Good grief. Why do some people here insist that ballplayers are innocent Bambis born with halos around their heads? Could we consider that, at least to a degree, the players could be the source of at least some of their public relations turmoil?
Dick Allen--bless his soul--was definitely something of an odd bird who drummed to his own beat, frequently clashed with authority figures and was willing to clash publicly with teammates who got on his bad side. Different sport but in many ways, he was the Terrell Owens of his time. A phenomenal talent on the field but a constant source of turmoil off it.
Mike Schmidt was--and still is--something of a space cadet.
That Curt Schilling has a big mouth and says a lot of stupid "stuff" he shouldn't say is undeniable. Plus, there's plenty of anecdotal evidence that teammates couldn't stand the guy even though they loved having him on the mound. He was a loner in the '93 Phillies clubhouse. It's telling that few if any former teammates rallied to him when he fell on hard times financially or have ever rallied to his HOF cause.
Scott Rolen was probably a milder version of Dick Allen, sans the racial tension of the late Sixties element. He clashed with Tony LaRussa--a HOF manager--like he did with Bowa. And, his reputation as a sullen clubhouse killjoy followed him to all his stops.
Pat Burrell's party animal reputation was not a construct of the Phillies front office trying to smear him. I heard about it from Old City bartenders and bouncers.
Plus, if you really think the sports media was complicit in front office smear campaigns, it means you don't have a high opinion of the media and believe it's a part of some deep, dark conspiracy. Gee, doesn't that remind you of a certain former POTUS?.
