Spot on, Craig. As if it wasn’t already incredibly frustrating to be a Royal fan, then this garbage comes out. Seems the players have apathy toward the organization and its leadership. Now they’ve rendered themselves less desirable as trade targets to boot. You are right, nobody wins. Least of all, the fans.
just cancelled my subscription. Didn't need to be lectured about the vaccine. Many things have been disproven about it. So many lies told by the supposed experts.
I was trying to remember how many World Series Craig Brown has won as a GM or Manager, that's right Zero. Yet he attacks Dayton Moore every chance he gets. easy to do behind a keyboard. Hey Craig, why don't you get hired and build a small market team into a World Series champion, oh that's right, no one would hire you because you're not qualified, same as telling us about getting an unproven, untested vaccine.
I respect the players' decision either way. Receiving an injection that has the potential to destroy your life is a big decision.
I believe that a lot of the information being disseminated by governments and media is slanted by political leanings. It's not right to vilify those who harbor some doubt.
Been reading you since the days of Royals Authority. Always appreciate your thoughtful, nuanced perspective on things, and today's post is exactly what I've come to expect over the years. Thanks for articulating the frustrations so many of us have right now with this organization.
Jul 14, 2022·edited Jul 14, 2022Liked by Craig Brown
> ... to make very informed decisions.”
Based on their quotes in the Star article this is just factually not true.
This is a really difficult subject to address and you did it beautifully, and I think, fairly. There's no _reasonable_ justification for not getting the vaccination. Just fear, uncertainty, and doubt.
I'm with you on the failures of the Royals organization, but to criticize Royals players for not getting the jab is completely wrong on multiple levels. The blame lies with Canada and MLB for their stupid Covid restrictions. Statistically, young healthy athletes are in no danger from the virus. Players have every right to be concerned about their health long term, and you have no right to condemn them for that or assume that they're not really team players. We have plenty of data now from all over the world that shows that the jab does not prevent you from getting COVID or spreading it. And there's plenty of data showing that it is hurting some people. You're out of line, and I'm unsubscribing.
So Whit, just so you know, I won't be rooting for you anymore. That might change down the road. Something happens and you happen to start being a better teammate, maybe that changes.
I agree with a lot of this, but I have a couple of differences. However, I will not be canceling my subscription. Sorry. First, I am more willing than you to give a bit of grace to the younger players (MJ, Singer, Coleman, Isbel). They have screwed up, but I wouldn't declare them "not winners" yet. The older guys, especially Whit and Dozier who should be team leaders, deserve plenty of scorn. While they do have a choice on taking the vaccine, they definitely put themselves ahead of the team. It is apparent the locker room will need new leadership, much like an earlier version needed James Shields and Raul Ibanez. My other disagreement is on how much blame the front office gets. From Sam McDowell's column in the Star, it sounds like they pushed for the players to do what needed to be done. Ultimately, to me that's on the players. But if you want to ask why this front office has treated some of these guys, especially Merrifield, Dozier, and Keller, as leaders worthy of contract extensions, that seems fair.
1st time commenter, long time reader (also going back to Royals Authority). Enjoy your blog.
I'm vaccinated. However - your take on the 20-35 year old professional athletes (presumably with no comorbidities) who chose against vaccination, as being ignorant people and bad teammates at best, and more likely just flat out selfish and bad people (not stated but implied), seems way too much.
This seems of a piece with so much of the "bullying" and cancellation mania that's been going around in recent years. Perhaps their decision on vaccination should affect their compensation (personal choice making them unavailable for a certain portion of their work). But I can't get behind the character condemnation here.
My takeaway - the Canadian government regulations that cause these guys to be unable to play in Toronto should give MLB pause to the idea that we need to bring back Montreal or add another Canadian city to the league.
Witt should have said he didn't want the vaccine and left it at that. His attempts to justify an irresponsible decision sound exactly as selfish and stupid as they are.
Spot on, Craig. As if it wasn’t already incredibly frustrating to be a Royal fan, then this garbage comes out. Seems the players have apathy toward the organization and its leadership. Now they’ve rendered themselves less desirable as trade targets to boot. You are right, nobody wins. Least of all, the fans.
just cancelled my subscription. Didn't need to be lectured about the vaccine. Many things have been disproven about it. So many lies told by the supposed experts.
I was trying to remember how many World Series Craig Brown has won as a GM or Manager, that's right Zero. Yet he attacks Dayton Moore every chance he gets. easy to do behind a keyboard. Hey Craig, why don't you get hired and build a small market team into a World Series champion, oh that's right, no one would hire you because you're not qualified, same as telling us about getting an unproven, untested vaccine.
Agree 100%, Craig. Was terrifically sad to see this news yesterday. Calls into question leadership and teamwork of everyone.
Great post, Craig.
Excellent writing Craig. Probably the worst I've felt as a Royals fan in a long time. It's an embarrassment for the organization.
Everything has turned so political.
I respect the players' decision either way. Receiving an injection that has the potential to destroy your life is a big decision.
I believe that a lot of the information being disseminated by governments and media is slanted by political leanings. It's not right to vilify those who harbor some doubt.
Baseball is a game; life is much more.
Nailed it. What a complete failure of the manager, coaches, and front office. I hate the losing, but I'm truly embarrassed by this.
I can't handle the stupidity of all you ignorant motherfuckers. I'm out. Craig you suck at this shit.
Been reading you since the days of Royals Authority. Always appreciate your thoughtful, nuanced perspective on things, and today's post is exactly what I've come to expect over the years. Thanks for articulating the frustrations so many of us have right now with this organization.
> ... to make very informed decisions.”
Based on their quotes in the Star article this is just factually not true.
This is a really difficult subject to address and you did it beautifully, and I think, fairly. There's no _reasonable_ justification for not getting the vaccination. Just fear, uncertainty, and doubt.
I'm with you on the failures of the Royals organization, but to criticize Royals players for not getting the jab is completely wrong on multiple levels. The blame lies with Canada and MLB for their stupid Covid restrictions. Statistically, young healthy athletes are in no danger from the virus. Players have every right to be concerned about their health long term, and you have no right to condemn them for that or assume that they're not really team players. We have plenty of data now from all over the world that shows that the jab does not prevent you from getting COVID or spreading it. And there's plenty of data showing that it is hurting some people. You're out of line, and I'm unsubscribing.
So Whit, just so you know, I won't be rooting for you anymore. That might change down the road. Something happens and you happen to start being a better teammate, maybe that changes.
I agree with a lot of this, but I have a couple of differences. However, I will not be canceling my subscription. Sorry. First, I am more willing than you to give a bit of grace to the younger players (MJ, Singer, Coleman, Isbel). They have screwed up, but I wouldn't declare them "not winners" yet. The older guys, especially Whit and Dozier who should be team leaders, deserve plenty of scorn. While they do have a choice on taking the vaccine, they definitely put themselves ahead of the team. It is apparent the locker room will need new leadership, much like an earlier version needed James Shields and Raul Ibanez. My other disagreement is on how much blame the front office gets. From Sam McDowell's column in the Star, it sounds like they pushed for the players to do what needed to be done. Ultimately, to me that's on the players. But if you want to ask why this front office has treated some of these guys, especially Merrifield, Dozier, and Keller, as leaders worthy of contract extensions, that seems fair.
1st time commenter, long time reader (also going back to Royals Authority). Enjoy your blog.
I'm vaccinated. However - your take on the 20-35 year old professional athletes (presumably with no comorbidities) who chose against vaccination, as being ignorant people and bad teammates at best, and more likely just flat out selfish and bad people (not stated but implied), seems way too much.
This seems of a piece with so much of the "bullying" and cancellation mania that's been going around in recent years. Perhaps their decision on vaccination should affect their compensation (personal choice making them unavailable for a certain portion of their work). But I can't get behind the character condemnation here.
My takeaway - the Canadian government regulations that cause these guys to be unable to play in Toronto should give MLB pause to the idea that we need to bring back Montreal or add another Canadian city to the league.
Witt should have said he didn't want the vaccine and left it at that. His attempts to justify an irresponsible decision sound exactly as selfish and stupid as they are.
Bye bye.
Will this be the nail in the coffin of this organization? Clearly a ship that's lost it's way. Time for a new captain and crew.
Just a terrible display of incompetence and completely tone deaf explanations from ALL involved,