If the video showed that nothing happened Why is he being charged. Since the video is evidence how can the Astros have access to it?
Count me in the group that says caveats aside, you don't want people like this on your squad, even if they're the Babe Ruth's or Michael Jordan's of their sport. Ultimately, you're rooting for these players and teams. You can't root for a guy like this. If the victim was your sister, or daughter, you'd probably want to do some very illegal things to a guy like this, not root for him. Here are the caveats, I guess: (A) Knowing more about the facts of the case. I know basically very little. And I'm not in the camp that a male can never strike a female... like that's not an automatic no-no to me. Rather, I view morality as you should never be violent towards anyone, male or female, human or dog or whatever... unless its necessary for your own personal safety. So I guess... I sincerely hope... that the Astros know more about the situation than everyone else. (B) 2nd chances. I'm not opposed to second chances. But I do think that usually a true change in a person's underlying core involves much more than 4 - 6 months of suspension and some lost salary. The things that make sexual assault criminals what they are take years ... it doesn't just change because they got caught. Sure, getting caught might make such a person not ever commit that crime again, and I guess ultimately that's the end goal, but we're still not talking about true underlying change. I believe in second chances when its clear there's been true growth, learning and change for the better that such second chance will continue to support and reward. In the case of public figures, I think this is even more important, as the youth of the country are watching this.... To me, then, ultimately, it is pretty black and white. If its 100% clear a sports player commits a domestic assault, or assault of any kind, that was unprovoked and didn't involve self defense, it should be a multi-year suspension. And why not?? What could the possible argument be against this?? It was an accident? Didn't mean to do it? Won't happen again? Nobody got "really" hurt so why does it matter? Let the criminal justice system deal with it and figure that out? No, you're a public facing organization and are not preventing the person from making a livelihood, just preventing them from being a part of your organization for a few years while they do some soul-searching and either come back a better person or don't change. So I hope its case (A) above, but its not a good look for the Astros, regardless of what other teams are/are not doing.
That doesn't make it right, but tells you in the long run people don't care. People here wanted to trade for Ryan Braun a few years ago, who not only cheated (easy to get over that), but tried to ruin a guy's reputation like Lance Armstrong did to so many. ARod is getting paid by ESPN what is likely a considerable amount of money despite being a disgrace to his sport and a pretty terrible person. Sometimes that isn't even real. Look at what Tiger Woods' image was until that fateful Thanksgiving day. He'd been in the spotlight for so long, and yet the public had no idea who he really was. Plenty of guys on the team could be douche bags, and we just don't know it.
I mean, Chapman's deal was investigated by MLB and he was given a 30 day suspension. This was a case where charges ultimately weren't even filed. Osuna's case was investigated by MLB and they issued a 75 day suspension. I'm pretty sure there was some evidence they based that suspension on. That doesn't mean the court case will or won't result in a conviction - many DV cases don't - but something happened that day. In the end, MLB and the Astros care about the public appearance. Like you said. I'm imagining the due diligence by the Astros has been from that angle. They don't really care if the people they hire are good people or bad people or somewhere in between - except as it affects the bottom line. You shouldn't think that just because the Astros have had access to some more information than we have, that they made the determination that he is innocent or that the incident was mitigated. They've just calculated that the on field talent is worth the PR risk. And I don't really fault them or any organization for using that as the measuring stick.
There is no video of the incident that I know of. The video is of her statement. I'm assuming that was following the incident, and I'm sure there are additional pictures, so that would show the extent of her injuries, plus there is likely a medical report. Highly doubt the team was able to view any of that. Probably just what MLB had and then did some interviews.
I want to hear from Reid and Nolan Ryan. If they can sell me on it, then I would feel a bit better. Else, I'm never buying Kroger beef again.
Maybe zero tolerance would not be the best approach, as I could see how that could potentially backfire as it would provide a perverse incentive to keep a victim from reporting an incident of DV at all costs, but I think MLB could certainly do more to address this issue. Maybe MLB should do more to incentivize or force organizations to support shelters and support organizations. This is something the Astros should really think about doing right now.
This is why I trust the Astros....all we can do is speculate on the Astros. It's there reputation on the line, not ours. We didn't approve the trade...so the Astros must have seen something to be convinced this kid deserves another chance. Just like Chapman with the Yankees.
I think it's a good discussion to be had, and I don't know there are any good answers - but any that might exist are not simply about play/don't play. They'll have to be out-of-the-box things. No one has an inherent right to play MLB, so they have the ability to be creative if they want (and can get MLBPA on board). For example, if convicted of DV, you get an indefinite suspension, minimum X games. That suspension will be lifted if the following all happen (these are just random ideas - there are 1000 diffferent things we could come up with): * Player must publicly talk about what he did, why he did it, show understanding that he was wrong, and outline steps in his life to improve * Each year for X years, player must again discuss what happened and how he has worked to improve - being accountable to the public * X hours of community service or whatever * Any current contract is reduced by X% Basically, the idea would be that MLB lets you keep playing, but they use it as positive PR in helping bring sunlight to the issue while also demonstrating an interest in the rehabilitation of their employees in a public and open way. Instead of trying to hide it, basically bring it all out into the open for the betterment of society. You can't undo the action, but you can maybe use it to push societal improvements. If the player is uninterested or unwilling to do that, then he doesn't get to play MLB anymore - but that's his choice. It's the equivalent of earning your way back into the league. These are just random examples of things that could be used, but the concept is to get away from just a simple play/suspended/expelled view of things and figure out how to make this work for everyone - players, teams, fans (and even victims if possible).
We will find out. My hope is all ends well and we have an amazing closer on our team like the Yankees have in Chapman. But just to let you know where I stand, if any evidence surfaces or the video shows acts that are reprehensible...... I want this guy kicked out of baseball for life and off the Astros immediately. I'm putting a lot of faith in the Astros organization here. Hopefully it all ends well, charges are dropped or he is found innocent. We shall see. It's not our reputation on the line.
I'm afraid it'll most likely end up in an unsatisfying, uncomfortable way in which we bury our head in the sand and feel guilty every time Osuna has a good outing.
Maybe the league can be proactive and get all players (even in the minors) in regular anger-management, gender and race sensitivity workshops, sports psychology etc. Since there are a number of suspensions meted out for DV and drug use and this affects public perception, the league and teams should be willing to prevent them from happening in the first place. One thing as well, many players who are drafted straight out of high school into minor teams, do they have opportunity to still go to school? Like if all they do is baseball, and I've read the playing and living conditions in the minors can be brutal, how psychologically mature can these guys be?
Look, I understand that some people are like "we got a great closer under control for several years" and "oh don't trust Passan" or whatever, but look, this is all over the media, many players are clearly angry, and now we've lost our status as the "good guys." We're not the Yankees. Pretty disappointed and still praying we somehow trade him in the next hour for someone else.
Ass backwards thinking again from you. Most dynasties, in all sports, actually do take on this sort of risk routinely...from the Patriots, to the Spurs, to every single past great/historic baseball team. The goal is to develop an overall culture that is idiot/******* proof... or in many ways has a chance of making guys want to be better.
If you don't like them now, you can stop following them. I think people would like them plenty if they go on to have the overall success that other dynasties have had. Generating a system/culture that ends up being "idiot proof" is literally the best way to go towards that goal. NO way that Luhnow isn't bringing him in if he' s not confident that the Astros have that in place. No one player, or one player's actions, should be able to de-rail a truly successful team... otherwise, you basically had a house of cards all along.
Okay. I love the Astros and will continue to be a fan, but you are aware how polarizing dynasties are. That's part of it, as the Patriots, for example have a ton of cheaters and juicers, which is what makes them so hateable. I loved how last season (and before), we were just so easy for out-of-market non-fans to hop aboard. But we'll see. Still praying he is found "not guilty" and this all goes away. But if he is guilty, he should be properly disciplined.
