Via BBTF, the Washington Post provides an excellent look at why Tony Clark‘s intelligence and personality made him perfect for his job as head of the MLBPA. Buried in the story, however, is why there needs to be more netting in the ballpark:
When the Tigers were moving into Comerica Park before the 2000 season, club officials were planning on putting the family section down the third base line. Typically, those sections are behind home plate – and therefore behind screens, where people weren’t as susceptible to foul balls. Pitcher C.J. Nitkowski, a teammate of Clark’s in Detroit as well as in the minor leagues, was concerned about the safety of his young family.
“I was furious about it,” Nitkowski said. He drafted a letter to top Tigers’ officials and shared it with Clark.
“He was like, ‘All your points are really great,’” Nitkowski recalled. “‘But you got to soften it a little bit, dude. You’re coming off way too angry.’”
“He had an understanding of the way you approach something like that, even as a player,” Nitkowski said. “He understood the value of being civil and the right way to have that conversation from player to management.”
If ballplayers don’t think their families are safe, then you probably are not.
Do read the article for insights into Clark as the CBA negotiations approach.
from baseballmusings.com http://ift.tt/1oIQVfo
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