So the Chicago White Sox, in the midst of a five game losing streak, decided to take on their manager's personality and liven up the festivities a bit by placing a couple of blow-up dolls in the clubhouse.
The media reports it.
The public is outraged.
MLB is going to investigate.
And you know what I do? I yawn. That's right. Because first and foremost, it's really harmless fun. And there's another little thing about all this:
IT'S NONE OF OUR BUSINESS.
Look, I know they allow reporters into the sanctity of the men's sporting clubhouse. They have been doing that for years.
But some things should remain private, and this is one of them.
- B/R Ticket Guide
Because people overreact. Like they're doing now.
I'm not suggesting reporters turn a blind eye to something harmful or illegal. Oh wait, they already did that with steroids.
And I'm certainly not advocating that an interview captured during a formal sit-down in the clubhouse is not fair game. It is and it should be.
What I am suggesting, however, is that when something harmless but slightly controversial, and yes, even childish, happens, can we not make such a huge deal out of it?
I mean, just once, can we let it go in the name of fun and sports and things guys do in frat houses and bachelor (and yes, be honest, bachelorette) parties all the time?
What happens in locker rooms should remain behind closed doors. It is the player's clubhouse, after all. They are inviting you into their domain. Mainly because they are required to, but still.
What's going to end up happening is that the clubhouse will eventually become off-limits to reporters and only a small pre-defined space will be allowed for them.
We can avoid a lot of unnecessary hassles and focus on the game itself more if we just let these kinds of pranks go unreported. We don't need to know.
Come to think of it, this whole thing could have been prevented before it blew up. Literally and figuratively.
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8 months ago
I agree with this wholeheartedly, and what I particularly don't like is how everyone is acting like the White Sox are the bad guys in all of this. I know for a fact that this whole "fiasco" is tame compared to some of the activities that go on in other teams clubhouses. What I think is a problem though is that Ozzie found the doll amusing enough to allow the press to see it-- bad call on his part, but other than that, leave it alone.
from 8 months ago
Yeah, sometimes Ozzie is his own worst enemy. But it's harmless, people need to chill.
Thanks for the comment.
8 months ago
At least the blowup dolls aren't juicing! They would go flat! I hate the Whitesox but I can't believe they are getting in trouble now for a freaking blowup doll! Hell, maybe the Cubs should put on the pinstripes and put one in left field, or hit it leadoff. At least it won't swing at balls since balls are meant to swing at them!
God, I could go on for hours. GO CUBS!
8 months ago
You mean guys do that kind of stuff in locker rooms? What's next...trips to strip clubs after the game?? Seriously, this is just ridiculous. I love the comment about the blowup dolls juicing!
8 months ago
Bravo, Bob. Who cares? I mean these are adults. These are grown men having some fun. More importantly, these are members of a struggling team trying to lighten the mood and hopefully raise the spirits of their downtrodden teammates. I don't care if these guys are posting nude pictures of women in the lockers to lighten the mood of the locker room. You can say they're being bad role models, but are they really unless the media MAKES them bad role models? Are little children going to find out about this harmless, adult fun unless someone TELLS them about it and makes a big deal out of it?
8 months ago
Nice article! From what I've read, much worse can happen in terms of prankery in an ballclub's locker room. It's all blown out of proportion. No pun intended.
8 months ago
''I'm not suggesting reporters turn a blind eye to something harmful or illegal. Oh wait, they already did that with steroids.'' touche bob touche :)
from 8 months ago
Yeah, Jack, I mean, focus on things that matter, not stupid crap like this, True, I'm writing about it and you're reading & commenting on it, but we're saying how stupid it is, not spending time worrying about how it portrays women. Come on, too much PC!!!
8 months ago
Great article, I enjoyed reading this article. Wish more people had the opportunity to read such a great article.
This one reason that I loved Torre ability to keep the majority of the things in house when dealing with the Yankees. So many personalities, millions of dollars, and everything stayed in house.
from 8 months ago
Thanks for the kind words Jeffrey.
8 months ago
Did anyone ever figure out who leaked this to make such a big deal? Was it Carol Slezak? It would be interesting to see who made the mountain out of a molehill.
Yes, this is their place of work, but it is completely different from corporate america and lets be glad for that, unless you love working in the cube farm. God knows I do.
from 8 months ago
I never heard who it was Wally except that WSCR "The Score" was the first to break the story.
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