Shawn Chacon Jumps GM: It's Time to Wake Up

"I grabbed him by the neck and threw him to the ground. I jumped on top of him, words were exchanged."

Those are the words of suspended Astros' pitcher Shawn Chacon. He is describing what he did to Houston's GM Ed Wade during a confrontation on Wednesday.

This leads me to ask two questions in the direction of Chacon.

How old are you?

Are you in a gang?

His actions resemble those of a juvenile; only a gang member would take another human being by the throat and throw them to the ground for something like this.

Maybe Ed Wade was in the wrong for cursing Chacon out and telling him to "take a look in the mirror." But you simply cannot defend Chacon for his response.

You have a right to be upset if you are Chacon, but to simply grab another person like this in not justifiable.

Wade had asked Chacon into manager Cecil Coopers' office to talk. But, when Chacon refused, Ed Wade had no choice but to have the discussion in the Astros' dining room.

After getting sent to the bullpen, Chacon asked for a trade on Sunday. And after refusing to visit the manager’s office, Chacon jumped his general manager.

What kind of person are you to pull this type of stunt over a move to the bullpen?

What baffles me about Chacon's stubbornness to move to the bullpen is the fact that he's been there before. Last year he started just four of his 64 games with the Pittsburgh Pirates. Every stop he's made in the major leagues has ended up with him moving to the bullpen.

I will say this in response to Shawn Chacon's desire to be a starting pitcher. Be my guest Shawn, that is, if you don't mind being a starter in the minor leagues. That is the only way Chacon will start a game in baseball this year.

If you are that much above the team to not go into the bullpen, then you do not deserve to get paid to play this game. Being a major-league ballplayer is a privilege.

Chacon's five-plus ERA isn't exactly a ringing endorsement for him to start either.