It has been said that only two things are certain in this life, death and taxes. Tragedy can strike any of us at any given moment. No one is immune from death as Josh Hancock found out this past week, but the manner in which he passed away was so completely avoidable.
The fact that he is dead is not surprising because athletes routinely drink and drive. Some teams even encourage it. I find it just a little bit ironic that Hancock played for a team whose manager was arrested for a DUI earlier this year, a team that is owned by one of the largest American breweries, and a team that provides drinks in the locker room after each game. It’s like the Cardinals are saying, “Drink a Bud on your way home.”
Sooner or later someone needs to realize that there is a direct correlation between alcohol, athletes, and the glorification of beer in Super Bowl commercials and other sports venues. And lately, it seems it’s not just beer ads, but hard alcohol is coming to the forefront as well. Who hasn’t laughed at the Captain Morgan commercials? While I have seen a few ads promoting drinking responsibly, the actions of these same companies does not jive with their message.
In this case, Josh Hancock was not only drinking and driving, but he coupled that with one of the most egregious offenses of all drivers, that of talking on his cell phone. Certainly this was a lethal combination. When all the information becomes available, we will probably also find out that he was smoking “pot” at the same time.
Hopefully, some young people are out here and reading this and will realize that death is just around the corner for all of us, but we can prolong his coming. There is no reason to meet Joe Black before you live to a ripe old age. I don’t know about you, but my wife and kids would like for me to stick around for awhile. In fact, I am rather fond of staying alive. So pardon me if I pass up the alcohol before getting behind the wheel of an automobile. I hope you do the same.
the manner in which he passed away was so completely avoidable
This is playing Monday morning quarterback. Even a cancer patient on his deathbed can look back and say, "This was unavoidable... if only I didn't start smoking," or, "...if only I didn't work at that nuclear power plant."
Hindsight is 20/20.
athletes routinely drink and drive
Do you have any statistics to back this up or is this just an egregious claim?
Some teams even encourage it.
Teams encourage driving while intoxicated? Who's in their P.R. departments?
I find it just a little bit ironic that Hancock played for a team whose manager was arrested for a DUI earlier this year, a team that is owned by one of the largest American breweries, and a team that provides drinks in the locker room after each game.
He wasn't killed driving home from the clubhouse... he was killed driving home from a bar.
Sooner or later someone needs to realize that there is a direct correlation between alcohol, athletes, and the glorification of beer in Super Bowl commercials and other sports venues.
Because athletes are the ones sitting at home watching those commercials, not playing the games they're broadcasted on, right?
And lately, it seems it’s not just beer ads, but hard alcohol is coming to the forefront as well.
Yeah, blame the advertisements. Kids definitely smoke because a camel tells 'em to, and people definitely drink and drive because the commercials glorify drinking and driving, right?
So... what's that about, "Please drink responsibly" at the end of each alcohol advertisement?
we will probably also find out that he was smoking “pot” at the same time
Again, you're making another egregious claim backed by absolutely no evidence other than the fact that he possessed it. Possession does not equate to consumption.
Socal, I'm against alcohol like you, but this is one of your weaker articles. I think you'd want me to be honest about that and not beat around the bush. I'm not trying to spew vitriol at you.
The Cardinals provide alcohol free in the clubhouse after games. They encourage drinking. IF you listen to ESPN, you will hear after this death, they are now outlawing alcohol after games. A great move, but too little too late. Take a stand before a death occurs. Oakland was the only clubhouse that outlawed it prior to this event.
As for all your dissecting of my words, I will just ignore your ignorance.
Society and the media definitely send mixed messages. Kids as well as adults are impressionable. However, all individuals are ultimately accountable for their own actions. Perhaps folks with issues are enabled a bit, but they are still the ones making choices.
If I was a ball player who wanted a beer in the clubhouse after a game, I'd be annoyed if I couldn't have one because some other guy had no self-control. A selfish mindset maybe but a true one.
Either way, a man is dead and loved ones just shake their heads and cry. Don't get me wrong. I feel bad for them and I agree our society could do a better job with values and principles. I just don't blame anyone but Hancock.
The Cardinals provide alcohol free in the clubhouse after games. They encourage drinking.
The only team that doesn't is the Oakland Athletics, and they only recently banned alcohol.
How come there has only been one recent alcohol-related death out of all the players over all of the years that clubhouses have been providing alcohol?
As for all your dissecting of my words, I will just ignore your ignorance.
You made a lot of assumptions without any facts:
- athletes routinely drink and drive
- there is a direct correlation between alcohol, athletes, and the glorification of beer in Super Bowl commercials and other sports venues
- we will probably also find out that he was smoking “pot” at the same time
I find it quite sickening that people with agendas (not necessarily referring to you, Socal) are using Hancock's death to further their agendas. The anti-drug/alcohol crowd is feeding on the carrion of Hancock's corpse.
Again, you seemed to take my comments personally, but I'm just being honest with you as I'm sure you would have been with me. Usually, you use facts to back your arguments, but sadly, nothing here.
Rivjo, I agree that only Josh Hancock is responsible for his own death. As 54 put it though, we are lucky no one else is dead. Drinking and driving does kill many other innocent people and I have no tolerance for people who can not drink and drive responsibly.
Ultra, I don't know about others agendas, but mine is just to point out that Hancock is dead due to his own stupidity. He was an employee of AB, and it is ironic to me that he died by alcohol related incident. I don't care if clubs give out alcohol or sell it, it is just ironic.
It's not only athletes who drink and drive, but many others leaving the ball park. I hate going to a game and sitting in front of a bunch of drunk yahoos.
I agree that only Josh Hancock is responsible for his own death.
Yet, in your blog, you held the Cardinals responsible for providing post-game alcohol, and you blamed the "glorification of beer in Super Bowl commercials and other sports venues."
If Hancock is the only one responsible for his death, then the Cardinals, Anheuser-Busch, and the "glorification of beer..." are to receive no blame.
Hancock is dead due to his own stupidity
That's fairly obvious.
It's not only athletes who drink and drive, but many others leaving the ball park.
This is an accurate statement, but you have claimed multiple times that athletes are avid offenders of driving under the influence. Do you have any statistics that show how many athletes (coaches included) are guilty of violating this law?
I think numerous pro teams have beer in the clubhouse. But they are not at fault. Life's all about choices, and unfortunately Hancock made his. He was driving a rented vehicle at the time of the accident. I'm quite sure of two things: First, this is not the first time he was driving when he shouldn't have been and secondly, a cab would have been the wise decision here. (And no, Ultra, I DON'T have any statistics to back it up. My common sense tells me I don't need any, so fire away if you must). Like I've said before, pro athletes, entertainers, etc. have the means secure a safer ride to their destination. Why we continue to hear of them choosing not to is beyond me. I know, they think they're invincible because they are living a live that less than 1% of people get to live, and they have subconsciously become accustomed to that lifestyle which has put them on a pedestal. But it still comes down to knowing right and wrong, as nearly all things do.
I have a beer after my softball games, but just one! Its ok to play with your own life but to drink and drive you take a chance with every person on the road with that said, I think that we should be happy with what Josh Hancock accomplished in his life, I feel really bad for his family and friends, Rest in Peace Josh, and thanks Socal for posting this!
I agree with the main premise of ricko's argument. Why not just get a damn cab?
It's not the responsibility of the St. Louis Cardinals and Anheuser-Busch to keep their employees away from alcohol. That responsibily belongs to the decision-making adults that choose whether to consume alcohol and how much to consume. How many corporate field trips and barbeques serve alcohol? From my experience, a great many, and a small minority of people go overboard and consume too much at these gatherings. Should we deprive the many to make sure we control the few? That doesn't seem like a logical solution.
"In 1995, Anheuser Busch, Inc. sold the Cardinal team and Busch Stadium to a new ownership group headed by Southwest Bank's Drew Baur, Fred Hanser and William DeWitt, Jr., for a price substantially undervalued in order to keep the team in St. Louis."
Honestly, I remember when A-B sold the team. I meant to mention that in my comment, but got off on a different train of thought and forgot. But even if they did still own the team, it still falls on what Hancock did, unfortunately.
Ultra-No I'm not cricizing you for requesting evidence. It was meant as a joke. Sort of a dig at you, just because that's what you and I like to do to each other sometimes. No more, no less.
Former Bush employee. Hope that helps clear up the message of the post. Too many people think I am bashing Busch or beer, but I just find it ironic. Josh is repsonsible for his death and his drinking, but it doesn't help that clubhouses offere it just before the leave for home.
It's incredible to me that someone spent so much time playing God to condemn the Cardinals and faile to realize that the Cards haven't been owned by AB for over a decade. Must be a Cubs fan. Oh, no it's an arrive late, leave early SOCAL sports fan. As for the number of teams that serve alcohol in the clubhouse, check it out. There are only a few that don't. Also, the Cards, in response have taken all alcohol out of their clubhouse. Secondly the security tapes show him leaving the ballpark 46 minutes after the conclusion of the game. Giving that he did a postgame workout, as was his postgame routine, showered and changed, it is highly unlikely that he was hanging out in the clubhouse drinking. I think that we are missing the point. The problem isn't the fact that alcohol was in the clubhouse. You've had a chance to correct ourself and failed again. He was not an AB employee or an ex-AB employee. Ab sold the Birds over 10 years ago. That is eqivalent to referring to current White Sox players as ex Bill Veech employees. So remember socal, keep it real. Arrive late and leave early, but only arrive in the first place when your team is in contention.
Some teams even encourage it. I find it just a little bit ironic that Hancock played for a team whose manager was arrested for a DUI earlier this year, a team that is owned by one of the largest American breweries, and a team that provides drinks in the locker room after each game. It’s like the Cardinals are saying, “Drink a Bud on your way home.”
Sooner or later someone needs to realize that there is a direct correlation between alcohol, athletes, and the glorification of beer in Super Bowl commercials and other sports venues. And lately, it seems it’s not just beer ads, but hard alcohol is coming to the forefront as well. Who hasn’t laughed at the Captain Morgan commercials? While I have seen a few ads promoting drinking responsibly, the actions of these same companies does not jive with their message. 
In this case, Josh Hancock was not only drinking and driving, but he coupled that with one of the most egregious offenses of all drivers, that of talking on his cell phone. Certainly this was a lethal combination. When all the information becomes available, we will probably also find out that he was smoking “pot” at the same time.
Hopefully, some young people are out here and reading this and will realize that death is just around the corner for all of us, but we can prolong his coming. There is no reason to meet Joe Black before you live to a ripe old age. I don’t know about you, but my wife and kids would like for me to stick around for awhile. In fact, I am rather fond of staying alive. So pardon me if I pass up the alcohol before getting behind the wheel of an automobile. I hope you do the same.
