brite7's Blog
by: brite7
What are sports coming to?
May 15, 2008 | 8:58AM | report this

Time for me to go off on another rant about the mlb and the people who drive me crazy.  If anyone even remotely knows me, you know my obsession with the Yankees.  It's not something that I attempt to hide, that's for sure.  So being a die hard Yankees fan, I read every possible article I can get my hands on daily.  Doesn't always make for the most productive of work days, but whatever.

So, over the past couple of weeks, I've been reading several articles about Joba Chamberlain and his fist pump that he does after he strikes out a batter.  Most of the articles lately have come from guys like Dave Dellucci, who was offended by the fist pump after he was struck out.  Obviously I'm biased, but in my opinion, Dellucci came out sounding like a big crybaby, but again, just my opinion.  Then yesterday, I read an article that Goose Gossage, the hall of fame pitching great, is now taking offense to the fist pump, saying it's un-Yankee like. 

Here is where my commentary is going to come into play.  My first thought is, who cares.  It's not like he's making an #### out of himself, and I really don't think it's an intentional action.  I honestly believe that the fist pump is not meant to be a taunt toward the batter who just struck out.  What I believe is that Joba is showing sincere passion for a game that he loves.  It is actually refreshing to see that, and not to see a bunch of guys who make the game look like it's nothing more than their job.

In general, I'm sick of the sports writers being focused on everything except what happens on the field.  Just recently a huge drama came out about the White Sox and what was so nicely dubbed "Dollgate."  For those of you who didn't hear about it, let me enlighten you.  During a series in Toronto, the White Sox decided to get themselves a couple blow-up dolls and position them with bats in strategic locations in an attempt to break out of their batting slump.  Childish and immature, most likely, but they did it in the clubhouse away from where impressionable minds could see it.  Some woman reporter, who obviously has no business reporting on sports, took offense to it and turned it into a big deal.  Now don't get me wrong, I'm all about women reporting on sports, it's actually my dream job.  But if you are going to do that, you need to realize that you are dealing with a bunch of men, who a lot of times will act like little boys and are spending their career playing a game from their childhood.  If you are easily offended, you probably shouldn't be reporting from the clubhouse or locker room.  So now, an innocent joke the White Sox played in their clubhouse outside of the public eye, is splashed all over the news media.

Overall, it appears that everyone is more concerned with what the players are doing with blow up dolls, who they are having or had an affair with, or any number of other nonsense things that have nothing to do with how they perform on the field.  When I'm reading about my team, or just the mlb in general, I want to read about performance, injuries and things that are going to affect the season.  I don't care about the other stuff, to me it doesn't matter.  So if Joba wants to pump his fist after he strikes someone out, I say go for it man.  I like to see that kind of passion and excitement when I'm watching the game.

6 Comments | Add a comment   categories: New York Yankees, Joba Chamberlain, MLB, Chicago White Sox
 
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ReverendRhythm
May 15, 2008
9:36 AM
I think people underestimate the human emotion and adrenaline involved in professional competition.

These guys are at the top of their game. After that LeBron dunk the other night, he looked like he was about to combust.

As long as celebration is done earnestly and in fair taste so as not to show up an opponent, it will, and should, always be part of competition.

oaklandathleticsfan
May 15, 2008
4:38 PM
Great post. I completely agree about Joba Chamberlain. He is showing emootion and not showing up the other team. If players like David Dellucci get offended so easily, don't strike out. Hit the ball and don't worry about it.

bosox61
May 15, 2008
7:15 PM
I'm a long-in-the-tooth baseball fan and a baseball "purist". But I have no problem with Joba Chamberlain and his display of emotions.

18 zebra
May 15, 2008
8:13 PM
I WISH THE RED SOX HAD CHAMBERLAIN, SEEMS LIKE THE RED SOX BULLPEN, ARE BLOWING SAVES, BUT i MUST ADMIT,KINDA LOOKS FUNNY, TO SEE THE YANKS IN LAST PLACE, AND THE RAYS IN FIRST, WON'T LAST, THEY HAVE HAD TO MANY GAMES AT HOME, BIGINNERS LUCK, i WAS ROOTING FOR THE YANKS TODAY, SO THE RED SOX, WOULD NOT FALL A GAME BEHIND TAMPA BAY, LIKE TO SEE MY BOYS, IN FIRST AT ALL TIMES!

jon_464
May 15, 2008
10:03 PM
I have no problem with Chamberlain's fist pump. He's emotional and expressive. As for Dollgate, I have no problem with the White Sox loosening up in the manner they did. Perhaps there should be a separate interview room for the players to be interviewed, apart from the locker room.

GoRed82
May 17, 2008
11:23 AM
Yankees lose! Tha-a-a-a Yankees lose!

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ABOUT ME


brite7
Huge Yankees fan with a lot of passion for the team. I love going to baseball games, Nascar races and camping. I live with my fiance who shares my passion for Nascar and camping, but not so much for baseball. We live with our six wonderful cats who like whatever I like as long as I feed them.
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