it is also a medical condition but I am not letting every drug addict and drunk off the hook for their actions with they had no choice or free will. I believe Z’s temper is part of personality that he has to work very hard on too change, does not mean you or I give him a pass on it. Farnsworth was a hard drinking, hard living guy who has in fact now settled down as well, does that mean all the stupid things he did as a Cub ( twice breaking his foot by his actions) are now OK?

People seem to have more “sympathy” for people whose off field actions destroy their on field abilities than they do for a player in decline or going through an epic slump.

It is unfortunate that Hundley was drunk who slept around. It is fine that he and his father are now doing better, but he is responsible for his horrific play and even more horrific attitude when he PLAYED for the Cubs. He does not get a pass because he had an addiction.

For your perspective and keeping a level head on this. I’m grossed out that there can be such ignorance – but worse for some to put it to typed out words. Addiction is a terrible thing that has hurt so many – the fact that some would make light of it or judge it in such a quick and insensitive manner really strikes me to the bone. YUCK.

Is every player with an addiction to be forgiven for the damage they cause because they later stop it? You can wish a player good luck with the rest of his life without saying what he did was understandable because he was an addict. I don’t thing ANY player ( ok maybe Manny) intentionally performs poorly, but you have no problem criticizing, Z, Miles, Farnsworth who had a variety of off field or personality issues that effected their play.

Hundley let down his team ( and his family) with his actions. Being an addict is not a get out of responsibility free card. I have known addicts who have destroyed their lives and in some cases those around them. Some have managed to kick their addictions but the damage they did was permanant. Again it is great if they fix their lives but I don’t have to forgive or forget what they did.

I haven’t looked at Todd Hundley’s career enough to say whether he battled and tried to end/overcome his addiction, but I will say there are players such as Darryl Strawberry who have continued to know they are harming the team, their families and themselves without making a committment to change it. If a man tries to legitimately get help I can sympathize with him, most everyone battles addiction to some drug in their lives…legal or not. Caffeine, alcohol, tobacco, illegal drugs or whatever.

 Z has an emotional problem. He should have tried to get help on his own knowing it was harming the team. He didn’t, and the team enabled him…with him there’s blame to go around everywhere. As I say I don’t know if Todd was with us long enough he could have gotten help but to me the key is if he tries over time. I’d want every player to have a healthy life and career. Some don’t care they are harming the team and should be let go. We’ve gotten awfully close to that point with Z. I hope mgmt takes his situation to learn how to handle players like that in the future.