Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Carlos Delgado has caused a sensation that has nothing to do with baseball. You'd think any guy who can hit a ball so well - even if his strikeout numbers almost match his slugging percentage - would simply do the job he's paid tens of millions of dollars to do: play defensibly sound first base and bring the runners home.
But Delgado doesn't see it that way. He has seen fit to disgrace the country whose national pastime has earned him such a cushy lifestyle.
While claiming that he's "not trying to make anyone mad," Delgado has refused to stand up for seventh-inning stretch renditions of "God Bless America." He gave an interview to The Toronto Star in which he blasted the Iraq War as "the stupidest war ever."
Ah, I see - the liberation of a brutalized people from a mad tyrant, even if it was done under faulty pretenses, means nothing to the likes of Delgado, who can't spare a thought for the soldiers or the Iraqis, but refuses to waive the no-trade clause on his $64 million contract with the Blue Jays. Have a cigar, Carlos.
An article on Canada.com asks why Michael Jordan and Tiger Woods don't speak out, why they've maintained such an apolitical high-profile. Maybe it's because it's not their job to speak out on anything other than the professions they're in, and they know it. To me, Jordan and Woods are the heroes, guys who understand their professional limits and are willing to abide by them.
Delgado, by contrast, mouths off about Iraq, but when questioned recently by reporters after a loss to the New York Yankees, he snapped at them, "No, I will not talk about it. Is that OK? Thank you." Funny, sounds like something he'd also say if they asked if he beat his wife.
Pro-war players like Delgado's team-mate Greg Zaun and Red Sox pitcher Curt Schilling haven't made a big deal of their position in the way that Delgado has. They have concentrated on what they should be concentrating on instead: their game.
As you might expect, Delgado has more than his fair share of defenders, interpreting him - never our soldiers, mind you - as the true American patriot. The Boston Globe's Ron Borges, The New York Times’s William Rhoden, and and the Associated Press’ Steve Wilstein have all chimed in with thoughts that Michael Moore would be proud of.
Article comments
— go to most recent comments1 - ClubhouseCancer
Hilarious. Thanks, Mark!
2 - Mark Saleski
caruthers had it just about right...political "discourse" in this country has boiled down to a bi-directional game of "I TOLDED YOU TO SHUT THE FUCK UP!"
3 - Jim Carruthers
Maybe Delgado has gotten corrupted by by heathen ideas such as freedom of expression by living among people whose values include peace, order and good government.
Maybe he doesn't like the song, maybe he prefers Woody Guthrie's version:
4 - JR
When did "God Bless America" become the national anthem?
5 - Mark Edward Manning
My mistake, JR, I did mean to refer to the fact that Delgado also has remained seated during renditions of "The Star-Spangled Banner" as well, but I did not make that clear with regard to my letter.
6 - Mark Edward Manning
Mark Saleski: "political 'discourse' in this country has boiled down to a bi-directional game of 'I TOLDED YOU TO SHUT THE FUCK UP!'"
Oh, no, Saleski -- only the conservatives and patriotic swine are the ones shouting, right?
7 - Mark Saleski
read all the friggin' words: i said bi-directional.
geezuz.
8 - JR
My mistake, JR, I did mean to refer to the fact that Delgado also has remained seated during renditions of "The Star-Spangled Banner" as well, but I did not make that clear with regard to my letter.
Fair enough. I don't know anything about this guy to defend him. Hell, I'm so un-American I don't even like baseball.
9 - Shark
Good for him. Last time I went to a Rangers game, I was shocked to find that "God Bless America" had been elevated to the level of the "Star Spangled Banner."
Of course, I not only remained seated, but I farted.
Jees, what's next? Jack-booted thugs kickin' in the hotel room door of Linda Ronstadt?
Whoops... nevermind.
God Bless America - land of the kinda sorta free as long as you agree with those in power.
10 - Mark Edward Manning
M. Saleski: "read all the friggin' words: i said bi-directional."
One, Mark, you have never, as far as I'm aware, taken liberals to task over anything. You're notable for all the counterpoints to conservative commentary, so that's why I scoffed at any concerns you have about "bi-directional" debate.
Two, you wrote, "Carruthers just about had it right." What? Mr. Jim Carruthers, who's more anti-American than a member of Al-Qaeda on a bad turban day, is not exactly known for his bipartisanship, especially regarding the apparent bane of his life, Americans. That's what really caused me to gag.
But hey, whatever, dude. Accept my apologies.
11 - Mark Saleski
yes, whatever.
12 - Jim Carruthers
I know this may be a hard concept for you to grasp, but there are more than two dimensions. I know, ker-a-zie stuph, but it's true. So for the record, I'm Non-'murrican, and I'm willing to grant all you Due Process, you all have the presumption that you're an asshole until proven otherwise.
13 - Mark Edward Manning
Tell us, Jim, and be honest here: Did you cheer the events of Sept. 11, 2001? All those nasty Yanks killed, got what they deserved, eh? Man, you must've been in your element!
Now run along and slaughter a seal like a good little Canuck.
14 - Jim Carruthers
Obviously, M. Manning, you are so desperate to portray a caricature of a hate-filled, ignorant, despicable, know-nothing 'murrican, who has never read anything I've written, that at least in portraying a fascist thug, you've succeeded.
15 - Mark Edward Manning
Jim, I have read a lot of what you've written, and to accuse me of being full of hate is absolutely laughable. If anti-Americanism was black in color, it'd be leaking out your nose, mouth and ears like ink - in great floods. You hate my countrymen with a passion. I know I took a pot-shot at you as a Canadian, but I do not hate my nothern cousins anywhere near as much as you loathe us.
And, I take it by everyone else's silence here that they're still waiting - as I am - for an answer to my question, which I'll repeat:
Did you cheer the events of September 11, 2001
Now, answer the fucking question, Jim! Answering a question means giving a yes or no and a brief explanation as to why - NOT accusing me of being hate-filled and ignorant.
16 - Shark
"Did you cheer the events of September 11, 2001"
This rhetorical nonsense has been asked many times before on BC. I was asked this question at one point.
It's an emotionally charged right-wing low blow, totally disengenuous, and degrades, demeans, and abuses the memory of 3000 dead people for your petty little political jab at Jim.
True colors, Manning, true fucking colors.
17 - Jim Carruthers
[edited] I suffer neither fools nor thugs, perhaps, M. Manning, you should just skulk off to plan "patriotic parades" against the foreign element.
To quote your spiritual god-father Vice-President Cheney: "Go Fuck Yourself".
(nb, JA, I'm quoting the Washington Post, so this shouldn't be subject to censure)
Since the events of Sept. 11 have nothing to do with what you've posted, it is apparent that it has become a touch-stone of the US fascist movement, and a clumsy and stupid device of people [edited]
Since you whole-heartedly support State force, I can't wait to read your polemic on the past anniversary of Tiananmen Square, "They Opposed the People's Army, Those Terrorist Rat-Bastards Had It Coming -- Support Our Troops At All Costs".
18 - Mark Edward Manning
Yep, Jim, you completely dodged the question yet again, just as I thought. Getting a straight answer from you (or any Red Leftie) is like, to quote a cliche, getting blood from a stone. I will take from your absolute refusal to answer this very simple question that the answer is "yes."
19 - Jim Carruthers
Y'know, I can't really come up with a more sarcastic comment which shows what an idiot this tool is than his previous posting, so, I'll just leave it at that.
What at tool, Herc, what a tool.
20 - Jo~
Carlos Delgado is as weak as canada. (canada spelled in lower case for a reason). Mr. Carlos wouldn't have what his has if not for the greatest country in the world USA. Fuck the idiot. And you too Jim Carruthers. canada what a fucking joke. Laugh or Cry???
21 - Jim Carruthers
uhm, I know this supposed to happen off-site, [edited]
22 - Gene
edited
23 - Jim Carruthers
Hey kids! lift up a rock and see what scurries out!
24 - RJ
It's a fair question, considering your anti-American diatribes, JC.
But will you answer it?
How did you emotionally respond to the 9-11 attacks?
Tears or Cheers?
Me, I cried, big pussy that I am.
25 - Gene
[edited]