He ought to be in pictures
Dunn may attend Oscars after making investment in ‘Dallas Buyers Club’
GLENDALE, Ariz. — White Sox slugger Adam Dunn might go to the Oscars.
He won’t win an Academy Award for his small role as a bartender in ‘‘Dallas Buyers Club,’’ but he was an investor in the film, which was nominated for best picture, and Sunday presents a oncein-a-lifetime opportunity for him.
Manager Robin Ventura gave his blessing for the trip, which might cause Dunn to miss a Cactus League game Monday.
‘‘Absolutely, I think he should go,’’ Ventura said. ‘‘I don’t know how many opportunities people in baseball would have to do that, but I’m telling him to go.’’’
Dunn seemed genuinely concerned that leaving wouldn’t look good for a team trying to set a better tone after losing 99 games last season. But Ventura had no qualms about it.
‘‘Even the next day, I’d rather have him not worry about the next day and have him catch up after that,’’ Ventura said. Dunn didn’t disagree. ‘‘I mean, realistically, how many times do you get to do something like this?’’ he said. ‘‘I think I’ve gotten to do some pretty cool stuff in my life, but this would be one of them. I don’t even think it’s a big deal. If it’s remotely an issue at all, then it’s not worth it to me. I care about these 25 guys and the coaches.’’
Dunn is a friend and ex-teammate of former Blue Jays minorleaguer Joe Newcomb, who started the production company that financed ‘‘Dallas Buyers Club.’’
‘‘I’m not worried about precedence, either, because the next time somebody has something to do with the Oscars, we’ll deal with it,’’ Ventura said. ‘‘I’m not worried about setting precedence because it’s a cool thing and he should be able to go enjoy it. He has to invite me, but, other than that, he can go.
‘‘He deserves to go. That movie would not have been as good without him.’’