Accountability & Forgiveness

Another baseball season is in full swing and I can’t remember being any happier about real balls and strikes….hopefully, it will help some of the steroid scandal disappear. Not that we want the problem to be swept under the carpet and forgotten, but I am anxious to get back to the game so many of us love.

I became a baseball fan back in 1967 in the 6th grade and since that time, the game has endured many scandals -- the work stoppages, drug abuse, Pete Rose and his gambling problem. Baseball has always survived but there is one other thing these controversial issues have in common: Nobody ever takes responsibility for any of the wrongdoing.

I have always felt one of the things that makes our country great is that we are such a forgiving country. Isn’t that part of what the true spirit of brotherhood is about…forgiveness? Well then, I ask, if we are so forgiving why are those in the wrong so unwilling to admit they are human, made a mistake, sincerely apologize and then move on.

I said many years ago, had Pete Rose admitted a gambling problem and sought professional help, he would be in the hall of fame and would not be seen as the pathetic character he is now. I see the same thing happening again with those implicated in the steroid scandal. Most of those involved have ducked the issue, hid behind legal speak and outright denied having anything to do with any wrongdoing.

Did anyone notice opening night at Yankee Stadium?… Jason Giambi, who was villianized by the New York press when the scandal first broke, received a standing ovation when he was introduced. The reason for this: He and his brother were the only ones who flat out publicly admitted they used steroids and both apologized for their actions. We love our heroes and we seem to love them even more when they admit they are only human.

It struck me that Giambi’s parents probably had a lot to do with the classy way their boys handled a tough situation. The word is accountability.

In my opinion, the Giambi brothers stepped up to the plate and took the perfect stance in a tough situation. I think we could all do a lot worse as parents to remember when our own kids find themselves in a tough spot. Don’t teach them fancy footwork and a fast way out. Stand in there, take the high hard one. There will be no striking out, only that rare, and sure hit -- accountability.