Comments on: Lance Berkman apologizes for calling Bud Selig an extortionist

By: stex52

stex52 — Sun, 25 Mar 2012 01:35:08 +0000

Once more, by what chain of logic do you draw thatg conclusion?

By: sprest83

sprest83 — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 20:59:37 +0000

Really? There is that much Berkman support? Why? The guy is a loud mouth know-it-all that needs to shut up.

By: xmatt0926x

xmatt0926x — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 17:49:17 +0000

“He seems more like a “gosh, that’d be swell” kind of guy, not the sort of guy who ruffles feathers like that.” No, I think this is actually typical Berkman. I think he actually comes off as a smart ass alot when he speaks. Not that he’s a tyrant but I don’t think he’s an “aww shucks” guy at all.

By: racksie

racksie — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 17:26:12 +0000

Being a Twins fan, I have my own issues with Bud. He has made bad decisions, but has made more good decisions. And I have heard, from many media people, he will call you to talk about your opinion, and tell you why you are wrong. I was actively seeking him out while I lived in Milwaukee. I wanted to shake his hand, and tell him I loved the game as much as him. And contraction was something I will hold against him forever.

By: raindog

raindog — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 17:18:55 +0000

Get out of here, Selig.

By: Old Gator

Old Gator — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 17:05:56 +0000

Especially given to whom you're comparing him.

By: Baseball Beer Burritos In That Order

Baseball Beer Burritos In That Order — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 16:45:00 +0000

I don’t know a lot about Lance Berkman, but I’m pretty sure the conversation they had went something like “Son, do you want to have a job in baseball when you retire? Keep your trap shut or else.” And then Berkman smiled, thanked Bud, and left.

By: forsch31

forsch31 — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 16:26:06 +0000

>>”Why do I get the impression that the “exchange of views” was about 98% Selig explaining to Berkman how the world works and 2% of Berkman saying “yes sir, sorry sir”?”

Funny, I don’t get that sense from Berkman’s comments in the article.

“I don’t believe I said anything I hadn’t said before,” Berkman said Thursday, shortly before the Cardinals played the Washington Nationals at Roger Dean Stadium. “It’s not exactly new.

“It’s a team and a city that I’ve been part of for a long time and it’s how I felt. But I don’t think anything illegal necessarily happened. I guess I could have conveyed it in a different way.”
—–
“I spoke as a major league player, a former member of the organization and as someone who appreciates the history of the franchise,” said Berkman, well aware that the Astros joined the National League as the expansion Colt 45′s in 1962. “I don’t know of anyone who wanted the club to move to a different league. But it was going to happen” for the sale to be approved.
—
“Several sources told me he was not pleased with my remarks,” Berkman said. “I didn’t expect him to be. I knew he was going to be a little upset. Having read them and having some time to reflect, I realized there wasn’t any need to be quite that over the top.”

So, basically: yeah, I shouldn’t have said “extortion,” but it still sucks.

By: Carl Hancock

Carl Hancock — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 16:24:13 +0000

If you think it was 98% Selig explaining to Berkman how the world works and 2% of Berkman saying “yes sir, sorry sir” then you really really do not know Lance Berkman. He’s a veteran who’s had a great career and is nearing the end. He doesn’t care what Selig thinks or says. I’m sure the only thing Lance would have apologized for would be related to bringing negative publicity to MLB itself by making the comments publicly the way he did.

By: stex52

stex52 — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 16:16:19 +0000

I like your post, too. Berkman is a very intelligent and principled man. He has never been afraid to give an interview opinion, even before he had a national audience. He loves Houston, and he is expressing a view that is widely held around the city. You probably underestimate how badly viewed this whole exercise by Selig was around here.

Extortionist is a strong word for a public interview. But you would here that and more at the water coolers around town. And you are probably right, I bet the conversation went both ways. Why would Berkman be afraid of some fine? And a game suspension would look like over-the-top retaliation.

By: stex52

stex52 — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 16:03:59 +0000

By what chain of logic do you draw that conclusion?

By: stex52

stex52 — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 16:02:57 +0000

Of course he did.

By: borninfellspoint

borninfellspoint — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 14:24:47 +0000

good post spudchukar!

By: skids003

skids003 — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 14:20:27 +0000

Since h apologized, that makes it OK now. SO I will apologize to Bekman for calling him an entitled butthead. That makes it Ok, right?

By: cur68

cur68 — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 14:19:21 +0000

Agree, totally. The fact the Phat Elvis was basically right really adds the burn to this.

By: apmn

apmn — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 14:14:49 +0000

Are you suggesting that Selig extorted the apology from Berkman?

By: spudchukar

spudchukar — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 14:05:48 +0000

I’ll bet it was a lot more 50-50. Berkman always speaks his mind. Sure he needed to apologize for the “extortion” malaprop, but he has never shied away from taking a stand on something he believes in. Personally, I think he is incorrect in his analysis, but he is speaking from the heart, his allegiance to Houston palpable, and I for one would like to hear his argument.

By: cintiphil

cintiphil — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 13:48:22 +0000

The problem is that no of the people paying attention, will change their minds even after this “apology”. Everyone know who Selig is, and either like him or hate him. In my case, I think he is way too much of a strong arm kind of guy who uses his authority to benefit himself and his own interests. So, no change here.

By: sprest83

sprest83 — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 13:47:20 +0000

Berkman is an idiot!

By: Jonny 5

Jonny 5 — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 13:29:29 +0000

Correction: 2% of Berkman saying, “No Sir, My mouth isn’t writing any more checks my a$$ isn’t ready to cash Sir.

By: royhobbs39

royhobbs39 — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 13:28:09 +0000

I have a feeling it was more like 99% and 1%. But it was smart to use 98/2 so that there would be no accusations of you trying to insert any political views here…