By H. Jose Bosch
Now that Cabrera’s issues have been aired (and the audio of the 911 call released) the issue at hand is this: How should the Tigers respond because they certainly can’t ignore it at this point. It’s been reported on by all kinds of media.
Here are several solutions:
Dave Dombrowski or Jim Leyland address it briefly and swiftly, spit out the standard “we’ll discuss it in the off season” response and then prepare for the one-game playoff.
Positive: For the team’s sake, it keeps focus on the game, which is the most important thing right now. This is their job, ladies and gents; it should be the most important thing in the world.
Negative: The rest of the world really doesn’t take sports seriously and doesn’t like spousal abuse (for good reason). A response like this will really piss off people.
Release a statement “written” by Cabrera apologizing for his transgressions.
Positive: While some wouldn’t be satisfied, the Tigers can cling to the idea that Cabrera took responsibility and they can get back to the task at hand — beating the Twins.
Negative:Very similar to above. There will be people not satisfied with the response because it won’t seem genuine.
Cabrera himself addresses the media and gives an apology.
Positive: Once again, not everyone would be satisfied but this would be a step more than just releasing a statement. It would also take his teammates off the hook from having to answer a bunch of questions.
Negative: Depending on how he looks when he apologizes, it could be worse than releasing a statement. Ask Michael Vick.
Suspend Cabrera for the game.
Positive: No one could claim the Tigers weren’t taking this seriously.
Negative: The implications for the game are obvious. Detroit would be losing its best hitter.
Final say: I’d be shocked if Detroit suspended Cabrera for the game. Let’s remember this: He’s an adult who was drinking legally; he didn’t drive home and no charges have actually been pressed. That doesn’t mean it’s an issue that should be ignored but considering the gravity of this game, Cabrera’s wife would’ve had to press charges or have been hospitalized for something to happen.
Sad, but true.
As a fan, it’s a little tricky because our reaction to the incident bears no consequences on the team. So, should we root for Cabrera? Support him on and off the field? Or should he be dead to us for “letting his team down.”
Unlike Detroit Free Press columnist Mark Rosenberg, I’m not going to claim that Cabrera has a problem and that he’s evil. (OK, he never called Cabrera evil, but his tone makes it seem Cabrera is the only one to blame for the Tigers’ woes.)
I want to see proof. If he’s out till 6 a.m. after every game, drinking, then he has a problem. But I know many players go out to unwind after games and usually aren’t out that late every night. And unless someone gives me proof, I’m going to assume this is the first time Cabrera has gone this nuts with alcohol.
This could be proof of the season’s pressure getting to Cabrera.
I mean, he’s 26, three years older than me. I get stressed writing blog posts; I can’t imagine being the star player on a Major League team in the middle of an epic pennant race collapse.
Does it excuse him? Absolutely not, at least not the domestic abuse part. But if everything was the same and he didn’t beat his wife, I’d have no problems with it. I don’t even care that he drank with White Sox players.
I don’t care how much money he’s making, I don’t care how much the Tigers gave up for him. He’s been the team’s best player more often than not and as long as he produces he can stick firecrackers up his butt and light them a la the show Jackass for all I care.
His 0-11 slump against the White Sox probably wasn’t caused by any drinking. If anything, he’s probably letting himself get loose because he’s struggling at the plate.