I actually think that this makes more sense than putting an asterisk in the "Record Book" (as if that had any practical meaning). We're talking about a museum here, and Ecko is clearly making an artistic expression, no matter how douchey some may find him. Museums and artists should generally have at least some passing respect for each other, and leave it up to the future visitors to Cooperstown to decide whether anyone involved in this whole mess should take this title away from John Edwards (not the former Senator).
6 - I didn't make this clear before, but I think that the distinction between "The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum" being two different things is important. The Plaque Gallery, representing the players that have been inducted, is separate from the rest of the museum, which is about representing all of baseball history, of which this entire episode is clearly a part. Barry Bonds's plaque shouldn't have an asterisk, but if the ball happens to have one when they get their hands on it, it just adds to the historical context, which is what museums are all about.
I don't know Mark Ecko. I've never heard of Mark Ecko before today.
I would like to buy Mark Ecko a very expensive drink. He is articulating my sentiments exactly. During this entire steroid crisis--and a crisis it was--every aspect of the game failed the fans; administration, players, players union, press, you name it. All got failing grades.
The worst thing you can do to a work of art is deface it. It's an awful sign of disrespect and in this case entirely appropriate. When my son and I go to Cooperstown one day, he'll ask me about the mark and I'll be happy to answer. I only hope baseball has the courage to make sure the mark is as prominently displayed as the ball. My favorite baseball author, Bill James, said we need to forgive. Noble as that may be, there is no reason to forget, particularly when so many seem to want to ignore the whole thing even happened. The ball will remind us forever about this despicable time and what better place for it to be than in the game's most hallowed ground.
History is the most interesting thing about baseball; it's still what it has over the other sports. It needs to own this history. We all do.
He has polemical capital and he's going to use it.
http://tinyurl.com/2hr478
I would like to buy Mark Ecko a very expensive drink. He is articulating my sentiments exactly. During this entire steroid crisis--and a crisis it was--every aspect of the game failed the fans; administration, players, players union, press, you name it. All got failing grades.
The worst thing you can do to a work of art is deface it. It's an awful sign of disrespect and in this case entirely appropriate. When my son and I go to Cooperstown one day, he'll ask me about the mark and I'll be happy to answer. I only hope baseball has the courage to make sure the mark is as prominently displayed as the ball. My favorite baseball author, Bill James, said we need to forgive. Noble as that may be, there is no reason to forget, particularly when so many seem to want to ignore the whole thing even happened. The ball will remind us forever about this despicable time and what better place for it to be than in the game's most hallowed ground.
History is the most interesting thing about baseball; it's still what it has over the other sports. It needs to own this history. We all do.
8 You've never heard of him? No "urbanwear" where you live?
It was to laugh.
Then the people are idiots.
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