Thoughts on Chapman to Cubs
My immediate reaction when the Yankees were heavily rumored to trade Aroldis Chapman to the Cubs was: YES!
Then, after time to reflect, I struggled to find sleep and woke up sweating. The first team I’ve ever loved – who gave the fans six seasons of pathetic baseball in order to obtain young talent to help compete for the future – was more than likely going to finish a trade for a guy who was suspended for domestic violence, along with shooting off his gun in his garage multiple times with a child on the property.
With a lack of remorse so far, basically – the guy is a scumbag. The scumbag can do this. What do I make of this, everything considered, without saying “In Theo I Trust”? The thing is…I don’t know.
I love the Cubs, and this will never change that. Do I want Chapman? Yes, of course. Hegives the team a better chance at winning something they haven’t in 108 years. Do I feel good about it? No, not really.
Just as a reminder, this is what Chapman was accused of doing back in the police report in December. Then he believed the thoughts he offered in March was smart, right, whathaveyou. Something that needs to be said: although Chapman was clearly in the wrong, he isn’t the problem. The system is the problem. Just like the PED protocol in MLB, the system for punishing players for wrong-doings and not making them fully understand the ramifications is the problem.
As it appears, Chapman believes he didn’t do anything wrong (except the gun comment in the link above). But even then, he doesn’t show to be actually remorseful of the harm he caused. I hate combining sports and political/off the field/etc. issues, but it’s inevitable for a variety of reasons. It’s also not wrong – in fact, it’s actually right – to question your values as a person when your favorite team acquires a player such as Chapman. I would say we can forgive him, give him a second chance, or whatever…but really, that’s not our place to forgive, and it’s definitely not up to us to give anyone a second chance, especially when it comes to such a hot-button topic such as domestic violence.
The only thing we can do is ask ourselves if we can deal with the Cubs taking on a player like this in order to increase the team’s chances of winning the World Series. Whether you can or can’t, I don’t think there’s a wrong answer. Just because someone can deal with it doesn’t mean they think it’s right what he did, or that he should still be pitching in the majors. No matter how you feel, Chapman is a scumbag. Can people change? Sure, and maybe he has or will, in terms of realizing what he’s done and being truly sorry for what happened.
If I’ve kept you this long, then I’m sure I won’t much longer. I’ve called Chapman a scumbag a few times, but ultimately I’m not going to stop rooting for and loving the Cubs. Will I cheer for him when he enters the 9th (or whatever inning he enters)? No, not necessarily. If he does, in fact, lead the bullpen through the playoffs and into a World Series, do I hope he shuts the team down and closes out a winner? OF COURSE. But, I’m not going to be okay with it. I’ll feel dirty, as I – in no way – condone domestic violence or anything close to that. Despite me hating what he’s done off the field, I’m cheering for a Cubs World Series winner this October. If he closes it out, then so be it.
So, bring on the hate for me not liking the guy. I’m not bringing an extreme take to the issue, but rather a more rational side describing how I feel about it: which I said early on that I don’t really know how I feel. I tried to explain it as best I can. I’m not going to go over the stats because, honestly, they’re not important when discussing this. We know how good of a pitcher Chapman is and that’s never been debated by a right-minded baseball person. The only thing in question is if we can handle *possibly* winning a World Series with someone like him.
I can. The system needs to change. He needs to change. But, I can. And I will.
*Featured image courtesy of NYSportsDay.com
