This is what Jerry Falwell was listening to yesterday.

using . . . some of the worst words in music

I thought the worst words in music were, "My Humps"

I thought the worst words in music were, "My Humps"

Not in the Alanis Morrisette version.

This is what Jerry Falwell was listening to yesterday.

Slinger wins the thread; there is no need to post further. Drive home safely.

Oh sure, nothing funny about Lidle's death, but Falwell ...

This seems like a colossal lapse in judgment. Isn't vulgarity in rap so 2006?

a “top-notch ho”

Don Imus approves.

I thought the worst words in music were, "My Humps"

At least she wasn't singing about Mike Hunt.

Best Regards

John

I just listened to the song. Decent beat, but "L. Millz's" flow and lyrics leave a lot to be desired.

Even a broken clock is right twice a day. I did predict this when the orginal article was posted on BBTF.

[8] And that dude had some serious on base percentage.

Actually, I was mad at Fallwell not for his religious/political beliefs but because Liberty University upset my Eastern Michigan University Hurons in football back in 1989....and I called the game live on my college radio station.

Stupid Liberty. Stupid Flanders.

Honestly, who gives a crap? And why does the media hate LM so much, is he a prick for interviews or something? Holy cow.

"Honestly, who gives a crap? And why does the media hate LM so much, is he a prick for interviews or something? Holy cow."

Yes, he was last year. I feel like this is 95% of the issue he has.

Look, if I were advising him, I'd have told him to lay off the rap albums, at least until he's an established major league player. But that is because of the current environment, not because what he did was a big deal. I think I realized the media was gunning for Milledge when one of the beat reporters took him to task this February, not for coming late to camp, but for not coming AS EARLY as Reyes and Wright. Seriously.

Power to the man.

think I realized the media was gunning for Milledge when one of the beat reporters took him to task this February, not for coming late to camp, but for not coming AS EARLY as Reyes and Wright. Seriously

I'd expect a guy like Milledge to be on of the first to camp. Baseball doesn't seem to be important to this kid, I'd say that is a redflag. I hope im wrong.

"I'd expect a guy like Milledge to be on of the first to camp. Baseball doesn't seem to be important to this kid, I'd say that is a redflag. I hope im wrong."

He was. He was a day or two early. Reyes and Wright were about 7-10 days early.

By this measure, Carlos Delgado is a red flag.

Oh sure, nothing funny about Lidle's death, but Falwell ...

A fair question, and my answer would be that Falwell was 73 and morbidly obese (I Cor 6:19-20, ignored yet again, but I digress), so you could easily argue it was his time; Lidle died (and violently) at a fairly young age, so he died before his time, making his death a touchier topic. YMMV, of course...

If we knew then what we know now--that Lidle died due to his incompetence at piloting--probably the jokes would've been freer to flow.

Oh sure, nothing funny about Lidle's death, but Falwell ...

I may be wrong, but Corey Lidle never said things like "AIDS is the wrath of a just God against homosexuals," or ""I really believe that the pagans, and the abortionists, and the feminists, and the gays and the lesbians who are actively trying to make that an alternative lifestyle, the ACLU, People For the American Way, all of them who have tried to secularize America. I point the finger in their face and say 'you helped [9/11] happen,'" and all the other outrageous things he's said over the years. People have been brutally mocking Jerry Falwell for decades, why should his death suddenly change that?

Finally, I've been waiting to hear what City Councilman Leroy Comrie thought about Milledge.

By this measure, Carlos Delgado is a red flag.

Calros Delgado is a proven major league player. Do you not understand what the writer and I am saying, or are you too dense to get it's signifigance.

dense is likly the wrong word there. I apologize.

1) Milledge is demonstrating exceedingly poor judgment.
2) This poor judgment is something Met fans should be concerned about.

It's not that Milledge deserves some sort of punishment, but there's something to be said for recognizing when you are vulnerable to criticism and acting accordingly.

If I was Minaya, I would have a sit-down with Milledge, telling him that he can do whatever he wants with his non-baseball time, but that he's making it harder for himself. Milledge may decide that he doesn't care about how the media responds to him, and that's certainly his right. Whether it is unfair or not, there's a good chance that the critical media attention on him and his club isn't going to do good things for his baseball career.

On the other hand, it may be the best overall decision because he may never have a better opportunity to take advantage of his fame than he does now. Unless he's supremely talented and connected, nobody cares about Lastings Milledge the rapper if he's not also Lastings Milledge the baseball prospect.

To tie this in with a few recent posts, perhaps this is a factor in limiting the number of blacks that are interested in baseball? The media reaction to an overtly "culturally black" player is pretty negative -- his jewelry is too large, he's got that malcontent haircut, he's into socially damaging music. Signs appear in the clubhouse that say things like "Rookie, know your place."

I can understand how a young black male that shares the mainstream culture of his community could be nervous about how much baseball would expect me to cover up who he's comfortable being. If he can play other sports, he's probably going to have less culture shock in the NFL or NBA.

Think the Sox could still get him for Manny?

Besides being only 2 days early to spring training, is there any evidence that Milledge doesn't care about baseball?

Listening to Milledge's interview with Mike and the Mad Dog during spring training, I was surprised at how intelligently he handled their questions and said all the right things while giving a good interview. Milledge isn't stupid. That being said, this isn't the brightest move.

Will Milledge every be a productive regular for the Mets?

If we knew then what we know now--that Lidle died due to his incompetence at piloting--probably the jokes would've been freer to flow.

I beg a single favour of all of you. If you hear that I have died, regardless of how it happened, I wish a thread devoted to the event for the sole purpose of making jokes about my passing.

Dang it, if I don't make you laugh now, then let me do it after I'm gone. Don't worry about relatives googling it--they know me well enough to understand that's what I wanted.

Best Regards

John

Good point, CrosbyBird. When NFL or NBA players become rappers or whatever, reporters act amused and sometimes dismiss the athletes as having their priorities screwed up. But with NBA and NFL reporters, the "rap mogul"/flashy jewelry business fits in with the general aura of what the reporter expects to see on a daily basis around the team. You don't see NBA/NFL reporters acting as if it makes the player some kind of freak, or expecting his readers to feel visceral disgust with the whole idea.

Will Milledge every be a productive regular for the Mets?

He definitely got hurt at pretty much the worst time imaginable. He would almost certainly have been called up in place of Gomez if he was healthy.

My expectation was that Milledge would be called up when one of Green/Alou went on the DL, or when Green proved to be ineffective. So far, Green has been a great surprise at the plate, and both have remained relatively healthy.

What I think is likely to happen now is that Milledge either gets traded (because the Mets want him to be someone else's problem) or he gets a callup for very limited play like the beginning of the season. If it's the latter, he has to be almost superhuman or he'll be basically ignored. Those other guys in the minors are nipping at his heels and that's not good for his long-term chances unless he does something special very soon.

At least we know that Minaya likes Milledge. At the trade deadline last year he cleared the way for Milledge to become the fulltime RF starter, after he'd already had a rocky time in his debut stint, and with the playoffs already guaranteed. It's gutsy stuff for a NYC gm to tell his AAA outfielder on July 31 that "you are now my playoff starter." (Not that it worked out that way)

But it does look like that chance isn't going to come again for him. He needs to get lucky and to really produce with any MLB ABs he gets. Alou and Green are going to play as long as they're healthy this year - and Chavez is the first guy to get the call when one goes down. That leaves Milledge fighting with Gomez for the leftover ABs. He almost has to wait till next year and hope that neither of the veterans are back

I beg a single favour of all of you. If you hear that I have died, regardless of how it happened, I wish a thread devoted to the event for the sole purpose of making jokes about my passing.

Dang it, if I don't make you laugh now, then let me do it after I'm gone. Don't worry about relatives googling it--they know me well enough to understand that's what I wanted.

Best Regards

John

Promise us that you'll die in a comical manner, then.

If you could drown while rescuing two women in Boston Harbour, that would be perfect.

Besides being only 2 days early to spring training, is there any evidence that Milledge doesn't care about baseball?

How about you know, spending your offseason in a production studio rather than you know perfecting his craft? We aren't talking about a small distraction, music is a major time commitment.

How about you know, spending your offseason in a production studio rather than you know perfecting his craft? We aren't talking about a small distraction, music is a major time commitment.

Milledge did work out and gain 15 pounds of muscle during the offseason.

At least the article has given me the chance to revisit the day that Milledge hit the clutch homerun and high-fived fans down the rightfield line. That was awesome.

How about you know, spending your offseason in a production studio rather than you know perfecting his craft? We aren't talking about a small distraction, music is a major time commitment.

There are so many hours a day you can work out. Besides, I get the feeling Milledge isn't exactly Quincy Jones when it comes to the studio. I really don't see why he can't do both.

Finally, I've been waiting to hear what City Councilman Leroy Comrie thought about Milledge.


The Daily Show's Larry Wilmore (Senior Black Correspondent) had one of the funniest exchanges with a guest I've ever seen with Councilman Comrie.

John Oliver: What do you say to rappers who need that word in terms of a rhyme scheme?
Councilman Leroy Comrie: Need the word? I don't think you need the word.
Larry Wilmore: I'm not sure about that, Leroy. Finish this phrase: "I'm not sayin' she's a golddigger / But she ain't messin' with no broke..."
Councilman Leroy Comrie: Hmmm... "I'm not sayin' she's a golddigger / But she..."
Larry Wilmore: "...ain't messin' with no broke..."
Councilman Leroy Comrie: "...fool."
Larry Wilmore (deadpan): Do you understand how rap works, Councilman?

"It's not that Milledge deserves some sort of punishment, but there's something to be said for recognizing when you are vulnerable to criticism and acting accordingly."

I have just seen so much that indicates to me he'll get slammed no matter what.

"How about you know, spending your offseason in a production studio rather than you know perfecting his craft? We aren't talking about a small distraction, music is a major time commitment."

The guy worked out all winter, gained a ton of muscle, came to camp early and tore the cover off the ball. He's done all he can.

How about you know, spending your offseason in a production studio rather than you know perfecting his craft? We aren't talking about a small distraction, music is a major time commitment.

There are so many hours a day you can work out. Besides, I get the feeling Milledge isn't exactly Quincy Jones when it comes to the studio. I really don't see why he can't do both.

Because they are both two very difficult things to be truly good at. There are loads of people, with lots of talent, who work very hard at just one of those things and don't make it. It's true you can only work out so many hours in a day. But you can also only work so many hours in a day. It's become taken for granted that people can do anything they like as long as they'll work at it. However, that isn't true. This would be a good time for a young man to take the advice of his elders - not to not rap (I agree that anyone criticizing him for what he's diverting himself with is being unfair) but to focus, exclusively, on baseball. That is how people succeed and maximize their potential. I'm not sure I know why it is necessary, either. I just know it is. That may sound like an old fogey being prim but it's also true. If Milledge wants to become a great player, he should, at this point, be doing nothing but working toward that goal. There are lots of guys with his talent who are screwing around and not working as hard as they should/could. That Milledge is doing it with another business venture is, perhaps, better than that he do it with drink and women. But it'll have the same result.

At least she wasn't singing about Mike Hunt.

Best Regards

John

There actually was a baseball star named Mike Hunt, although he never played in the majors. Hunt was a slugging outfielder with the Seattle Rainiers who led the Pacific Coast League in home runs and RBI in 1936 & 1937.

The Daily Show's Larry Wilmore (Senior Black Correspondent) had one of the funniest exchanges with a guest I've ever seen with Councilman Comrie.

I remember that, it was hilarious. I didn't realize that's who that was.

This thing about "He ought to spend the offseason working on his craft instead of wasting his time on this music" is nonsense. Sportswriters glorify white players who spend the offseason hunting and fishing and entering semipro bowling tournaments. The idea that they couldn't do that in their spare time, while also maintaining their baseball skills, seems ridiculous, because those concepts are not alien to sportswriters in the way that Milledge's hobbies are.

If Milledge wants to become a great player, he should, at this point, be doing nothing but working toward that goal.

So when he's not working out or on the ball field he should just sleep? Who's to say it won't be better for Milledge to have something constructive to fill his downtime with. A lot of ball players are obsessive golfers, but they don't get called to the carpet for their lack of focus. In fact, with Smoltz, Maddux and Glavine it's considered "cute" how much time they spent golfing. I really think the criticism here is unfair. Maybe his music sucks, but I'm not the Michiko Kakutani of rap music either.

If Milledge wants to become a great player, he should, at this point, be doing nothing but working toward that goal.

But none of us really know how much effort he is putting into his music. He is the "CEO" of a label that probably has at most one employee and only one artist signed - in other words, he's bankrolling his buddy's rapping career. He raps on one track, for fun. This could be just a leisure activity that takes almost no time.

No, it's not evidence that he has the single-minded passion of Tiger Woods or Michael Jordan. Were people troubled when Bronson Arroyo released his album?

This thing about "He ought to spend the offseason working on his craft instead of wasting his time on this music" is nonsense. Sportswriters glorify white players who spend the offseason hunting and fishing and entering semipro bowling tournaments. The idea that they couldn't do that in their spare time, while also maintaining their baseball skills, seems ridiculous, because those concepts are not alien to sportswriters in the way that Milledge's hobbies are.

Exactly.

I read an article recently praising Alex Rodriguez in that he spends his off-season working ("as hard as he does at baseball") in property investment company he has set up. Just about all baseball players have outside interests. It's true there's only so many hours you can work, but the baseball schedule is nothing like a full working day. To be honest with you I'd be much more worried about the players who don't have any interests. Because those are the ones with long hours to kill and plenty of money in their pocket. No good comes of that.

So he raps. Big deal. I think Milledge is going to be a big disappointment for Mets fans, but this is irrelevant to it.

At least the article has given me the chance to revisit the day that Milledge hit the clutch homerun and high-fived fans down the rightfield line. That was awesome.

Yea, I don't get why that was presented as a negative in the article. I thought that was pretty cool.

I don't think the main criticism (aside from Mr. High Standards) is that the rap detracts from his ballplaying, its that the content of his lyrics is objectionable.

Milledge, by the way, is not promoting himself as a rapper, but as a producer/manager. The label he heads is devoted solely to his friend Manny D. He guest-raps on one track of Manny D's unnamed and unreleased album.

....

I understand why the high-fiving incident was looked down upon by others. I saw it as a totally innocent (and really endearing) display of exuberance. Others took it in context with the large jewelry etc and inferred a pattern of egoism unbecoming to a rookie. Either way, it was just a little bit more evidence that Milledge isn't very mature about guarding his public image.

Is councilman Comrie black?

Is councilman Comrie black?

Leroy Comrie

Looks so, but better ask BASN first.

I would like to see Milledge, Ron Artest and Gagne have a rap-off.

My money is on Gagne.

We aren't talking about a small distraction, music is a major time commitment.

I thought we were talking about rap?

Yes.

I beg a single favour of all of you. If you hear that I have died, regardless of how it happened, I wish a thread devoted to the event for the sole purpose of making jokes about my passing.

I'm just saying what I think would've happened. I don't generally pass judgement (except as to whether I think it's funny). There are all kinds of mitigating and aggravating factors that make these morbid jokes more or less acceptable.

If I die by being pierced in the eye by a strand of uncooked spaghetti, you can say whatever you want, I won't be here to take offense. It'll be up to my loved ones to stay away from www.pastathinkfactory.org and News of the Weird during that difficult time for them.

If I die by being pierced in the eye by a strand of uncooked spaghetti, you can say whatever you want, I won't be here to take offense. It'll be up to my loved ones to stay away from www.pastathinkfactory.org and News of the Weird during that difficult time for them.

Shoot, my family would start their own blog to make fun of me themselves.

Maybe his music sucks, but I'm not the Michiko Kakutani of rap music either.

I really don't want to stop telling people you're the Michiko Kakutani of rap music, but if you say so.

If Milledge wants to become a great player, he should, at this point, be doing nothing but working toward that goal.

But none of us really know how much effort he is putting into his music. He is the "CEO" of a label that probably has at most one employee and only one artist signed - in other words, he's bankrolling his buddy's rapping career. He raps on one track, for fun. This could be just a leisure activity that takes almost no time.

This is true. I'm assuming from the stories and it being an actual business, that Milledge is devoting significant time to it. If it is just a diversion, no problem. I'd say the same about hunting and fishing. If it's recreational, fine. If they spend 4 months doing nothing else, problem - and if the press is going to get on Milledge, they should get on these guys, too.

No, it's not evidence that he has the single-minded passion of Tiger Woods or Michael Jordan. Were people troubled when Bronson Arroyo released his album?

I was. If you've reached the top of your profession, you can start to do other things. If you've proven you'll get the job done, you'll get more slack in taking time for other interests. Until then, spend your time getting to the top.

Howard's take on this was interesting to me, in view of the discussion we had on media coverage of black/white athletes a few weeks back. There are other factors, of course--one being generational conflict we sometimes see within many races/cultures about the content of popular music.

To tie this in with a few recent posts, perhaps this is a factor in limiting the number of blacks that are interested in baseball? The media reaction to an overtly "culturally black" player is pretty negative -- his jewelry is too large, he's got that malcontent haircut, he's into socially damaging music. Signs appear in the clubhouse that say things like "Rookie, know your place."

I wouldn't say it's causative, but it is part of the whole web of interrelated factors.

1) Milledge is demonstrating exceedingly poor judgment.

I think that is a little harsh, as your own counterpoint shows. It's not like he is rapping (AFAIK) about how many World Series rings he is going to get, so I think the "Quiet down until you do something" and, as others have said, the "Focus on your craft" stuff is just institutional cultural bias, with some institutional racial bias thrown in. The issue, as someone said last time Milledge came up, will be what the guy does on the field. If he hits and fields, even people who don't like rap will be cheering for him. I don't know exactly what went on in the Mets' clubhouse, but it may be that he used "exceedingly poor judgment" there. Comrie is using the fact Milledge raps to forward his own political agenda and the media are running with it. It is reasoanble to suggest that Minaya could warn Milledge about that whole context, but I wouldn't put too much of it on Milledge himself.

"I was. If you've reached the top of your profession, you can start to do other things. If you've proven you'll get the job done, you'll get more slack in taking time for other interests. Until then, spend your time getting to the top."

Are you at the top of your profession? Because you spend an awful lot of time on this site. Never thought of it as a character flaw before, but if you say so.

I really don't want to stop telling people you're the Michiko Kakutani of rap music, but if you say so.

One day! One day! Until then, I'm just the A.O. Scott of TNT Original Dramas.

I can't find a link yet, but according to rotoworld, Mets farmhand Lino Urdaneta has been suspended 50 games for violating MLB's drug policy.

I can't find a link yet, but according to rotoworld, Mets farmhand Lino Urdaneta has been suspended 50 games for violating MLB's drug policy.

Here's a link:

http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news;_ylt=Ape8MuuGDdUKBRJOnUyAPNiFCLcF?slug=afp-baseballusadopingven&prov=afp&type=lgns

As for ballplayers with outside music careers, that's been going on for years. Heck, the Cardinals "Gas House Gang" of the 1930s was known for its Mudcat Band, and Lee Maye had a singing career going on while he was a player in the early 1960s. Not to mention Tony Conigliaro, Denny McLain (OK, perhaps that was a problem), and many others.

In recent years, Bernie Williams, Bronson Arroyo, Ben Broussard, Scott Spezio, Jack McDowell, and Scott Radinsky have spent significant time on their musical endevours. Heck, Radinsky spent 11 years in the majors, and he always considered music his primary career. Tim Flannery has coached for years, while having a very nice second career as a singer/songwriter. Hell, even Peter Gammons has released an album.

So the concept that you can't be dedicated to your baseball career and still have an outside interest such as a music career is utter hogwash.

Zito too, right? And Mookie Wilson released a gospel album with his wife while working as the Mets' first base and outfield coach. He ought to have been spending his time being all that he could be for Art Howe.

I forgot about Bernie. D'oh. They even gave his CD out at a game.

Are you at the top of your profession? Because you spend an awful lot of time on this site. Never thought of it as a character flaw before, but if you say so.

If I wanted to be at the top of my profession I wouldn't be.

The guy worked out all winter, gained a ton of muscle, came to camp early and tore the cover off the ball. He's done all he can.

Since when is working out, doing all he can. Gaining muscle, while certainly good doesn't always make you a better ball player. Working with coaches, additional batting practice, video review, seeking outside help from experts, increase flexiability, improved fielding are all ways that one can improve their game in addition to strength and conditioning. Instead he is off in a music study. Would a 20 year old Ted Williams be in a music study? A 20 year old Joe Morgan? A 20 year Rogers Hornsby? A 20 year old Willie Mays? No, they were perfecting their craft and became hall of famers because of it.

If this guy wants to be a 4th outfielder, then by all means keep dicking around with music. If he wants to make the most of his baseball career then he should focus.

Better this than going after that young #####.

"I was. If you've reached the top of your profession, you can start to do other things. If you've proven you'll get the job done, you'll get more slack in taking time for other interests. Until then, spend your time getting to the top."

Are you at the top of your profession? Because you spend an awful lot of time on this site. Never thought of it as a character flaw before, but if you say so.

Yep. As soon as I got here I started looking around. In all seriousness, yes, of course I would be better off, career wise, if I spent less time here. It's good advice, to focus your efforts regardless of whether the person giving the advice does that or not. Hell, often the advice comes from someone who looks back at their life and knows they should have done things differently. There is a big difference, I'll grant, between some beat writer ######## about his dedication and one of his teammates/coaches. If Willie or Omar has had this talk with him and is fine with his music hobby, then cool.

Perhaps I'm off base. Did any of the music careers listed above (and I would say some of them were detrimental to the player's baseball career) start when they were 21. I have no problem with any player having other interests. It's probably good for their mental health. I have no problem with rap. I definitely have no problem with the high fives of the fans - that was utterly cool. I do have a problem with a 21 minor leaguer not going to winter ball. I do have a problem with a 21 year old minor leaguer taking on a second career. I'll rely on all of your good word that he isn't spending more time than he would on any other hobby on his music career. Ultimately, that is up to the player and coaches.

I guess I appear to be judging too harshly. My main point is that he is a 21 year old minor leaguer with a lot of potential. I think he'd be better off devoting all of his "work" efforts at baseball. He'll never have this chance again. There is a big difference between a 21 year old prospect and a 24 year old prospect. Again, if his music work is more along the lines of hobby and anytime he is presented a choice between baseball and music he is choosing baseball, then the folks writing these articles are unfairly picking on him because his music is rap. It just strikes me as a lot of smoke for their to be no fire. I see a lot of kids his age cruise through college without applying themselves and saying things like they have enough time to do 19 activities well. Then four years are up and they've blown an opportunity. If Milledge wakes up at 24 a mediocre player will he look back at his mogul years and regret not trying harder at baseball? (Granted, if he's an all-star at 24, he'll look back at comments like mine and laugh. I'd be the first to by him a beer and congratulate him if it works out).

"Would a 20 year old Ted Williams be in a music study?"

Does marine aviation count?

I guess I appear to be judging too harshly.

To clarify, I don't think Milledge exploring music makes him a bad guy. Hell, it makes him an interesting guy and he could have the best, purest of intentions with it. I just think it is a bad idea. Yes, there are people who can multi-task. They are, generally, not as good at their multiple tasks as folks who focus on one. Perhaps Milledge is doing all he can in baseball (though I tend to agree with MBS, simply working out isn't doing all you can).

IOW, this isn't a question of character or ethics. It is a question of what is best for the guy. I think few off us usually know what is best for us (we know better than anyone what we want, but that isn't the same thing). It is always good to have friends, family and colleagues to help us determine the best course of action. If that has occured here (I honestly have no idea) then great and good luck with the music. However, the younger we are the less well we know what is best and the less likely we are to listen to others. So, I'm not saying I think Milledge is a bad dude. I'm saying I worry about his decision making.

"Howard's take on this was interesting to me, in view of the discussion we had on media coverage of black/white athletes a few weeks back. There are other factors, of course--one being generational conflict we sometimes see within many races/cultures about the content of popular music."

I'm usually frustrated by those who claim race as a factor in many instances where it seems like a reach. Honestly, it just doesn't seem like a reach here to me. You'll notice I was on the other side of that debate a few weeks ago- but I've heard too much myself to feel otherwise here.

"I guess I appear to be judging too harshly. My main point is that he is a 21 year old minor leaguer with a lot of potential. I think he'd be better off devoting all of his "work" efforts at baseball."

Yes, automatons like Gregg Jefferies and Todd Marinovich have a much better track record.

"Since when is working out, doing all he can. Gaining muscle, while certainly good doesn't always make you a better ball player. Working with coaches, additional batting practice, video review, seeking outside help from experts, increase flexiability, improved fielding are all ways that one can improve their game in addition to strength and conditioning."

Which he also did. Again, you don't know and I don't know how much time he devoted to baseball. What we do know is that he came to camp early, worked like crazy, and did enough to hit .360 and put himself in as good a position as possible to make the team. So I'm not going to sit here and criticize his musical pursuits.

If this guy wants to be a 4th outfielder, then by all means keep dicking around with music. If he wants to make the most of his baseball career then he should focus.

How much more can he foucus? 4th outfielder? What a crock of s##t. He's done nothing this year to show he can't be a solid MLB regular except hurt his foot. Let's be honest, if he were white and tinkering with yachting on the side, nobody would care. It would be one of those cool facts you used to get about players at the bottom of their baseball card. Crimony.

"I had to let him know that we just don't approve," said Minaya. "I think he understood that."

Minaya said he will meet with ownership and his executive team before deciding whether or not to discipline Milledge for the song.

MLB.com

"I had to let him know that we just don't approve," said Minaya. "I think he understood that."

Minaya said he will meet with ownership and his executive team before deciding whether or not to discipline Milledge for the song.


Oakland will take him. After Too Short, it's hard to offend. (Yes, I just got old school on you byatches!)

Oakland will take him.

He IS an injured outfielder, so that goes without saying.

He IS an injured outfielder, so that goes without saying.

Touche!

Minaya said he will meet with ownership and his executive team before deciding whether or not to discipline Milledge for the song.

Of course, the Mets can discipline him, but I would not agree with it at all if they do unless they can demonstrate that this is interfering with Milledge's ability to do his job. There is no evidence that I see which indicates this is related to Milledge's competence/effort on the field of play, and while the song might arguably might be bad for the Mets "image" I think that it's a very, very fine line between this and "disciplining" a guy, for say, writing a graphic thriller about a serial killer-pedophile or appearing nude in an R-rated or NC-17 rated movie. I understand that violent/misogynistic rap songs are offensive to many. But many forms of art and some forms of recreation are offensive to somebody. I, for example, found the newspaper accounts of David Wells "safari" indicative that, to me, Wells' hunting trip was offensive. But it never occurred to me to suggest that the Padres should "discipline" him for it, since it is unrelated to Wells' performance of his job duties. The Mets, to me, should say "We don't approve" as they have, if they want to. They should, if they want to, trade or release Milledge if they don't think he is their kind of guy or think he will not reach his potential. But I do not think he should be "disciplined" for engaging in a hobby that offends their corporate sensibilities in this fashion. Milledge did nothing illegal; he hurt no one specifically. He participated in a popular art form that offends some people--just as gory movies and Girls Gone Wild offend some people.

And, to bring it closer to home, was there any suggestion that Paul LoDuca should be "disciplined" for his sexual activities with barely legal teens? That, it seems, would be damaging to the Mets brand as well. I see the differences--public space, private space being the main one--but I see LoDuca's behavior as being more objectionable--even from a coroprate standpoint and certainly from a moral one--than Milledge's rap song.