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“Nobody loved the game of baseball more than Gary Carter. Nobody enjoyed playing the game of baseball more than Gary Carter. He wore his heart on his sleeve every inning he played. For a catcher to play with that intensity in every game is special.”
— Hall of Fame pitcher Tom Seaver
“The one thing I remember about Gary was his smile. He loved life and loved to play the game of baseball.”
— Former Mets teammate Mookie Wilson
“His nickname ‘The Kid’ captured how Gary approached life. He did everything with enthusiasm and with gusto on and off the field. His smile was infectious. He guided our young pitching staff to the World Series title in 1986 and he devoted an equal amount of time and energy raising awareness for a multitude of charities and community causes. He was a Hall of Famer in everything he did.”
“The one thing Gary stressed to us was team. He said individual goals were meaningless. He said the name on the front of the uniform was more important than the name on the back. That’s what I’ll take from my two years with him.”
— Mets pitcher Jonathon Niese, who played under Carter for two years in the minors
“I am so sad. The Kid has left us. I started calling him Kid the first time I met him. He was admired and loved.”
— Hall of Fame catcher Johnny Bench
“We both grew up in Southern Cal, though he was 3-to-4 years younger than I was. He was a great ballplayer and a tremendous family man, and I’ll miss him.”
— Hall of Fame pitcher Bert Blyleven
“We had a lot in common, from family to our profession. He endured a lot as a catcher, as did I. And making it to the Hall of Fame was over the top for Gary, as it has been for me. We knew each other for more than 30 years, he meant a lot to me. I’m crushed by his passing.”
— Hall of Fame catcher Carlton Fisk
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J-Roll will stay a Philadelphia Phillie. Baseball’s Jimmy Rollins signed a three-year, $33 million deal after negotiating with the Phillies. Rollins, who won a 2008 World Series title with the team and was a 2007 MVP, had considered other options when talks went long, but in the end decided to remain with his first and only professional team.
Trymaine Lee of HuffPost Blackvoices is reporting that between 1971 and 1991, Donald Fitzpatrick, a long-time Red Sox clubhouse manager, systematically molested and abused nearly a dozen African-American boys in their hometown of Winter Haven, Florida, where the baseball team held their Spring training. Lee highlights the story of Leeronnie Ogletree, who was molested by Fitzpatrick at age 10. Ogletree vividly recounts the sexual acts in which he was made to participate by Fitzpatrick to a number of publications.
Lee writes:
It took decades for the truth to come out about Fitzpatrick, who is white, and his criminal desire for young black boys. In 2003 the Boston Red Sox settled a $3.15 million federal lawsuit brought against them by Ogletree and seven other men from Winter Haven who said Fitzpatrick repeatedly molested them as boys.
Benjamin Crump, the lawyer who handled Ogletree’s case against Fitzpatrick and the Boston Red Sox, said the similarities between the Penn State and Red Sox scandals are startlingly similar. There were cover-ups, denials and the enabling of pedophiles to use the power of their institutions to prey on the weak, in the Red Sox case, “poor black boys,” he said. The kinds of youth often considered society’s “throwaways.”
Kudos to Lee for reminding the public that this sort of crime happens more often than we would like to imagine. Some men prey on boys of all sports. Have we already forgotten that boxing legend Sugar Ray Leonard was molested during his Olympic days by a trainer? The silence about molestation in sports is deafening because in sports culture, everything is privileged — the school’s reputation, the obsession with maintaining a winning coaching staff –except the safety of the child. These children were vulnerable for a number of reasons and yet those who knew, chose to look the other way. That is probably one of the most sickening and pitiful aspects of these sports scandals.
We have a feeling that Kobe is gonna like this story … a lot. It’s come to light that the now retired Shaquille O’Neal violated his man card by doing some snitching on his then Miami Heat teammate, Dwyane Wade. Yep, while flirtin’ and frontin’ with noted Newsweek reporter Allison Samuels, Shaq let it be know that Wade was cheating on his girlfriend Gabrielle Union with another actress, Lauren London. It all went down in an email to Samuels who he was also hittin’ on: “I want you or Rihanna,” he told the reporter. But the thing is, Samuels was trying to hook O’Neal up with some ladies all along. Check out the email exchange between the two, originally posted by Miami New Times.
Samuels: Hi. Sesslielopez@gmail.com. [FYI, the email address bounces back]. Or I can give her your info? She’s not in the c ountry until Wed so maybe then is better because she hasn’t answered me about something else I asked her about. Also she asked about your personal life and I told her_whatever it is_-I’m sure you had it under control. Still waiting on Robinne’s response.
Shaq: Sesslie aintdat fine whts robins last name
Samuels: You are so wrong! Robinne Lee_she’s on Tyler Perry’s show sometimes. Do you know Lauren London_I don’t_but I know James Lassiter knows how to reach her. You ever dealt with her_is she cool? Sharon Leal??
Shaq: Loren is d wade’s girl im not wrong sesslie aint my type u r
Samuels: What about Gabrielle and Dwyane?
Shaq: He gottem all I want u or rihanna
Samuels: Rihanna is too young_19– she is just legal and you know I’m very chatty and you said you didn’t like that!!!!!
Shaq: Yeah but I told u had a crush on me and u wouldnt chat about us i kn o
Samuels: No_I’m chatty in a relationship_not to others. You just decided I had a crush on you huh?? When did you decide that?
So the email exchange basically details Shaq saying that Wade is cheating on Gabby with Lauren and that he wan ts Rihanna and Samuels, too … just in case you couldn’t read through the muckery. Like we said, we think Kobe’s somewhere grinning like Cheshire cat right about now. We’ll keep you updated on new developments.
SIDEBAR: Shaq grow the fuck up!! period! Don’t you have 6 kids.
A California federal judge has rejected NBA superstar Gilbert Arenas’ attempts to block VH1’s “Basketball Wives” and turned down a request to stop former fiancé Laura Govan from appearing on the show and mentioning his name, according to the Hollywood Reporter. Further, Shed Media, the producers of the show, have successfully convinced the judge to grant an anti-SLAPP motion that strikes all of Arenas’ claims as an impingement of free speech except for allegations of a publicity rights infringement. This means the judge dismisses the claim, but is allowing Arenas to file an amended complaint.
The Hollywood Reporter’s legal blogger Eriq Gardner writes: The just-released decision comes as a huge relief for VH1, which plans to debut the latest LA-based season of “Basketball Wives” on Monday. In recent months, the show has been hit with a number of lawsuits and legal warnings from various NBA players including Chris Bosh and Dwight Howard. Arenas’ lawsuit got the furthest, requiring Judge Dolly Gee to examine whether Govan’s association with a show titled “Basketball Wives” could establish a connection to Arenas’ likeness and trademark. The judge says yes – that it will be likely that Govan will discuss Arenas on the show and that the show’s raison d’etre is to spotlight female relationships with professional basketball players like Arenas. Even if the show is careful about overtly touting such a connection between Govan and Arenas, media outlets will spot it. According to the decision: “In an age of tabloid journalism and celebrity obsession, news outlets frequently uncover and publicize connections between celebrities. For example, in the run-up to the 2008 election, it was widely reported that then-Senator Obama was a distant relative of then-Vice President Cheney, though presumably neither individual sought to be associated with the other.” In sum, there’s no escaping the fact that Arenas becomes part of this show in some form.
However, mere appropriation of Arenas’ name and likeness doesn’t necessarily equate to misappropriation, writes the judge… “On the record currently before the Court, it appears that any references in BWLA to Arenas will be incidental to the show’s plot as a whole. At its core, the show is about the women who have or have had relationships with basketball players rather than the players themselves. Thus, the show appears to be transformative.” Further, the judge finds there’s also fair use to Arenas’ name because there’s a matter of public interest involved. Observers might find it odd that a silly VH1 reality TV show could qualify as such importance under the First Amendment, but Judge Gee clarifies: “Arenas suggests that any discussion of his family life is not sufficiently related to his celebrity to render BWLA’s use of his identity a matter of public concern. This contention is belied by the tens of thousands of Twitter users who follow Arenas as he tweets about a variety of mundane occurrences. “Judge Gee then goes on to note there’s little evidence of “actual malice,” thus ridding of the defamation claim, and that the show’s advertising doesn’t imply any endorsement on Arenas’ part, thus nixing the commercial misappropriation claim. As for Arenas’ trademark allegations, the judge finds there isn’t any likelihood that viewers will be confused. “Although Arenas’ marks are strong,” writes Judge Gee, “they are completely dissimilar to Shed Media’s title. No one would confuse Arenas with a basketball wife.” Arenas will be resigned to watching the show, and if he spots any gruesome misappropriation of his likeness, can refile an amended complaint in the next couple of weeks. But given the show will have come out and the judge’s stated conclusion he’s unlikely to prevail, we can say that Arenas has been soundly trounced on in court by the mother of his four children.
Whoa, it’s going down. And that’s putting it mildly with the situation between Tom Joyner and Tavis Smiley.
Simply put, Joyner, who served as co-host/MC, along with Angela Bassett at theMcDonalds365Black luncheon at the Essence Festival on Friday, is flat out saying that Tavis Smiley along with his “side-piece,” Cornel West is responsible for the climate that’s made it comfortable for Obama haters like Time magazine’s Mark Halperin to call President Obama a “dick.”
The reaction to Joyner’s commentary is bound to be “interesting” to say the least and it’ll be surprising if it doesn’t set off a firestorm of reactions in Black America and beyond.
My New D-Word for Tavis and Cornel
Before I get to Mark Halperin, let me give you a little background.They say that if you’re angry with someone, you should write a letter, get all the mean stuff out, and then tear it up or delete it. When you’re a little more calm, you write another letter or confront the person face to face.
About a month ago, I wrote a blog about Tavis Smiley and decided to table it because I said some things I didn’t want to publish. You’re probably thinking I went too hard him, but no. In reality, I hadn’t gone hard enough – and I knew it. I said I’d wait until something pissed me off so bad that I would have the words harsh enough to express what I was really feeling about him and his side piece – I mean side kick – Cornel West.
Well, yesterday, when Mark Halperin – a well-respected journalist, employed by a well-respected magazine and a contributor to a well-respected news network – had the audacity to call the president of the United States a dick, that was all I needed.
While I am appalled at Halperin’s statement, I have no expectations of him as a man and know nothing about his character. I am appalled, however, that as editor-at-large of Time magazine, he is responsible for among other things, deciding what stories will be covered in that publication. As the person in charge of political content, it is upsetting to know that he probably has not been objective in his dealings with material I and so many people look forward to (until now) reading each week. Needless to say, I’ve cancelled my subscription to Time magazine and hope you will too.
But I’m even more disgusted with Smiley and West, two brothers who I did have expectations of – and thought I knew. These two have done much worse than what Halperin has done because they set the tone for it, opened the door to it, and must take much of the blame for creating a climate that would make a white, professional journalist feel comfortable verbally and vulgarly attacking the first black president of the United States.
When you think you know a person, when you’ve given a person a forum to present his views, when you’ve had a hand in a person’s success, you want to believe that he is the same person he always was.
Remember THAT Tavis – the one who could take any complicated political story that had an impact on black America and “break it down” for us every Tuesday and Thursday in less than five minutes. The one who coined the phrase “radio advocacy” and alerted us any time anyone – from a private business owner to a politician to a corporate giant – even thought about doing black folks wrong. The Tavis that loved black people so much that he would sometimes, during his commentaries, be moved to tears. Where is that guy? You know, the guy that would have been telling me, “Fly Jock, Halperin has got to go.” For a while, I thought he was still with us, even though people around me (and many of you) tried to convince me otherwise. “Tavis is a hater.” “Tavis is only about himself.” “Tavis is jealous of the president.” I wouldn’t believe any of it. I had so much respect for him before his primary goal became selling books, and, later, selling out.
As we approach the Fourth of July weekend, one that celebrates our freedoms, including freedom of speech, I wish someone would use that as a defense of what Tavis, Cornel and Mark Halperin have said against our president. When dangerous words incite and brew up hatred and violence, there is a line. And these three crossed it.
In case you believe I think Tavis and Cornel called the president an offensive name, I don’t. I think they did something even worse. Any black people with any sense know that racists on the job, at school, at church or on the bus wait for opportunities to feel comfortable enough to spew their evil thoughts. If a black person tells a racist joke in front of a racist or laughs at one, it won’t be long before the racist begins to fire off a couple of his own. Mark Halperin and others are no different. They hate the president because he is black, and Tavis and Cornel, by not having the sense to not give them the opening they waited for, went all in. And this is what we get.
So, yes, MSNBC, fire Mark Halperin. I hope he never works again. I’ve already fired Tavis and Cornel. There’s nothing either can ever do for me or with me again.
I’ve got a new D-word for the two of them: Done.
Like we said, this is definitely a “Whoa!” moment. Based on the tone of the piece, one can only wonder if there’s something really personal coloring Tom’s comments as well. What do you think?
Was it a political power grab or a fairer way to assure all citizens have equal representation?
Voting district boundaries are poised to be redrawn following a controversial decision in Nassau County on Tuesday, reports CBS 2’s Jennifer McLogan.
It was standing room only inside the Nassau Legislature as hundreds of workers came to rally for a new Nassau Coliseum hub — with questions about the $400 million bond referendum facing taxpayers — when suddenly there was an abrupt and unexpected schedule change.
Presiding Officer Peter Schmitt announced a vote on the controversial redistricting plan. Yet many who came to voice objections couldn’t get in due to the overflow Coliseum crowd.
“If you’re not here to discuss redistricting, we ask you to stand up and let those people come in because that’s the item that they’re now calling,” was the order from the Legislature.
When the 2010 census confirmed a population shift, Nassau’s Republican majority began remapping boundaries, resulting in sweeping changes through Hempstead, the North Shore, and the Five Towns.
Democrats argued it was hastily drawn and a political power grab.
“It’s a desperate chance to retain their majority and they control redistricting again next year,” Democratic Legislator David Denenberg said.
Those who did get to speak against let it all hang out.
“It’s completely racist. It’s wrong and everybody up there knows it,” one person said.
“We are taxpayers and we shouldn’t have to go through this abuse that we hear here,” another said.
“Why are they so fearful? Why are they insistent upon pushing it through now?” wondered another.
Republicans explained they are mandated to make changes — that this will give all residents a greater voice. They said they are trying to assure one person, one vote.
The suspended slugger agreed on a minor-league contract Monday with the Athletics that is worth approximately $500,000 if he is added to the major-league roster.
A’s officials announced the deal and said Ramirez is expected to report to spring training by the end of the week, in time for Oakland’s first full-squad workout Saturday. He is a nonroster invitee.
The 12-time All-Star must serve a 50-game suspension for his second positive drug test before he can play for Oakland. Barring rainouts, his first game could be May 30 — his 40th birthday.
The waiting game didn’t deter general manager Billy Beane and the Athletics.
“I am very pleased Billy was able to add Manny to our team,” owner Lew Wolff said in an email. “I look forward to welcoming him and the entire team that Billy and his people have assembled for the coming season.”
Oakland ranked 12th of 14 American League teams in runs last year.
Ramirez hasn’t played since April, when he abruptly retired after playing five games for the Tampa Bay Rays. He tested positive for performance-enhancing drugs, then gained reinstatement in January when his 100-game suspension was reduced to 50 games.
For the small-budget A’s, Ramirez presents little financial risk. They don’t have to pay him during his suspension and will give him per-diem money during the team’s spring-training stint in Phoenix, which is shorter than usual because of two season-opening games in Tokyo next month against the Mariners.
Ramirez ranks 14th on the career list with 555 home runs. He went 1 for 17 (.059) last season for Tampa Bay, which had signed him to a one-year deal worth $2.02 million.