Francona to Schilling “Zip it”

And none to soon.  This has turned into a debacle not only for Schilling but for the Sox.  Francona told him to “zip it a little”, not only privately in a meeting he had with Schilling but also publicly on WEEI radio, the same station that Schilling spouted off on.  Francona went on to say when asked about reading Schillings blog “You know what? I don’t have that much energy.  I get tired of answering things that are not baseball, but I guess that’s my responsibility, too. I don’t care if he does it, but just stay away from certain things. If he wants to run for office someday and tackle the world’s problems, fine, but not while I’m the manager. I just think there are issues you stay away from. Listen, I’ve known Schill a long time and I think the world of this guy. I just told him to ease off on the gas pedal, and he will.”  Maybe Schilling should avoid he pedal all the time.

Schilling issued an apology, not on the air though, but rather his blog, 38 pitches.  “I am far from perfect and make more than my share of mistakes, which is something I have no problem with because that’s part of being a human being.  However, when mistakes adversely affect other people’s lives, that’s a big deal. It was a callous, reckless, and irresponsible thing to say and for that I apologize to Barry, Barry’s family, Barry’s friends, and the Giants organization, my teammates and the Red Sox organization, as well as anyone else that may have been offended by the comments I made.”

Henry Aaron a coward? I think not

In his column today Rob Parker of the Detroit News called Henry Aaron a coward, a coward. And for what you ask? Not taking a stand by either accepting Barry Bonds or denouncing Bonds as a steroid user in Bonds onslaught in the most hallowed of baseball records, homerun king. Read the entire article.

To label Aaron as a coward and then point out everything Aaron went through as he chased the record seems a bit off base to me. Aaron dealt with hate, racism, bigotry and as Parker points out “critics claimed Aaron played in more games than Ruth, in smaller parks and against watered-down pitching”. All of these were used to diminish Aaron’s accomplishment. But in no way was Aaron ever accused of or was there any mention of a performance enhancing drug during his career. This is why Aaron will not be in attendance when Bonds breaks this record. I agree with Aaron 100%. Yes Bonds has never been caught taking steroids but the evidence that is out there is pretty clear, whether we choose to accept or not. Bonds has had help in compiling the numbers over the later part of his career. Bonds did not do this on his own or by simply working harder and longer than other players. Reaching this milestone is an accomplishment for Barry Bonds, no doubt, and it may never be broken in my life time, although A-Rod has a shot. The accomplishment is tainted and will always be looked upon as such. I applaud Aaron for taking a stance, even if a silent one. Bud Selig should join Aaron in his silence.