Pathetic. An arbitrator ruled that Kenny Rogers be reinstated, knocking his 20-game suspension down to 13 games, or “time served.” Basically, Bud Selig gets slapped on the wrist for a penalty that, frankly, was a slap on the wrist for Rogers. I have no doubt that if you were to look at Donald Fehr’s cell phone, you would find Selig’s number under the name “My Bitch.”
If I’m Selig right now, I’m pissed. It’s bad enough that the players’ union basically kicks the owners around like a stray dog, but the message this ruling sends to players is loud and clear: do whatever the hell you want. You want to assault a photographer? Have at it. You want to squeeze Sam Ryan’s tits on camera while she’s interviewing you? Great, let us know what they feel like. Did Peter Gammons say something you didn’t like? Slit his throat, then sell his head on eBay.
It’s open season now, kids. You think players were only beginning to act like complete idiots? Just wait. The gloves are off now. Next time Oliver Perez wants to kick someone, he won’t bother with a laundry cart, not when he can kick Joe Buck or a beat writer with no fear of reprisal. The Steroids Era may be coming to an end, but the Jackass Era has just begun.
