I sometimes wonder why I don't just change the channel.
As I was drinking my coffee Thursday morning and flipping through the dial, something caught my eye: Tony LaRussa's mug shot. I put the remote down and listened to Jay Crawford from Cold Pizza explain that one of the greatest managers in baseball history had been arrested for drunk driving in Jupiter, Florida. A police officer was then invited onto the show to flesh out the sticky details of the event, from the .093 percent BAC to the fact that LaRussa was cooperative with the Jupiter Police Department.
A second later, my television set was covered in hot Folgers, and my coffee mug was scattered on the floor in a million pieces.
How do these bastards continue to get away with this crap? Is there no decency left in the world of sports?
I realize it's 2007, and that ESPN sold their soul long ago to the greedy corporate managers and swift-talking marketing executives who continue to run this country into the ground on a daily basis. I know that in this day in age, Americans want the truth—at any cost—delivered to their doorstep, faster than a speeding bullet.
I can acknowledge that nowadays ratings mean everything and quality means nothing, so much so that it's often hard to make the honest decision. But Tony LaRussa's mugshot sitting there on national television, for everyone in America to see, was simply too much for any sane man to handle.
Tony LaRussa, four-time Manager of the Year for three different clubs.
Tony LaRussa, architect of two convincing World Series victories—by two different teams, in two different leagues, spread 16 years apart.
Tony LaRussa, the coach who perhaps permanently shut the lid on the tragedy that is Moneyball last season by leading the St. Louis Cardinals to the promised land with good old fashioned baseball.
Now his picture is on America's Most Wanted—or should I say, Cold Pizza.
How do the people at ESPN sleep at night? How do they look themselves in the mirror when they wake up each morning?
How do they comfort their children and tell them that although the world is falling apart, everything is going to be OK—when they themselves are helping to unravel society one stitch at a time?
ESPN took a true class act—a coach, a player, a baseball legend—and hung him out to dry.
A man who has never been afraid to attempt a double steal, a hit-and-run, or a squeeze play—despite criticism from the brainy modern wizards who have deemed such plays "inefficient" and "no longer necessary."
A man who has coached with all his heart since he was brought on as a manager for the White Sox in 1979.
Simply put, a man who represents everything that used to be right about the game, and perhaps still could be if the mainstream sports media would just let the boys play ball.
But they won't—even though Tony LaRussa and his knowledge of the game give the people at ESPN their jobs. Even though the people at ESPN make a living off the talent of hard-working athletes trying to make an honest day's living.
ESPN could not exist without coaches and athletes, and they know it. They just don't care.
Remember the days when a cop would give you a ride home if you had too much to drink?
Remember when the media respected the very men who gave them a source of livelihood?
Remember the old adage "what you don't know won't hurt you?"
All out the window now—because the sports media establishment decided that this opportunity for ratings was just too juicy to pass up.
And for what?
So the youth of America can learn that their role models get hammered before taking the wheel?
So the people of our country can know whole-heartedly that nobody is perfect, and feel good that they aren't in Tony LaRussa's position?
Or, perhaps, so a man who has always stood for dignity, respect and professionalism in sports can now be seen as nothing more than a low-life drunk?
Here comes the retort from the do-gooders at ESPN: "The people have a right to know. And as for the children—perhaps they can learn from this story the dangers of drunk driving."
Or perhaps, Mr. Crawford, Mr. Gammons, Mr. Scott—they can learn what you really want them to learn:
That you are all saints, and that Tony LaRussa is a villain.
Because that's the message that needs to get through, right? The people in the mainstream sports media are the honest ones, doing a hard day's work—and the men who actually play the game are the lying pigs.
After all: What would happen to baseball without the media?Steroid use could be rampant. Fans might actually have to watch games in order to see that Alex Rodriguez has a pretty swing or that Carl Crawford can run like the wind. Perhaps Pete Rose would still be managing the Reds today, betting on the outcome of games in his free time.
But let's take a step back for a moment and ponder this question: Where would baseball be without professional ballplayers and managers?
Scabs would fill the starting lineups. Fans would stop coming to the stadiums. Blackouts would ensue throughout the nation, and eventually team organizations would fold.
Stuart Scott and Rich Eisen would soon find themselves out of work. There would be no Yankee Stadium, no Wrigley Field; no singles through the hole and no balls flying out of the park.
Yes my friends—while ESPN is following their honest-to-goodness agenda in filling us in with Tony LaRussa's drunken antics, what they are trying to hide from us is the most important truth about Major League Baseball: that the game is only possible because of the work that players and managers put in for 162 games a year.
Let me say that again: Major League Baseball cannot exist without ball players and managers. And if there is no Major League Baseball, there's nothing for Karl Ravech to report or Peter Gammons to analyze.
Who did ESPN interview after the A's swept the Giants in the 1989 World Series?
Dave Stewart, Rickey Henderson, and Tony LaRussa.
Who did they interview when the A's then got their asses kicked by the Reds the following season?
Jose Rijo, Chris Sabo, and Tony LaRussa.
What about last year, when the Cards stunned the baseball world and put the Tigers to shame?
That's right: Albert Pujols, David Eckstein, and Tony LaRussa.
The point is that without guys like Tony LaRussa pouring their sweat into the game of baseball, the mainstream sports media wouldn't exist and the fans of America wouldn't be able to watch the national pastime.
The powers-that-be at ESPN realize this, but choose to shit all over Tony LaRussa's image anyway.ESPN and the other sports networks that regularly attempt to destroy the very men who pay their salary need to learn some class. They need to realize that their responsibilities are indeed twofold: one, to report the news to the public, and two, to protect the athletes who make the games possible in the first place.
When these responsibilities butt heads, they need to carefully analyze the costs and benefits of their actions before carrying them through. In the case of Tony LaRussa, it seems clear that the benefits of exposing his drunk driving incident to the public are outweighed by the costs of embarrassing a legendary coach and soiling his reputation.
The sports fans of America treat the guys at Cold Pizza with respect—by refraining from prying into their personal lives and recognizing that their primary responsibility to the baseball world is to analyze the game and report the scores.
It's time that the people at ESPN start treating the coaches and players of Major League Baseball with equal respect, and allow them to freely perform the jobs they're paid to do.
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about 1 year ago
Sorry, but LaRussa being arrested is news, no matter how much you want to deny it. To not cover it would be even worse. There are plenty of things you can get on ESPN for, but this is not one of them. They didn't hang him out to dry, he did that all himself. Think about the consequences of your actions--especially when you're a high-profile baseball manager--before you get behind the wheel under the influence.
I'd actually rather see them cover the news, rather than do their myriad of "analysis" with a bunch of washed up has-beens. Seems that's all they do anymore.
about 1 year ago
Remember the days when drunk drivers didn't kill anybody? Oh yeah, they never existed.
about 1 year ago
i only agree with 2 sentences in that entire piece:
"How do these bastards continue to get away with this crap? Is there no decency left in the world of sports?"
... except the bastards are the insanely wealthy players and managers who can afford a 24 hour limo service, but lack the common sense to splurge for a cab.
you're article lacks the same common sense.
about 1 year ago
i only agree with 2 sentences in that entire piece:
"How do these bastards continue to get away with this crap? Is there no decency left in the world of sports?"
... except the bastards are the insanely wealthy players and managers who can afford a 24 hour limo service, but lack the common sense to splurge for a cab.
about 1 year ago
I don't think I agree with a single statement this article tried to make. Actually, as I re-read it, it is just complete and total nonsense.
1)"How do the people at ESPN sleep at night? How do they look themselves in the mirror when they wake up each morning? How do they comfort their children and tell them that although the world is falling apart, everything is going to be OK when they themselves are helping to unravel society one stitch at a time?"
Or perhaps the better question is: how does someone who knowingly drinks too much and then drives - endangering the lives of innocent people - sleep at night? How do they look at themselves in the morning? And WTF is this unraveling society bullshit? Are you kidding? Drinking and driving unravels society - it shows a complete lack of respect and lack of responsibility to everyone around you. No excuses, no defense. It reveals a definite character flaw, as would trying to cover it up just so the public doesn't find out.
2)"ESPN took a true class act a coach, a player, a baseball legend and hung him out to dry"
Class-acts do not knowingly endanger the lives of others and do something as stupid as driving drunk. You think just because he is a smart baseball manager that he is a good person? What kind of screwed up world do you live in? This incident is a far more revealing aspect of his character than are all the wins he has collected as a manager. I know he is involved with charitable organizations. But that doesn't somehow "undo" such an incredible lack of judgment as this. This is not just a mistake. The decision to get behind the wheel after you are intoxicated is not something to be taken lightly. He deserves all the ridicule he gets, and needs to take serious action in order to slowly redeem his character.
4)"Tony La Russa, the coach who perhaps permanently shut the lid on the tragedy that is Moneyball last season by leading the St. Louis Cardinals to the promised land with good old fashioned baseball ..."
You seem quite intent on painting this picture of LaRussa as some sort of old-school genius. Did you forget Tony's move a few years back to bat his pitcher 8th? Oh, he also got a tattoo to celebrate his World Series win. Now THAT is old-school. Remember when Leo Durocher and Connie Mack did those things? No. This guy may be a great manager. But to try to tout him as some anti-moneyball-upholds-the-integrity-of-the-game-at-all-costs-genius
is just plain wrong. Now both your non-sports AND sports knowledge look questionable at best.
3) Remember the old adage what you don t know won t hurt you?
Umm. No. That is not some sort of ancient sage advice. It is nothing more than cheap justification for lying. It is THAT kind of attitude that actual does "unravel society." Hiding the truth from people also shows a complete lack of respect for those around you - a trend that is quite apparent in your writing.
4) "ESPN and the other sports networks that regularly attempt to destroy the very men who pay their salary need to learn some class."
First of all, I do not think you understand corporate business. Your whole syllogistic "sports networks aren't possible without sports and sports aren't possible without managers, so sports networks aren't possible without managers" thing is cute. Really. But in reality, Tony La Russa is in no way paying anyone at ESPN's salary. Not even remotely. Sorry. I know saying that makes your argument sound cool, but it is just not true. Second, I think it is YOU that needs to learn some class. Your whole article is based on the opinion that La Russa's achievements on the baseball field are more important than his achievements off of it, and that it is OK to do something wrong as long as no one finds out about it. I call bullshit.
about 1 year ago
Sorry buddy, but legal or not, a .093 BAC is hardly being "drunk." I'd call that a buzz, and most people can drive fine with one. To argue that Tony LaRussa was about to kill someone is quite a stretch. I'm guessing that I've been in this world a lot longer than you, and rest assured: I've drive fine after a couple of drinks many a time.
Don't forget, in some states the law was .10 rather than .08 as recently as 10 years ago - of course the federal government had to rear their ugly head in and change those laws to conform to their "standards of intoxication", throwing the Constitution and the future of our country right out the window....
about 1 year ago
Ramooooone, someone please tell this self-important jackass that he should talk to someone who had a loved one killed by a drunk driver before writing this type of non-sensical article.
about 1 year ago
The dark blue Ford Expedition SUV sat through two cycles of green lights at the intersection of Frederick Small Road and Military Trail, its engine running and the sound system blaring so loud the music could be heard from the street through rolled-up windows.
Inside, Tony La Russa, manager of the World Series champion St. Louis Cardinals, sat slumped over in the driver's seat, his foot on the brake, oblivious to the honking horns of cars behind him, according to a Jupiter police report.
More details here http://www.palmbeachpost.com/sports/content/ sports/epaper/2007/03/22/0322larussa.html
about 1 year ago
Below is what I submitted under the "contact" section of this web site. I suggest others follow suit and ask that Mr Zachary be banned from posting here ever again. I am now off to the MADD site to make them aware of this disgusting display of editorialism.
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I don't know what type of web site this is, but letting someone write an article defending drunk driving, something that kills thousands of Americans annually, is disgusting. The writer of that article should be fired and banned from your web site. Otherwise, how can you, the editor of this site, consider yourselves to have any integrity at all. I expect a reponse and action. My next web site stop is MADD, and other organizations to alert them to this reprehensible article and your propagation of the crime of drunk driving.
about 1 year ago
Here is a link to contact MADD http://www.madd.org/ContactUs/contact_email
I suggest as many people as possible submit a complaint about this article with a link to the article contained in the link. Mr. Zachary deserves to be banned from this web site for promoting the illegal activity of drunk driving.
about 1 year ago
Every 30 minutes someone dies in an alcohol-related crash. This National Safety Council fact sheet presents data and safety tips about drunk driving.
www.nsc.org/library/facts/drnkdriv.htm
about 1 year ago
...at least I hope so
about 1 year ago
Frank: Sounds like you've been there done that. I suggest you offer your argument up to the millions who know someone like I do, who have been injured or killed by someone who had a buzz. It was only .093, about three beers But Tony slept through two green lights with his foot on the brake and the engine running. I like Tony a lot but he is a public figure and therefore held to higher standards. Your argument might one day lead to your death or the death of a loved one. I'm lucky my old man or his buddies didn't kill me when I was a kid because drinking and driving was an even bigger problem in the 1960s. Please change your attitude for the safety of all Americans. We just want to live another day to see Tony and the Cardinals win another World Series.
about 1 year ago
I am fairly sure that, if Tony reads this, he would feel ashamed that his action has elicited this ridiculous argument. The last thing Tony wants to hear is somebody tryng to persuade others that it was okay for people to drive while being "buzzed" and then fall asleep behind the wheel.
No, it is not okay to do so. and the person who takes this most seriously in the world right now is Tony LaRussa.
about 1 year ago
I'm fairly certain that Frank is being somewhat facetious. Obviously no one condones drunk driving.
What I found to be most interesting about the article (and where I thought the heart of the article lies) is the notion of the modern day role-model.
Because of poporatzi, because ESPN has the Jupiter police on national TV 2 hours after the incident, who can our kids look up to today. As adults, we know that no one is perfect, we understand that everyone makes mistakes. But our kids don't, and it's hard to deny the disgusting market for gossip in this country is adversely affecting America's youth.
about 1 year ago
All I have to say to Mr. Parrish is this:
Ever heard of free speech? It's what allowed you to write your preachy-activist argument that my article promotes bad beliefs. I however think it's wildly immature to try to get my opinion "banned from the website" simply because you disagree with it. A sign of the times I suppose...
For the record: I'm not saying that drunking driving can't kill people. I'm saying that driving dangerously kills people, and that often times - even after a few beers - people are capable of driving safely.
Tony LaRussa was passed out at the wheel, and therefore the odds are that he wasn't safe to drive. However my point of the article was that regardless of what Tony LaRussa did - ESPN had no business making a national spectacle out of it.
about 1 year ago
Tony would be a better role model for the kids when he takes responsibility when he makes a mistake, not when he runs away from it.
Listen. Tony was extremely lucky that he was caught by the police. If he hadn't been caught this time, he might have continued to drive with a "buzz" and hurt somebody or himself. He has now learned the danger of driving with a light drink and fatigue. He will never do it again, I am sure. In addition, his is a lesson learned by countless others. The latter is only possible because this incident was reported.
about 1 year ago
if this site is going to ban anybody, it should be him. its called free speech, its called being sarcastic. drunk driving isn't right, but he was getting at a bigger point. what also isn't right is your baby-like appeal to ban a writer from a website/blog. if you don't like the article or the way the website is run, type in any of the million other websites into your browser and don't come back. if you disagree, make your point by writing an article and get over it. otherwise, don't post other links irrelevant to the point the article was trying to make.
about 1 year ago
Dude. You just covered the story you didn't think ESPN should cover. Why is it okay for you to cover the story, but not ESPN? If ESPN DID NOT cover it that would have been a problem.
about 1 year ago
I personally liked the article. His argument was not condoning drunk driving. He was arguing that today's media has their head up their ass. When I turn on ESPN, I don't want hear about Kobe "raping" some willing bimbo, or about how Tim Hardaway hates gays. I want to watch sports highlights and hear sports opinions. Yes, athletes are celebrities, but why can't we let them have a personal life? It is embarassing enough to be arrested, but it is just crossing the line for ESPN to plaster his mug shot all over Sportscenter. Remember back in the old days, when the media turned their back to Mickey Mantle's drinking problems or any other athlete's personal life. I don't know when the media became so concerned with pointing out everyone else's flaws. Everyone has the right to privacy, and I think the media is clearly infringing on an athlete's privacy by reporting this kind of crap. Wake up ESPN, it is time to start reporting on sports again. Afterall, you aren't some athlete gossip channel. If I wanted to know about someone's personal life, I would watch TMZ.
about 1 year ago
Great comment...thanks
about 1 year ago
Say Kobe got convicted of rape what was ESPN supposed to do say he will not play for 10 years because of personal reasons. Yet websites like yours would have all the details of what happened. Maybe you should follow your own advice little boy. Willing bimbo you better hope it is not your daughter ending up on Nancy Grace.
So, ESPN is supposed to lie for the athletes, then if they do that you would be all over them say they are protecting them. Grow up and realize life nor sports is like fucking a virgin.
about 1 year ago
You are right in saying they need to report about rape, but that wasn't the point I was trying to get across. I think the media needs to stop getting so involved in the personal lives of celebrities. There is a war going on, and the top story on the news is that Britney shaved her head. There were 4 sweet sixteen games last night, and ESPN is reporting on Andy's Reid's kids and Vick's weed incident. That is great, but I want to see highlights of the games and not hear about off field issues.
As far as f**king a virgin, I have no idea where that came from, but it sure sounds like your once virgin daughter was on Nancy Grace. Have her tell Kobe he played one hell of a game last night for me, 60 points is impressive.
about 1 year ago
First of all, I chose to respond here, because Frank Zachary was indeed making excuses for drunk driving, I mean, "buzzed" driving in his replies.
Second, like so many here are saying, it would have been a gross omission, had ESPN not reported this incident. What happened happened, and it is in a public record. We don't need to compare this incident with "personal" issues such as Mantle's drinking problem in which he violated no law.
Most importantly, man's "reputation" is built when he is in the situation like this. Luckily. Tony is not a suspect for murder or rape or anything like that. He was arrested for DUI, something which many of us can relate to. He probably can't talk about the case, right now. However, he is in a position to make something positive out of this in the end.
After he goes through legal proceedings, Tony could reflect on his mistake and work on charities for victims of drunk driving, for example. Or, become a spokesperson against drunk driving. If there is anybody in baseball who has an integrity and intellect to act like that, it would be Tony.
about 1 year ago
Now ESPN is supposed to be covering the War. They are also responsible for what other news programs do.
If Andy Reid has to leave the Eagles because of his kids troubles, him leaving could effect the team, wouldn't that be sports.
Sorry my daughter does not like shrimp, she like steak.
about 1 year ago
that's how i'll take that steak. also, i have no problem with ESPN reporting that, for example, Andy Reid had to leave the team for personal reasons. Beyond that, it is not sports-related to delve into details and talk about his family and their problems and to plaster it all over ESPN. that is gossip-reporting bullshit and counter-productive on so many levels (unfortunately not including ratings).
ESPN used to be highlights and scores. Now those are an afterthought to sports celebrity gossip and horribly biased, self-promoting opinions and analysis. Thank goodness Kobe's reputation has recovered from the "rape" incident. If these celebrity stories weren't overplayed on networks like ESPN, people like that money-grubbing whore wouldn't hump Kobe and then go crying rape to daddy. If it was rape, Kobe should be in jail. If it wasn't rape, she should be in jail for false accusations and/or extortion.
about 1 year ago
Thanks for an entertaining read
about 1 year ago
I'll make my point here, where the disgusting article propagating drunk driving was made. Free speech? Caucasian, please. Too many douche bags hide behind those words when they have no other defense. This isn't free speech, it's about an illegal activity. ILLEGAL. But hey, Zachary wants to go drive and kill someone and land in jail, good for him and good riddance. Enjoy your free speech in jail.
about 1 year ago
Maybe if he snorted a line or did some thg or some hgh before he went home he would not have fell asleep at the wheel.He probably could have scored some from one his players.
about 1 year ago
Waaah! My sorta-crush and special sports god-daddy, Mr. LaRussa, is a human and apparently drove drunk. Waah, I hate it when rich celebrities convince me of their greatness through smart use of the double-steal and then disappoint me with a DUI. Waaah. Kind of like when I get excited about invading a country, and is turns out the war isn't all it's cracked up to be, and the world goes to heck. Waaah, I was so sure of my world view and it keeps getting shattered! Damn reality! Waaah!
Main question? What kind of a website keeps this moron on its pages? Hell, at least it generates response and buzz, kinda like the actions of those evil corporate bastards over at ESPN.
about 1 year ago
Dear Mrs. Larussa,
That was a lovely article you wrote. perhaps if you look more deeply at your son, you could see that his actions are reprehensible. Getting drunk and driving is against the law and is a deadly stupid and ARROGANTLY ignorant thing to do. To think that his drunk driving arrest is not a symptom of a much greater problem or that it is not newsworthy to report is just as ignorant and ARROGANT... You should be ashamed of yourself for defending such behavior and criticising those who think it is good to know that just because you happen to be good at what you do, doesn't make you a "good person" or for that matter a "law abiding citizen". I guess the press was wrong in reporting that preists molested children by the thousands, as well. Your perspective is very shallow and idiotic, Madam.
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about 1 year ago
And you still want to defend driving "BUZZED"?
about 1 year ago
Perhaps the most asinine article I have ever read.
about 1 year ago
"Drunk Driving" has become the red herring of the transportation network in America. Someone driving with a .093 BAC is still a better driver than someone on a cell phone, changing a cd, policing child passengers, suffering from acute fatigue, or anyone who is simply a bad driver from things like lacking depth perception and speed to approach judgment. And best of all, LaRussa was not even driving, his car was at a complete stop. The man should be rewarded in comparison to all of the other driver I listed, which most of your hypocrites probably are. .093 is only nominally "drunk driving" because yes, in reality, many people are better drivers at .093 than other sober drivers. I would much prefer to ride in a car with someone I know can drive and has a .093 BAC than someone I know cannot drive well and is completely sober. If you disagree, you are blinded by your own self-righteousness. The fact of the matter is, he fell asleep more because of the fact that it was midnight and he had been up since 5 AM than anything to do with alcohol. If he was conscious and driving he would have been quite safe. Which brings me back to the point that he was as safe as a parked car because that is what his car was at.
about 1 year ago
I'm glad to see there is still some sanity left in this world - no pun intended.
Seriously: how many terrible drivers are there out on the road? Plenty of people die every day in accidents where the driver wasn't drunk. Will everyone therefore stop this crap about "drunk driving kills people?" BAD DRIVING KILLS PEOPLE. And when someone can hardly stand up because they've drank a bottle of Jack Daniels, they're probably a bad driver.
But someone who is completely sober can also be a bad driver, and can be just as dangerous as someone who is a good driver and gets behind the wheel after a few drinks.
I agree that I would rather drive with someone after they've had a few drinks who actually knows how to drive than with a bad driver who is completely sober. If any of you hypocrites actually had to make such a decision, I'm sure you'd do the same thing as Sanity and Me.
Get over yourselves people....
about 1 year ago
So, Mr. Zachary can't believe the audacity that ESPN has running a criminal news story about a manager. Then he takes his so called anger and rehashes the entire subject in his article. Asleep at the wheel is not a threat to public safety? Sorry pal, but you are not correct in saying that the public should'nt know about it. Arrests are public information. He's in the public eye. He was the manager of the world series champion. About a month ago there was a story about a girl who killed five people in a drunk driving accident in the Chicago suburbs. Her face was shown on that news story. And I'm sure she didn't mean to. Make sure you don't go driving near my place in Chicago. Apparently you think its ok to pass out and drive.
about 1 year ago
I am still upset that the hypocrite was never suspended.
2 months ago
Shewww!
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