TheLounge
06-26-2007, 03:47 PM
It’s nice to see a professional sports organization finally take a stand against players who continuously have run ins with the law.
The Chicago Bears cut defensive tackle Tank Johnson Monday after he was arrested for allegedly driving under the influence. He was stopped going 40 mph in a 25 zone.
This comes about a month after Johnson was released from prison after a six-moth term for violating probation on a gun charge. When he was released, he said all the right things. He was glad this part of his life was over, he was going to turn over a new leaf, blah, blah, blah.
Sports organizations need to do a better job of handling these types of situations. True, you want to give guys a second chance but sometimes a player is not willing to change. At that point, the organization has to think about getting rid of the player —*field performance be damned. It’s time for these organzations, who claim to be part of a city’s community, to start acting like they’re part of the community. Who wants a guy that has a problem with guns and drinking and driving — regardless of what he does for a living. If it was just a regular member of society, there would be definite reprecussions. The loss of a job is a real concern. Why should professional athletes be extended uncommon courtesies just because of what they can do on the field or diamond or court?
The Bears may have lost a productive member of their team but the Bears’ brass can probably sleep a little better at night knowing that a menace to society will no longer be associated with them.
Now if only the Tennessee Titans did the same with Pacman Jones and Cincinnatti Bengals got tough with their troublesome players, maybe the NFL could spruce up its image a little bit.
***
It was a case of out of sight, out of mind, but when I heard former Giants closer Rod Beck died, it brought back a lot of memories.
My most memorable “Shooter” moment was him on the mound getting the final out against San Diego to clinch the 1997 National League West title. That, along with being at the Oakland Coliseum when Ricky Henderson broke the stolen bases record, is my biggest pro sports moment that I saw in person.
On the grander scale, Beck was the last of an era of closers who actually brought fear and intimidation to the mound with him. With his fu manchu and mullet sticking wildly out the back of his cap, along with his “gorilla arm” —*his throwing arm that swung freely, almost in front of him, as he peered in for the sign, he had the look and reputation as a closer. In the “Goose” Gossage mold, that Dennis Eckersley mold, that Lee Smith mold —*guys who looked just a tad crazy when they got on the mound.
It didn’t matter if they threw the ball 100 mph — Beck’s fastball topped out in the high 80s in his prime — but there was a certain aura around him that added seven miles per hour and another six inches of movement on his pitches.
I was watching the Giants-Yankees game Saturday and the camera panned to a luxury box. I could have sworn that was Beck in the box.
Nathan Mollat can be reached by e-mail: nathan@smdailyjournal.com or by phone: (650) 344-5200 ext. 117.
The Chicago Bears cut defensive tackle Tank Johnson Monday after he was arrested for allegedly driving under the influence. He was stopped going 40 mph in a 25 zone.
This comes about a month after Johnson was released from prison after a six-moth term for violating probation on a gun charge. When he was released, he said all the right things. He was glad this part of his life was over, he was going to turn over a new leaf, blah, blah, blah.
Sports organizations need to do a better job of handling these types of situations. True, you want to give guys a second chance but sometimes a player is not willing to change. At that point, the organization has to think about getting rid of the player —*field performance be damned. It’s time for these organzations, who claim to be part of a city’s community, to start acting like they’re part of the community. Who wants a guy that has a problem with guns and drinking and driving — regardless of what he does for a living. If it was just a regular member of society, there would be definite reprecussions. The loss of a job is a real concern. Why should professional athletes be extended uncommon courtesies just because of what they can do on the field or diamond or court?
The Bears may have lost a productive member of their team but the Bears’ brass can probably sleep a little better at night knowing that a menace to society will no longer be associated with them.
Now if only the Tennessee Titans did the same with Pacman Jones and Cincinnatti Bengals got tough with their troublesome players, maybe the NFL could spruce up its image a little bit.
***
It was a case of out of sight, out of mind, but when I heard former Giants closer Rod Beck died, it brought back a lot of memories.
My most memorable “Shooter” moment was him on the mound getting the final out against San Diego to clinch the 1997 National League West title. That, along with being at the Oakland Coliseum when Ricky Henderson broke the stolen bases record, is my biggest pro sports moment that I saw in person.
On the grander scale, Beck was the last of an era of closers who actually brought fear and intimidation to the mound with him. With his fu manchu and mullet sticking wildly out the back of his cap, along with his “gorilla arm” —*his throwing arm that swung freely, almost in front of him, as he peered in for the sign, he had the look and reputation as a closer. In the “Goose” Gossage mold, that Dennis Eckersley mold, that Lee Smith mold —*guys who looked just a tad crazy when they got on the mound.
It didn’t matter if they threw the ball 100 mph — Beck’s fastball topped out in the high 80s in his prime — but there was a certain aura around him that added seven miles per hour and another six inches of movement on his pitches.
I was watching the Giants-Yankees game Saturday and the camera panned to a luxury box. I could have sworn that was Beck in the box.
Nathan Mollat can be reached by e-mail: nathan@smdailyjournal.com or by phone: (650) 344-5200 ext. 117.