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Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Fletcher: Dave Stewart Rips Jose Canseco at Reunion for 1989 A’s

Only an Ashton, Gardner and Dyke reunion could be more disastrous…

A day after *Carney Lansford said he was still upset at Canseco for writing a tell-all book (* “I don’t believe there’s a guy on the ‘89 team who’d show up. Not after his book and all the lives he ruined. It’s selfishness, basically. I hate to say that, really. I played with him and thought he was a nice guy, but I don’t know how you can do that to people.”), Dave Stewart said the A’s distaste for Canseco started long before that.

“This book had nothing to do with it, he was a bad teammate,” Stewart said.

Stewart said Canseco “concentrated more on himself than the team. I don’t think Canseco ever said ‘we.’ “

Stewart, who was one of the leaders of the A’s playoff teams of the late 1980s and early ‘90s, said the team was nearly unanimous in disliking Canseco.

“Truth be told, I’m glad Canseco is not here,” Stewart said. “I think anybody, if they were being honest, would say that.”

...When Stewart was asked if he thought McGwire should be in the Hall of Fame, he said: “I don’t know. I don’t really know the circumstances behind McGwire. I can tell you what I think. Do I think McGwire used [steroids]? No. Do I know that for a fact? No. He’s not denied it and he’s not affirmed it. Probably what the voters are waiting to see or hear is for him to say I didn’t do it. I don’t know whether he belongs or not. Shoot, I think I belong in the Hall of Fame, and I’m not.”

Repoz Posted: June 24, 2009 at 11:24 AM | 46 comment(s) Login to Bookmark
Tags: athletics, books, history, steroids

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1. Shooty: Applying to be Fearless Leader

Posted: June 24, 2009 at 11:37 AM (#3230647)

Shoot, I think I belong in the Hall of Fame, and I’m not.”

I'll take this as a shout out!

That reunion sounds like it was...fun? I wondered if they reenacted the beach party.

2. Baseball-Birthdays.com Posted: June 24, 2009 at 12:01 PM (#3230664)

Resurrection Shuffle!

3. Hubie Brooks (Not Really) Posted: June 24, 2009 at 02:15 PM (#3230792)

4. RoyalsRetro (AG#1F) Posted: June 24, 2009 at 02:20 PM (#3230795)

Dave Stewart doesn't seriously think he's a Hall of Famer does he? I mean he had four straight HOF seasons, but was pretty mediocre to crappy other than that.

5. Ray (RDP)

Posted: June 24, 2009 at 02:21 PM (#3230798)

When Stewart was asked if he thought McGwire should be in the Hall of Fame, he said: “I don’t know. I don’t really know the circumstances behind McGwire. I can tell you what I think. Do I think McGwire used [steroids]? No.

Off with his head!

6. zonk Posted: June 24, 2009 at 02:28 PM (#3230811)

You picked a fine time to leave me, Lucille...

7. Barry`s_Lazy_Boy Posted: June 24, 2009 at 02:33 PM (#3230822)

Dave Stewart also believes the only reason he isn't managing multiple MLB teams is his race.

8. Designated Sitter (GGC) Posted: June 24, 2009 at 02:39 PM (#3230839)

Well, he shouldn't have joined up with Annie Lennox while in the prime of his career.

9. The Essex Snead Posted: June 24, 2009 at 02:40 PM (#3230841)

Canseco was and is a huge douche, now he is viewed as a "rat" as well.

I've actually heard some folks (well, Mike & Mike) discuss that oh-so-fine line between "rat" and "whistle blower" with regards to Canseco, and I've no doubt that some folks here (either in jest, or in all seriousness) praise Canseco for blowing the lid off the oh-so-troubling (ab)use of steroids & other PEDs in MLB.

10. Dewey, Steven Wright Wannabe and Soupuss Posted: June 24, 2009 at 02:52 PM (#3230862)

Being honest about PED use was the best thing that Jose Canseco ever did.

Of course, being Canseco, he had to be as douchey and mercenary about it as possible.

11. wjones Posted: June 24, 2009 at 02:58 PM (#3230874)

Maybe Canseco is one of those people who will be appreciated by subsequent generations, although not thought much of during his own time. Like Jesus, perhaps. Should we crucify him to see if it helps his image?

12. Designated Sitter (GGC) Posted: June 24, 2009 at 02:58 PM (#3230875)

Canseco didn't offer a mea culpa from what I recall when I thumbed through that book in a library. He seemed rather unapologetic and isn't really some sort of whistleblower.

13. RoyalsRetro (AG#1F) Posted: June 24, 2009 at 03:03 PM (#3230882)

Canseco didn't offer a mea culpa from what I recall

Yea, my impression seems to be more he was bragging about what he did, not sorry about it.

14. cardsfanboy

Posted: June 24, 2009 at 03:14 PM (#3230908)

Perhaps McGwire could be the anti-Canseco. It seems he is truly ashamed, he has become a hermit. Maybe if he "wrote" a book about how he screwed up his legacy and image and regrets doing steroids, it might win him some support.

Canseco was and is a huge douche, now he is viewed as a "rat" as well. The "other" Bash Brother should tell his side of the story.

People would support McGwire provided his "confession" matched up with their assumptions already. If he pulls a Pettitte and says "...for a short time I tried it and think it led to my injuries so I quit" the public would rip him to shreds for lying. or any non-admission would also get him ripped. McGwire has a lot to offer to baseball and it would really be nice to see him back in uniform as a coach.

15. Gambling Rent Czar Posted: June 24, 2009 at 03:16 PM (#3230910)

Canseco's reasoning for writing the book was because he thought steroids were a good thing and that everybody should do them. That was his line, until he got in front of congress.

16. Repoz

Posted: June 24, 2009 at 03:22 PM (#3230924)

Mike & Mike discuss that oh-so-fine line between "rat" and "whistle blower"

So which is which of those two loads?

17. Obama Bomaye Posted: June 24, 2009 at 03:28 PM (#3230942)

A rat sells out his friends and associates.
A whistleblower exposes people in power who are exploiting those beneath them.

18. Howzer Posted: June 24, 2009 at 03:31 PM (#3230951)

No, Dave Stewart does not belong in the HOF. But if Clemens ever gets elected, he should invite Stewart to stand on the podium with him as Stewart owned Clemens.

19. Vance W Posted: June 24, 2009 at 03:34 PM (#3230958)

A rat sells out his friends and associates.
A whistleblower exposes people in power who are exploiting those beneath them.

But my friends are people in power who exploit those beneath them. What do I do now?

20. The Essex Snead Posted: June 24, 2009 at 03:38 PM (#3230966)

Order Mexican take-out. And get me a chorizo burrito, plz.

21. Ray (RDP)

Posted: June 24, 2009 at 03:50 PM (#3230992)

Canseco's reasoning for writing the book was because he thought steroids were a good thing and that everybody should do them. That was his line, until he got in front of congress.

It's hard to see how using steroids hurt Canseco. For all the talk about how steroids are So Bad, they certainly didn't prevent Canseco from becoming a very good baseball player.

Talking about them may have hurt him, as far as his reputation goes, but using them has not.

22. Bring Me the Head of Alfredo Griffin (Vlad) Posted: June 24, 2009 at 03:50 PM (#3230994)

"What do I do now?"

Do you have a rat-shaped whistle?

23. Double-Spin Mechanic Posted: June 24, 2009 at 05:03 PM (#3231128)

Do you have a rat-shaped whistle?

Or a whistle-shaped rat? After the Mel Hall thread, someone would no doubt advocate blowing that, too.

24. Roy Hobbs of WIFFLE Ball Posted: June 24, 2009 at 05:42 PM (#3231197)

Well, he shouldn't have joined up with Annie Lennox while in the prime of his career.

I think he was referring to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. And he has a case, frankly.

25. phredbird

Posted: June 24, 2009 at 06:49 PM (#3231308)

23, LOL

26. Swoboda is freedom Posted: June 24, 2009 at 07:17 PM (#3231349)

I mean he had four straight HOF seasons, but was pretty mediocre to crappy other than that.

And those weren't that great either, 4 good seasons combined with a lot of runs scored by the Bash Brothers, which gave him 4 20 win seasons.

ERA+ of 145, 118, 113, and 111. No Cys either during that stretch.

27. Drew (Primakov, Gungho Iguanas) Posted: June 24, 2009 at 07:19 PM (#3231353)

No, Dave Stewart does not belong in the HOF. But if Clemens ever gets elected, he should invite Stewart to stand on the podium with him as Stewart owned Clemens.

My first game was in 1988 (I think) at Fenway park, Stewart vs. Clemens. In the rain in April. Stewart won 1-0 on a first-inning run.

28. Obama Bomaye Posted: June 24, 2009 at 07:19 PM (#3231354)

What do I do now?

Make sure they let you have a couple weekends at their private island.

29. RJ in TO Posted: June 24, 2009 at 07:26 PM (#3231368)

ERA+ of 145, 118, 113, and 111. No Cys either during that stretch.

Which does understate his value as he also led the league in innings twice during that stretch, and finished 2nd and 7th in the other two years. He also did receive Cy votes in all four seasons.

Of course, that's not at all to say that he deserves to go into the Hall, because he obviously doesn't. Basically, he had a four year stretch as Jack Morris, and not much else, and there aren't too many people around here who would support a "Morris for the Hall" campaign.

30. AROM Posted: June 24, 2009 at 07:38 PM (#3231386)

Stewart vs. Clemens was the damndest thing. If Stewart could have pretended he was matched up against Clemens more often he would be in the Hall of Fame.

It does seem a bit strange for Stewart to think he should be in the Hall while showing such contempt for his former teammate. He won 20 games with ~3.50 ERAs in a pitcher's park, in a lower run scoring environment because Mark and Jose hit so many homeruns for him. But he wouldn't be the first to overrate his own abilities. I'm sure he thinks he was just pitching to the situation, and would have won 20 games a year 1-0 if that's all the offense was going to give him.

31. SoSH U at work Posted: June 24, 2009 at 07:45 PM (#3231402)

But he wouldn't be the first to overrate his own abilities.

Not the first, but Dave Stewart really is Hall of Fame-caliber when it comes to overrating his own abilities. That he thinks he warrants a place in Cooperstown is really no surprise.

32. Swedish Chef Posted: June 24, 2009 at 07:51 PM (#3231408)

For drama, this is almost as good as a Velvet Underground reunion.

33. Designated Sitter (GGC) Posted: June 24, 2009 at 08:00 PM (#3231423)

I think it's funny that there are two reunion threads going on now.

34. Rich Rifkin Posted: June 24, 2009 at 08:10 PM (#3231435)

Canseco's reasoning for writing the book was because he thought steroids were a good thing and that everybody should do them. That was his line, until he got in front of congress.

Canseco, of course, wrote the book because he had blown most of the money he made in his career, was broke, and selling out his friends was his avenue to riches. If I had been a teammate of his -- or anyone else inside that fraternity -- I would dislike what he did, and dislike him for breaking the unwritten "don't air our dirty laundry in public" rule. But as an outsider who thinks that baseball should have dealt with its PED issues and did not until Canseco wrote his book, I applaud Canseco, douche though he may be.

35. RJ in TO Posted: June 24, 2009 at 08:18 PM (#3231442)

Canseco, of course, wrote the book because he had blown most of the money he made in his career, was broke, and selling out his friends was his avenue to riches.

From the sound of it, I don't think he really had any friends to sell out.

But as an outsider who thinks that baseball should have dealt with its PED issues and did not until Canseco wrote his book, I applaud Canseco, douche though he may be.

The important thing is that you agree that Canseco is a douche.

36. cardsfanboy

Posted: June 24, 2009 at 08:18 PM (#3231444)

I think it's funny that there are two reunion threads going on now.

Rickey needs, and deserves his own thread.

37. Halofan Posted: June 24, 2009 at 08:34 PM (#3231468)

Canseco's image will benefit as time goes on. Th best comp is probably Nixon. Richard, not Otis.

38. RJ in TO Posted: June 24, 2009 at 08:38 PM (#3231472)

Canseco's image will benefit as time goes on.

In order for his image to benefit, he'll have to stop doing stupid #### and start paying his bills.

I don't see either thing happening.

39. Steve Balboni's Personal Trainer Posted: June 24, 2009 at 08:40 PM (#3231474)

I would have paid money to be at this reunion. You can picture Jim Corsi and Dennis Eckersley sitting around, laughing at everybody else...

40. Ray (RDP)

Posted: June 24, 2009 at 09:02 PM (#3231505)

Stewart vs. Clemens was the damndest thing. If Stewart could have pretended he was matched up against Clemens more often he would be in the Hall of Fame.

Hard to believe it's been two decades since those matchups.

41. Los Angeles El Hombre of Anaheim

Posted: June 24, 2009 at 09:11 PM (#3231515)

In order for his image to benefit, he'll have to stop doing stupid #### and start paying his bills.

At this point, doing stupid #### is the only way Canseco can pay his bills.

42. A triple short of the cycle

Posted: June 25, 2009 at 12:12 AM (#3231839)

Ray Ratto (gag) also wrote about this in the Chronicle this morning, and provided an interesting detail:

"I'm glad Hozee's not here," Dave Stewart said, using the Anglicized pronunciation he always did, "and not because of the book. He was a bad teammate. The book had nothing to do with it. I don't think he ever said 'we.' "

Hozee? I'm pretty white but I've never heard this pronunciation before. Does this mean Stew pronounces every Jose like this, or just Canseco because he's an ass?

43. J. Michael Neal Posted: June 25, 2009 at 12:24 AM (#3231901)

44. Jeff K. Posted: June 25, 2009 at 12:28 AM (#3231912)

Dave Stewart also believes the only reason he isn't managing multiple MLB teams is his race.

Someone should just tell him it's against the rules, then.

45. zonk Posted: June 25, 2009 at 12:34 AM (#3231925)

Dave Stewart also believes the only reason he isn't managing multiple MLB teams is his race.

Someone should just tell him it's against the rules, then.

Actually, judging by his history -- a team should have just given him a minor league manager's job and told him it really was a major league manager's job.

46. Jeff K. Posted: June 25, 2009 at 01:10 AM (#3232045)

I love Rickey as much as everyone else around here, but I never thought that you'd put him in a large group of people, and he'd be the one that sounded the most level headed and mature on any subject, let alone Jose Canseco.

One thing Rickey has never been accused of is being unable to put a unique perspective on something. In addition, if the bad side of Rickey's traits is that he can seem aloof or cold or self-focused, the good side is that he's really good at compartmentalizing. Hyper-focus plays both ways. I wouldn't be surprised if some dude killed Rickey's dog (Rickey H. Dog) and Rickey was furious, but the next day they were teammates in some pickup softball game and Rickey was perfectly able to forget the whole thing for 9 innings and joke with the guy on the bench. And then to be pissed again.

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Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Fletcher: Dave Stewart Rips Jose Canseco at Reunion for 1989 A’s

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