Posted on 07/25/2004 1:58:37 PM PDT by Ramonan
Carlos Delgado is a hero, and not because of his play on the field as a first baseman for the Toronto Blue Jays. In fact, he’s in the midst of his worst season as a professional baseball player.
No, Delgado is a hero because he is using the influence and notoriety our society has rightly or wrongly bestowed upon him as an athlete to express his views about a worthwhile topic--the ongoing war in Iraq. He has made it known he will not stand along with other players and fans during the playing of “God Bless America” at Major-League ballparks this season to show his opposition to the war.
You can disagree with what he’s doing, but at least he’s doing SOMETHING.
In fact, this type of political protest is nothing new for Delgado. As a native Puerto Rican, he was heavily involved in the movement to end the U.S. Navy’s use of the island of Vieques as weapons-testing site. And last season, during Spring Training, Delgado reportedly made no secret of his opposition to the U.S. invasion of Iraq. His stance, or lack thereof, with regard to “God Bless America” is merely his way of expressing his views.
The Delgado Debate waged heavily this week as he and his Blue Jays teammates visited New York to play the Yankees for the first time this season. While most Major League teams only play “God Bless America” on weekends and holidays, the Yankees play the song at every home game, during the seventh-inning stretch. Delgado’s decision not to stand drew a smattering of boos during his at-bats at the House That Ruth Built on Wednesday and Thursday, but the subtle nature of the act (he simply remains in the dugout while the rest of his teammates stand) forestalled any significant backlash, if one were at hand.
As a fellow Manhattan resident, for instance, I’d love to hear Derek Jeter’s take on the homelessness problem in our city, or, at minimum, what he and his teammates think of the possibility of their leaving aging Yankee Stadium for a new home sometime in the future. And since coaches like Bill Parcells and Bob Knight use most of their press conferences as opportunities to show how much smarter they are than sportswriters (I don’t necessarily disagree with them), why don’t they address matters beyond football and basketball? Couldn’t you see Knight (after an anger management course, perhaps) leading an effort to clean up corruption in college athletics?
That’s not to say I’d like every athlete and celebrity to speak out on social issues. As every interview with boxer Mike Tyson demonstrates, even freedom of speech should have its limits. Which makes Delgado’s protest all the more perfect. Without saying a word, he is making a point. Not all athletes are qualified to be leaders in society. The Bill Bradley’s of the world are exceptions, not the rule. But, like Delgado, they all have an opportunity to use their influence to take a leadership position on issues that impact us all and, hopefully, in some way effect change. If more of us--athletes and fans alike--did that, the world would be a far better place.
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About the author: Brian P. Dunleavy is a freelance sportswriter based in New York. As a regular contributor to The Village Voice’s dearly departed sports section, The Score, he always hoped that the athletes he covered would one day express their opinion on something--anything. It never happened. He can be reached via email at: bpdunleavy@yahoo.com
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It's a shame he's not gotten to meet some of the highly motivated former members (or is that dismembered members) of Iraq's olympic team. America is such an evil country to have killed Saddam's sons the way we did. I'm sure they would have written some motivational best sellers if they were still around.
As a Canadian he sould at least stand for the tune "God Save the Queen" but doesn't so loal Canadians does that tell you what he thinks of you too.
"... he’s in the midst of his worst season as a professional baseball player." GOOD. Hope it continues!
I know I'm being mean, but I'd like to see him back in Puerto Rico, and unemployed.
Poster, your comments were right on!
I dont watch baseball I havent since the players went on strike, but whoever this guy is a Pox on him and the author of this story.
I don't think they play God Save the Queen at Blue Jays games; have been to some in the 90s. Oh Canada, yes,
but not GStQ.
GStQ of course has a melody that was later borrowed
for our patriotic song "My Country Tis of Thee" (just
as the music for "The Star Spangled Banner" came from
an English drinking song, "To Anachreon in Heav'n").
I'm sure some of my fellow Americans look a little puzzled
if they turn on the news and see the Queen visiting
Toronto, say, and they're playing "GStQ"--maybe some
kids may turn to their parents and ask, "Why are they
playing 'My Country Tis of Thee' in Canada?" :)
And, of course, it would REALLY be off if Her Highness
were to show up somewhere and they played the Sex
Pistols song "God Save the Queen". "No future..." :)
He is batting .209. He sucks. He is probably only protesting so he has a reason to sue when he gets placed on waivers.
Yes and if Delgado came out and said how much he supports Bush in his war on terror, I wonder how Dunleavy would feel about him then? What a load of tripe.
Neither I nor my country need the respect or affection of an ignorant ingrate.
Went and saw Braves-Expos Friday a week ago. Heartily sang the lines "O, Canada, we stand on guard for thee!" during the Canadian anthem, since we do. Got some grim satisfaction out of that.
Sounds like it's right out of George Orwell's 1984. By doing nothing he's doing something. Good grief.
That's what I think really digs at them that it's US protecting them because the LIBERALS that they've been and keep electing are much girlie-men to do it for Canada.
This guy writes like a 10-year-old.
Either that or like an unemployed sports writer.
I believe he has stopped using STEROIDS, which might account for the drop off in his stats. His moral dropoff can only be blamed on the bullsh** Puerto Rico island mentality. After all when you are raised in a place where over 65% of the population are on the UNITED STATES welfare system, then biting the hand that feed's you is second nature. Putz
John
This is a liberal sportswriter who wants desperately to feel "relevant" when after all, he makes his bucks by writing about GAMES. If he never wrote another word, no one would notice.
This SOB like most Liberals does this to over shadow his weakness and uses it as a crutch for his bad performance.
Send him back to some rat infested jungle where he belongs.
It is time to stop the free rides in America because they come at the expense of loyal Americans.
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