Author says baseball Hall of Fame decision counter to "American Spirit" (Roger Kahn canceling)

wmcstations ^ | 4/11/2003 | AP

[TLBSHOW]

New York-AP -- The baseball Hall of Fame is staring at a real curve ball.

It's facing criticism and one cancellation for asking two anti-war actors to stay away.

The controversy surrounds a planned 15th anniversary celebration of the movie "Bull Durham." The Hall of Fame at first invited co-stars Tim Robbins and Susan Sarandon. Both are vocal opponents of the war in Iraq -- an opinion the Hall president now says puts troops at risk and is too political for the baseball shrine.

Now, in protest, a leading baseball writer is canceling a summer appearance in Cooperstown. "Boys of Summer" author Roger Kahn says the move against the actors runs counter to the American spirit and the freedom to dissent.

As for the actors, they say they didn't plan to talk about the war -- they just wanted to bring their kids to the shrine to talk baseball.

[The Wizard]

they should have kept the film and dumped the two loosers

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[Thebaddog]

So f'in what. After Newyawk, does this guy play?

[tiredoflurking]

Granted, I've never seen this movie or had an inclination to, but was it really so important to the sport of baseball that it deserves an anniversary celebration at the Hall of Fame? For a mere 15 years no less?

[GB]

Kahn is a liberal ... if you've read "The Boys of Summer," which is a classic from a sports standpoint and less so when it strays away from the Brooklyn Dodgers, his parents were practically out-and-out radicals. And once more, you have a disconnect between people who cover sports (who are increasingly liberal although there are still probably more conservatives in sports journalism than anywhere else), and those who play and administer them (who are primarily conservatives).

[wardaddy]

Bump

[Sam Cree]

"people who cover sports (who are increasingly liberal"

I have noticed that also.

[Free ThinkerNY]

If actors made public statements of dissenting against Gay rights, women's rights or against racial integration, would they be accepted by the show biz establishment? Or would they find themselves Red-listed by the "tolerant" Left?

[TLBSHOW]

Never read the book. Being at ground zero for the Hall of Fame story I will be keeping FR informed of this whole story as it progresses. The good and the bad.

[Argus]

For some reason, leftwing "rebels" expect their victims to keep rolling out the red, white and blue carpet for them, even after they've taken an enormous dump on it.

[Russell Scott]

Whose idea was it in the first place to honor this movie? There are a bunch of movies about baseball, many of them better than Bull Durham, and I don't see them having a special day at Cooperstown. Good riddance to any of these type of celebrations in any Hall of Fame. There is plenty enough real baseball players to honor, we don't need to start honoring actors playing them.

[hope]

Great, another flippin lefty has decided dissent is only for them.

[TLBSHOW]

The hall has a baseball movie section in it and Robbins and Susan come here once or twice a year. His uniform from the movie is in the movie section at the Hall. Now of course Timmy wonders if it will still be there.

[Irish Eyes]

As for the actors, they say they didn't plan to talk about the war -- they just wanted to bring their kids to the shrine to talk baseball.

Sure they did.... ha ha ha.

[Alberta's Child]

That's because most sportswriters are whining sh!ts who were always too fat and/or too weak to play the sports they cover.

[Hildy]

My father, also a sports writer, was best friends with Roger Kahn. My wonderful Dad, as conservative as you can get, would always argue with this guy. My Father finally had to get him out of his life about `10 years ago. Long story. But when my Father was dying, I called Roger and they got to say goodbye. But boy, I have some juicy stories about Roger!

[Hildy]

If any of you want to write Mr. Kahn a letter, I'll make sure he get it. In fact, Maybe I'll just give his email address here online. Let me think about it!

[Sam Cree]

Ha! That makes sense, they want "equality."

[AmishDude]

Great, another flippin lefty has decided dissent is only for them.

Yep. Freedom of speech is a double-edged sword. You can say your peace, but you're responsible for the consequences.