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Mark Grace, long admired by Cubbieland denizens as a "good guy," is a convicted felon who soon will start serving a 4-month prison sentence. The former World Series hero -- not with the Cubs, of course, but with the Diamondbacks, for whom he began the title-winning rally in 2001 by singling off Mariano Rivera -- also has been fired from the Diamondbacks' broadcast crew.
This trouble stems from his second DUI in a 15-month span.
Now, some would argue that receiving a DUI doesn't necessarily remove Grace from "good guy" status. After all, lots of everyday folks do a little drinking, do a little driving and do a little getting caught.
I understand that, but here's the deal:
Grace has long been a party boy. Loves to drink and socialize. Is he an alcoholic? Probably, by definition, though I don't know for sure. What I do know for sure is that Grace made millions and millions of dollars as a ballplayer and also was getting paid handsomely as an analyst.
In other words, THE MAN CAN AFFORD A CAB!
While all this was playing out in Arizona, 2,000 miles away in Florida, Alex Rodriguez was one of several players who reportedly bought some performance-enhancing drugs within the last few years.
A-Rod, of course, is denying the accusation in very strong, "how dare anybody say such a thing" terms. It's very similar to the last time he denied a similar accusation, only to have to come clean and apologize for his transgression -- a transgression that very well could cost him Hall of Fame enshrinement down the line.
To say we have absolutely no reason to believe this proven liar and cheater is an understatement.
Now, who is "worse," A-Roid or Dis-Grace?
Alex Rodriguez cheated baseball, cheated fans, cheated kids who might have looked up to him and, in the end, cheated himself.
Mark Grace? He endangered every human being whose path he crossed when he drove his car under the influence of alcohol. He could have killed others and himself.
Given that, his transgression must be considered "worse."
That still doesn't mean Grace is a "bad guy." What it does mean is that he should spend some of his time in prison thinking about how he wants the second half of his life to play out.
He needs help, and I hope he gets it.
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Hope he gets help too. But his ego will preclude him from admitting he has a problem and will start drinking as soon as he is out of jail. And ts the odds that say he will kill himself or someone else when driving drunk.
ReplyDeleteHope you're wrong, Mike, but fear you're right.
DeleteI hate to use the Big D word my kids cringe at, but use it I will...I am so disappointed in Grace. Yes, I had always heard the party stories. (My nephew was a bartender at the Cubby Bear. Oh, the stories.) I know far too many "good guys" who drink too much and won't admit they have a problem so I guess he is just another sad reality. I frankly was surprised he got work-release time or even any jail time, figuring he had the money to get himself a better deal than that. I admit I'm a fuddy-duddy but I've never understood the drinking life. In Grace's case, talent and fame aren't sometimes enough to keep the demons at bay, I guess. I so hope this is the wake-up call he needs to get his life in order. ~Belle
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