Insider | Short Hops
Updated Aug. 3
Let me explain this once, my thin-skinned friends. Lots of anger after last Friday's column from Cooperstown in which I dared to point out a flaw in Cal Ripken and Tony Gwynn. The point was not to rip either one of them, simply to point out that none of us is perfect.
And it was only Part I of a Three-Part Trilogy of columns I was intending -- Part I to contrast Cooperstown and the Barry Bonds* Watch (and as such, to point out that while there is plenty of deserved hostility toward Bonds, it isn't as if others are perfect, either); Part II essentially chronicled how classy both Gwynn and Ripken are; and Part III, written the day of the induction, set the scene of what a great tribute the weekend turned out to be -- especially the crowd of 75,000 -- to two true Hall of Famers.
Last thing I meant to do was a cheap shot on either. As you read through the weekend, the three pieces should have combined to provide perspective on Gwynn and Ripken, Bonds and Cooperstown. I think those of you who were patient and didn't jump to knee-jerk conclusions got it.
From: Marcel M.
Scott,
As you took that exciting red eye flight back to Cooperstown, did you forget to ask the steward to hold you hand when you had to go to the washroom ... as the Scott Miller Sour Grapes and Freak Show makes its way across America, we ask that Scott fades off into a sunset somewhere never to be heard from again. GO BARRY!!!!!!!!!
The tour T-shirts will be available soon, and I expect you to buy one.
From:George S.
I read your column and agree that neither Ripken or Gwynn are perfect people. But then again, who in this world is? To expect perfection in life is not a reasonable thing. But I believe the two inductees are both honest, good people who well represent the game that we all love.
Barry Bonds is a disgrace to the game, but the real disgrace is that he was allowed to take these illegal drugs without penalty. The drug policy should be much more severe. I am a law enforcement officer in the state of N.J. I am subject to random drug testing, and if I fail the test, I am immediately suspended. Then, after a hearing, I am fired. It is just that plain and simple.
Believe me, I don't make millions, but I know the penalty if I break the rules. Baseball should be no less strict.
You know what the whole key to the drug testing is? When you pee in the bottle, make sure you hit the bottle.
From: Dave A.
I am so sick and tired of media trying slam Bonds during this run at history. ... Have another In-N-out burger and shut the hell up!
Why that's the nicest way somebody's told me to shut up in years. You'll be happy to know, driving home from Dodger Stadium last night, I did exactly that. Double-double, animal-style. Thanks for the tip.
From: John
Hey stick boy, why don't you step in the batter's box and TRY to hit a 95-99 mph fastball from Billy Wagner or one of the Tigers pitchers. Better yet, come to Harrisburg, Penn., and I will gladly throw some low 80s fastballs at your head, then let's see you hit one that I put right down the middle. Right after I put or try to put asterisks on your helmet. Did you ever even get close to playing pro ball? Can you do better then Barry? Can you steal 500 bases and win how many Gold Gloves. I did not think so. We can tell. SO SHUT UP.
OK wise guy, let's see Billy Wagner, one of those Tigers pitchers or you write a lucid, entertaining and informative column in 45 minutes on deadline. No way that happens, either. We all have our niches, SO PIPE DOWN.
From: Vin
Classless article on Ripken and Gwynn. I'm sure you're not a saint either, and you conveniently leave that out in your article while you sit on your throne and judge others. I have never responded to an article before, but this one struck me the wrong way.
I thought we all could just assume I'm not a saint. I needed to actually write that? Wow, that must mean you assumed I was a saint before, which I appreciate.
From: Brian B.
What an assinine story! You have no business writing for any sports publication website if this is the best you can do.
It's asinine. One S. You must have spelled it while looking in the mirror.
From: Sanjay D.
Scott, you are a dithering idiot! What a moronic article. You, like a majority of the other hack writers that diss on Bonds only do so because you let your personal feelings get in the way of doing your job professionally. Why do writers like you continue to try to bring down Bonds? Is it because he snubbed you at some time or another when you wanted an interview? Come on, admit it, you're just a moron of a writer that couldn't come up with any creative content so you had to go with the topic du jour and attempt to bring Bonds down. I've heard the arguments a million times before, and the fact of the matter is, Bonds is going to break the most hallowed record in baseball, and you and all the other pathetic haters will just have to deal!
Couple of things here. While Bonds* runs hot and cold, personally, I find him entertaining and even charming at times. And kudos to you for using the word "dithering." Love that word.
From: Jim M.
Re: Your column on Ripken and Gywnn. That's why Cooperstown should not be called a shrine. It's a museum. Lourdes is a shrine.
I need to get to this Lourdes and see if they have plaques honoring Ripken and Gwynn.
From: Rich B.
Why do you place an asterisk after Barry Bonds' name? Thanks.
Just getting an early start for when we all place the Steroid Era in its proper historical context.
From: Egregious Philbin
Scott, you're a journalist*!
You're a keen observer*. Don't need the asterisk, though -- I've never taken anything stronger than Mountain Dew.
From: Amy Jean M.
I have never responded to a column before this, other than cutting it out of a newspaper, but I was moved to today. All I can say is thank you, for your story regarding Cal and Tony and their induction day. Your story epitomizes everything that I love about baseball. Thank you again for the beautiful reminder.
Hey, I think I know you from a Springsteen song. Wait, that was Bobby Jean. Either way, Miss Amy Jean, thanks. Even a crusty old writer like me needs a bit of love between all of these mean notes from time to time.
From: Ed Z.
Scott, I returned home to San Diego last night from Cooperstown. I'm 60 years old and had never been to the HOF before -- Tony and Cal were my motivation. Thanks for the great reporting; you helped keep those memories warm today as I caught up with my e-mail.
Hang onto those memories, Ed. They'll get you through the long, cruel winter.
From: Neil H.
Scott,
Just wanted to offer mega-kudos for a truly terrific piece. In the space of two pages, I think you managed to capture the very essence of emotions being felt by an entire country full of baseball diehards. Well done!
It's more enjoyable than capturing the essence of a few other things, I can promise you that.
From: Dan M.
Why is it that the debate is even about steroids with Bonds when the question comes up as to why the public is so passionately against him? I could almost care less about his steroids abuse, and when he passes Aaron, it will be a sad day, but it won't diminish Aaron's stature in my eyes. Isn't it completely possible that the majority of people are so anti-Bonds simply because he's an a-hole? Isn't that reason enough to boo him, regardless of the steroids and the HR record?
It's pretty simple, Dan. Treat people as you'd want to be treated.
From: Josh K.
Scott,
I reference to your defense of your midseason grade for the Pirates, you can't use second-half examples to justify a grading period that ended at the All-Star break. Our ownership is unfair enough, we poor Pirate fans don't need such unfairness extending to the media also, no matter how inconsequential it may be.
Also, if it's true that no other grade generated more outrage than the F the Pirates received, then please send such information on to the Nuttings, et al, and inform them that if they ever bother to put a team together, they would be surprised at the passionate fans who would start to show up to the games.
I'll be more than happy to speak to the Nuttings on your behalf the first chance I get. It will be a pleasure.
From: Kyle H.
Man, I loved your midseason grades. U do ur homework.
Thank u and all the best 2 u and ur family 2.
From: Steve M.
If he* -- the cheater -- gets the record on the road, and you are there, and half the crowd is booing and half is cheering, what would you do?
A. Clap like the rest of those fools.
B. Boo as loudly as you can and manage to resist throwing stuff onto the field even though you really want to.
C. Hope a millionaire catches the ball who hates him*, and then proceeds to destroy the ball like the Cubs did to the Bartman ball. Because I would do B and really, really hope for C.
I admire your restraint.
From: Jim
You are such an ass. Bonds is 43 and doing things that no one has done at his age. And you give him no credit. You are slime.
As Giants coach Tim Flannery was telling me the other day, the biggest thing he's learned this year is how mean people can be.
From: Charlson
Scott, you are such a little bitch ...
As Flannery was saying ...
From: Bill
Well I know Kansas City has been down lately but could you have just MENTIONED how you think the (Octavio Dotel) trade will work out for the Royals? Man, I hate it when we are ignored.
Aw, I'm sorry. Didn't mean to ignore my friends in my favorite barbecue city. I think GM Dayton Moore has made some good moves and things are beginning to turn around in Kansas City. Hate to see Buddy Bell resign because that poor man should be there when things do turn around. I expect much better things from the Royals within the next two or three years. Meantime, please visit Arthur Bryant's or Gates for me.
From: Ashley M.
Scott,
Will MLB ever re-align its divisions so that there are five teams in each division? I know that logistically there isn't a good team to move from the NL Central to the AL West, but isn't it wrong that AL West teams have a one-in-four shot of winning the division while all other clubs have a one-in-five shot at best? I think that AL West teams have a huge advantage over other clubs. It seems like MLB is waiting for Kansas City or Milwaukee to decide to relocate, but couldn't they put Houston in the AL west until there is a better solution?
The geography always has been illogical, and I don't look for it to change. You make good points, and my only quibble is this: The AL West teams might have a one-in-four shot of winning the division, while other clubs have a one-in-five shot, but the wild-card berth remains there as a safety valve, and that kind of balances things out.
