where the only upstanding citizens on that team.
In general, I find the less personal stuff I know about athletes, the easier it is to root for them.
That said, it would be great if baseball took a role in decreasing homophobia both on the field, in the stands and by extension, in society. I hear some of the most awful, homophobic stuff at games. It’s frustrating.
While we’re on the topic of baseball and societal change…when is MLB going to change the highly offensive, racist names, logos, mascots, etc.. of the Braves and the Indians? Just not cool at all, and if it were any other group, it would not be okay…so why is it okay to do it to Native Americans?
I think that will happen as soon as we stop with “Fighting” Irish and leprechauns.
Good point Shannon.
Shannon,
I’m also an Indians fan as stated before; I am involved with a Catholic school and my wife’s family is Irish. They love Notre Dame just because of the nickname.
Now, Indians and Braves? Yeah they should probably change the names. Flolrida State and NotreDame? Probably not.