I agree with this part, but just cause it can be taken that way doesn’t mean it should.

And again, there have been enough instances where people take spontaneous celebration personally, like Aubrey Huff, who countered with a choreographed celebration which undoubtedly targeted the opposing pitcher.

I’m really just saying those that think Fielder’s antics are showing up the other team are incorrect. If he was deliberately showing them up then I could understand the criticism, but as I’ve mentioned, I personally don’t see it as any worse as the “spontaneous” walk-off celebrations a la the Yankees’ helmet throw, little kids dance, pie in the face.

Choreographed celebration implies and elaborate celebration, and the very elaborate nature of a celebration can be taken as a lack of consideration for the opponent (at best) or even an effort to humiliate him (at worst).

You are correct that a spontaneous celebration might be just as big or elaborate (good example of everyone piling on at home plate, as is usually the case), but the opponent is more likely to give the victors a pass if such a celebration appears unplanned–it will be taken as a visceral, emotional reaction, fundamentally un-thought-out and thus not likely to be tainted with directed malice (“they were just captured by the moment, they didn’t know what they were doing”).

The choreographed celebration is likely to evoke a different response (“they should KNOW better than to show up their opponents like that…even if they didn’t mean anything by it, it’s still inconsiderate/disrespectful/not right/etc”).

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Interestingly, I find the helmet-throw-home-plate-pile off-putting because it is clear that this has become a sort of choreographed deal. Surely it is not spontaneous when the runner prepares to toss his helmet at third base and everyone is gathered around the plate in anticipation.

Now I’m a major loser for posting like 50 times in a row.

But perhaps more importantly: while we shouldn’t hold them out as role models, as public figures they are already role models, whether they (or we) like it or not.

Where I guess we differ is that, if I was the one who gave up that home run to Fielder, I would have laughed at the creativity of the Brewers’ celebration.

To be honest, you are probably a much bigger man than me. I have a feeling I would be the guy who stuck a pitch in his ear hole the next time round, or at least I’d be tempted, Then a again, Prince is a pretty big dude, and I’m not sure I’d want to cross him.

; )

If the celebration is choreographed, then one suspects that it is not spontaneous and thus more likely to aimed (in part) at embarrassing, taunting, or showing up the other team.

It is impossible to know what is written in the hearts of men, so we’ll never know for sure if Fielder and friends (for example) wanted to “rub it in” the opposing team. But I can understand why observers might take exception to the choreography.

It’s a nice thing for Yankee fans, and worth recognizing in that sense, I just don’t see much historical significance outside of that.

Where I guess we differ is that, if I was the one who gave up that home run to Fielder, I would have laughed at the creativity of the Brewers’ celebration. They beat me, good for them for celebrating it. If anything, I might consider that as flattering – what other pitcher can say he gave up a game-winning HR to Fielder and got that as a response? If they cared enough to celebrate it, they must have thought getting the HR off me was something pretty special. If it was my kid who did, I would hope that he or she would react in the same way.

I don’t think we should encourage little leaguers to celebrate in that way, for the reasons I gave above – and because they may be more likely to turn and point and actually taunt the hitter or the pitcher – but I have no issues with big leaguers doing it. After all, there are certain things its OK for adults to do that its not OK for kids to do.

And sadly, no, I don’t think we should hold professional athletes out as role models, for anyone. It would be nice, but to me, its just not practical I feel a role model should be someone you really know – and unless you know a pro athlete personally, there’s no way to really know them. Maybe never has been.

I would say that they can be an excellent starting point for a discussion about the “right” kind of values to uphold.

Jeter SS
Swisher RF
Teixeira 1B
Rodriguez 3B
Matsui DH
Posada C
Cano 2B
Cabrera LF
Gardner CF

If a pitcher struck out Prince Fielder with the bases loaded, and the game on the line, and the opposing team suddenly broke into a Rockettes style kickline on the mound, would he feel disrespected? I think so. Would he like it? I think not.

So, baseball does have rules/penalties for unsportsmanlike behavior, though this of course refers to behavior during the game. Still, there is the notion that sportsmanship (however defined) is good, while unsportsmanlike behavior is bad and discouraged.

I’m pretty sure 99% of the complaints on the banter about Jeter coverage have been on TV coverage, mostly YES.

As a consequence, the only thing I’ve actually gotten tired of are all the complaints about the coverage since it’s really only segment of the media (though an important one) that has this problem.

It’s just another reason that I am so grateful that professional blogs like the bronx banter and Lohud exist as compliments to the print media. Now can we stop talking about that old dinosaur: TV?