Jump to full article: Charleston (SC) Post & Courier, 2009-10-27
Author: Gene Sapakoff The Post and Courier
Intro: For my couch time, Major League Baseball does its postseason almost as well as "The Office" does body language.
Brilliant. Except for all the spittin' and chewin' or, worst of all, both in one quick camera shot.
How does that look in HD? . . .
But MLB holds fast to a disgusting tradition, something not allowed in most workplaces or public buildings throughout America.
You don't see it in the NBA, NFL, NHL or college sports. You don't see it at bookstores or restaurants. Even stodgy NASCAR got rid of its Cup race tobacco sponsorship.
Only big league baseball, thanks to a stubborn union and inept owners bent on ruining all their good publicity with close-up shots of outfielders stuffing bad stuff into their mouths.
. . .
Francona is not the only one.
One of your favorite players, maybe someone you know or have met, might have trouble with this image-ruining habit.
Next time you meet such a player, instead of spewing praise, remind them that doctors and the American Dental Association have weighed in. . . .
Too bad it's too late for some.
Jack Krol was the manager of our Charleston Rainbows for three seasons, 1988-1990, and briefly served as interim manager of the St. Louis Cardinals in 1978 and 1980. In 1993, the same year minor league baseball banned smokeless tobacco, the long-time chewer had part of his tongue removed.
Krol, a great guy, died of oral cancer in 1994. He was 57.
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