Too many whites?

[metsguy234]

That's his right. It shouldn't make you "uncomfortable." God played a huge part in Josh Hamilton's recovery. Whether or not you believe in God, He certainly helped Josh Hamilton overcome his demons, and he shouldn't be afraid to thank God on national television.

I have a right to be uncomfortable

Religious beliefs should not be brought into this event, especially on a live nationally televised broadcast with no warning. Heck would be raised (wow, I haven't said heck in like a year!) if someone, say, thanked Satan for their home run performance (No, I'm not a Satanist, I'm an agnostic, it's just an example)

[metsguy234]

To get back on topic though, here's an article about it- it was (as many correctly stated) by Rick Reilly

http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2008/07/14/r...-the-home-run/

If you're watching, then you already know: Rick Reilly is part of ESPN's Home Run Derby coverage, and he's had a weird night. He seems determined to moralize at every instance, to imbue the Home Run Derby with manufactured meaning where there is none. (We've got all the meaning we need with Josh Hamilton's 28 monstrous home runs, thank you very much.) But by far the weirdest part of Reilly's evening has been the below argument on behalf of some sort of Derby affirmative action. For Reilly's taste, there are just way too many white dudes hitting dingers tonight:
Rick Reilly: "I question the selection ... no disrespect, but we got eight white guys here. This is like a Kiwanis club meeting. Five of the last eight last champions have been Hispanic and we don't have a Hispanic player out here. Five of the top 25 home run hitters active, and none of them are here -- no Griffey, no Howard, no Tejada, no Abreu, no Pujols, no Manny. So I was very surprised ..."

Karl Ravech: "Interesting concept."
Reilly went on to claim that Ryan Howard needed to be in the Home Run Derby this year, despite not being selected to the All-Star Game (a different argument for a different time). When Ravech reminded him that that's not how things work, Reilly thought Howard won the Derby last year, which is wrong, and things continuted to degenerate. It was bad.

The argument is silly for a variety of reasons. None of the players Reilly listed expressed any sort of interest in the Derby, and I'm sure MLB would have been thrilled -- just thrilled! -- for any of the above to want to hit homers. Maybe even Miguel Tejada! But I'm betting that those players -- like so many others, including Alex Rodriguez, who was invited -- didn't want to participate. Arguing for Home Run Derby affirmative action would probably be a lot more effective if there were actual facts behind the argument.

But, hey, at least ESPN's getting their $17 million worth. Money well spent.

Update: As has been pointed out by a couple of colleagues, Grady Sizemore's father is African-American, which Reilly also missed. So there, Rick.

[ADman]

Are you also offended by award shows? I'm not the religious type either, but it's not like he was preaching or anything and it's not like he said that it was bad to be athiest like Reilly did

[metsguy234]

http://www.jarrett-carter.com/2008/0...ome-run-derby/

There's a video of it...

Luckily, I didn't hear the rest of the stupidity by Rick Reilly, as I was playing Frisbee home run derby with crumpled paper(yes you read that ALL right).

[metsguy234]

Are you also offended by award shows? I'm not the religious type either, but it's not like he was preaching or anything and it's not like he said that it was bad to be athiest like Reilly did

Reilly said it's a bad night to be atheist, not that it's bad to be atheist.

[ADman]

I know, i was paraphrasing to make my case sound better

I don't totally disagree with you, I just find this much more offensive than anything Hamilton said.

[HoustonGM]

I agree and don't think that Hamilton said anything wrong. I think that the "It's a lousy night to be an atheist!" comment was very stupid to say. I heard another one that might also be this bozo. It was during one of the earlier ABs and an annoucer (presumably Reilly) said something to the affect that "he didn't need steroids for that one!" It really frustrated me that an announcer would bring this up. Baseball is trying to heal and some guys just try to sabatoge it. I was very disappointed anytime I heard this guy's voice tonight.

Yep, that was him too.

I have a right to be uncomfortable

Religious beliefs should not be brought into this event, especially on a live nationally televised broadcast with no warning. Heck would be raised (wow, I haven't said heck in like a year!) if someone, say, thanked Satan for their home run performance (No, I'm not a Satanist, I'm an agnostic, it's just an example)

If the Home Run Derby was advocating religion, that's one thing. A participant believing in God and thanking God is an entirely different thing. They're people just like you, and they shouldn't have to sugarcoat their beliefs just because they're a celebrity. While you're right that people would make a stink over somebody thanking Satan, do you not understand why this is the case? I assume you do.

Seriously, I don't believe in any god myself, and I actually despise organized religion, but if Josh Hamilton believes in God, he has every right to thank God for his results and what not, and he has every right to do so on national TV. You don't need to put a "warning" that somebody's about to mention God. That's just ridiculous. It's political correctness taken to a whole new level of crazy. And I hate political correctness as is.

[ohms_law]

"I don't agree with what you say, but I shall defend to the death your right to say it"
--Voltare

...just saying

[ADman]

"I don't agree with what you say, but I shall defend to the death your right to say it"
--Voltare

...just saying

I've always loved that quote.

[grasshopper]

Reilly wasn't intentionally trying to be rude. He is just an idiot. (look at past comments) He said it was just white players. I watched it. Guess what, he was correct. It's just the way he said it that was offensive. I have heard Joe Morgan say some stupid **** in the past too. Man, this country is a powder keg.

As for thanking Jesus Christ? Who ****ing cares. That kid was a coke/H addict. He is in NA (narcotics anonymous) now. The premise of the 12 step program is a Higher Power. If I was high and blowing guys for crack and then 3 years later hitting 28 HRs in the derby, Id thank anyone you asked me too.

Relax.

[michaelg123789]

Interesting.

[cartman00000001]

oh yeah...IBTL

[bwit43]

I believe I read an article that said Pujols had asked to be in the Derby. Disappointed he didn't get in.

For some reason Pujols just doesn't have that extra "stuff" that other players get. Its like Jordan putting up 25 points in a basketball game, it's expected of him. Just used to the guy putting up a .330, around 40 homers, and 130+ RBI's is just what hes suppose to do.

Give me Pujols over Sizemore, Berkman, Uggla, Utley.

[robinhoodnik]

I have a right to be uncomfortable

Sorry Metsguy, I've tried, and I've tried, but I just can't hold it any more.

HAHAHAHAHAHAAAA HAHAHAHAHAHAAAAAA
hahahahahaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!
That's one of the funniest things I've ever read on these boards.

[robinhoodnik]

I believe I read an article that said Pujols had asked to be in the Derby. Disappointed he didn't get in.

For some reason Pujols just doesn't have that extra "stuff" that other players get. Its like Jordan putting up 25 points in a basketball game, it's expected of him. Just used to the guy putting up a .330, around 40 homers, and 130+ RBI's is just what hes suppose to do.

Give me Pujols over Sizemore, Berkman, Uggla, Utley.

When did he ask in? They may have already set the contest and begun promoting it. Plus, most of the guys in that thing were the future of MLB.