MLBPA union boss Donald Fehr told Congress he doesn’t “bargain” in public when asked if baseball would immediately institute a new drug testing policy, claiming it was a “privacy” issue -- which promptly resulted in a tongue lashing from Arizona maverick senator John McCain.
Meanwhile, underboss Gene Orza reassured the public that steroids were no more dangerous than cigarettes (whew!) -- even though cigarettes are legal and are actually a hindrance to performance.
But when one listens to baseball’s highly powerful and completely out of touch union leaders, the expectation is that some self-serving drivel will fly from their mouths, which is why baseball players once again find themselves on the wrong side of public opinion.
They don’t get it.
Another guy one expects to choke on his cleats every time he opens his cake hole is Terrell Owens.
Seems Owens is still reeling from his agent’s inability to read a contract, which gave a specific deadline for voiding the agreement.
That deadline was -- as we know by now -- missed, so the 49ers traded him to the team (Baltimore) that gave them the best return, instead of the team (Philadelphia) Owens desired.
So he files a grievance, which was to be settled by Sunday, and says he can’t see himself playing for the Ravens.
The difference between the teams is that the Eagles had a renegotiated contract (with a big signing bonus) worked out with the mercurial receiver, while the Ravens plan to hold him to his contract, which has two years remaining.
No shock there. Of course he wants the big money and the chance to get an eight-figure bonus.
What is stunning is that on Owens’ website, he compares his plight to that of Rosa Parks.
Rosa Parks?
A women who changed the way Americans looked at racial segregation, and a multi-millionaire athlete trying to find a way to grab even more millions are remotely comparable?
Shut up. Please.
Owens obviously doesn’t get it.
Finally we have Todd Bertuzzi, author of the most vicious cheap shot many have seen in hockey in at least a year.
Bertuzzi broke Colorado’s Steve Moore’s neck Monday, sucker-punching him from behind then leaping on his back and driving Moore face first into the ice.
In a tearful apology, Bertuzzi apologizes “for what happened out there. I had no intention of hurting you.” He later reiterated the apology, saying “I’m sorry for what happened.”
Wait a second.
For what happened?
There was no mysterious, supernatural force that clenched Bertuzzi’s fist and drove it into Moore’s unsuspecting face.
No marionette forced Bertuzzi to put his full weight on Moore’s head and slam it into the ice.
Had no intention of hurting you?
Yes, we typically drive a person’s head into a rock-hard surface when we are playing around.
No, Bertuzzi should have said, “I’m sorry for what I did. With malice aforethought, I intended to do you bodily harm.”
That would have been true and sincere.
But again, some people just don’t get it.