I’m taking a few days off from the column. See you next week!

I wish that I could say that I’m surprised or even shocked by the fact that a grand jury decided not to indict Ferguson, MO police Officer Darren Wilson in the August shooting death of 18-year-old Michael Brown, or that there would be rioting afterward. This whole incident has been a cluster-f$%k from the beginning. The accounts of the incident don’t jive with eyewitness accounts, Brown’s body allowed to lie on the street in 90+ degree temperatures after being shot, the prosecution being forced by public opinion to even bring the case before a Grand Jury; the exceeding long time it took for that Grand Jury to make a decision; the decision itself, then the incredibly stupid decision to make the announcement at night, when even more violence can erupt under cover of darkness.
There is no need for me to recap the story: it’s all out there on every media source imaginable. All of the old bromides: “violence is the outlet for the unheard,” “a license to hunt young black men,” have all been stated and restated. But I’m not at all surprised. The St. Louis area has the reddest necks of any place north of Alabama and Mississippi. The prosecutor, Bob McCullough should have recused himself from the beginning since his father was a policeman killed in the line of duty in 1964 and who has numerous members of his family on the police force. His antipathy to indicting a white police officer is well noted.
Once again, it shows that it is hard to be a black man. While the number of occurrences is down, sometimes I still have difficulty hailing a cab or getting served in a store. Like most other black men, I received “the talk:” be overly respectful of police, keep your hands where they can see them, make no sudden moves. I remember being stopped one block from my house by a squad car, lights flashing when I was 17. I was on my way home from the old Chicago Stadium where I was working as an Andy Frain usher. I do believe that I would have at least been picked up for a curfew violation if it weren’t for the fact that I had my bag with my uniform in it with me to verify my story. I admit that when we first moved to Skokie I occasionally thought about former Northwestern University basketball coach Ricky Birdsong who was gunned down walking with his kids by a white supremacist.
The election of Barack Obama brought the chickens home to roost – all of the ugliest racists could crawl out from under their rocks and make noise. Even people who should be smarter like Dennis Miller and others went to the right – “minorities have hade 40 years to overcome 400 years of oppression, and I’m tired of supporting them and hearing them complain.” Never mind of course the challenges of bad education; corporations taking jobs to other countries; the war on drugs, which is just a war on minorities given their economic opportunities; and the still ever present, hidden prejudice in us all.
There is a part of me that has some faint hope. Perhaps there is karma for Darren Wilson; George Zimmerman, the acquitted killer of Treyvon Martin, squandered all of his money and is reportedly living on friends’ sofas and having run ins with the law. Wilson is reportedly about to leave the Ferguson PD, and considering his aptitude and background, this guy was meant to be a cop. But what area would want to have him working for them? Fear of reprisals, however remote, have to be taken into account. He may be free, but Darren Wilson is infamous, a marked man.
Back to some hope. Perhaps this is the real life version of “The Empire Strikes Back:” the bad guys are winning (Wilson, McCullough, the Koch Brothers, Boehner, O’Reilly, Limbaugh, Scalia, Thomas, Alito, the GOP wave of right wing winners during the recent midterm elections). The Death Star is on their side (fear, ignorance, racism, billionaires by the dozen). Our rag-tag band of rebels are dejected and demoralized.
The question is: are people basically good and fair? Do they want their fellow man to survive and thrive, or do they only want themselves and “their kind” allowed to succeed? Will people of conscience actually come out and vote in 2016? Will the Evil Empire be defeated?
I hope so; I really do, but some days like today and this past November 4th, I’m sad and I wonder…

Not being a member of the Baseball Writers of America, I don’t have a vote in the annual popularity contest known as Baseball Hall of Fame voting, which is probably good since I’d vote for Pete Rose every year to Bud Selig’s chagrin. At the top of the ballot, two new players eligible for the first time are, or should be, no brainers and several players that came close last year should probably make it over the top (if there’s any justice, that is). Then, of course, there are the steroid babies, who should get passed over again.
This week, the ballot was announced and there are a lot who won’t get votes (deservedly). The first time eligible players are in alphabetical order: Rich Aurillia; Aaron Boone; Tony Clark; Carlos Delgado; Jermaine Dye; Darin Erstad; Cliff Floyd; Nomar Garciaparra; Brian Giles; Tom Gordon; Eddie Guardado; Randy Johnson; Pedro Martinez; Troy Percival; Jason Schmidt; Gary Sheffield; and John Smoltz.
The holdovers, listed in order of the percentage of the vote they received last year are: Craig Biggio, 74.8 percent; Mike Piazza, 62.2; Jeff Bagwell, 54.3; Tim Raines, 46.1; Roger Clemens, 35.4; Barry Bonds, 34.7; Lee Smith, 29.9; Curt Schilling, 29.2; Edgar Martinez, 25.2; Alan Trammell, 20.8; Mike Mussina, 20.3; Jeff Kent, 15.2; Fred McGriff, 11.7; Mark McGwire, 11; Larry Walker, 10.2; Don Mattingly, 8.2; and Sammy Sosa, 7.2.
The easy ones are pitchers: it is ironic that these two men comprise 40% of the pitchers who have won Cy Young Awards in both leagues – Randy Johnson and Pedro Martinez (the others being Gaylord Perry, Roger Clemens, who is also eligible, and Roy Halladay). Martinez won 219 games against 100 losses with a lifetime 2.97 ERA. He earned 3 Cy Young Awards and made 8 All-Star appearances. He was dominant first for the Expos, then the Red Sox and Dodgers. Johnson, the imposing left hander had 5 Cy Young Awards, 303 wins, 3.29 lifetime ERA, and a record 4,873 strikeouts for a left handed pitcher (second behind Nolan Ryan all time – 5,714). He pitched a no-hitter and a perfect game; won a World Series with Arizona and was named co-World Series MVP in that year (2001). Pedro and Randy, make plans on being in New York State next June/July.
One would expect that Biggio, will probably get in this year, and perhaps Piazza. I’m not as sure about Bagwell and Raines, although I’d vote for “the Rock” (Raines) if I had a vote. I think it is long past time for Lee Smith to get in. Again, the Steroid Boys won’t make it: Bonds, Clemens, McGwire, and Sosa shouldn’t make plans to be in Cooperstown any time soon.
It will be, as always, interesting to see how the vote shakes out. Since members of the BWAA are often biased, stubborn, or ignorant of the game’s history beyond their limited life spans/writing careers mistakes happen.

Being a parent is a special responsibility; anyone who has children knows that. But what happens when the child is talented in sports and becomes wealthy?
Some of the worst parents known are the tennis parents who live off their children for decades. Former American champion Michael Chang’s parents were known to be a horror, controlling their grown son’s life and money. Jennifer Capriati’s parents “worked” for their daughter, and probably were a primary reason for her rebellious antics in her late teens and early 20s. Steffi Graf’s dad committed tax evasion in Germany and did time in prison. Only her ignorance of the scheme kept Ms. Graf from joining her father in jail. Mary Pierce’s Dad was the poster child for bad parenting, to the point that she got a restraining order keeping him away from her and her finances.
I said that Pierce WAS the poster child, because Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Jack Johnson’s folks are now deserve mention as among the worst sports parents in history. Johnson, a former first-round draft pick and United States Olympian, filed for bankruptcy this week on account of a number of poor investments and decisions by his parents put him in a financial crisis.
Apparently, the 27-year-old blueliner initially turned over control of his finances to his parents in 2011. They reportedly took out as many as 18 high-interest loans in an effort to monetize his contract. Those risky moves backfired, which resulted in Johnson being sued on three occasions. In addition to that, his parents reportedly made big purchases such as a house and vehicles without consulting their son.
Johnson said, “I’d say I picked the wrong people who led me down the wrong path. I’ve got people in place who are going to fix everything now. It’s something I should have done a long time ago.”
A wealth-management firm partner was quoted by Bleacher Report: “(t)hese players are so young, and they have a lot of money coming in—so they’re targets. They rely blindly, often, on the judgment of their parents or agents, and they sometimes have agendas that are not optimal.” Players find it difficult to question their agents. They don’t even know the right questions to ask. And they’re even more reluctant to question Mom and Dad.
I have seen parents living through their children – they are the hyper-parents who see potential for big money in their futures (not so much in my area however). Unfortunately, the money is supposed to make the parents’ lives better, not the kid’s. One of the things I cherish with The Indignant Girls is that they know that neither I nor their mother would do anything to hurt them. I mean that physically and emotionally of course, but also financially. If they turn into athletes capable of doing great things and earn lots of money, we would probably invest it as conservatively as possible, so that they get to keep it when they grow up and are out on their own, when Daddy and Mommy has shuffled off this mortal coil.
I am reminded of when my grandmother got sick, and I was given power of attorney over her assets. She had given me money to help with the down payment on my condo, and there were some who felt I had taken the money without her permission. As it turned out, she had liquidated some assets for this purpose. But every transaction was done with her permission and understanding and other than those funds, all of her money was used for her upkeep and the house. Swindling family members is underhanded and right down there with physical abuse.
I think that these parents should be sued and as much of this young man’s money and assets returned to him. In the same way that parents that abuse and kill kids are an embarrassment to those of us who try to raise our kids properly, these two are the lowest of the low.

I have to admit that I was surprised when I first heard the news:the NFL ruled that Minnesota Vikings star running back Adrian Peterson would be suspended without pay for the rest of the 2014 NFL season. I write here last week once he had pled no contest misdemeanor reckless assault rather than felony child abuse charges surrounding the whipping he gave his four year old son with a switch. I thought sure, especially after last weekend’s pathetic offensive performance by the Vikings against the Bears, the team would be looking for Peterson’s return sooner than later.
Peterson has been on the exempt/commissioner’s permission list, which suspends him with pay since the charges were brought in Texas. But the league held firm: a letter to Peterson from NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said that he will be suspended at least until April 15th, but that “the precise length of the suspension will depend on your actions. We are prepared to put in place a program that can help you to succeed, but no program can succeed without your genuine and continuing engagement.” Reinstatement hinges on his rehabilitation, how he cares for his children and whether he commits further violations of the law or league policy.
Of course, Peterson will appeal the decision according to the NFL Players Association. The NFLPA statement continued that the discipline imposed on Peterson is “inconsistent” and it will “demand that a neutral arbitrator oversee the appeal.” Now, a hearing will be scheduled and Peterson, supported by legal counsel and the union, can present evidence in support of his appeal. He will remain on the commissioner’s exempt list until the appeal has run its course. (the Chicago Tribune are reporting that the Vikings will likely cut all ties with Peterson since they owe him no money on his contract that would have been for three more years at a salary cap hit of over $15 million per season. So, the question now is, who will give Peterson a chance, and you know someone will because its all about wins and losses in the NFL.)
Reportedly, there were aggravating circumstances in Peterson’s case:
• The child was only 4, and while an adult can flee, fight back or call the police when experiencing abuse, those options aren’t available to a child. In this case, the child also suffered psychological trauma stemming from the “criminal physical abuse at the hands of the father”;
• “The repetitive use of a switch” is tantamount to a weapon in the hands of someone with the strength of a pro athlete;
• Peterson showed “no meaningful remorse” and publicly said he would not “eliminate whooping my kids.” He also sent text messages to the child’s mother defending his actions, which raises concerns that he didn’t understand the seriousness of his conduct and may do it again in the future.

The first two issues cannot really be contested, but I think that Peterson might be playing again this year if it weren’t for the third point – no remorse, no understanding of the seriousness of the charges and the possibility that it could happen again. Even fake contrition on his part, like the empty apologies that rain down on the public whenever someone in the public eye makes a mistake, commits a crime, or says something stupid, and Peterson would be playing before the end of the season, but Peterson obviously suffers from “beyond the rules syndrome.” Just the shear number of babies he’s had with different women not his wife, and admitting that he smoked marijuana while on probation in this case, shows that he thinks that the rules don’t apply to him because he’s rich and talented on a football field. Being from Texas probably helped bolster that inflated self-image since star football players are molly-coddled from an early age.
I hardly ever write about the Indignant Family, but I admit that the girls are very difficult, driving the Indignant Wife and I almost to rage beyond anything we usually encounter. However, hitting is not an option. One also has to wonder if the culture of violence that this football, not just in the NFL but at all levels, makes it impossible for players to separate the violence of the game with the rest of their existence (and I won’t even go into the possible head injuries that football may cause that leads to uncontrollable emotional responses).
However, dear reader, whatever forces may have contributed to the man that is Adrian Peterson, still, he alone is responsible for his actions and should be held accountable.

I have said for 19 years that other then the typical family stuff, marriage, birth of the Indignant Daughters, September 2, 1995 was the greatest day of my life. That day, Northwestern went into Notre Dame Stadium and defeated the Irish 17-15. Of course, that was the turning point in the Northwestern program; the team, coached by Gary Barnett, and with a junior All American linebacker named Pat Fitzgerald would go on to a two-loss season that concluded with the second loss to USC in the team’s first Rose Bowl appearance in 47 years.
The Wildcats have won/shared two Big Ten football titles since, and have gone to numerous bowl games, finally winning one two years ago. Since that win, the team, now coached by Fitzgerald, has had a very tough couple of seasons, starting last season 4-0 in nonconference games before having the wheels come off once the Big Ten season started, going 1-7 to finish an overall 5-7 and no bowl appearance.
This season has ion many ways been worse – losing a game to Cal because the team was outcoached (Cal pulled out a second, running QB, and the defense never adjusted), then losing to Northern Illinois (a 2013 BCS bowl team who only lost their quarterback to graduation). After polishing off Western Illinois in a lackluster effort, the ‘Cats seemed to have some surprises left, beating Penn State in Happy Valley, then coming home to defeat Wisconsin. Which NU team would show up on any given Saturday was the cry of the faithful.
The tires seemed to deflate when, after fighting back to tie the score at 17 in Minnesota, the ‘Cats gave up a touchdown on the ensuing kickoff to lose 24-17. Unfortunately, bad NU showed up for the Nebraska game, getting dismantled 38 -17. It would get worse, getting spanked in Iowa City 48-7. I think the team hit rock bottom last week, losing to Michigan 10-9 in the worst game I have ever witnessed (I wrote about that last week).
To say that I had little hope for the game against Notre Dame last weekend would be a colossal understatement. Coming off a loss to Arizona State, in front of the home crowd expecting an easy victory, I feared a disaster on national television. I could have attended the game; I had a few people offer tickets, but knowing how I felt about ND and how passionate their fans are, I figured that a frothing Tony Fernandez needed to stay away from South Bend.
I didn’t even watch it, much like that Saturday in 1995 – I didn’t want to jinx the team if they were to surprise. But at a friend’s 50th birthday dinner, I began to follow the score, close at the end, then going to overtime, then us winning in OT. At the dinner friends said that I was actually walking a couple of inches off the floor. Texts and Facebook messages came and went. The DVR was set for the 11:30 PM replay. The birthday celebration became that much more joyous for me.
Even better was how ND lost – four turnovers, including three in the Red Zone, two missed field goals which led Coach Brian Kelly to foolishly go for two points after a touchdown. An extra point would have given ND 41 points and required NU to score two touchdowns. Then, with the game in hand with a three point lead, instead of taking a knee three times leaving a punt at around .10 left, Kelly called for handoffs to Cam McDaniel, who had never fumbled before, but – out came the football, leading to an NU drive and tying field goal.
ND couldn’t move the ball in OT and missed another field goal, and NU was stopped, but in came Jack Mitchell again. The young man who hadn’t made a field goal longer than 29 yards this season (and every kick was an adventure, let me tell you) made a 45 yarder to tie the game, then a 41-yard kick to win.
Again, I’m glad I didn’t go to the game; they would have had to put me in a cage. I’m sure there would have been a fight and possible arrest. So, discretion being the better part of valor, I stayed away.
But I’m still floating; perhaps only a ½ inch above the ground, but it’s there. My Northwestern cap has been affixed to my head since Saturday and probably won’t be going anywhere for awhile. NU has two, very winnable games left against Purdue and Illinois and wins in those games would bring them to 6-6, make them bowl eligible and probably secure them a birth in a bad bowl game. As always, I will be rooting for them to win, but they made my season already.

For most people, Bill Cosby is an icon – first black performer on a regular television series (I- Spy), multitudes of comedy concerts and albums, all clean, family friendly material, and of course, arguably the most successful television situation comedy of all time – The Cosby Show. Plus, holding a Doctorate of Education, Cosby has been a noted cultural voice, often putting down black people for not doing enough to help themselves. About 70% of the time, I agreed with the comedian; the other 30%, I felt he was wrong, misguided or out of line.
The rumors in the black community however have long been that Cosby has as active a libido as anybody, and that often the sex he procured from women other than his wife was not consensual. Now, some of those women are coming forward with stories of being drugged in order to have sex with them. Cosby has been lined up for interviews lately because Netflix is showing a new stand-up special called “Bill Cosby 77” because it was recorded on his 77th birthday last July. Cosby has refused to comment on the allegations and has already cancelled a scheduled appearance on The Late Show with David Letterman this week. Cosby’s attorney has issued the only statement, calling the allegations “decade-old” and “discredited.”
Cosby has already admitted to at least one child out of wedlock, which is quite the difference from the put-upon father that has been the core of his stand-up routines, books and television shows for decades.
It is hard to come to a final decision on Cosby. On the one hand, he has been a comedy icon, I have his albums for the 1960s and 1970s still. But the rumors have always been there, like those that often plague African-American preachers, politicians and other celebrities. While he has done great work and made millions laugh all over the world, it is troubling that he might have raped young women (and there’s no other way of putting it).
Unless there is proof, Cosby, famous and rich, will likely survive the tempest, but as a father of two girls, it may be impossible for me to play those records ever again.