When to cut a ballplayer?

by Hammer on Feb 27, 2008 4:46 PM CST Comment 16 comments

For reasons outside of baseball ability when do you all say it is SAFE/GOOD/SMART/ESSENTIAL to cut a ballplayer?

I say this is light of recent events regarding Scott Spiezio. Spiezio left the team last year to deal with a drug and alcohol problem, although now has been issued a warrant.

When do the Cardinals (or any team for that matter) consider cutting ties for what would be best for the team and player? Do the Cardinals risk not doing something and having this turn into Josh Hancock all over again? Drinking and Driving is similiar to Russian Roullette although the innocent drivers dont always know they are playing.

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3267428

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of SB Nation or Al Yellon, managing editor (unless it's a FanPost posted by Al). FanPost opinions are valued expressions of opinion by passionate and knowledgeable baseball fans.

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what happened to the last thread?

I never even read whatever response you gave after my last comment.

by Thelonious on Feb 27, 2008 4:44 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

I deleted it because...

... it was turning into a piss-on-the-Cardinals match, and that wasn't the point.

This isn't the first time Scott Spiezio has been in trouble, either -- ISTR an episode here in Chicago when he was arrested with his girlfriend for trying to stiff a cabdriver out of a fee; can't remember all the details, but suffice to say that Spiezio, who does have some baseball talent, doesn't have the best track record off the field.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Feb 27, 2008 4:50 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I won't...

post the "Calvin peeing on a Cardinal's Logo" picture...but if everyone just closes their eyes after they read this and visualize it, that will be enough.

As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.

by santoswoodenlegs on Feb 27, 2008 4:55 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

He's been released, its official

Chuck Norris is a Cubs fan...

by Walker71421 on Feb 27, 2008 5:53 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

And here...

... is a link to an article about that.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Feb 27, 2008 6:10 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Not to be biased or anything

But it seems like alcohol and drugs run rampant throughout that clubhouse. LaRussa, Hancock, Spiezo, etc. And Wasn't Hancock going to Edmonds house on the night of his death with drugs? (correct me if I am wrong)

Live is boring until March 31st strolls by..

by Chanman25 on Feb 27, 2008 6:00 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

That was just a rumor.

Please, let's not let our rivalry with the Cardinals on the baseball field spill over and become some sort of blood feud.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Feb 27, 2008 6:09 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

i agree

this way we actually have something that allows us to look down at the sox/Yanks fan for :-D

by petrie on Feb 27, 2008 6:37 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I don't think he was going to his house.

But he was going to meet up with him and some other players as well.

by kanderber on Feb 27, 2008 9:00 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I noticed this story...

...in the Trib this morning. As tempting as it might be to rub this in the Cardinals faces, I agree that it's in pretty bad taste to do so. Spiezio clearly has some major issues -- I mean, to commit a crime like that so soon after Hancock's death is just astounding. I hope the guy cleans up his act. Can't say I'll miss his ridiculous dyed goatee, though.

In a somewhat related story, that same Trib article (actually an AP piece) mentions that the Colorado Rockies have rescinded their minor-league contract offer to our beloved Neifi. I can't find a link to the AP piece, but here's a longer story from a Canadian (!) news site.

Ladies and gentlemen, your 2008 Chicago Cubs starting outfield: Soriano-Pie-Fukudome. Let it be.

by dat cubfan daver on Feb 28, 2008 9:54 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

Pot, meet kettle

from espn article announcing release:

"Asked about Spiezio's release, Cardinals manager Tony La Russa said, 'I think it's a consistent message about what the team represents.'"

I'm for second chances, but I can't believe LaRussa opened his mouth about this issue.

by TC Cubby on Feb 28, 2008 11:02 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

Spiezio is a local guy

Let's be careful about what we write on this subject. Scott is from Morris Il and his parents still live here.

by FrankSereno on Feb 28, 2008 2:39 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Scott Spiezio's dad...

... is former major leaguer Ed Spiezio.

Apparently, Scott's got some issues to deal with.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Feb 28, 2008 3:11 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Yes

Yes, Scott is Ed's son. Ed has had a furniture store in Morris for more than 25 years. Yes, Scott has some issues to deal with. I hope that he will be able to get the help he needs to get his life back on track. This world has too many tragedies because of drug or alcohol abuse and often the victims are innocent bystanders.

by FrankSereno on Feb 28, 2008 5:18 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs