Quote:
Originally Posted by GAC
Baseball history is replete with superstars who were difficult personalities, head cases, and downright SOBs to the fans, their teammates, and the media.
Babe Ruth made rude gestures to fans and even went into the stands once after one. The list is enormous.
The difference between now and then though, IMHO, is the media, and the amount of exposure these situations would get.
They didn't have ESPN back then. 
When I look at guys like a Belle, Guillen, Dukes,and so many others with similar traits/personalities, it makes me wonder what makes them that emotional ticking time bomb? Their background environment, and how they were raised? It always seems to point to a maturity issue that leads to this self-destructive behavior.
Team shrink time? |
Reading Marvin Miller's autobiography he brings up the case of Alex Johnson. He was a little before my time but was probably a young whippersnapper to people like GAC
: He was a former Red and I believe he was with the Angels when he was suspended for something or other. Miller and the Players Association fought the suspension and eventually found out that Johnson had some kind of chemical imbalance that made hem act the way he did. Perhaps players like Dukes and Guillen have some sort of problem like that. But if they do, will the meds hamper their performance(s)?