Yosh Kawano embarrassed by Cubs organization

by sue369 on Jul 14, 2009 10:56 AM CDT Comment 40 comments

http://www.suntimes.com/sports/baseball/cubs/1664320,CST-SPT-yosh14.article

Two weeks ago Yosh went to Wrigley to visit members of the ground crew and three security guards approached him and told him he had to leave. The guy only worked there for 65 years and had visited frequently since his retirement and they throw the guy out? It says the executives didn't know of this but will contact him directly. They should have contacted him the day they found out. Yosh deserves better than this.

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Something doesn't add up

They talk about his “condition” and say he’s welcome during games. Is the team thinking that he’s suffering from some physical/mental ailment? And even if the organization is under that impression, couldn’t they have someone accompany him? I doubt he’s a safety risk.

I'm singing, "GO CUBS GO! GO CUBS GO!" -- DrCrawdad on Jun 12, 2009 7:23 AM CDT

Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! -- Homer J. Simpson

by Shanghai Badger on Jul 14, 2009 11:10 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Agreed.

I saw this and shook my head. Security shouldn’t be doing that to someone who gave as much to the Cub organization as Yosh did. He should have the run of the place.

"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra

by Al on Jul 14, 2009 11:17 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Sounds like they're taking steps to rectify the situation...

…but security certainly overreacted. Maybe they should all wear Yosh Kawano t-shirts so they recognize him from now on.

I've committed to tweeting about the Cubs for the rest of the season. (Does that sound as ridiculous as I think it does?) Anyway, if you're on Twitter, you can follow me here.

by dat cubfan daver on Jul 14, 2009 11:46 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

It doesn't sound like that at all

‘’Yosh was a fixture here for 65 years, and we celebrated him with a day in his honor last June 26,’’ Lufrano said. ‘’He has a standing invitation to come to any game here and we’ve offered to find ways to help him and his family in any way, and we’ll be in touch with him to express that again.’’

Lufrano is saying that Kawano is not welcome on days, like the one in question, where the Cubs are out of town. That’s ridiculous.

by Holtzmaniac on Jul 14, 2009 2:36 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

You're reading an awful lot into those two sentences.

The article also states:

Cubs executives did not know of the incident and said they will contact Kawano directly ‘’to let Yosh know he is always welcome,’’ senior vice president Michael Lufrano said.

I've committed to tweeting about the Cubs for the rest of the season. (Does that sound as ridiculous as I think it does?) Anyway, if you're on Twitter, you can follow me here.

by dat cubfan daver on Jul 14, 2009 3:43 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

This is too bad

Those who kicked him out should be ashamed.

Just say no to players named Aaron on the Cubs.

by nji232 on Jul 14, 2009 12:01 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Yosh deserves the Buck O'Neil Award

Shame on those security people. That’s about as bad as kicking Ernie Banks out of Wrigley. On the positive side, though, it’s wonderful that Yosh has been nominated for the Buck O’Neil Award. I hope he gets it!

“Kawano has been nominated for the Baseball Hall of Fame’s Buck O’Neil Award for lifetime achievement in baseball, an honor initiated last season and to be voted on every three years by the Hall’s board of directors.”

by Mike Vails Evil Twin on Jul 14, 2009 12:04 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

When is the next vote for this award?

This year?

"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra

by Al on Jul 14, 2009 12:20 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Good to hear.

well deserved.

by Glacier on Jul 14, 2009 2:32 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Clubhouse switch

Definitely a shame this happened, but it made me wonder (again) – what prompted the change from Yosh working in the home clubhouse to the visitors? At the time I assumed one of the star players had a problem with him, that’s the only thing that made sense. Anyone know the real reason?

by John916 on Jul 14, 2009 12:38 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

You have to remember that Yosh was well into his 70's by then.

They needed someone who could do the hard physical work (washing uniforms, etc.) that Yosh wasn’t able to do. He was an assistant in the visitors clubhouse, not the head.

Yosh was guaranteed a lifetime job by terms of the Wrigley sale to Tribco in 1981. They tried to find him spots where he could help out but not be too physically taxed as he got older.

"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra

by Al on Jul 14, 2009 12:51 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

yeah I remember hearing that same reason somewhere else

by Glacier on Jul 14, 2009 2:32 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Anyone who's got a freakin banner in the concourse deserves better than this.

Booooooooooooooooooooo!

"Pounding sand since 1982...."

by cubswynn on Jul 14, 2009 1:03 PM CDT reply actions 1 recs

I have a different view of the situation.

In my opinion, security did the right thing when they found a person at Wrigley Field that didn’t have the proper authorization to be there.

The ground security can’t be expected to interpret who is authorized to be on the grounds and who is not. You don’t want your ground security making those kinds of decisions, you just want them to follow security procedures. That is how holes are created in an organization’s security and how bad things happen.

The problem was with the management that didn’t make sure a person like Yosh had the proper authorization to be at Wrigley whenever he wished. Personally, I find it comforting to know that someone won’t be let in just because security “knows who they are”.

Hey, it's a new century!

by cowsarecool220 on Jul 14, 2009 1:17 PM CDT reply actions 4 recs

That's a little over the top.

Yosh Kawano worked there for 65 years. The Cubs don’t have that many full-time employees, and very few on a non-game day. You’re going to make an 88-year-old man who has been an icon to the organization have “proper authorization”?

I’d hate to work for you.

"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra

by Al on Jul 14, 2009 2:08 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

C'mon Al

It could have been some no-good-nik dressed up in a Yosh costume! Security was just thinking of all the angles!

Looks to me like someone was being a little over zealous, gimme a break the man is always dressed the same, and the huge banner of him in the concourse ought to be a constant reminder who he is.

"Ask Dad. He'll know. And on the off chance he doesn't, he'll make something up"

by StevenABQ on Jul 14, 2009 2:37 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Do you REALLY

want a ground security person making decisions about who can and can’t access the grounds and where they can and can’t go on the grounds? All of these procedures are for the safety of everyone involved; players, employees, fans.

I’d prefer these decisions are made from the top, not the bottom.

Hey, it's a new century!

by cowsarecool220 on Jul 14, 2009 2:53 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I assume they already were.

"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra

by Al on Jul 14, 2009 2:56 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think you're misunderstanding cows here

The original comment that you replied to wasn’t stating that Yosh shouldn’t be allowed in.

It was that the security guards are apparently shouldering blame unfairly for doing their jobs — they weren’t told that Yosh could come in at any time, so they escorted him out. Whether the lack of access was appropriate or not, it shouldn’t be up to low-paid security guards to be expected to make on the spot calls like that; if they aren’t told you can come in, then you can’t.

I tend to agree with that part of it. I do still think he should be allowed in, unless there is something mitigating that we don’t know about.

I'm singing, "GO CUBS GO! GO CUBS GO!" -- DrCrawdad on Jun 12, 2009 7:23 AM CDT

Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! -- Homer J. Simpson

by Shanghai Badger on Jul 14, 2009 3:57 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

That's exactly the point I was trying to make.

Hey, it's a new century!

by cowsarecool220 on Jul 14, 2009 6:37 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

ok

but i still dont see why the cubs wouldnt fix this right away. All it takes is a phone call to the man to explain the security was just doing its job and it was a mistake.

by Glacier on Jul 14, 2009 2:33 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think that's about right...

I have less of an issue with the lower-level security guys following procedure. It sounds to me like the breakdown was either in the communication from above of what the actual policy is, or else a pretty heartless policy in place by the upper-management.

Either way, upper management owes Yosh a meaningful apology. But I don’t fault the security guys.

by CubsWin!Oregon on Jul 14, 2009 3:56 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yosh was probably trying to walk on the grass...

GET OFF THE GRASS!!!

by dtc0405 on Jul 14, 2009 7:49 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

or....

lean on the wall that separates the stands and the field

Nutdrinkingamp12
Live Long and Prosper

by nutdrinkingamp12 on Jul 16, 2009 3:18 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Stay classy, Cubs...

Proud recipient of a hot dog shot from the Iowa Cubs hot dog gun.

by IowaCubs- on Jul 14, 2009 1:50 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

the gaurds screwed up

if Sorinao can make an error for $18m a season why cant a gaurd.

Apologize, make it right, move on. Over reacting is going to make a bigger deal out of this than it is

baseball is a game of outs......pop out, ground out, line out, pitch out, strike out, fly out, and Fox and Bud's favorite black out

by Cubbie-Tim on Jul 14, 2009 2:41 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

What is weird

What is weird is that the security guard if he was concerned didn’t buzz the security office who you think would have buzzed someone high up?

Or maybe the execs weren’t there that day. When the team is out of town they don’t always work at the park. Hendry often works from home for example if he’s not with the team on the road.

I had to delete my twitter account. But you can still find me at fanfiction.net under puckish prosecutor.

by cubstoseriesby100 on Jul 14, 2009 4:23 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

The article says

he was there to visit members of the groundskeeping crew. Seems like the whole thing could have been explained to the guards by one of them. But it sounds like no one was contacted to make the call, instead he was told to leave. I’ll sleep better knowing that security is keeping 88 year old men out of the joint, hell wish they could apply that policy to HWSNBN.

"Ask Dad. He'll know. And on the off chance he doesn't, he'll make something up"

by StevenABQ on Jul 14, 2009 4:35 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

More wondrous trickle down leadership from assclown Crane Kenney

Can’t wait until he receives his walking papers on day one of the Tom Ricketts’ regime.

$136 million payroll for a .500 style ballclub. Good work Jim.

by BLou on Jul 14, 2009 7:57 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

has Ricketts told you Crane is gone?

please provide one ounce of proof to this

baseball is a game of outs......pop out, ground out, line out, pitch out, strike out, fly out, and Fox and Bud's favorite black out

by Cubbie-Tim on Jul 14, 2009 10:25 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

overheard in the Cubs front office

Crane Kenney said, “I can’t wait until Yellon bans that assclown BLou, Blue Mike, or whatever sock puppet he is on the SBN Nation for the 5th time. Continual stupidity spewed from his melon.”

by socalbob on Jul 14, 2009 10:50 PM CDT up reply actions 2 recs

LMAO

"Hats for bats.....keep bats warm." - Pedro Cerrano
"Hey bartender, Jobu needs a refill !!!!!!!" - Eddie Harris

by willie mays hayes' gloves on Jul 15, 2009 1:38 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

HAHAHA!!!!!

by sue369 on Jul 15, 2009 3:16 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yosh, The Immortal

A mistake was made. A very BAD one.

Blue mountains high .. Blue valleys low
I don't know which way we will go ..
One summer dream .. one summer dream ..

coda

ELO, 1975

by cubnational on Jul 14, 2009 9:46 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Yep

Yosh Kawano is an institution. I’ve had the pleasure of shaking his hand a few times in the past 32 years at Wrigley.

$136 million payroll for a .500 style ballclub. Good work Jim.

by BLou on Jul 14, 2009 10:10 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I for once hope the Cubs are lying

I hope the Cubs are lying when they say one of the reasons was he was showing signs of health problems. I hope that’s not a reason.

I had to delete my twitter account. But you can still find me at fanfiction.net under puckish prosecutor.

by cubstoseriesby100 on Jul 14, 2009 10:05 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I didn't read the article the same way. While the phrase

“concerned about his well being” could infer health problems, in the context of security acting on seeing him on security camera, it reads more that security asked an 88 year old man to leave out of concern, etc.

The well being line appears to be the throwaway line on not wanting unaccompanied third parties on premises where they could slip and fall.

If Yosh is allowed whenever, he should have credentials.

if this was still new to me, i wouldn't understand

by N Oakley on Jul 15, 2009 8:29 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm with Yosh

I’m embarrassed by the Cubs on a regular basis.

What happened was wrong. Acting like someone spat on the Baby Jesus is wrong as well.

I’m with cows. You don’t want rent-a-cops deciding who is OK and who isn’t. Every apology should be made and the security guards should do EXACTLY what they’ve been doing, and stop everyone and anyone.

There is no such thing as an ugly female breast

by Worf on Jul 15, 2009 9:12 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I guess they don't have access to radios

To think in this day and age. How difficult is it for said rent-a-cops to act a little “secret service” and radio to a supervisor to determine whether he belongs on the premises. The article makes it sound like they knew who he was – how hard is it to find out if approval can be granted. Hell get the supervisor to escort him to wherever he was headed. It just wreaks of complete lack of communication and stupidity. I see no problem with security stopping him, but once its determined that he may have permission to be there, verify that shit.

"Ask Dad. He'll know. And on the off chance he doesn't, he'll make something up"

by StevenABQ on Jul 15, 2009 9:54 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think they use carrier pigeons.

In fact, I often see them in centerfield during late-afternoon games.

I've committed to tweeting about the Cubs for the rest of the season. (Does that sound as ridiculous as I think it does?) Anyway, if you're on Twitter, you can follow me here.

by dat cubfan daver on Jul 15, 2009 10:16 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs