Baseball Hero

Well I think it might be possible that he wasn't quite mature at the time and wasn't thinking. We all mature at different ages. However, to use his age as an excuse is just silly. He did have control over his impulses, no matter what he claims and how old he was. I don't know if I'd agree with him that he was so young, but I'd definitely agree that he was stupid...and still is. For once I'd like to see people give a real reason for their crimes. He should tell the truth, that he didn't think he was going to get caught and just wanted to win the game. As a result, he realizes he was wrong (at this point in the speech he would state why he realizes that). That's the speech I'd like to hear, not that he was young and stupid. It's too bad people can't be honest and truly admit when they're wrong.

I agree with you-we need to take responsibility and be mature. Most 25-year-olds are married with kids. We cannot accept excuses of "I was young and foolish." This baseball player knew what he was doing. He is a poor role model for children. My husband was immature when he married at 37 and still behaves like an adolescent at 41. He refused and still refuses to grow up and be a father to our two-year-old.

Indeed, he was young and stupid. And now he is old(er)....and remains stupid. Stupidity does not vanish with age. It grows with it. And the same is true of wisdom.

Lori, Sports figures in United States have taken drugs forever. My Dad told me back in the 1950's, that they are sleasy people made to look good to kids. They are also gamblers best friends. Billions of hard earned dollars have been paid to the organized franchises over the years in the form of betting. And the players are also grossly overpaid for doing no productive work. Is that really who you want your children to look up to? Organized sports are not innocent fun. In Judaism we aren't supposed to worship idols. But the Jews follow the teams and call them by names of animals and birds and Pirates and all other types and we give them 'star' status and throw money to them at "$50.00 a seat". We wave Terrible towels and tokens to them and tell them they're #1. We give them jewelry and trophys when they win a game or win a race. We pour wine over their bodies and celebrate with pretty women in the winners circle. We collect their signatures like it's some kind of honor. With the games and with the races come young pretty women with little clothes on who display themselves before the throngs and crowds. Cheering on their teams with the promise of a treat if they win. All in all a pretty dismal display for children or adults to see. Can't imagine a good Jewish man going to a game, when he won't sit in shul to pray with his wife.

I tend to think that people obtain maturity more in their 30's much more than in their 20's and earlier. Although I am in my mid/late 20's and still living at home with my folks due to economic reasons as well as fairly good placement, I understand how to do things fairly and ethically by keeping my responsibilities of the household up to par. In a way, I'd probably be a lot more ethical than the baseball legends who are found out using performance enhancing drugs, as well as corrupt corporate CEOs who take money from the gov't and spend it on their own indulgences as opposed to propping back up their business for the employees who work under them (so much for trickle-down economics!). As for sports, I may be just another Jew who isn't very good at them, especially organized team sports (pardon if that sounds like I am stereotyping my own)...Anyway, Lori, I will see you this afternoon at my alma mater so I can see you in person discussing your Jewish wisdom.

maybe this shows us that baseball players are not the best heroes for our children.

It is very important to teach our children ownership of there behavoir! They have to know that they can not blame everyone and everthing for their behavior!