Whatever They Do, It Has to Be Wrong

The Dodgers were criticized for not paying Mike Piazza enough money to keep him, and for paying Kevin Brown too much to bring him here; for letting Raul Mondesi get away, and for not getting rid of him earlier; for balking at giving Darren Dreifort the big contract he deserved, and for signing the fragile pitcher to a pricey long-term deal. Cal Ripken is cheered when he breaks Gehrig’s streak; Rickey Henderson elicits yawns when he breaks Babe Ruth’s career walks record.

When Chris Webber announces his intention to leave the Sacramento Kings, he’s accused of being disloyal; when Fred McGriff announces he’ll remain in Tampa Bay, he’s chided for not leaving. The Yankees are criticized for buying too many players, the Angels are ridiculed for not buying enough. Meanwhile, as fans express dismay at today’s players’ lack of loyalty to their teams, the Baltimore Ravens abruptly cut Trent Dilfer, the quarterback who led them to last year’s Super Bowl championship.

There’s enough material here for a novel, two short stories and a message spray-painted on an overpass.

David Macaray

Rowland Heights