I didn't realize this, but then again I played youth sports back in the Mesozoic Era. When an exasperated coach called us "sissies" for not trying hard enough, whining about routine bumps and bruises, or (in baseball) not sliding, they were, according to today's ignorant PC police, hitting us with an anti-homosexual slur. Horse manure; no they weren't. They simply didn't want us to act "timid or cowardly" (Definition 2 at Dictionary.com), two traits which are not positives in competitive situations.
In researching this post, I learned that the PC police succeeded in excising the idea of calling any single person or specifically named group of persons a "sissy" or "sissies" from civil conversation five to seven years ago. What I didn't realize is that they object even if the word is not directed at specific people. That explains why Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame baseball announcer Marty Brennaman became a recipient of their ire on Wednesday.
This occurred as Brennman dared to contend that a new baseball rule enacted before this season isn't a good idea (bolds are mine):
Marty Brennaman: MLB creating 'a game of sissies'
During the sixth inning of Wednesday's radio and MLB Network broadcast of the Reds' 6-5 win against the Rockies, Reds broadcaster Marty Brennaman insisted that rules like Major League Baseball's new slide rule at second base are resulting in "a game of sissies."
Brennaman's remark came during the "Ask Marty" segment featured during each broadcast. The question was, "How do you feel about the new slide rule? Do you think it's taking some of the fun out of baseball?"
More from Marty: "No question about that. I think this game is legislating it into a game of sissies. They're taking away all the contact. The rule at second base is ridiculous. And once again it's a kneejerk reaction. ... The home plate thing was a kneejerk reaction to Buster Posey. And all sorts of problems with that. Now the kneejerk reaction to two plays at second base - this rule obviously now known as the Chase Utley rule. And they're seemingly trying to modify that thing on the run. I think it's ridiculous. I don't see anything wrong with the way things were in the past.
Apparently there was blowback, and maybe a tap on the shoulder from the Lords of Baseball, because Brennaman, a proud man who has stood by his sometimes outspoken criticism of teams, players, managers, umpires, fans and others in baseball over the years, felt compelled to apologize. Cincinnati Enquirer sportswriter Paul Daugherty believes that no apology should have been necessary, and I agree:
This is Marty Brennaman, like it or not
Marty Brennaman will tell you what he thinks. There is a chance you might not agree with what he thinks or like what he thinks. You might, in fact, think Brennaman is full of it. And himself. Which even Brennaman might call a fair assessment.
What Marty won’t do is pander to you. When the Reds are playing poorly, he will say that. This is a blessing for Reds fans who don’t want their intelligence assaulted and a gift from the Reds themselves, who pay Brennaman’s salary and could muzzle him if they pleased.
Ask him a straight question – such as a fan did Wednesday afternoon during the Ask Marty segment in the 6th inning – you get a straight answer. Do with it what you will.
The questioner wondered what Marty thought of Baseball’s new slide rule, more commonly known as the Chase Utley Rule. The game’s caretakers enacted it Feb. 25, in response to two incidents last season involving runners taking out infielders – and their knee ligaments -- in double-play situations.
... Brennaman isn’t a fan of the rule, but that’s not what’s causing the roar. This is:
“I think this game is legislating it into a game of sissies."
Apparently, some listeners took exception to his use of the pejorative “sissies." At least according to reaction we got at the newspaper office.
Well.
Some people need to find a hobby or something.
They sure do.
Continuing:
... Nevertheless, Brennaman apologized Thursday morning. “It was a poor choice of words,; he said.
“I realized that as soon as I said it. That’s not the first time I’ve said something spontaneously and wanted to reach out and grab those words and stuff ‘em back down my throat."
Really? I never would have guessed. Part of Marty’s candor is the occasional slip of the lip. I’ll take that trade every time.
So will I.
But we're apparently not allowed to get it any more, because like everyone else in this ultra-sensitive, ultra-ready to pounce PC world, off-the-cuff candor is simply too dangerous. If this were Marty Brennaman's third year instead of his 43rd of broadcasting the Reds, he might be getting the Curt Schilling treatment — regardless of his after-the-fact apology.
Cross-posted at BizzyBlog.com.
