Hot Foot in Mouth

[dgwphotography]

From Bondy, so take it FWIW: For reporters who covered the effective reliever during the Mets' golden years in the late '80s, this incident is horrifying, yet not far removed from the realm of believability. McDowell was known to the public as a merry prankster, a guy who would give a "hot foot" to teammates at the drop of a cap. But he also could get surly with reporters who were critical of his pitching. "He definitely had a dark, nasty side," said one beat writer. "He was pretty thin-skinned. He could turn on you." I loved his pitching quite often, especially when he first came up and eternally for Game Six in Houston, and of course rooted for him to succeed in a Mets uniform, but I never really cared for McDowell, personally...and by personally I mean as a fan, from a distance. Something about him always struck me as contrived. I think I resented that he'd be lumped in with Tug McGraw as a kindred free spirit when all Roger did was screw around with pranks and masks. I think I also resented that he usurped Orosco's pre-eminence in the pen (I hated that Jesse's effectiveness waned at the moment the Mets were becoming great; why can't I have everything I want all at once?) and was secretly satisfied that Jesse outpitched him in Game Seven (not that I spent a lot of time dwelling on that at the time). I was also modestly aghast (though completely getting it) that McDowell won the fan vote for best righthanded reliever in franchise history in 2002 when Benitez, painful as he was to consider, had piled up all relevant records over the previous three years. All that said, I wasn't thinking, "He'll probably go over the top with homophobic slurs in San Francisco at some fan eventually," yet I'm somehow not particularly surprised.

This.

McDowell and Dykstra were two of my least favorite 86ers even then, and I was happy to see them traded. So, while Allred has no credibility with me, these allegations regarding McDowell ring just a little bit true to me. IIRC, he was one of the biggest punks towards Jefferies ....

[Benjamin Grimm]

Why is it when someone says something that's anti-gay, it's characterized as homophobic? Other prejudices aren't typically portrayed as coming from fear.

[Guest Edgy DC]

Because it makes one feel more superior to pathologize the characteristics of one's enemies. Plus, the assonance makes it roll off the tongue nicely.

Someday, someone is going to respond to such an accusation with, "I deny that. I'm not afraid of gay people. I hold them in contempt, OK? There's a difference."

[Guest LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr]

Also, "sexist" is taken, and "sexualist" sounds like a very specific kind of contractor.

[Benjamin Grimm]

"Anti-gay" seems more appropriate than "homophobic"

If McDowell had, upon seeing a gay couple, stood on a chair and yelled "Eek!" then I'd think he was homophobic. It seems, however, that he's merely a hater.

It seems likely that some anti-gay feelings (I wouldn't venture to guess that it's most) come from repressed gay tendencies and self-loathing. Maybe that's where the phobic suffix comes from.

[bmfc1]

ajcbraves David O'Brien
#Braves put McDowell on administrative leave pending outcome of investigation into alleged anti-gay slurs. Dave Wallace interim pitch coach

[Benjamin Grimm]

They should have chosen Rick Waits instead. His name is a sentence.

[Guest Edgy DC]

The Mets replaced him with Aguilera.

[G-Fafif]

bmfc1 wrote: ajcbraves David O'Brien #Braves put McDowell on administrative leave pending outcome of investigation into alleged anti-gay slurs. Dave Wallace interim pitch coach

When McDowell comes back, will Wallace take over as outfield coach?

[metirish]

In England they call it gardening leave , either way it's one step out the door.

[G-Fafif]

metirish wrote: In England they call it gardening leave , either way it's one step out the door.

At Shea, that was the same as being exiled to the bullpen.

[Guest Edgy DC]

Two-week suspension.

[Benjamin Grimm]

He got off easy.

At least, so far.

[Guest Edgy DC]

It's probably something he agreed to.

[soupcan]

Benjamin Grimm wrote: He got off easy.

Yup.

[Guest Edgy DC]

It would have been politically easier for Selig if he just had him killed.

[Fman99]

Benjamin Grimm wrote: If McDowell had, upon seeing a gay couple, stood on a chair and yelled "Eek!" then I'd think he was homophobic. It seems, however, that he's merely a hater.

This happens to me all the time (note: only when I see a gay person with eight legs and eight eyes).

[metirish]

Edgy DC wrote: It would have been politically easier for Selig if he just had him killed.

damn , you're on a crusade this morning.

I can see McDowell losing his job if Adler brings this to court and it drags out.

[G-Fafif]

McDowell back, sorry, won't do it again.

His eyes red and voice wavering, Roger McDowell returned as the Atlanta Braves' pitching coach Friday and apologized for his crude conduct that led to a suspension. He spent a "very humbling" two weeks away from the game and promised there will be no repeat of such actions. "I've always said this is the best office in the world," McDowell said, before pausing to gather himself. "When I put the uniform back on I felt how fortunate I am to be able to put this uniform on and represent the organization." McDowell apologized in his statement "to anyone who was offended by my actions" and answered questions. "I am not proud of the way I acted and I know that it will not happen again," he said.