Letter--Marcos Breton, Sacramento Bee (2006)

Recently, I have noticed that you've been under a lot of fire by readers for your pro-minority approach to sports coverage. Many readers who followed the World Baseball Classic were dismayed by your perceived elation at Mexico beating the United States. Now I'll say this: Marcos, I can't say that I agree with some of your views, but I do applaud your perspective on the changing face of baseball and your vigilance on bigotry in sports (which occurs even in the year 2006). The people who express anger at your pro-minority viewpoint need to learn a lesson from your columns and realize that sports isn't made up of the Norman Rockwell paintings they would like to make it out to be.

Regarding Barry Bonds, I agree that most of Barry's problems and controversies are of his own doing. His personality and people skills flat out suck most of the time. But I think people dog Barry mostly because he doesn't fit the desired American image of a smiling, happy-go-lucky, carefree non-threatening black man. Babe Ruth was a heavy drinker, carouser, womanizer and sloth, yet he's not just a baseball immortal, but an American cultural icon. Ty Cobb was a malicious, mean-spirited bigoted alcoholic who played the game with abandon but was a very despicable person. Steve Garvey was a philanderer but had a carefully crafted apple-pie media image on the exterior. Steve Carlton refused to talk to the media for years but made the Hall of Fame anyway. Jeff Kent got in a fistfight with Bonds in the dugout and has one of the gruffest personalities in the the game, but people don't think about that.

So yes, I think Bonds' predicaments are of his own making...BUT...he gets more negative press and scrutiny than he would if he were a white superstar. Just my thoughts. Peace.

Mark - Thanks so much for the very thoughtful note. I really appreciate it.

Marcos Breton