Time for an Apology

The rhetoric and debate behind Buster Posey’s gruesome, season-ending injury has reached a boiling point over the weekend. And the truth is, it’s time for an honest heartfelt apology. But not from Scott Cousins.

In fact I would rather Cousins not apologize every time he addresses the play and the injury as he has done to this point. He has apologized enough and can hold his head high as the bigger man. Unfortunately, he really can’t hold his head high. No, he has to keep it down, hope this blows over, and try to move on. Not just for his playing career, but for his safety and the safety of his family.

We live in a world where every threat must be taken seriously. In the wake of every vitriolic-inspired workplace or schoolyard shooting, in the wake of the near murder of a fan named Bryan Stow in a Dodger Stadium parking lot, and in the wake of the death threats received by Scott Cousins, Buster Posey and Brian Saeban and the entire Giants organization need to apologize for the way they have handled this situation.

I can understand being upset about a season-ending injury and not wanting to be best friends with the guy who did it. But when this “malicious” and “violent” player immediately tried to comfort you on the field and provide support after the injury, maybe you forgive him. When this villainous rookie who was clearly out for blood sheds tears for all of America to see after learning the extent of the injury he caused, maybe you forgive him. And when he calls and sends multiple text messages apologizing and seeking forgiveness, maybe you forgive him. And even if none of those are enough to elicit an acceptance of his apology, maybe you do so anyway when you learn “fans” of your own team are threatening his life. Knowing the rookie from Florida has family in the bay area, and knowing your general manager just essentially played judge, jury, and executioner on a radio program, maybe you should publicly apologize for the way you have handled this event and publicly accept Scott Cousins’ apology.

I’m sure Scott Cousins would much rather worry about a retaliatory fastball at his ear hole than worry about the safety of his family and his own safety. A few simple words from Buster Posey, Brian Saeban, and the Giants organization could repair this whole situation.  I’m sure Bryan Stow, a Giants fan who is sitting in a coma simply for being a Giants fan would agree; rhetoric and vitriol should be left out of baseball.