Come clean John, for tomorrow’s fans…

I figured out why John Smoltz took the low road when he left Atlanta for Boston.

My credentials as a Braves and Red Sox baseball fan for almost six decades allows me to question John’s motive. As a kid I was a BOSTON Braves fan and didn’t forgive them for leaving for Milwaukee. By the time they moved to Atlanta in 1966 I was a Red Sox fan. A corporate move to Atlanta 20 years ago gave me the opportunity to adopt the Braves as my National League team with the Red Sox my favorite in the American League.

Who could fail to respect John’s competitive spirit, his numerous baseball achievements and his longevity. His philanthropic works and dedication to education are to be admired. What’s troubling is what went wrong with his ability to tell right from wrong. Perhaps what happened is part of what’s wrong with professional sports.

Money? Narcissism? Both?

John pitched his heart out for about twenty years in a Braves uniform, he even sacrificed his body. His recovery from multiple surgeries is remarkable. Which of these led to his recent [unjust] public criticism of Braves management? Did the millions he’s been paid over time distort his judgment? Make him feel his achievements on the field made him better than management of the club that discovered him in the Detroit system, groomed him, invested heavily in him?

The “homeboy” comment he made about John Schuerholtz a few years ago was disrespectful. Here we are just a few years later and he repeated the offense by leaving – claiming he was disrespected by Frank Wren, John Schuerholz’ successor as General Manager. Does sport achievement trump respect? Not if you have character.

John’s home is in Atlanta about an hour from Turner Field. Did he feel he couldn’t call or drop in at the club’s office or choose not to in order to build an “alibi” for leaving a club he thought wouldn’t compete in the 2009 post season? I suspect it’s both the guaranteed money and the attention that brought him to feel it wasn’t necessary for him to treat his club [and fans] respectfully but that the club had to sacrifice their future for him. The low road took him to Boston.

He left for the money. He left for a chance at post season glory. He created an excuse to cover up his greed and character flaw for more money and glory. He said it was disrespect. It wasn’t.

Baseball is sport and business. The money corrupted John as did his insatiable need for glory. He lost perspective and put himself above his club’s fiscal responsibility. Red Sox Nation, a money machine fed by rabid fans, can take a chance on a big name who may not pitch ever again. The publicity will create more buzz. What made John feel that he is owed a guarantee of millions more than the Braves offer? Why is he above loyalty to the club that took chances on him at the outset, when he was injured again and again and yet paid him handsomely during his career?

Narcissism [inordinate fascination with oneself; excessive self-love; vanity] in combination with all that money took a man of extraordinary talent and generosity and turned him into a “traitor” to his club and fans. Worse, he blamed the Braves club for failing to put him above the best interest of the team. Shameful.

Is it wrong to not want John Smoltz to succeed in Boston? Is it wrong to say that John tainted his good work with a lack of honesty; can I forgive him once for his disrespect to his club but not do it again? I think not. As a Red Sox fan I want success but not at any price. To do that I’d be a hypocrite and that would be as offensive as John’s action. Being a fan doesn’t mean sacrificing principals – even when the player leaves one of your favorite clubs and goes to another. Sorry John, not me.

That’s what is wrong with professional sports – greed, narcissism. Too bad – the clubs, the players and today’s fans all lost. The fans of tomorrow deserve better. Come clean John – I can be into forgiveness, again.

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