Advice from the blue seats
On Sosa, Trubisky, Jed Hoyer’s Civil War beard and Fake Don Cooper
Offering unsolicited advice to athletes, executives and owners is one of the many perks of being a Tribune sports writer.
You often can get under the skin of a powerful person, as when White Sox Chairman Jerry Reinsdorf pulled me aside after I’d written a column calling for changes at new Comiskey Park, including blowing up the upper deck and replacing the blue seats with green ones.
“Why are you making such a big (expletive) deal about the seats in the upper deck?” he asked.
Years later, the Sox lopped off the top eight rows of the notorious upper deck, installed a canopy roof and changed the seats from blue to green.
The ballpark looks much better.
Perhaps Reinsdorf heeded my advice. Or maybe it was his own idea. Who knows?
Either way, my unsolicited advice is always free, which is why the following can either take it or leave it.
Sammy Sosa: It’s obvious the former Cubs slugger wants an invitation to Wrigley Field to end his 16-year exile. But it’s also apparent the Ricketts family is not going to extend one unless Sosa offers a mea culpa regarding his alleged steroid use.
The solution is simple. Next year, when the fans (hopefully) are back in the stands, Sosa should just buy a ticket and sit in the stands at Wrigley. Most fans will treat him like a king, even if the Rickettses don’t. You don’t need an invite, Sammy. Just do it.
Mitch Trubisky: It was cool you used a picture of Theodore Roosevelt’s 1910 “Man in the Arena” speech as a background for your interview with Bears reporters. It was much more interesting than the bookcases and trophy shelves most others use. And it basically was a message to your naysayers, as evidenced by the quote: “It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly …”
Thanks. We get it. You have been unfairly maligned. Just remember, Roosevelt had another relevant quote you might want to look up: “If you could kick the person in the pants responsible for most of your trouble, you wouldn’t sit for a month.” It also applies to you.
Ken Williams: After your emotional video about race and racism, you are now in great position to be a change agent in baseball.
A few years ago, you mentioned it was time for a Black owner: “There has never been (Black) ownership in Major League Baseball. And as it was Jackie (Robinson’s) responsibility to do what he did, and Frank Robinson’s responsibility to become the first Black manager, and on and on in the game (with) the levels that have been broken, it’s part of my responsibility to pursue that as the next step. So, yes, I think there are still some things that need to happen in the game.”
If anyone is ready to become that pioneer, it’s you, Ken. Maybe you and Michael Jordan can get a group of investors together to buy a team.
Jed Hoyer: Your gray quarantine beard made you look like a Civil War general for the Union Army. Sorry you decided to shave. Bring it back for the playoffs — assuming they come to pass.
Ty Cobb: I know you are dead and your legacy as one of the greatest hitters ever is secure. But your reputation as a racist remains very much alive, so get ready for a reckoning.
After the Twins removed the statue of former owner Cal Griffith for racist comments, you’re probably in the on-deck circle. How long will it be before your statues at Comerica Park and at the Tigers spring training facility in Florida are gone?
Hall of Fame: The Baseball Hall of Fame recently issued a state
ment about its commitment to educating fans about baseball and civil rights. “We remain dedicated to presenting the history of baseball’s role in social change. It is through the context of history that we understand the present and create a path toward the future. As a cultural and educational institution, we remain committed to sharing the reality of racial inequality and its history within America’s Pastime.”
How will the Hall of Fame deal with Cobb and other reputed racists, including former Commissioner Kenesaw Mountain Landis, who kept the sport segregated? Perhaps a short explanation can be attached to the plaques in the Hall of Fame museum.
Don Cooper: The White Sox pitching coach for life needs to inform Twitter someone is using his photo and name on an account that’s being used solely to troll politicians and sports writers whose views he doesn’t agree with. It’s embarrassing to the Sox organization, and not just for the poor grammar and misspellings. Fortunately the account has only 17 followers, none of whom is a Sox pitcher, so it couldn’t possibly be Cooper.