Ah, yes, it's the oldest story in the book. Guy goes out for a few cocktails to unwind, forgets to arrange for a designated driver and then figures, what the hell, it's only a few miles to the house, I'll hop in the ol' 2004 BMW and drive home, I'm sure everything will be fine, my reflexes are actually better after drinking because I'm paying closer attention!
Guy then crashes into a fence and flees the scene on foot because, after all, he had a few too many, finishes off his Big Adventure by roughing up a neighbor, then manages to avoid authorities for nearly two months before they figure out where he works and issue an arrest warrant for him at his place of business.
All this happened to former St. Louis Cardinal Scott Spiezio, who ran afoul of the law on December 30 and was released by the Cards February 27 after the team learned of the outstanding warrant.
I know, I know, innocent until proven guilty, blah, blah, blah. Is there anyone who really believes it didn't happen pretty much exactly as written?
The warrant was withdrawn after Spiezio's attorney appeared in court, and Spiezio himself is now due in court March 26 for arraignment on charges of driving under the influence, driving under the influence with a blood alcohol content of .08 or more, hit and run, aggravated assault, and assault and battery.
Spiezio's attorney was quick to point out the charges are "misdemeanors," all five of them, although according to the Associated Press the maximum possible penalty would be two years in state prison.
The Cardinals cut bait quickly, undoubtedly reasoning it's not worth dealing with the thorny legal problems of a utility infielder when there are plenty of them around who aren't facing two years in the big house. And it's not like this is Spiezio's first brush with substance abuse. He missed nearly half the season last year, partially due to treatment for that exact issue.
The incredible part of the whole story is this: The St. Louis organization is responsible for Scott Spiezio's entire $2.3 million salary for this season, plus they're on the hook for a $100,000 buyout of the option they held on his contract for next year, meaning he gets free money, millions of dollars worth of free money, thanks to his alleged reckless and dangerous behavior.
I work in a career field where I am subject to drug and alcohol testing. If I am caught in an impaired state, my employer is obligated contractually to offer me rehabilitation at my own expense, provided I agree to some fairly rigid restrictions.
Assuming I successfully complete rehab, if I then test positive again - ever - or am involved in a situation like Scott Spiezio's, guess what happens to me? Here's a hint: It involves looking for gainful employment Super-Sizing french fries, and without any million-dollar golden parachute, either.
I don't begrudge Scott Spiezio whatever money he can make by playing baseball. If he's good enough to be one of the 750 or so best in the world at his job, good luck to him.
But ask yourself this: How long would you have to work in your career field to earn $2.4 million (Just so you don't have to strain too hard, if you make $50,000 a year, a pretty decent salary, it will take you 48 years to get there), and now picture Spiezio getting punished for running away from an accident in which he was driving imparied, then beating up his neighbor, by being handed $2.4 million.
Oh, sure, he's going to suffer some embarrassment. But if you think Scott Spiezio will serve any jail time you're crazy, and if some team thinks he can help them win, he'll be right back in a major league dugout once this mess goes away. Hopefully it won't be in your city, though, because the next time he decides to hop in the ol' Bimmer and drive home trashed, your son or daughter could be walking to school.
It's supposed to be getting more difficult on people that get caught drinking and then driving, but I guess it's yet another case of who you are rather than what you are doing.
I knew a man in my old hometown who had a drinking problem. He was in the construction business and very wealthy. He was busted on three different occasions back in the early to mid 80s for DUI and each time was able to use his money and influence to weasel out of any serious difficulties. Then one afternoon after a business meeting at the local bar, he ran a stop sign and killed a young married woman driving along, following the rules, minding her own business... This same man never spent one day in jail. He bought his way out of it again and acted like nothing had ever happened.
I like to have a drink now and then, but I'll never drive after doing so and anyone who does needs to, at a minimum, have their driving privelege taken away for a period of time, no exceptions. If another person is injured or worse as a result of drinking and driving, then it should be jail time, no exceptions.
I'd like to see owners sneak in "substance abuse" clauses in athlete contracts just for such a case. Of course, the athletes (and maybe even the players unions) would gripe about such a thing, but if you slip it into the fine print, maybe you could avoid paying players for going to court.
And Dwindy, I agree with you. Anyone dumb enough to drive drunk should pay for it.
Last edited by DarkFirebird712 on February 28th at 7:50 AM.
Spezio has been a head-case since he left the Angels and got a little celebrity. Let him get a real job now. Maybe he can become a big rock star with his band BlandFrog, er, I mean, SandFrog. Yeah, let's see how that goes now that they don't have a major league ballplayer fronting the group. I'd say his days of hanging out with the likes of Zack Wylde are pretty much over. Maybe Danny Bonaduce will return his phone calls.
Last edited by horizon4196 on February 28th at 9:06 AM.
Half'
Spezio's problems pales into comparison when measured against that of a former Yankees' catcher who killed a young mother in Ft Lauderdale while driving under the influence. At this moment in time a trial date has yet to be set. He left the drinking establishment at 1:40 am in the morning and got into his SUV and then proceeded to drive home. The speed at which he impacted the victim's vehicle was said to be in excess of 85mph. Killing her instantaneously at the scene. She now leaves behind a husband and two young children. A family now that's completely shattered and unconsolable at best from having lost a loved one.
Hi Dwindy, the examples you give about people of privilege being able to squirm out of any serious consequences for drunk driving are exactly why I say I'm certain Spiezio will never serve any jail time, even though the state is threatening him with two years.
If you're a cold person, then so am I, because I agree with you 100%. Every so often you hear horror stories about people who have been given chance after chance with a record of driving imparied and eventually they end up killing someone....
Hi Firebird, I believe most contracts have "morals" clauses that allow the teams to cut a player who is in violation without having to pay him, but in reality the teams almost never do because it's not worth the hassle - the union fights it and it ends up costing the team more than it would to do what the Cards did with Spiezio - just cut him, pay him, and be done with it.
That, of course, is entirely the wrong thing to do, but I can't say I blame the teams for doing what will cost them the least amount of money....
Hi Horizon, thanks for the comment - I love the Bonaduce line....
I think it's highly likely Spiezio will find himself back in the big leagues somewhere once this whole thing blows over. He'll pay a fine, get probation, do the rehab thing, and then some team that needs a veteran utility infileder will come calling and he'll be in another major league dugout....
Hi Al, I don't remember reading about that incident, which surprises me, but you hear similar stories all the time, which tells me the penalties for driving imparied are simply not stiff enough....
Hi Korkydn, that was my reaction, too. I read the article and my first thought was, well, it's only two and a half million dollars. Then I realized exactly what I was saying and started thinking about how long it would take me to earn that much money, and this dope is having it handed to him BECAUSE HE SCREWED UP! It's unbelievable....
Disgusting.
Collective bargaining agreements are a wonderful thing. Hey, if these weren't in place, players would sue the teams when the player was arrested.
"I didn't do anything man. The team drugged me and set me up so they could get out of paying my contract."
I'll walk away from my job for $1.2 million, thank you.
While I personally do support the basic concept of Unions to protect the workers from management gross abuse and truely do believe without them that this would be the case, the fact remains that The comissioner can and has suspended players without pay for various amounts of time including lifetime bans.
In this particular case it appears that the team cut bait prior to a conviction and therefore taking the possibility of a commissioner's suspension out of his hands even if he were inclined to act upon a conviction. I know if I owned a team I'd wait for the conviction then ask the commissioner to act for the good of the game.
Last edited by RafterRat on February 28th at 6:38 PM.
Hi Husker, interesting take and if I ever find myself in that situation, I think I want you as my lawyer....
I'm right with you on the $1.2 million too. In fact, I'd probably walk away for a lot less. Now I just need to find someone willing to pay me the money....
RafterRat, I agree with you conceptually on the issue of unions, although I think as organizations, unions can and often do become as top-heavy and filled with red tape as the management of the organizations they are there to police.
I didn't think the issue through to the point of a conviction and then an appeal to the commissioner's office, but if that had been the way the Cardinals had chosen to approach it, would they have had to hold a roster spot open for Spiezio while he fought the charges? I wonder.
In any event, I think they just decided to eat the $2.4 million and wash their hands of the whole thing....Thanks for the comment and nice to see you....
To sum it all up - and I'm a big sports fan too, but - life's a beach when you're a jock - you're invincible, and no matter what sort of jams you get into, there's always some sweet escape route or favor that society is willing to grant you "this time". It's not the reason I wanted to be a pro baseball player 'when I grew up', but it'd certainly be one of the benefits (I would hope or like to think I'd have been more honorable)! Why else does the Rocket feel completely (almost - except for the body language) comfortable in stringing his own label of BS to Congress, the FBI, and anyone else willing to waste their time swearing in a guy like him!
The Cardinals probably might have been smarter not to just drop Spezio the way they did (BUSINESS WISE ONLY)...and for sure should have been a lot smarter in his contract provisions...but I think after a long leave of absence the second half of last season, they were just soooo sick and tired of his recidivist butt they couldn't help themselves...which is probably the healthiest thing, by far, for their baseball team!
Now they've made an example of Spezio, admitted they made a huge mistake, took ownership OF IT, and have 2.4 million reasons to never allow another player a contract without out-clauses for drunkeness, drugs, bad morals, embarrassing or egregious behavior, or just being a BLEEP! Have a GREAT day! Go Cardinals!!
Hey everyone, I haven't been kidnapped, although if you want to contribute to my ransom, just send a check to my house. I just decided it was time to get serious about trying to get my suspense novel, "The Fixer," published.
If you're a literary agent or if you know one, by all means contact me! In the meantime, I'm busy with the agent search, as well as working on my second novel. I'll be here when I can, I love this forum, and as always, thank you for checking out my blog, especially considering how many great ones you could be reading instead....
