I have been a sports fan much longer than I have followed politics. It is sports that actually led me into journalism. I used to listen to Jim Rome and Steve Deace on the radio daily and watch SportsCenter every morning.
There are not very many “liberal” principles in sports. Not many at all. Much of sports is black and white. This isn’t the case in liberal land.
I remember during the steroid era how often sports journalists made it a point to stress the importance of athletes knowing exactly what substances were being put into their bodies at all times.
When someone tested positive for Performance Enhancing Drugs and claimed ignorance, nobody bought it.
“Nope. You’re a millionaire. Your body is your livelihood. You have to know what you’re putting into it!”
That was basically the line.
Yet today, journalists are calling Boston Red Sox reliever Tanner Houck “selfish” and a bad teammate for being unvaccinated.
Canada still has its COVID requirements to enter the country. And Houck, who serves as the Boston closer, is not vaccinated against COVID.
So, Houck couldn’t join his teammates for their series north of the border.
And who is the bad guy?
Houck.
Boston Globe columnist Dan Shaughnessy tweeted:
“Most richly-deserved loss ever. Anti-vax Sox closer is back in Boston enjoying personal freedom, while Sox pen blows 5-4 lead in 9th. Pen never got an out in the ninth. Sox are 2-7 vs. Jays, 7-16 vs. AL East. But everybody evidently ok with Tanner Houck quitting on team.”
He followed with:
“Let’s be clear: Houck chose to abandon his teammates. His personal freedom is more important.”
There was this from Chad Finn:
“Counting that as a blown save for Dr. Houck.”
It is crazy to me to see how liberal the sports media has become.
They’re blaming Houck for losing a game he wasn’t even part of. Never mind plenty of “vaccinated” folks have tested positive for COVID and ended up not being able to play.
Never mind people have been injured by the COVID vaccine.
Never mind Houck is ultimately responsible for what he puts into his body, which is what makes him the pitcher he is.
Good for Houck sticking to his beliefs and doing what is best for him and for his body. It is the only body he’ll ever have. And there is so much more to live for than baseball.
