When I wrote for The Sportswriters on TV, the panel often mentioned how reporting brought them into contact with people of various backgrounds, races, sexes, sexual orientations and that the exposure made them more empathetic and sympathetic. Then there is Rob Drake.
Drake is an umpire for Major League Baseball and has been since 2010 full time after having worked spring training games between 1999 and being hired. While the percentage of African-American players has declined, players from Latin America and other Spanish speaking countries has grown significantly. Again, one might think that this would make one a bit more considerate at least. Or not.
With baseball suffering a black eye over the Astros’ assistant general manager Brandon Taubman’s tirade in the direction of a group of female reporters after clinching the pennant in support of Roberto Osuna who served a 75-game suspension for a violation of Major League Baseball’s Joint Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault and Child Abuse policy, they didn’t need another incident, but Drake leapt right into the polarized political environment even though he is not umping any postseason games this year. (It should be said that the Astros either got a clue on their own – but probably were prodded strongly by MLB – and fired Taubman.)
Drake posted this message to Twitter on Tuesday: “I will be buying an AR-15 tomorrow, because if you impeach MY PRESIDENT this way, YOU WILL HAVE ANOTHER CIVAL WAR!!! #MAGA2020.” (Yes, that is how Civil was spelled.) Later that day, before Washington played at Houston in Game 2 of the World Series, commissioner Rob Manfred said Major League Baseball would investigate Drake’s comments. As always happens with these outbursts, Drake later deleted the post and then yesterday, took to Twitter to post a non-apology, apology. In a series of tweets Thursday, Drake apologized to victims of gun violence, fellow umpires and his family, and acknowledged he had caused a controversy for the sport. “I never intended to diminish the threat of violence from assault weapons, or violence of any kind. I know that I cannot unsay the words, but please accept my apologies,” he said.
The umpires’ union, in a statement Wednesday, said: “Rob is a passionate individual and an outstanding umpire. He chose the wrong way to convey his opinion about our great country.” I cannot help but compare that support to the Chicago Fraternal Order of Police which has issued a statement on “no confidence” to Police Commissioner Eddie Johnson because he plans to boycott Drumpf’s appearance at the International Association of Police Chiefs of Police convention in Chicago next week. The umpire’s unions comment (like the FOP’s) says to me “we secretly agree with everything he said, but we can’t be seen as doing that, so we will give him the softest admonishment possible in hope that you won’t call us what we deserve to be called.”
Again, notice that he did not denounce the threat of violence against his political enemies; did not say he was no longer planning on buying an assault weapon or planning on using it. I would like to know what players have to say about him? Is he just another ranting, spending most of my time in my basement right-winger like former pitcher and baseball analyst Curt Schilling? Have any players of color, or those whose politics are more openly leftist had run ins with Rob Drake? Just wondering.
I am glad that these people are getting called out. Could Drake lose his job? Perhaps. Does Major League Baseball want the threat of an umpire getting his weapon if Elizabeth Warren or Bernie Sanders are in the crowd? I certainly don’t.
However, once again I mention that blacks and Hispanics and people of color are no longer frighten of gangs of white men, in sheets or otherwise. We can get guns too, and as they secretly know, the demographics are against them. They know that the “good old days” are over, which is why they’re frightened and fighting so hard.

I am not a Cub fan. That said, I thought they made a mistake firing the manager that led the team to its first World Series Championship in 108 years. Joe Maddon seems like a straight-up guy, playful, but no BS when it counts. Five consecutive years of reaching the post-season with one title. Maddon’s teams were unable to win a second title because of untimely hitting slumps, better opponents, and a front office that did very little to help him.
Yes, President of Baseball Operations Theo Epstein and GM Jed Hoyer have spent the Ricketts’ family’s money on big time free agents who haven’t panned out and the minor leagues, which Epstein said he would rebuild when he arrived on Addison St. is as bare as a cupboard during the Depression. The only way that Maddon should have been fired (actually any manager/head coach) is if he had lost the locker room. Only occasionally will you publicly hear of a revolt by players (or even a mutiny), but if the captain has lost the support of the crew, it’s over.
For a big time job with a top-level core of young, talented players, one would think that the top managerial candidates would be applying and interviewing, and that was the case. Many thought that former Cub Joe Girardi who last managed the Yankees, local guy, Northwestern alum, would be favored. Many people I spoke with were in favor of the pick, but just as many didn’t like Girardi – too much of a disciplinarian, only won one title despite having nearly unlimited budgets (of course, the Red Sox also have huge money and are in the same division). Houston Astros bench coach Joe Espada was an interesting choice – long time baseball guy, knowledgeable. Of course, he could not be approached until the Series is over.
One of the problems with the Cubs over the years is that they get overly sentimental and attached to players which causes them to hold on to players long past their primes. The same can be said for players who want to be managers. The Cubs, I felt, dodged a bullet when former shortstop and Hall of Famer Ryne Sandberg wanted to manage the big club, but he wasn’t ready at that time. The Cubs have decided to hire David Ross, former catcher, who has spent the last couple of years out of baseball most notably being on Dancing With the Stars.
While the former front office refused to give Sandberg the head job, Epstein is giving the job to Ross, who the players on the 2016 Championship Team called “Grandpa” and is beloved by the players, but can he discipline his old friends and ex-teammates? Giving him credit, Sandberg went to the minors and managed there, getting experience as a manager, which was especially important to a man who is renowned for his shyness. Ross, the fan’s pick, will not have that same experience, and he’s taking over a $200 million annual salaried club.
One thing that does bode well – Ross was a catcher, the manager on the field. He knows how to handle pitchers; he understands the strategy behind the game. Still, if I were a Cub fan, I’d be nervous – just because you watch someone ride a motorcycle doesn’t mean you can do it immediately yourself.
Of course, I’m not a Cub fan, so if they crash and burn and waste the championship window they have, I won’t be disappointed.

Usually, the first game of the World Series is a celebratory occasion, especially for the participating teams; doubly for the team with home field advantage. However, as the world gets more insane, the World Series isn’t immune, especially when a man makes an ass of himself in this age of #Metoo.
American League Champion Astros’ assistant general manager Brandon Taubman yelled in the direction of a group of female reporters during the team’s American League Championship Series clubhouse celebration last Saturday when the team clinched its second appearance in the Fall Classic in three years.
Sports Illustrated first reported the story Monday night which was confirmed by three eyewitnesses. According to the Sports Illustrated report, Taubman yelled “Thank God we got (Roberto) Osuna! I’m so (expletive) glad we got Osuna!” about a half dozen times toward the group.”
Sports Illustrated reported that one of the women was wearing a purple domestic violence awareness bracelet. The Astros acquired Osuna in July 2018 while he was serving a 75-game suspension for a violation of Major League Baseball’s Joint Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault and Child Abuse policy. Domestic abuse charges against Osuna were withdrawn in Canadian court last September after he entered into a peace bond.
Taubman’s outburst came after the 24-year-old closer blew a save in Game 6, surrendering a game-tying, two-run home run to DJ LeMahieu in the ninth inning. Jose Altuve hit a walk-off home run in the home half of the frame to send the Astros to the World Series.
Taubman’s actions would have been bad enough, but the team doubled down, backing him up. In a statement Monday night, the Astros called the report “misleading and completely irresponsible. Our executive was supporting the player during a difficult time. His comments had everything to do about the game situation that just occurred and nothing else – they were also not directed toward any specific reporters” The report concluded, We are extremely disappointed in Sports Illustrated’s attempt to fabricate a story where one does not exist.”
I wonder if this is just another instance of the Trump Presidency is allowing white people to fully vent their ignorance and prejudice. It shows again that perhaps the whole idea of punishment for girlfriend or spousal abuse is just a PR stunt. We have seen it up close and personal here in Chicago with shortstop Addison Russell being suspended for 40 games for beating his wife, but he’s still on the Cubs even though Javy Baez is a better shortstop.
I am certain that Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred will be talking with the Astros, and I expect an apology will be forthcoming, written by lawyers or spin doctors. Women have been covering sports for decades and have done as fine a job as their male counterparts. When the women first went into locker rooms, they faced harassment and horrible treatment, like women have and continue to face daily. However, old men of every age, these are changing times. There was no excuse for it in the past, there’s no excuse for it in the future and finally, people are being held accountable.
If Manfred has any guts, he would punish the Astros entire team.

As Ohio State comes rumbling into Dyche Stadium (Pat Ryan’s never given any money to me about what to call the stadium)tonight, I think of the OSU fans who will be filling the stadium (or trying to) to watch the game, and as I was thinking about it this morning, I verbalized what I’ve known all along – most of the time, the hatred we have for a certain school involves their fans, not the team itself.
We don’t know these players at all. In fact, unless they have been caught for some academic, NCAA rule or criminal infraction, they’re just kids. Athletically talented kids, but kids nonetheless. As I’ve said numerous times, how many of us did things at 17, or 20, or 24, that we’re not very proud of? Add the celebrity, and there are more opportunities to do something stupid and have it filmed and broadcast on social media.
No, it’s the fans that breed the hate. I know lots of people who hate Ohio State and Michigan fans the most, and they’re deserving, but they don’t reach the upper echelon of my ire. They have been good for decades and against NU, usually a win. What does make them bad, like the worst offender – Notre Dame is they expect to win. Not only expect to win, but don’t expect anyone to even think that the other team stands a chance. Every game should be a coronation of their team as all time best, and that’s it (which makes it all the sweeter when they do lose). Notre Dame of course is the worst offender in this category – there are the alums and boosters who await the coronation, but worse are the fans who not only never attended ND, but couldn’t get it if all it took was to be able to spell the school and we spotted them the N-O-T-R-E.
To elevate yourself to that level takes work, and that for the schools who have the same attitude but don’t have the history of winning. Looking at the history of football games between Wisconsin and Northwestern, there’s a history of whoever has the best team that year wins. There’s no 25-year winning streaks here. The same can be said for Iowa and Nebraska (although for the most part their fans are so nice, it’s almost hard to hate them). The worst not-consistently good school is Michigan State. As I have ranted about in the past, their inferiority complex because of Michigan means that they need to inflate their egos (not in basketball however). I have gotten into more near fights at Michigan State games than at all of the other Big Ten games combined over the years.
One last point: while the fans are the major reason that teams become hated, coaches can also play a part. Back when I was at Northwestern (the bad old days when we hardly ever won), Hayden Fry’ s Iowa teams didn’t just beat us; they tried to humiliate us. Putting up 60-70 points was the aims. For contrast, take Michigan legend Bo Schembechler – games against us in that period were like 30-7. He easily had the talent to run us out of the building; put up 70 or more points, but when it became apparent that the game was won, he eased off the scoring.
Today’s multimillionaire coaches can make for an easy outlet for hate. Urban Meyer, now retired, has always made my skin crawl. Lots of people hate Alabama because of Nick Saban. I have always had suspicions about Saban, but if anything prohibited is happening in his program, it is well hidden. Still, the number of teams who’s coaches alone bring the hate are few.
So, I will be rooting (probably in vain) for Northwestern tonight. My blood pressure will be much lower because I will not have to listen to the fans and that’s OK with me.

I’m going to come out and say it – I don’t give a damn about arbitrary deadlines.
Occasionally, I have donated money to charities and political campaigns, usually to the Left of the political spectrum, and I do understand the rules in the current Democratic debate guidelines that you have to have raised so much money to get on stage, but telling me you have a deadline does not make me want to give you money. In fact, it disincentivizes me to give you money, or give money after the deadline because we all know that you’re not going to send it back Mr./Ms. Politician/Charitable Organization.
By the same token, just because I sent money before does not mean that I am rich enough for you to ask for more money all the time, like a no-account cousin. Speaking of politics, it seems to me that both parties have huge amounts of money, but it’s a failure to get the proper message out, or tactical blunders (or bad candidates) is how they lose especially on the national stage. Just having more money doesn’t guarantee success.
Back to deadlines: it isn’t just politicians. I am a member of TIFF, the Toronto International Film Festival (long time readers know I go every year). I have a membership (not expensive – $99/year) so that I can gain access to tickets faster than the general public and much faster lines for exchanges, etc. They are having a fundraiser supporting Women in Film. I noble gesture, but not one I have extra money or a pressing need to donate to. I received an email this morning from TIFF asking me to donate because they are 93 donors short of their goal which they are reporting on Monday. As I’ve written, this isn’t a pressing need; if I had millions of dollars, I would consider it – I appreciate having more opportunities for women in film and all walks of life, but because you didn’t make your numbers, I’m supposed to jump?
I must wonder who that deadline ruse works on? People who need to be begged? People who must do everything at the last minute? Sure as hell doesn’t work on me.

When one becomes rich, I guess there’s a break between two types: those who want everyone to know who they are, and those that don’t. If you are in the former, you want to be seen, and known and quoted, and the easiest way to become a celebrity is to own a sports franchise. Besides being famous, you get to be in a very exclusive club. According to Forbes, there are 2,153 billionaires in the world (by net worth), but there are only 30 teams in Major League Baseball, 32 teams in the NFL, thirty teams in the NBA, 31, soon to be 32 teams in the NHL. Not counting soccer and other leagues outside of the US and Canada, there are 124 franchises available, or one franchise for 5.76% of billionaires, and there are franchises like the Chicago Bulls and White Sox who are owned by the same man.
One of the perks of being rich is that you believe that the rules don’t apply and that you can say anything you want, and it must be listened to, and often followed. Again, if you’re an extrovert, there’s no better way to be constantly quoted in the media than to own a sports team. That is, until you can’t. Realistically, as a sports owner, you are a salesman (or woman); you are selling wins, the possibility of championship(s). If you can’t sell wins, you have to sell hope that your team is building to start winning those games. Usually, owners keep their bluntest beliefs to themselves because your comments can come back to hurt you, either by the fans, and sometimes, but the league itself.
No one has put his foot in his mouth more frequently that beforementioned Jerry Reinsdorf, owner on the White Sox and Bulls. I used to feel sorry for the PR people for those teams because once per year per team, Reinsdorf would sit for an interview and invariably, he would make a comment that the fans hated. There was the time in 1997 after the famous “white flag trade” when the Sox traded three major pitchers to the San Francisco Giants in return for six minor leaguers. The problem was that the trade was consummated on July 31 with the White Sox only 3 ½ games behind the division leading Indians. At the time, Reinsdorf was quoted that the “white Sox weren’t going to catch the Indians anyway.”
Comments attributed to Reinsdorf surfaced this week. According to former Miami Marlins President David Samson said that Reinsdorf gave him advice – the secret to success is always to finish second. “Finish in second every single year because your fans will say ‘wow, we’ve got a shot, we’re in it.’ But there’s always the carrot left. There’s always one more step to take.”
Reinsdorf’s spokesman says that the 83-year-old has no recollection of making the comment and says that Reinsdorf’s record of trying to win stands for itself. However, there are a lot of fans who will never forgive Reinsdorf for the trade, for blackmailing Illinois to build Guaranteed Rate Field, and breaking up the Michael Jordan championship team. To me, Reinsdorf’s comment sound plausible and remind me of a quote attributed to late Blackhawks’ owner “Dollar” Bill Wirtz. The story goes that when Craig Hartsburgh was interviewing for the head coaching job with the Hawks, Wirtz said “don’t go after Stanley Cups, they’re too expensive.” (I believe that Wirtz may have said that; he often acted that way when managing the team, but I somehow don’t believe that he said as much to Hartsburgh because who would want to work for an owner who openly didn’t want to win, especially since Hartsburgh was coach from 1995 to 1998.)
It is ironic that Reinsdorf’s comment is coming to light at the time that another owner’s comment is bringing attention to himself for political reasons. It started when Daryl Morey, the GM of the Houston Rockets posted a comment on Twitter “Fight for freedom, stand with Hong Kong,” a comment that did not go over well with the NBA. Rockets’ owner Tilman Fertitta denounced the comment, and Morey deleted the post. The N.B.A., fiercely protective of its image especially in a huge market where there is money to be made issued a statement saying that it was “regrettable” that Morey’s tweet had offended people, but that “the values of the league support individuals’ educating themselves and sharing their views on matters important to them.”
Like most of these comments, they gain a life of their own on social media leading to other rich owners to weigh in. Joe Tsai, a Taiwanese-born billionaire who recently became the primary owner of the Brooklyn Nets replied on Sunday night. Tsai known in China as the man behind Jack Ma, the founder of the Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba Group, posted a lengthy open letter on Facebook, referring to the pro-democracy protesters in Hong Kong as a “separatist movement,” an echo of language from Beijing. Tsai also criticized Morey, calling his Twitter post “damaging to the relationship with our fans in China.”
While NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said that the league will not sensor employees’ comments regarding political issues, the billions of dollars waiting to be gained in China where basketball has become a very popular sport, does give the league a good reason to suppress comments, especially with a Chinese owner now among the old boys’ club.
Jerry Reinsdorf is closer to death and has stayed out of the public eye for the past several years. In the court of public opinion, Reinsdorf has put his foot in his mouth numerous times. True or not, this is just another comment that will either be forgotten by fans or continue to fuel the hatred that many fans have for Reinsdorf.
Suppressing the political statement is more troubling. As a country, we are supposed to permit free speech, even when it is unpopular of unprofitable.

Everyone knows that I am on a crusade to see Northwestern football Offensive Coordinator Mick McCall find himself unemployed sooner rather than later. This past weekend, the offense spoiled an inspired effort by Mike Hankwitz’s defense in the 24-15 loss to Wisconsin that held Heisman Trophy candidate Jonathan Taylor to 117 yards rushing, much of which came late in the game. Wisconsin QB Jack Coan was a pedestrian 15-24 passing for 113 yards, no TDs and 1 interception. (No, I am not going to get involved in the incredibly stupid 2 attempts at two-point conversions late in the game as infuriating as they were…)
Over the past several seasons, I have used final offensive rankings to show McCall’s ineptitude, but I recently found that NCAA.com posts the rankings on the Sunday after the games have been played. Currently, Northwestern ranks 126th in total offense; 121st in Passing Offense; and 128th in Scoring Offense – with 130 teams in the FBS. Usually, that would be sufficient to get me on my soapbox, but insidenu.com has provided a breakdown of the first half of the game…
Northwestern has averaged 3.6 yards rushing per carry so far this season. However, the Wildcats opened the game by running on first down in eight of their first eleven drives. They continued the onslaught: “Excluding the 4th quarter (which saw a substantial difference in play-calling), Northwestern ran the ball on 11 out of 18 first down plays. The average of the first down gains were 6.54 yards per carry. However, once you eliminate the 31-yard run by Drake Anderson and Hunter Johnson’s 25-yard scramble, the average falls to an anemic 1.77 yards. Also, when the Wildcats ran the ball to begin drives, which they did on six of their first eight attempted treks downfield, they gained just 0.83 yards per carry.” This goes to my point that NU leads the nation in 2nd down and 8 yards to go situations.
The offensive play calling didn’t suddenly become better on second down. “Crucially, of the aforementioned 11 first down runs, eight possessions included a run on second down. The average 2nd down yards gained in a run-run combination was a horrendous 1.125 yards. Eight of the 11 drives that began with a first down run ended with a punt (with a ninth ending in a field goal). Six of the eight run-run drives followed the convention of run-run-pass. Of those six, four ended with punts, and only one, which resulted in a field goal, included even a single first down. Both times Northwestern ran the ball three times, they punted.”
I have always believed that the offense has one big advantage over defenses – they know where they are going whereas defenses are in general reactive. They are following or trying to stop the offense from doing what they want to do. Part of the job of the offensive coordinator (actually any coach) is to put your players in a position to succeed. This is where McCall fails. First, his play calling is so vanilla and predictable that fans (like myself) can call the play before it happens, and if I can do it from Row 34, what will defensive coordinators, who are paid to do this, call. Second, McCall seems to think that execution is more important than scheme. On this, he is right, but only up to a point. Against easier schools (which NU loses too also too often), you can do what you want and not care of they know. (The second half of the UNLV game this year was a good example; that defense was gassed.) Against one of the best defensive units in the country in Madison this past Saturday, attempts to run were stopped repeatedly, but still McCall made the same calls.
Good coaches adjust – between games, at halftime; great coaches pattern their units toward the talent they have, not try to put square pegs in round holes. Mick McCall does neither, which is why he is an embarrassment.
They only question left is: what blackmail material does Mick McCall have to remain employed?