LAist: Garret Anderson Doesn't Care About Black People

tony

Thu, 12 Apr 2007 14:32:59 -0800

jeff, thats a new story that came out yesterday - a week after this post, which shows that GA probably agrees with our assessment of him. way to prove our point. and Maxwell, no wonder youre a lost cause, you judge books by covers and race makeups by what you think you see in some of the pics of only some of our contributers. heck of a job, drunky.

Jeff

Thu, 12 Apr 2007 14:00:39 -0800

Way to tell only part of the story there T.P.... From ESPN: "But Los Angeles Angels left fielder Garret Anderson told the newspaper he won't wear No. 42. "I just don't feel I'm worthy of it," he explained."

Maxwell

Thu, 12 Apr 2007 10:50:09 -0800

LAist is not nor has it ever been lily-white Then you're either blind, or this is some Second Life cult with pinky avatars. Look at the photos on your editorial sidebar. "Largely lily-white" indeed...not even remotely close to approximating the ethnic diversity of Los Angeles. 15 of 17 photos are Caucasians, exceptions "below the fold". But of course white dudes who call out black dudes as race-traitors are colorful in mind. That's not news. Nor is this... Today on MLB.com: "Anderson has deep respect for No. 42" you're quoting a blog that says nothing on it is true And Rush Limbaugh calls himself an entertainer when he makes retard jokes about Michael J Fox. Gimme a break. Busblog is more tired post-irony post-feminist post-humanist post-ethical post-everything bullshit that uses the exhausted precedent of ether-sniffers like Wonder Showzen and McSweeneys to try to seem 2001 zeitgeisty and spazz out on black and blonde jokes. If I'm ignorant of the new cheeze whiz flavor profiles, it's because there are so many of them to go around. Also LAist uses the royal We as part of the tradition of our parent company, Gothamist. Sweet, so blame your collective takedown of a decent, quiet man as a race traitor on "house style". Bravo. As for the rest, it just makes my case for me. You've played the race card because of your distaste for the DH and petty provincialisms? Wow, you really set the stakes. This isn't like Hitchens tweaking Mother Teresa's nose with world poverty as the pivot. Rather, no doubt you appreciate Tom Delay comparing himself to six million Jews because he got nicked for money laundering. Find the target. That's your "homework", coffee-countercultural.

doug

Wed, 11 Apr 2007 15:09:43 -0800

Hey, isn't this just like that Seinfeld episode... "you must wear the ribbon!"

the dave

Wed, 11 Apr 2007 15:05:57 -0800

911 was an inside job. Nothing else matters. This is all distractions. For the sake of whites, afro-americans and all other races, there are criminals at the helm of the country - baseball doesn't matter until that's changed.

jason

Wed, 11 Apr 2007 14:40:23 -0800

This is just about the most offensive title I can imagine. To say that Garret Anderson does not care about Black people is ridiculous and offensive. He doesn't want to join a bandwagon. What is wrong with that? You can disagree with his decision, but it is absurd to say that he doesn't care about black people. You are just being hard-headed here. Think about what Anderson said. Nothing in what he said implies that he doesn't care about black people, or that he doesn't care about Jackie Robinson, or that he is a spoiled brat. As I see it, Anderson is saying that he doesn't want to steal the limelight from Griffey and the Dodgers. Griffey thought of it, let him get the credit for it. There are other ways of honoring Robinson. Like going out there day after day, quietly playing great baseball. Just like Anderson does.

tony

Wed, 11 Apr 2007 02:00:07 -0800

Maxwell, your ignorance precedes you. LAist is not nor has it ever been lily-white, white folk are not telling black folk how to act, and you're quoting a blog that says nothing on it is true. Also LAist uses the royal We as part of the tradition of our parent company, Gothamist. Finally, I have never hid my disgust for the DH, the AL, fans who would pay money to see an OC team who turned its back on its city and county by trying to appropriate LA in their name, or those who support the junior circuit in general. No one's cover has been blown other than you not doing your homework very well.

Maxwell

Wed, 11 Apr 2007 01:28:42 -0800

"angels fans, as always, part of the problem" That pretty much sums it up. A man with a pre-existing bias trying to fit weak data to a predetermined grid. Neither honest nor particularly sneaky. You just blew your cover. Moreover, I love the royal "we" in this article. I suppose this is meant to call into column formation the largely lily-white parade of LAist contributors? Always sweet when white folk tell black folk how to behave. Because white folk have the script per history; they listen to Aretha afterall! Let's remember all that Tony Pierce is the author who recently penned the blogpost: "the short list of black chicks I'd do just doubled". Hey, at least his fuck target horizon is expanding. Someone call Gwen Ifill or the gals at Rutgers! This is a man that may make an exception! The expresed sympathies here are no less Imus-esque. Nevermind the PC shield. This is just petty card-trading, substituting race for baseball as the qualifier. A glib partisan jocking faux outrage this hard certainly knows what "ego" means. Turn the projector off, dude. White light, white heat.

malingering

Tue, 10 Apr 2007 23:52:38 -0800

Oh, I get it now. GA is such a fine stand up human being that what he's actually doing is creating an environment where he will be shunned and disgraced, thus recreating the atmosphere present when Jackie Robinson began playing baseball. He is going to fight adversity and stand up for his rights, just like Jackie did. He is showing that he will stand for what he believes in (childish immaturity) and he is willing to take the heat for believing in his opinion. Sorry, GA. Baseball is a team sport. When someone dies, you wear his number; when some sponsor gives you money, you slap their label on; and for fuck's sake when someone paves the way for minorities in American, you go along with honoring them and you wear the fucking number. If no one asked and he didn't offer, that would be one thing. But he straight up said no. If you forgot to do the dishes on Mother's Day, that's one thing. But if Mom asks you to do the dishes for her because it's her day, you suck it up. That's just plain decency and respect. Come on, even Bonds is doing it. And he's the biggest prick alive.

tony

Tue, 10 Apr 2007 17:52:57 -0800

since when is being a selfish prick showing maturity? maturity is putting aside your huge ego (like bonds, sheff, Jr., and others are doing) and not making it about you. that day is not about garret anderson, its about jackie robinson. a mature person who really understood jackie's contribution not only to baseball but to civil rights, would have gladly accepted the offer to respect the man in a classy way. angels fans, as always, part of the problem.

eric

Tue, 10 Apr 2007 12:53:30 -0800

In the land of political correctness and following others lead, Anderson shows he can think for himself. The anniversary we are talking abouut is which, the 60th anniversary of Robinson breaking the color barrier or the 10th anniversay of his number being retired? Niether is of such great significance that one players decision to petition to use his jersey for one game constitutes the need for all players or teams to lock step in conformity. Anderson by choosing not to follow or immitate Griffey's decision shows maturity of thought. Garret is well aware of Robinson's contribution to the game and society but obviously doesn't feel he honors the man's life by being forced into the man's uniform by peer pressure. It is of greater respect for Robinson that Anderson can choose his own path, the very foundation upon we honor Robinson in the first place. That is what Anderson has made his stand, to be the man Robinson had worked for in his behalf.

Ike Farrell

Tue, 10 Apr 2007 11:24:58 -0800

GA turned the offer down when only Griffey was going to do it. He declined because it wasn't his idea and didn't want to seem as though he was trying to steal some of JR's thunder. This is quite possible the worst article i've ever read. Shame on you.

Eric

Tue, 10 Apr 2007 11:13:33 -0800

Ridiculous article. You owe Anderson an apology.

malingering

Tue, 10 Apr 2007 10:13:35 -0800

Further proof that the Angels don't deserve to have "Los Angeles" in their name. P.S. I don't know how I'm going to keep score on Sunday.

scareduck

Tue, 10 Apr 2007 08:57:42 -0800

not at all because it was an idea formulated by an African-American superstar, supported by African-American superstars, to honor an African-American superstar who paved the way for the others. And so what? Who cares what color the person was who cooked it up? That's part of the deal of getting over racism. If, as the Dodgers are doing, every single player wears 42, that's just bound to lead to confusion and hi-larity. Even presuming only the absolute minimum of GMJ, Anderson, and Kendrick (and maybe Darren Oliver if he makes a relief appearance), presumably all wearing the same number on the field simultaneously, it... makes the whole affair confusing. Leave the names on the backs, sure, but it's silly. Robinson's been honored with his own day and a universally retired number. At some point, you just have to say, enough. And for standing up to bullies who would try to cow him for not being enough this or enough that, I say GA is a real American hero.

Short Attention Sp

Sun, 08 Apr 2007 20:38:29 -0800

Jackie Robinson doesn't care about Garret Anderson.

mm

Sun, 08 Apr 2007 09:36:57 -0800

this "GA doesn't care about black people" for not wearing the number 42 is very similar to the logic that if, after 9/11, you didn't have an american flag out you "don't care" about america and that if you don't have a support the troops sticker on your car you don't care about their well-being. GA, while his reasons may be stupid, has every right not to wear jackie robinson's number. we are supposed to praise individualism in this country and then when someone tries to be an individual (Carlos Delgado when he didn't stand for "american the beautiful) and now GA not wearing 42, we criticize and degrade them back into their place as a "functioning" and "safe" member of society. either way, we cannot have an individualistic soceity if no one consents and champions it.

l0b0t

Sun, 08 Apr 2007 09:11:16 -0800

This seems an awful lot like the Seinfeld episode wherein Kramer is taken to task by the gays for not wanting to wear a brave-choice-feelgood-ribbon at the AIDS walk.

ScalpM

Sat, 07 Apr 2007 18:24:22 -0800

I think Garrett Anderson is a professional who has had a great career and if he doesn't want to wear the number who in the hell says he has to! This America remember..Peace Out!

tony pierce

Sat, 07 Apr 2007 14:29:52 -0800

i invite you Sean to read the article that spawned this "indictment", of Anderson's reasons, his first was he didn't want to do it because it was future Hall of Famer Ken Griffey Jr.'s idea. If you can call that sort of thinking as being from a fine human being, or having traits of a consummate team attitude, then continue your delusion. I'm not saying GA should shuttup and accept wearing a retired number of the man who paved the way for Blacks like Anderson to make over $50 million over 14 years to play baseball, I'm saying that he should wear the fucking number, take his head (and ego) out of his ass, and tell everyone that he is proud to wear the number because it represents one of the greatest Americans of any color. GA's days in the spotlight are numbered, and far beyond what they should have been. Instead of acting like a punk, now is a great time for him to pay respect to those who have helped his bless career. Or he can remain an uptight asswipe who only cares about himself. April 15th isnt about Garret Anderson, it's about a man that GA isn't. Still after all these years and all of these advantages and all these riches, Garret Anderson is still a fucking kid with his head up his ass. He hasn't learned shit in the Majors. He has wasted his opportunity and is a blemish to the Angels and unworthy of their blind allegiance. And you're part of the problem.

Sean

Sat, 07 Apr 2007 14:09:42 -0800

That's a bold indictment, and it's quite apparent you know little to nothing about Garret as a person or an athlete. As someone who has followed his career from his first days as an Angel I've found him to be the consummate team player, a fine human being, and someone who goes out of his way to stay out of the limelight rather than join the me first attitudes of most of today's athletes. I applaud those who have chosen to wear Jackie's number, especially Ken Griffey who apparently came up with the idea first. But to simply state shuddup and wear the number and castigate Garret as being a "stereotypical black athelete", when you have no idea on why GA has chosen not to participate, is nothing more than the worst type of stereotyping.

tony pierce

Sat, 07 Apr 2007 12:49:32 -0800

not at all because it was an idea formulated by an African-American superstar, supported by African-American superstars, to honor an African-American superstar who paved the way for the others. do you find the irony of basically supporting a guy who is embodying the stereotypical black athlete: one who is selfish, spoiled, self-centered, narrow-minded, and ignorant?

Sean

Sat, 07 Apr 2007 10:02:57 -0800

Do you feel the irony in basically saying "Shuddup and do what your told, bitch".

Daniel Pennant

Fri, 06 Apr 2007 23:41:57 -0800

Everyone has a right to decide the rersonal thing and make the rusult. GA refuse to wear the number of dress to express the choice .one of friend from EbonyFriends.com. tells something about the GA. We both like the GA.

jimmy smith

Fri, 06 Apr 2007 21:44:26 -0800

Just wear the fucking number bro.

tony pierce

Fri, 06 Apr 2007 18:33:59 -0800

the only thing that is laughable are all these homers' support of GA. no, scareduck, its not satire. of American heroes of any color, Jackie Robinson ranks right up there with Martin Luther King. You have three of the biggest egos in baseball: Griffey, Bonds, and Sheff all totally being into it. You have the Dodgers ALL wearing the number. but GA doesnt wanna do it #1 because it wasnt his idea? and you support that. you sir are the embarrassment, if thats a word you want to throw about. it's a number. its Jackie Robinson Day. Jackie Freaking Robinson! wear the number and quit being a bitch, but i guess with support from people like you guys disrespect and selfishness (because GA is making this about him and not allowing it to be all about - and only about - Jackie) will continue to prosper. heck of a job.

scareduck

Fri, 06 Apr 2007 12:31:44 -0800

This is either a) Satire. b) One of the lamest things I've ever read in LAist and an embarrassment as well. c) Possibly both, because I'm not sure you're kidding, Tony. Garret Anderson is a quiet man, but "selfish"? What evidence do you have, besides this weak tea, that he's selfish?

Jake

Fri, 06 Apr 2007 12:03:42 -0800

How could you possibly call GA a spoiled, selfish athlete? The dude is anything but and is in fact a breath of fresh air from the gloating, egomaniacs that currently play sports. He is clean cut, corner stone of the franchise. And, I would never want someone like Bonds or even the self appointed 'Slammin' Sammy on my team... just shut up and play. I think the gesture of wearing #42 was immediately watered down once someone else other than Griffey was allowed to wear it. Its just a convoluted way of appealing to the black segment of the population, and it reeks of guilt and money. Whats the bet MLB puts out some special edition jerseys of the event?

ted

Fri, 06 Apr 2007 11:30:43 -0800

fuck the pinstripes and fuck columbus circle. fuck time warner, and fuck donald trump, george steinbrenner, and all yankee fans. Dodgers forever.

dan

Fri, 06 Apr 2007 11:23:57 -0800

Well, I guess we can agree on one thing. I live at Columbus Circle, and thusly support the pinstripes as well.

CW

Fri, 06 Apr 2007 11:11:37 -0800

"Hillbilly suburb!?" Ha! I scoff at your indignation. This is some good old-fashioned transplanted New Yorker vitriol, buddy! (Awaits requisite go back to your NYC cesspool comment... And we're back.) Moving right along, along the lines of what Johnny said, people can observe Jackie Robinson's contributions however they want. Who really knows what, or how, Anderson contributes to the black community. He could have tons of scholarships and could be a great guy. Or he could be a world class d-bag. I really don't know. I really don't care. As a Yankee fan, I'd love to cast stones at anything Anaheim related, but I don't think "GA" deserves it here.

apone

Fri, 06 Apr 2007 11:01:53 -0800

toni toni toni me thinks you are just jealous of ga's moustache. some accolades: Three-time All-Star (2002-03, 2005) All-Star Game MVP (2003) The Sporting News Rookie of the Year (1995) Twice Silver Slugger Award (2002-03) Home Run Derby winner (2003) Top 10 MVP (2002, 4th) Twice led American League in doubles (2002-03) Collected his 2,000th career hit on July 1, 2006. and what have you done again?

jon jackson

Fri, 06 Apr 2007 10:42:35 -0800

funny a white guy is outraged by this.

Dan

Fri, 06 Apr 2007 10:32:19 -0800

A reference to my mom? Does that still win an argument in your hillbilly suburb?

Johnny

Fri, 06 Apr 2007 10:29:03 -0800

Just because he chooses not to wear the number does not mean he doesn't appreciate what Jackie Robinson did and accomplished, it just means he chooses not to honor Robinson IN THAT MANNER. You're completely blowing this out of proportion. Griffey wanted to do something special to honor Robinson, that's why he petitioned the commissioner's office. Most of the sincerity of Griffey's gesture is lost once a front office member approaches one of the few (in most cases) black players on a given team, and more or less forces them to wear the jersey because "everybody else is doing it." I also completely agree with James. I read the Kendrick article too, and it expresses the same idea -- players show appreciation in different ways. Garret doesn't feel the need to be forced to wear the jersey as a sign of respect for Robinson, and as a black person, I'm fine with his decision and understand him.

CW

Fri, 06 Apr 2007 10:15:01 -0800

Aww, that's cute. He called me an asshat. Well played. Well, Dan, your mother is a syphilitic whore. There, I said it.

Dan

Fri, 06 Apr 2007 10:04:19 -0800

I think you've written a logical article and the "sweeping generalizations" bring humor to it. Also, I can understand why a BLOGGER would "call for attention". I guess what I'm trying to say is that CW is an asshat. That is all.

Jimmy

Fri, 06 Apr 2007 09:54:37 -0800

Wow Tony. You sure did stir up some shit with this one. Actually I'm quite envious. :) As for GA's decision, whatever. It's his perogative, and he can do whatever he wants. Is he hurting the black community by not doing this? I don't know, and I'm unconfortable commenting about it since I'm not part of that community. But your assessment of GA I wholeheartedly agree with. The only reason that he's stayed on the same team throughout his career is that no one would want him. Who else would want a player who is known for not putting in 100% effort? And Bob. I'll admit that the Angels have been more consistent this decade. But OC envy? Now that's a huge stretch. And I don't know what you're talking about, but when I went to an Angel's game last year I couldn't sworn they were all on methadone. Zzzzzzz.

joy

Fri, 06 Apr 2007 09:49:33 -0800

There are certain things that are just DONE. GA's decision to not participate because "he didn't think of it himself" is a straight punk move.Period.

BoredinTO

Fri, 06 Apr 2007 09:43:36 -0800

GA is exactly what we thought he was. Bonds minus 500 HR's and 50 quarts of HGH. I wonder if GA celebrates Christmas or any other holiday that we all celebrate. By his logic, he shouldnt as it wasnt his idea and he would just be jumping on the bandwagon. The guy is a nutjob and a mediocre talent, he probably isnt allowed to honour other humans as that is most likely an affront to God according to his stone age religious beliefs. GA is not an idolater!

CW

Fri, 06 Apr 2007 09:33:11 -0800

This is an irrational article. Sweeping generalizations everywhere. It also seems to me that the author is a tad too concerned about how the actions of one athlete affect his day-to-day life. If I were Garret, would I wear #42. Maybe, maybe not. But to go on a tirade about his decision reeks of a call for attention.

bob

Fri, 06 Apr 2007 07:10:38 -0800

tony - why are you always hating on the angels? is it that the halos are better than the dodgers? do you have la of oc envy? or because the halos have a better owner/stadium/farm system/fans? why does ga have to be part of the system and sell out to a real spoiled punk (griffey jr) to let everyone (you) know he appreciates the legacy of black athletes. ga is one of the few athletes in sports that has remained with the same team for his entire career. he has given up money to stay with the angels and the community. does this say something about ga or his morals or can you only say punk due to your limited vocabulary or envy?

Daniel Pennant

Fri, 06 Apr 2007 01:38:12 -0800

Actually,the white is always in collaporation with the black, but the black people are ignored more or less. There a black athlete said on EbonyFriends.com he worried about it.

ted

Thu, 05 Apr 2007 21:10:28 -0800

it's not a big deal for me if someone doesn't want to wear the number, I find it a bit weird but it's a personal choice. The way GA chose to express himself about it though is pretty unfortunate. Taken together, I have to agree with Tony. Oh and the Barry Bonds -500 home runs is a classic line.

James

Thu, 05 Apr 2007 19:48:08 -0800

i suppose, being of mexican descent i am still waiting for Fernandomania Apreciation Day. now that is some shit that is underapreciated.

tony

Thu, 05 Apr 2007 19:28:01 -0800

if you base your point on that quote, id be fine with it if it was Garret Anderson Day. but its not. its Jackie Robinson Day. and on Jackie Robinson Day the League approached its stars and they all said yes, except GA, because hes a punk. It's a number on his back. he can "feel" empty all he wants, probably because he IS empty inside. He should feel blessed even to get to opportunity to wear ANY major league baseball uniform at this point but he doesnt... Spoiled athletes being spoiled and getting away with it has reached a new level, and its probably because fans like you James let guys off the hook time and again. It's a number on a jersey. He should wear it, and when he said no, he should have been taken to the back of the clubhouse and had some history beaten into him. But theres no one in the Angel lockerroom except maybe Vlad who would be right to do it and Vlad might be a stellar athlete and player, but he has never shown himself to be much of a leader. A shame.

James

Thu, 05 Apr 2007 19:17:44 -0800

i see your point, i guess we agree to disagree on it. but i do see your point. i guess i am basing my point on his quote "If I did it just because someone else was doing it, it would seem kind of empty to me." which i understand him and where he is coming from. but i know alot about GA's past quotes and his treating his job as a 9-5 i show up do what i gotta do and then i bounce type of attitude, even though he has one of the coolest paying jobs in the world.

tony

Thu, 05 Apr 2007 19:08:13 -0800

um yes im saying that if GA cares about black people, black history, baseball, and baseball history, he quit acting like the spoiled bitch that he is and join all the other stars who have performed Much better than he has and honor his brother. GA is not paying tribute by refusing to wear the number. he is dissing Jackie.

James

Thu, 05 Apr 2007 19:02:03 -0800

um, so your saying that just because he is black he should pay tribute? everyone is entitled to their own opinion and their own choices, GA is just exercising his right. reminds me of a story i read in the LA times a few days ago about Howie Kendrick and how he pays tribute to his grandmother that raised him and whom recently passed away. he said he doesn't need to cross his heart or need to write her name or initials on his cap, because he knows what he feels in his heart and didn't need everyone to know about it or see it. people pay tribute in different ways. maybe he just came off cold in that quote, but to each their own i suppose. i just don't think saying that GA doesn't care about black people is the way to go. everyone pays tributes in different ways.