Dangerous trend?

[rjs]

Two recent articles have me worried about a bad trend developing in pro sports:

1. Vernon Wells: http://torontosun.com/Sports/Baseball/2007/05/08/4162470-sun.html
(Someone else posted this in their LJ recently)

2. Ken Griffey Jr: http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2870769Now I love that the players are good enough sports to turn around

Comments

[spidurman]

The big change nowadays is that home teams incite the crowds more and more. Cuban is a classic example - he uses video replay to get the crowd against either the officials, the other team, or both.

Also there are just more and more stuck up prima donnas in sports, at all levels that I've been around.

Personally, if fans really went after Milton Bradley, I would be expecting a repeat of what happened in the Pacers/Pistons game a couple years ago (Artest/Jackson).

[rjs]

I expect the home team to try to get the crowd into (although you're right, its getting a little too negative in how they are doing it), but players rewarding that behavior is just asking for more trouble. Fans are going to think the more obnoxious/clever/persistent/etc. they are, they more likely they'll get something out of it.

[andrewhime]

Is there really a person named Milton Bradley?

[rjs]

OF for the Oakland Athletics - completely loose cannon.

He's probably tied for the best name is baseball with Coco Crisp (OF for the Red Sox)

[spidurman]

And lets not forget NFL nominee Ben Gay!

[andrewhime]

Shirley you jest.