Should MLB punish DUI offenders?

Selig wants the power to punish players caught drinking and driving.

Is this an appropriate extension of the Commish's power to protect the image of the game, or is it a gross overreach of power into the off-field lives of the players?

about 1 year ago yeswecan 15 comments 0 recs |

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Hell Yes!!!

If you are a ballplayer and get caught doing something dumb like drink driving, you deserve to get punished. To NOT punish them only makes them think they can get away with it again. What if next time they kill someone? Or kill themselves? Or a passenger in their own car? Or a pedestrian?

Bottom line for me is, if you get caught doing something you should not be doing in the first place, there should be consequences. I’m not saying kick them out of the game, but have them sit a few games. Make them think about how their off-field actions DO have an effect on their on-field careers. In short, give them a reason to NOT repeat the behavior.

"To Halowood - Avoid the Clap." - Jimmy Dugan

by Angelsfan015 on May 6, 2011 5:57 PM PDT reply actions

Of course MLB should do something about this

Why wait until somebody gets killed?

Thats a lot of players with DUI’s in the past year alone.

by homercles on May 6, 2011 6:18 PM PDT reply actions

I don't think it would make a difference.

But MLB should hold players accountable

Bartolo Colon is so dreamy!

by Howie's Batting Title on May 6, 2011 6:21 PM PDT via mobile reply actions

Shouldn't THE LAW punish DUI offenders?

Why does MLB have to add red tape and creepy employee monitoring? Seems that they don’t do a good job of keeping track anyway (see Steriods).

I love this team.

by Downing Rules on May 6, 2011 6:22 PM PDT reply actions

Sure, there are legal consequences

But there are plenty of jobs out there that would fire/suspend employees for getting a DUI. I don’t see why baseball should be any different if it doesn’t want to be (I’m assuming it would be a fine/suspension from the league).

The truth is, it’s a lot more costly for someone (particularly an athlete making good money) to get a DUI when they know their job might be affected. MLB players are clearly not deterred by potential legal consequences. The only downside for them right now (other than the possibility of death/serious injury- which never seems to be a consideration) is the hit to their reputation, but that seems to fade with time.

by Spird on May 6, 2011 6:33 PM PDT up reply actions

If the military can punish servicemen above and beyond the local law for a DUI

I don’t see why someone making 7 or 8 figures a year shouldn’t be held to just as high a standard as the guys fighting to give them the opportunity to play a children’s game for a living.

by MidMiHalo on May 6, 2011 7:54 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs

I got a D.U.I. when I was 19 Y.O.

Missed no time from work, but was terminated. Worked there for 3 1/2 years, and was in Management. Was terminated for violating my “CoC” (Code of Conduct).

Bartolo Colon is so dreamy!

by Howie's Batting Title on May 6, 2011 8:03 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions