The Unhinged MLB Fan 2020

I don't disagree that the punishments given to the Houston Astros was very light. I have no idea how much legality there can be in terms of punishing the players. We don't even know how much power Rob Manfred and Tony Clark have. Fans and players are upset and rightfully so. To be given immunity and not face any consequences, it gives ideas of retaliation and other bad ideas.

But what I don't agree with is going after the Astros family members. That's a line you don't even cross. Last season Bryce Harper's newborn son was the target of fans. Daniel Hudson was criticized for leaving the Nationals during the playoff to witness his first born child. That stuff pales to what Astro players are getting. "Fans" telling them they'll rape their wives and families. Hoping their children get cancer. It's bothering guys like Josh Reddick. I can't blame him. We're seeing the very ugly side of what happens when there is no "justice" in regards to all the sign stealing stuff.

If I'm involved with an Astro player, I would avoid going anywhere during the season. And the need for extra security is coming. I don't think that will be surprising. They are people after all, despite the cheating. Because the amount they are going to have, it's going to be very rough on them. And who knows if some wacko decides to chase one of them and try to attack them. Even Mike Fiers, the man who exposed the team, is getting threats himself. And that has also come after alleged PED user David Ortiz called him a snitch. So I guess in 2016, you injected yourself with steroids to have that magical year, Ortiz? I wouldn't have said anything, especially at the Red Sox camp wearing Red Sox affiliated stuff and having small controversy because of the era of baseball that was played 15 years ago.

Keyboard warriors are a common thing. Most people are normal when it comes to criticizing anything, but this is not criticism. Last thing that needs to be seen is a nut injuring one of these players. That will add more ammo to a big stockpile of issues.

Where Is Safe?

Parts of the world are always going to be dangerous. You wouldn't think your home country wouldn't be. For as much as I resent Boston sports and think it's the most obnoxious city for that kind of stuff, what happened to David Ortiz is a travesty. A quick bio, he played 20 years of baseball, the last 14 with the Red Sox. More than likely, he will be in the Hall of Fame. He got shot in the Dominican Republic. As of now, he is walking and trying to get back in full health in a Boston hospital.

To address baseball players, a number of them are targets. With Ortiz, it was a robbery and shot at close range. There have been times where kidnappings occur. Wilson Ramos of the Mets was a potential victim back in 2011. I actually do remember hearing that back in the fall at that time. You hear this kind of stuff with sports stars. This is going to affect the Dominican Republic quite a bit. Tourism could take a steep decline due to this incident and instances of people getting killed or hurt. There's been a handful of deaths in hotel rooms. There are precautionary methods for staying safe, but not everyone abides to them.

Ortiz is a treasure to kids who want to get out and make their way to Major League Baseball. Even for my hate of the Red Sox, this shouldn't happen to anyone, including him. Life can throw a curve ball, and hopefully the guy can get back to 100 percent and enjoy doing some broadcasting and other good things he does in his post-baseball playing part of life.