Still in the doghouse

As I was going over the daily spring training headlines a few days ago, some news from Detroit Tigers camp caught my eye.

After a very public run-in with Florida police just days before he was scheduled to be in camp, Miguel Cabrera is back on the field, giving up nothing more than a likely fine and a half-hearted apology that was rife with cliche platitudes and - from the sound of it - likely written entirely by someone with much more intelligence than Cabrera.

The man was incredibly drunk, endangering the lives of anyone on the road that night, disregarded repeated orders from law enforcement, taunted those same officers by drinking openly in front of them, and topped it all off by asking the cops if they even knew who he was, as if it should make any difference.

Any non-millionaire trying to pull a stunt like that would likely still be recovering from the savage beating/tasering that would have ensued while Cabrera's incident will be forgotten the second he knocks in a game-winning run or blasts a 400-foot bomb.

I'm not trying to single out Cabrera. He's just the latest in a long line of athletes that have committed violent or dangerous crimes, yet have walked away with their public image not much worse for the wear.

The more that this pattern of public forgiveness and forgetfulness occurs, the less genuine the apologies of the offenders seem to get. Not only does this strike me as an insult to my ability as a fan to overlook illegal actions for the sake of a few wins, but it makes the offenders that much more likely to not learn any sort of lesson from the ordeal and doesn't give any sort of incentive to stop their destructive behavior.

As pitiful as that is, what's even worse is that the one athlete who has been the most sincere about his remorse and has worked hardest to make amends for his actions is still one of the biggest pariahs to the general public.

Michael Vick hasn't so much as picked up a speeding ticket since serving his 18-month sentence in federal prison for financing a dogfighting operation, yet his repentant nature is still met with scorn while others who are walking away with their fifth DUI or having a kid with an eighth different woman barely register on the radar for many.

When Vick does an interview about his wrongdoings and talks about all of the steps he is taking to make himself a better person, people say that his words are all scripted and that he hasn't changed at all.

When Vick spends his off days touring public schools preaching about the stupidity of his actions and how no kid should look at his past as a guide on how to behave, people say he just wants the cameras to take notice.

When a party with old friends turned into a violent altercation, people wanted him thrown right back in prison before the news ever emerged that Vick had basically run for his life to get away from what he knew was about to become a bad situation.

The craziest part about this continued outrage directed at Vick is that the main reason for most athletes' indiscretions being ignored - "he helps us win games" - is one of the most noticeable things that has changed about Vick.

In his days as a Falcon, Vick was criticized for not being a complete player and not showing the commitment necessary to improve or succeed in the NFL. Many players and coaches came forward with stories of how he was the last one to pull into work and the first one to leave.

Now, the stories couldn't be more different. Instead of coaches trying to locate Vick, it's Vick that is calling his quarterbacks coach, wondering why he isn't at practice yet.

Coaches claim that he watches twice as much film as he used to and understands offensive and defensive schemes better than he ever did in Atlanta.

In fact, his new teammates claim that the only time Vick's head isn't totally into that day's preparation is when he's at one of those aforementioned school visits imploring kids who still view him as a role model to act more like 2011 Vick and not the pre-prison version.

So, to recap, Vick's punishment was extreme when compared to the often toned down sentences or fines by other celebrities. His apology in his first public appearance after getting out of prison was incredibly genuine - he spoke at great length about everything concerning his crimes and did so without notecards or a P.R. rep in his ear - and his actions both on and off the field since his return have been exactly what teams and fans alike want to see out of their starting quarterback.

And where does that leave us?

Miguel Cabrera will get a standing ovation on opening day. Reggie Bush (flagrant violations that cost him his Heisman Trophy) is still adored in New Orleans. Cam Newton (charges of theft and academic dishonesty on top of allegations of NCAA violations) will likely have a statue built for him at Auburn. Francisco Rodriguez (assault on his wife and father-in-law) won't lose a cent of his multi-million dollar contract.

And yet, Vick is still public enemy No. 1.

The guy who admitted to everything - as heinous as it was - can't be trusted while others (see above) make the minimal apology or concession and walk away.

The guy who served his time without a single setback or black mark during his sentence "will never fully understand just how wrong it was to do what he did."

The guy who has been a model citizen and teammate since his return, and who has shown a new dedication to his career "is a constant threat to implode and take the whole team with him."

I'm not trying to downplay Vick's crimes. I believe he deserved every second of time that he spent behind bars, but I also believe in granting second chances. That being said, I think there's a good argument to be made that Vick has done more with his second chance - both personally and professionally - than most ever do.

When you look past the actual crimes committed by Vick, the other athletes named above, and countless others, there are many similarities and only a few differences.

Regardless of severity, all of these actions are crimes. All of them require punishment of some sort, and all of them require some sort of acknowledgement or apology by the offending individual.

The only differences are that Vick is the only one to fully go through every one of those steps and that he is the only one that retains an overwhelmingly negative public image once the incident is over and done with.

I was disgusted with the actions that led Vick to his prison sentence, but he is the only high-profile people faced with a crime that I respect more after the fact than I did before.

The system actually worked for Vick. When you commit a crime, you're supposed to face some punishment, learn from it, and bounce back as a better person. The one guy who has actually done that continues to be hated at every turn, but those who skirt around their transgressions never have to learn and continue to become worse people because of it.

I've never been a fan of Michael Vick, the football player, but I'm a huge supporter of Michael Vick, the person.

As much as I love sports and want to see my teams win, doing right and being a decent person should rate higher in anyone's scorebook than any amount of home runs or touchdowns ever could.

Michael Vick, you'll probably never get the same undying support as some of these other offenders who have gotten off easy. You'll never win any fan poll and "dog killer" will likely follow your name just as often as "All-Pro", but you're better for it, and the world is better for that fact.

Vick will never be able to undo his crimes, but he's done a great job of redoing his life in the last two years.

As more time passes, there will hopefully be an increase of others who see this and can appreciate Vick for what he is doing rather than what he did. Maybe that will even lead the public to dwell on the more minor incidents that others commit in hopes that it won't take another federally prosecuted crime to get someone to come out better on the other side.

Some people like to joke that your sole purpose in life may be to serve as a warning to others.

That might just be true, but it certainly doesn't have to be negative.

Many people will view Vick as a horrible person for the rest of his life, but that isn't the warning for others to heed.

Vick is walking proof that people can change, but only by facing their issues with sincerity and not trying to get off the hook.

If you lack the pride in yourself to take responsibility and right your wrongs, than the warning that Vick's ordeal serves is that you won't be the person that you should be.

Thousands might cheer you, you could make millions of dollars, and you might never spend a night in jail. But when you half-ass an apology, duck any criticism, and save no expense to keep a good public image, you aren't building a legacy, you're bleeding out decency.

The world might love having its Cabreras, Bushes, Newtons and others on game night, but when it comes to the more important lessons to be learned in life, we could use a few more Michael Vicks.

Rounding the bases

Last summer, I was spending an evening at the local watering hole with some friends when we happened to overhear another guy with a different group discussing a recent date.

The tragic downfall of this gentleman's evening out was when his lady friend informed him that she "doesn't go to second base" on a first date.

After getting a few good laughs over the fact that a college aged girl was using the first base, second base, etc. vernacular in an actual dating situation, we got to thinking about those baseball euphamisms that most of us left behind around our freshman year of high school.

While the coding system for such activities is seemingly archaic, my friends and I set about reviewing and ammending the terms to adjust for the vast advancements that we've made over the last decade regarding both baseball strategy and the dating game.

Think of it as rounding the bases for a dating sabermetrician. Instead of just first, second, third and home enjoy the more nuanced accomplishments such as:

Strikeout swinging - Self-evident. You make a pass and get shot down.

Strikeout looking - You've been planning your approach for too long and another guy strikes up a conversation with the girl before you take a chance.


Picked off/caught stealing - You're in too much of a hurry to get to the next base. You inadvertently kill the mood and, suddenly, you're off the bases altogether.

Pinch hitting - You've sufficiently talked up a target, then let a friend/wingman step into your place to take his cuts.

Hit by pitch - Taking one for the team. That girl who is friends with the one you're wingman is talking to might not be good looking, but if you just lean into one, your wingman will be better off and it probably won't cause you any permanent damage. Also, whatever you do, don't rub it. People will laugh.

Sacrifice bunt - Appeasing the target of your wingman in order to put her in a good mood and help move him along.

Sacrifice fly - The big brother of the sac bunt... More important since it involves someone scoring. You swing for the fences with someone to help your wingman score - i.e. his girl doesn't want to desert a friend or doesn't want to seem slutty by taking someone home while her friend comes home alone. There is a reason why the dugout empties to congratulate the guy who successfully converts one of these. The sac fly is truly selfless and admirable team play.

Leaving the bases loaded - You did everything right, but couldn't get that run across. If this becomes a trend, postgame tirades will ensue.

Hitting into a double play - Not only do you get yourself out, but you get a wingman thrown off the bases in the process.

Run rule - After finding out the number of times that the girl you're talking to has already scored, you decide that it's best to just move on to the next game.

Danny Almonte rule - In play at nicer bars. Watch out for that cougar that says she's 29. She's probably closer to 40 and married with three kids.

Julio Franco rule - Potentially much more dangerous than the Almonte rule. You don't look 18. I'm going to need to see some I.D.

Draw a walk - It's a free pass. You set you sights on a slutty girl and make it to first without even trying.

Grand Slam - You do something so incredibly badass (bankroll the drinks for a girl and her friends, spring for the hotel, win big at the craps table) that an entire group of girls are impressed enough to entertain you and your friends for the night.

Hit for the cycle - A one-night stand. You cover all of the bases within 24 hours of meeting someone.

Suicide squeeze - A wingman does something drastic to try to get you home. This is usually some combination of an outright lie or fantastic story told to either the target or her friends in order to send you all the way. It is usually used at a pivotal moment and, while it is to be celebrated in the form of many high-fives the next day if successful, will spell total disaster if not executed perfectly.

Straight steal of home - Do not attempt unless you are Ben Roethlisberger.

A New Begining

My blog is back. This time, I promise I'll actually be here for awhile.

The unofficial start of spring announced itself as pitchers and catchers reported last week, and I find myself once again energized with the promise of another year of baseball.

Instead of going with a full rundown of predictions and projections (which might still come at a later date), I'll use this post to vent against a particular subject.

I awoke this morning to find that Adam Wainwright is likely lost for the season. While I feel for Wainwright and the loss of an entire season in the prime of his career, I can't help but feel that the baseball gods are serving justice on a man who is long overdue for some humbling.

That's right. I'm looking at you, Tony LaRussa.

While I appreciate the newfound science/religion of sabermetrics, I have never found myself so enraged at someone who has taken so much credit for so little actual production as the "by-the-book" ways of Mr. LaRussa.

For the better part of three decades, LaRussa has done a masterful job of marketing himself as one of the great minds of the game, yet what does he have to show for it?

Yes, he has two World Series championships. That is a very admirable thing, and I respect it, but the man is simply overrated when it comes to actual managing.

When you boil it all down, LaRussa's career can be defined mostly by two title winners (one with a pair of noted steroid users, and another that notched the worst winning percentage of any champion) and 10 other division winners that never lived up to their potential.

While many prospective world champions have fallen short due to bad luck, bad timing or just running into a hot team, no manager of any shortcoming team draws as much obvious and direct blame as LaRussa for the eventual downfall of his squad.

Despite having a decided advantage in talent (as noted by many analysts) in the N.L. Central over the last four years, LaRussa and his Cardinals have managed just one division title. You can attribute any number of factors to the team's failure to produce, but I put the blame on LaRussa.

No manager consistently wears out a bullpen or tinkers with a lineup that needs no tinkering more than LaRussa.

No manager tries out more quirks for the sake of quirkiness than LaRussa.

Most importantly, no manager hides behind the sacred "book" more than LaRussa.

Some guy hits a walk-off off of a rookie lefty?... "He was a left-hander that can't handle off-speed from lefties", says LaRussa.

It doesn't matter that it was a big game or that you had two or three seasoned veteran relievers in the bullpen.

Batting your pitcher eighth in the batting order?... "It sets up the offense for Pujols every time the lineup turns over," says LaRussa.

I guess we can forget about the fact that every conceivable pinch-hit/relief pitching situation that can make or break a game is now moved up by one batter for the sake of LaRussa trying to predict the endgame of a contest before the lineup cards are exchanged.

The trick with LaRussa is that he'll tell you about his genious idea as he impliments it and before it ever pays dividends. By doing this, the shortcomings of his strategies are brought up before they occur, and are thus quickly forgetten when they happen since they can easily be dismissed.

Conversely, the fact that many of his ideas differ from the norm give plenty of room for praise and adulation on the chance that they do actually work.

By the paterns of human nature, LaRussa can get away with more than a few stupid ideas, so long as one of them actually works. Even then, he can parlay the fact that he was the first to implement such an idea or strategy into further proof of his genius regardless of any other failures.

I realize that none of this really pertains to the injury to Wainwright, but since I'm a spiteful person, I'll go ahead and translate Wainwright's bad break as the doling out of due justice from the all-powerful baseball gods.

Those gods have had enough of your crap, LaRussa. They watched you submarine a roster that was capable of multiple division - if not league - championships, yet still come out looking like the managerial genius that was somehow failed by his players.

Now, you're going to suffer the indignity of being pummeled by the Reds and Brewers all season, and you'll actually have to demonstrate some managerial skill to stay ahead of a bipolar Cubs squad and a rebuilding Astros franchise.

I harbor no ill will towards any player on the Cardinals, but this is the season that LaRussa gets exposed as a fraud of a baseball manager and I'll be the one laughing from April until September.