First of all, let me start by stating that, as a NY Yankees' fan, his October has been very disappointing. Instead of watching the Yankees in the playoffs, I'm watching other teams. Most New Yorkers aren't even watching one game, but, as the true baseball fan that I am, I simply cannot avoid watching the last remaining MLB games of the year! Of course, it's a no-brainer that I (and any true Yankees' fan) cannot root for Boston!!
The only major things that have happened with the Yankees this October have been Girardi's extended contract (congrats, Joe) and A-Rod's arbitration case and recent lawsuits against MLB and Doctor Ahmad, his surgeon. I'm sure that most, if not all, NYY fans have lost their patience with all of this A-Rod propaganda. He’s his own worst enemy as he is really the only one to blame – so, for that I don't feel sorry for him.
That now leads me to my main topic, which is regarding another accused PED (Performance Enhancing Drug) user, David Ortiz (Big Papi). As I've been watching the Boston playoff games (the Red Sox are currently leading the Tigers 2 games to 1), my mind’s few remaining working gears have been developing anger every time I see another accused PED cheater, David Ortiz. During the American League Championship Series (ALCS), the announcers (Tim McCarver & Joe Buck) never dare to talk about Ortiz’ accusations & findings from the 2003 tests.
On Sunday night’s telecast of the ALCS/Game 2 playoff game versus the Tigers, Ortiz hit a dramatic homerun to tie the game in the 8th inning. If A-Rod hit the grand slam in that situation the other night instead of "Big Papi" Ortiz, then Tim & Joe would have unhesitantly begun citing the past findings and placing some form of doubt relating to the grand slam feat (especially Joe Buck). Yet, neither announcer dared to say a word about that topic and its ties to Ortiz.
In fact, they continued to sensationalize the effects of the home run throughout every trotting step Ortiz took around the bases – while the Tigers' Torii Hunter was lying on the other side of the fence, physically as out of the ballpark as the ball was. When I first saw the homerun, during its sailing travels towards the fence, I couldn't believe the daring effort that Torii took, as he never even slowed down as he got inches away from the fence. (Remember Jeter running into the stands to catch a foul ball?) Then, as I saw Torii’s body completely flip viciously over the fence, I felt totally petrified for his life! Yet, I had to wait until the exuberant announcers finally issued some form of attention to the Torii situation - the one in which a man’s life could have been lost.
Then, after that, I saw the replay which showed the Boston policeman stationed in the bullpen area where the homerun was hit raising his arms in excitement, instead of doing his “job” - like immediately running over to help Torii. Great job, officer, you’ve proven to be a Sawx fan in every aspect!
There’s no doubt that I envy the Red Sox for being in the playoffs instead of the Yankees, but I also have no doubt that if A-Rod hit that homer in the same exact situation against the Tigers, I still would have shown the same concern over Torii - before A-Rod even rounded first base. Additionally, I would have begun to think about the real PED users, just like I would if the Yankees’ Cervelli hit the grand slam. It’s a shame that most of the baseball world is blinded and has a short-term memory only when it comes to the Papi’s Excused Dishonesties.
From the Yankee Fan Next Door:
ReplyDeleteDefinitely some hypocrisy there. But that does for the whole "PED" thing. From old-timers who were pumped up on "greenies" acting high and mighty when passing
judgement on today's generation to fans and (especially) media types who selectively give passes to their own players or to those perceived as "good guys", Not condoning cheating or using harmful drugs, just saying things aren't as black and white as they are portrayed.