Watching Odor strike Bautista brought flash backs of the UFC fight I watched the night before and though what was done has no place in the game, it did remind me of one thing. It reminded me that this game that I love so much is played by men and boys. Baseball at its highest level is still nothing but a game. Featured young men who when feeling threatened may retaliate. It reminded me that when backed in to a corner and fearing injury sometimes we as people lose our minds and strike back.
Now don’t get me wrong, I in no way condone what Odor did today. I do however want us to keep things in perspective. Before we rush to judgement and condemn this young man let us remember just that, that he is just a young man. A 22 year old man that is playing a game on the biggest stage possible on front of fans that can be brutal at times, in a country that is a long way from home. Before we convict this young man of being a horrible person let’s remember the guy in stands yelling profanity at him when he is in a visiting ballpark and the other young men in the organization all gunning for his spot on the roster.
Though punishment is well deserved I think it is important that we let him move past this at some point and be granted the second chance that we all would want had we made the same mistake.
Please, let us know what you think.