Braves can’t go lightly on discipline for McDowell, Lowe
Roger McDowell has helped Braves' pitchers but that won't help him now. (Jason Getz/AJC)
(Originally posted: 3:11 p.m. Updated throughout: 7:15 p.m.)
For the past two days, the Braves have been a staple on TMZ, with storylines about a coach’s alleged homophobia and a pitcher’s alleged drunk driving and street racing. Suddenly, they sit uncomfortably in the same talk show green room with Lindsay Lohan, Charlie Sheen and, “Sara Evans’ Ex: She Surrounds Our Kids with Drugs!”
And you thought Dan Uggla hitting .180 was a concern.
Derek Lowe has been charged with DUI and reckless driving. He allegedly was racing his Porsche through Buckhead Thursday night. This came a day after pitching coach Roger McDowell was accused of spewing anti-gay slurs and inappropriate comments to some fans at a recent game in San Francisco.
Lowe was at Turner Field Friday night and apologized. He will make his scheduled start Sunday, the Braves rationalizing that decision with the standard explanation of letting the legal process run its course (perhaps down Peachtree).
McDowell was not at the stadium. He has been placed on “administrative leave,” which doesn’t sound any worse than maternity leave. I guess the Braves don’t want to use the word “suspension” yet. At the very least, we can be certain Lowe won’t be driving McDowell to sensitivity classes.
Now, does any of this mean the Braves’ franchise is morphing into something between the Cincinnati Bengals and “Celebrity Rehab”? Hardly.
But it would be nice to see both the team and Major League Baseball take these matters seriously, rather than merely dismiss them with players, general managers and coaches making contrite statements and explaining that everybody makes mistakes, so let’s just move on.
I’m not trying to bury Lowe and McDowell. I’m not suggesting they be thrown out of baseball. But how is it that MLB allows Cincinnati pitcher Mike Leake to make a start two days after he’s arrested for shoplifting? And yes, while Lowe will get his due process — and likely eventually will plea his charges down to something resembling an expensive parking ticket — isn’t it just a little weird that he will take the mound Sunday, three days after being arrested and spending the night in jail?
Did Lowe ever consider skipping his start?
“No,” he said.
The Braves and MLB are moving slowly with McDowell. That’s understandable. There are multiple witnesses. Details are varied. One of the parties has turned this into a sideshow, bringing his 9-year-old twin daughters to a news conference the other day as props. He also has hired noted attorney Gloria Allred, who is fresh off representing a porn star and a kindergarten teacher for scoldings of Tiger Woods.
That woman has headline GPS.
But we know something happened because McDowell already has admitted, “I apologize to everyone for my actions.” Those aren’t the words of an innocent man.
He needs to be hit with a suspension, and hit hard. The absolute minimum: 30 games without pay, a significant fine and court-mandated Saying Stupid Things Rehab. If even half what has been alleged is true, most of us would be fired.
Commissioner Bud Selig just suspended Ozzie Guillen two games for Tweeting. Is he really going to go lightly on McDowell?
General manager Frank Wren was predictably guarded Friday. They are still sorting out details, and he acknowledged, “The commissioner is taking the lead on this.”
When asked if there was any chance McDowell could lose his job, Wren said: “I’m not going to get into any final determination of anything at this point.”
Asked the same question, manager Fredi Gonzalez said: “No, and it shouldn’t.”
Fredi didn’t get the memo.
This isn’t merely about us living in politically correct times. Baseball is still dealing with the beating of a Giants fan in Los Angeles. The NBA fined Kobe Bryant $100,000 for homophobic slurs. Feelings are a bit raw.
The Braves recognize their brand has been damaged. They haven’t been hit like this since John Rocker spoke so eloquently about the 7 Train to Flushing.
Said Lowe, “It’s been a rough couple of days for this organization and clearly I have a lot to do with that.”
He does. And such actions should not go unpunished.
By Jeff Schultz
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251 comments Add your comment
MikeF
April 29th, 2011
7:36 pm
As a native San Franciscan and life long World Champion San Francisco Giants fan, the one thing that disturbed me about this column was there was no mention of McDowell brandishing the bat in a threatening manner, and the fact that he is alleged to have said, “kids have no place at the ballpark”. (I love reading other teams sportswriters and getting there take on the issue.) And McDowell is certainly lucky that he mouthed off to a very tolerant fan.
MitchC
April 29th, 2011
7:37 pm
Jeff, can I ask you this question: You admit that if any of us in “real life jobs” had done what McDowell did.. we would have been fired.. shown the door.. so.. why does it seem that you advocate he only be hit with a suspension?
I told Mark Bradley last night that I really believe McDowell should be fired. What he did is that serious. Yes, the Braves are going through a transition year after the retirement of our manager after 20 years, and yes, the pitching coach is a very important position on the team.. but.. if they keep McDowell, after he engaged in such blatant insults, against the very people who pay the players and coaches salaries.. the fans.. what message does that send? Most fans.. myself included.. dont even come close to making what these spoiled players and coaches do. In a recovering economy especially, the teams need the fans more than ever..
I’m straight, for the record. (Not that my sexual orientation matters), but.. I could see a scenario where gay and lesbian groups could call for a boycott of Braves home games, if McDowell is not shown the door.
I’d get rid of him… but.. I’m not the Braves hirearchy. I know some won’t agree, but.. I feel his actions are incorrigable, unforgivable, and he should not have a job in major league baseball., at least for the rest of this season.. after engaging in such a revolting act.
Bill Robinson
April 29th, 2011
7:45 pm
Jeff, Fredi got the memo!! He said what he said, so that management could overrule him. New jobs will be created, but Fredi tried to save the old guys’ jobs, but he couldn’t!! The players will love Fredi for it and try to reward him with a pennant. A pennant means the players can vote the old guys a post season share. Everybody’s happy; the fans, the players, Fredi, Liberty Media and the AJC and me!
Roscoe P. Coltrain
April 29th, 2011
7:45 pm
“I’ll get those Duke Boys Keew Keew!”
Paradox
April 29th, 2011
7:47 pm
“The absolute minimum: 30 games without pay, a significant fine and court-mandated Saying Stupid Things Rehab. If even half what has been alleged is true, most of us would be fired.”
–If this is the punishment for spewing anti-gay slurs then what should be the punishment for racing 5000 lbs of car down the road while under the influence? If you compare the actual death tolls of the two offences, which is the most significant?! The time needs to fit the crime. Never known anyone killed by a slur but space does not permit me to list those done in by stupid drivers.
Intellibird
April 29th, 2011
7:53 pm
Maybe MLB should investigate supposed marijuana smoking at Giants games as well. Californians, and San Francisco residents in particular, are the most mistakenly self-righteous, easily offended, oddballs this side of Timbuktu. Keep McDowell at whatever cost. Selig is a jerk and roundly despised. I hope that Liberty Media and the Braves will make a stand. As far as I know, this is McDowel’s first big mistake. All people make mistakes, even perfect and beautiful Californians. Their state is broke and there is no need to emulate them, in any way. How about “medicinal” pot being dispensed all over town.
At least if McDowell is sued in civil court, then the case will take place in HIS hometown, which I hope is in Georgia. because it is very doubtful that some sissies who have taken offense to a man (who was likely baited) are gonna get the multi-million dollar award they are seeking.
Amen.
Intellibird?
April 29th, 2011
8:21 pm
Oooh Sissies. I haven’t heard that one since 8th grade.
J Clay
April 29th, 2011
8:33 pm
30 days without pay? wow…
Not condoning what McDowell did BUT if he deserves 30 days Lowe deserves the whole season. McDowell was not in danger of killing someone with his filthy mouth, unlike D Lowe driving under the influence….
People care more about political correctness than public safety I guess
Intellibird
April 29th, 2011
8:37 pm
And you are? Don’t recognize your “Name”, though it seems strangely similar to my own. And, yes, I would imagine that most inhabitants of SF are of the effeminate type. Hard to imagine many Bulldogs, loggers, corn-fed country boys, or other such stereotypes in the Bay area. In fact, that Brian fella with the black beard is the manliest looking thing I’ve seen come out of there ever.
Go troll at Jay Bookman’s blog. This is Sports over here. Ever heard of Sports? Yes, I am a Braves fan and no I am not a fan of San Francisco or Los Angeles and its not yet a crime to hate those teams, fans, and cities. Though, I suppose you would like it to be. Sissy.
nerf
April 29th, 2011
8:44 pm
Oh come on. If you’re gifted enough to have one of the best jobs in the world making your living playing (or coaching) baseball, you should be able to ignore whatever anyone says in the stands. Almost every player has been heckled. I remember when Barry Bonds was in Atlanta and the “gentleman” behind me stopped just short of calling him a roid raging n*gger. Bonds acted like he didn’t hear it. Isn’t that what every professional major leaguer does?
Joy Behar
April 29th, 2011
8:47 pm
So what, who cares? Boys will be boys. Mcdowell’s a homophobe and Lowe’s a competitive drunk. Last time I checked this was the USA. Men can’t even be real men anymore. Screw metrosexuals.
Lars Taint
April 29th, 2011
8:51 pm
Send McDowell to the John Rocker School of Etiquette.
cdog
April 29th, 2011
8:51 pm
Roger, let GOD deal with homosexuals.he definitely will DEAL WITH THEM COME THE JUDGEMENT..read LEVITICUS 20:13
dagnabit
April 29th, 2011
8:53 pm
I am totally in favor of firing Lowe. I want fewer drunk drivers on Atlanta streets.
muddy waters
April 29th, 2011
8:56 pm
From a consensus of the media accounts available, it’s clear that McDowell said a lot of bad stuff, not just “anti-gay” but anti-kid and anti-MLB fan. He’s gone.
Professor Moriarty
April 29th, 2011
8:57 pm
Lowe should miss a start because he got a DUI? Reverse the situation, Jeff: if you got a DUI (assuming you drink and were overserved), I don’t think anyone would expect you not to write your next column. You go to court, take your medicine and move on with your life. Enough of this holier-than-thou wrath and self-righteousness.
MLB coach could be suspended 30 games? | Ben Maller
April 29th, 2011
9:00 pm
[...] the team while Major League Baseball decides what they’re going to do. Jeff Schultz of the ATLANTA JOURNAL-CONSTITUTION says the Braves must suspend the one time member of the 1986 Mets for at least a full month. He [...]
Bravesfan54
April 29th, 2011
9:00 pm
Mr. Schultz – I support everything that you have written as rational, realistic, fair, sensitive, astute, and prescient. I have loved this team since 1954, and I speak (proudly)as an attorney who has tried death penalty cases on behalf of “the people” and of “the accused”. (Your piece isn’t a “sports journalistic” version of Zola’s “J’Accuse”, and neither does it echo the sentiments of a loser “can’t we all just get along”. You showed both class and reasonableness. Thank you.
nerf
April 29th, 2011
9:03 pm
Intellibird: You’re right about some things. “Hating” Los Angeles or San Francisco teams isn’t a crime. It’s called rivalry. Bu saying was Roger did about children not belonging at the ballpark was bad. And the gay jokes are lame. They were funny maybe in 1992 (maybe). Heck I said them too, not going to lie. Haven’t we moved on? Am I wrong to suggest the Braves are a great storied franchise that deserves to be represented better?
JSS
April 29th, 2011
9:06 pm
Dude, you got a nerve calling somebody a “troll!” You’re condoning a bigot… Same day, new or the same targets for the childish name calling game…
JSS
April 29th, 2011
9:10 pm
Dude, you got a nerve calling somebody a “troll!” That blogger was right! You’re condoning a bigot… Same day, new or the same targets for the childish name calling game…
Jp
April 29th, 2011
9:17 pm
This country had gotten to “soft.” Hiring an atty, & having a press conf w/ur 2 lil girls is RIDICULOUS! No, he shldnt have said it, if he did. But, if so, BE A MAN, & teach your kids to have thick skin, & to take the high road, not hire an atty and sue. Great lesson for those kids buddy!
Perry & Leo
April 29th, 2011
9:18 pm
Fredi ain’t got a clue. MLB acts like they aren’t living in a world with laws. They can use drugs and still keep their jobs. They can commit various other crimes (shoplifting,purgery,spousal abuse,DUI,etc.) and ho-hum its nothing at all that matters.
By the way in that Lowe/Hudson commercial, Lowe’s pitch should be calle the “Beer Ball”.
Perry & Leo
April 29th, 2011
9:21 pm
McDowell saying “Kids shouldn’t be at games” is enough to get him fired or should be. MLB stresses parents taking kids to games. What a dumbass.
Perry & Leo
April 29th, 2011
9:23 pm
Hey Joe & Chip, why aren’t you guys talking about McDowell & Lowe tonite ? Its news ya know ?
Budweiser Lowe
April 29th, 2011
9:27 pm
Derek Lowe should make the most of this incident. He should contact Budweiser and suggest a new brand name of “Lowe”.
Try our new “Budweiser Lowe” , the athletes beer !!!!
TMAC
April 29th, 2011
9:29 pm
Woe-woe to ANYBODY that hurts a queers feelings, be it a humble restaurant employee or a bank president. These perverts have real CLOUT and that is a SICK indictment of our society.
JSS
April 29th, 2011
9:33 pm
@ Jeff Schultz…
Check your filter again
KBB
April 29th, 2011
10:07 pm
Nobody has called Derrick Lowe or McDowell a “thug” yet. Hmmm wonder why?
BigD
April 29th, 2011
10:31 pm
Let Derrick Lowe face whatever legal issues he must face and pay the price in that manner. A system is in place to handle what he did. McDowell apologized. Suspend him for a couple of games to throw a bone to the PC crowd and then just move on.
South Georgia
April 29th, 2011
10:46 pm
A ten game suspension for Coach McDowell is sufficient. He should not lose his job.
D(UI) Lowe
April 29th, 2011
11:55 pm
what in the world have you done to this team Fredi??? Before you came along the only off field problem the team had to deal with was Rocker!
D(UI) Lowe
April 29th, 2011
11:58 pm
“Nobody has called Derrick Lowe or McDowell a “thug” yet. Hmmm wonder why?”
thugs go to jail, no one is in jail yet but you’re obviously trying to start something by mentioning it.
tempe Zac
April 30th, 2011
4:40 am
D-Lowe could have hurt somebody racing while fairly tipsy. The pitching coach made a bawdy joke using a fairly PC word, not the q-word or fa-word. Then the guy told him to watch his mouth, and he said a less hurtful word that the guys children know. Instead of telling them when or if the word was ever appropriate, he decided to hire Gloria Allred to sue a man who isn’t rich in the first place for talking like most ballplayers.
TheAntiMe
April 30th, 2011
6:43 am
Well, the Braves have had the sex incident this week (Gay slurs by pitching coach). And they have had the drugs incident this week (DUI arrest of starting pitcher). So look for the Rock & Roll incident to come at any time in the next few days (David Ross arrested for playing Eddie Money CD too loud while driving down Peachtree Street).
TheAntiMe
April 30th, 2011
6:53 am
And yes, while Lowe will get his due process — and likely eventually will plea his charges down to something resembling an expensive parking ticket — isn’t it just a little weird that he will take the mound Sunday, three days after being arrested and spending the night in jail?
No, Jeff, if you think about it, it makes perfectly good sense that Lowe will pitch on Sunday. After all, Georgia is still one of the 3 most backwards states in the US that doesn’t allow people to buy beer, wine, or liquor on Sunday because God might get mad, so, Lowe should be just fine to start on Sunday.
Marvin Mangrum
April 30th, 2011
7:13 am
Its freaking baseball, not heaven. Damn, just unbelievable! Fine them both and get on with it. If you believe the Allred person and the accuser, then I have some great land for you!
NickGranite
April 30th, 2011
7:16 am
Baseball is still dealing with the beating of a Giants fan in Los Angeles. The NBA fined Kobe Bryant $100,000 for homophobic slurs. Feelings are a bit raw.
Sorry, I don’t see a reason to immolate your employees because of other people’s problems. In McDowell’s case, he was getting heckled. I’ve never bought that a ball player/coach has to sit there and take crap just because he’s a ball player. The “poor children” will get over it as they are already subjected to nutty leather clad gap pride paraders, Code Pinkos and every other type of rent-a-protester vermin in San Francisco. Public relations? It will be forgotten in a week, less if the braves start winning. Fine him and let’s move on.
legionaire
April 30th, 2011
8:17 am
Fine them both big time. Call a press conference at Turner Field and make McDowell give his to Elton John for his charitable fund and Lowe could give his to local MADD chapter.
Please sell the Braves
April 30th, 2011
8:34 am
Bream Team,
I think Dan Uggla is available…
Braves .....lol
April 30th, 2011
8:37 am
Okay I got it……Smoltzie intro song was “Thunderstruck”, Chippers is “Crazy Train”…Lowes new one…AC/DC “Have a Drink on Me”
Braves .....lol
April 30th, 2011
8:40 am
Oh lets see…..standings in division….ouch, Pitching coach antics….ouch, Lowe in a DUI……ouch ouch….. Fredi, so far…..YOU SUCK!
Chipper's ACL
April 30th, 2011
8:40 am
If after the investigation the facts show McDowell is guilty of these comments and actions then yes he should lose his job. If a person with a “normal” job would be terminated then he should too. I’m tired of the double standard given to sports figures. Let’s hope the Braves organization stands behind what is right, even if it means letting go of their pitching coach during the season. With the comments that we’ve heard on this story I doubt this is the first event with Mr. McDowell. Harshness like this isn’t off the cuff. Sounds like this is normal talk for him. Interesting situation.
Ray
April 30th, 2011
8:50 am
D Sanders and D Justice were run out of town for alot less than what these 2 have done
Adam
April 30th, 2011
9:03 am
I WOULDA’ BEEN FIRED FROM MY JOB IMMEDIATELY HAD I DONE WHT THESE TWO DID!!!! LOWE SUCKS AND ANYONE CAN BE A PITCHING COACH. PFFFT !!!!!
CLINTON (I lied too--so what)
April 30th, 2011
9:24 am
First and foremost there is no such thing as a gay slur, You can’t slur a pervert that lets another man penetrate his mouth or A hole with his private part. This is lewd and perverted behavior and could only be defended by those involved in or wanting to be involved this crap. Why doesn’t Jeff or Mark and other bloggers spend just a fraction of the time attacking the people that murder their children under the guise of a woman’s right to choose. She chose to have sex in most cases and the child should have the right to live. Too much time spent defending pertverts and not enough time on sports. Now let’s have the perverts attack me and they are perverted even if they say they are not, Hello Monica
Furman Bitcher
April 30th, 2011
9:26 am
Until somebody else come out of the shaddows and said they heard McDowell say these things then I say it is all BS. From all the reports I have seen and there are witnesses that say McDowell was jousting back and forth with some fans as, if you go early to games, happens all the time. The dad jumps in and starts yelling at Roger cussing telling him that he shouldnt talk that way in front of his kids and Roger said that he shouldnt bring his kids to the park if he is also going to cuss and yell like that either. 2 people have reported this story. No way that Roger said kids dont belong at the park. Really? A ball player and coach for 25 yrs in baseball said kids dont belong at the park? Once he said that with his windbag attorney Gloria Alred told me the story was embellished to sound worse probably because the dad ended up looking like a idiot. I call BS.
Keep Paying
April 30th, 2011
9:28 am
Can we get some articles on the Braves inability to advance runners, lack of speed, lack of fundamental play, and a manager who is clearly in over his head and was taught a lesson last night by LaRussa??
gt
April 30th, 2011
9:42 am
Baseball players and personel have that state fair back lot personality which in America is getting sicker and dumber each generation. We talk about the black culture in basketball but I seldom ever hear the redneck culture in baseball. I listen to that baseball coach on 680 radio, butcher the king’s English everyday. Education is not a disease, without it a stronger person can convince a weaker person there is something out there that is going to get them. Fear is a great motivator, and no one is more cowardly than a dumbass. I think politians love people like McDowell, so would Hitler in his day. Stupid serves its purpose.
Leslie
April 30th, 2011
9:44 am
I’m disappointed in Gonzalez’s response. To suggest that all McDowell needs to do is “jump through some hoops” means that Gonzalez doesn’t see any real problem with McDowell’s actions, only that the pitching coach will need to pacify others to keep his job. That doesn’t bode well for our new manager’s integrity, and that makes me sad. I’ve had high hopes for Gonzalez.