Yesterday, the second best pitcher on the LA Dodgers, Zack Greinke, had his collarbone broken by an out-of-control Carlos Quentin.
If Greinke had only had a right to carry a gun in the workplace, this all could have been avoided. He was denied that right because of an aggressive anti-Second Amendment stance by Major League Baseball.
Zack Greinke, who is white, is an outstanding pitcher and former all-star, having won the Cy Young in 2009 and this year having signed a six year contract worth $147 million with the Dodgers. (That’s about $5,000 per pitch.) Mr. Quentin, who makes roughly 1/3 of what Mr. Greinke makes and is of Hispanic descent, has a habit of stepping in front of pitches. In this case, after being hit he charged the mound and viciously slammed into Greinke, breaking his non-throwing shoulder. Both dugouts immediately emptied. Greinke is out for at least eight weeks, although there is no timetable on how long it will take him to fully recover, if ever. This represents a loss of roughly $5 million dollars for the Dodgers and two to three wins.
If Greinke had been armed with a handgun, even a small one, this likely would not have happened. He was not, even though everyone else in Dodger Stadium probably was, because of an antiquated and unreasonable ban on such weapons by MLB.
Guns have proven to be a useful deterrent to violence in other sports. In the NBA, when Gilbert Arenas of the Washington Wizards (formerly the Bullets) refused to pay a gambling debt and pulled four guns on fellow player Javaris Crittenton, Crittenton was able to defuse the situation by pulling a gun of his own from his locker. However, the NBA, like MLB, has an aggressive anti-gun stance and suspended Crittenton, later releasing him. He continues to be hounded even today, as he was arrested last week by the FBI and charged with 12 counts, including murder, stemming from a pre-emptive self-defense situation in Atlanta. Mr. Crittenton attended Georgia Tech and is a member of numerous charitable and social organizations, including the Crips.
It’s time for professional sports to join the 21st century. There’s ample proof that guns prevent crime and guns in the workplace save lives. It’s time to give professional baseball players the same rights as policemen, airline pilots and kindergarten teachers.
Categories: American Culture, Crime/Corruption, Funny, Sports
Progressive Culture | Scholars & Rogues 
Auto racing should allow this as well. Those drivers are in danger of getting car-jacked.
I wish I’d thought of this. The mind boggles at how much fun this would be. Joey “Sandman” Logano and Denny “Big Tuna” Hamlin trading shots down the back straight. Spotters with sniper scopes. Drive by’s on pit row. Jeff Gordon hiding under his RV with his fingers in his ears. NRASCAR. I like it.
NRASCAR, heh heh I see what you did there.
OK Piers Morgan, did you want to say he should have been able to use a grenade launcher or a nuke.
Failing that, an armed fan should have come to his aid!
Russ is on to something – though I’d suggest we arm the umps and train them to serve as SRO’s – Sport Resource Officers. Of course that might mean they’d have to take A-Rod into custody on drug charges the first time he comes to bat this year, but I’m willing to risk that….
Yes, It’s about time our courageous ball players are armed. What is more American than baseball, apple pie and guns? Our Little Leagues could also contribute to the defense of our youth with gun safety classes before the little tykes take to the field armed with their safely holstered weapons. Umpires should not be armed. A defenseless authority figure is needed for a helpless target (or “martyr on the altar of freedom”) when an unfair call is made enabling the players and fans (sniper scopes would be considered poor sportsmanship) to vent their anger. Scoreboards would have to be modified to record the carnage and bullets made available along with the beer, wine coolers and popcorn. Wishing you the best in your practice of proper mental hygiene.
Also, too, boxing.