Eric Byrnes nominated for Roberto Clemente Award
The award recognizes the player who best exemplifies the game of baseball, sportsmanship, community involvement and the individual's contribution to his team. A majority of Byrnes' community work benefits the Pat Tillman Foundation... Byrnes contributes funds directly to the foundation through Team Tillman. Members of Team Tillman make individual pledges based on game performance. Byrnes has recruited more than 20 of his teammates to join him. Each year, Byrnes partners with the Arizona Fall League to host the annual Pat Tillman Foundation Benefit Night. The event has raised more than $10,000.
In 2009, Byrnes contributed $50,000 to the Arizona Diamondbacks Foundation's "Diamonds Back" Field Building Program... Byrnes dedicated the field to Saulo Morris, a Phoenix-area high school student who had recently lost his battle with leukemia. In addition, Byrnes serves as the D-backs player spokesperson for the Prostate Cancer Foundation and has made appearances on behalf of Make-A-Wish, Southwest Autism Research & Resource Center and Augie's Quest, a division of the Muscular Dystrophy Association.
over 2 years ago
Jim McLennan
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D-backs team president and CEO Derrick Hall:
His efforts are genuine, as the majority of his giving is rarely noticed, which is what he prefers
Yeah, well. Eric’s obviously not running things ;-)
If the FO is the focus of anything, something is seriously wrong with the picture ! - unnamedDBacksfan 2/20/09
Every team
Nominates someone for the award. Would you rather we didn’t bother?
"Win, or die" -- Marquise de Merteuil
I'd prefer
the award didnt exist, because it’s mostly a self-aggrandizing vehicle for MLB. It doesnt help sick kids or abused women. The players and their contributions do that. The award helps MLB manage its image, strengthen customer loyalty and sell more product.
But since the award’s there, and since thirty candidates are evidently required to crown the most Clemetesque player, I’m perfectly happy with the Diamondbacks including Eric in the show.
What’s neat about Eric is that Hall’s exactly right. Despite the campy TV show and clowning, Byrnes prefers to do his best work away from the spotlight. I know of private things he’s done for people who dont have a whole lot – kind, thoughtful, time consuming things that lit up struggling lives and made people feel important.
So, what’s to needle? I just think it’s smarmy the way mlb/diamondbacks chooses to publicize (and capitalize on) Byrnes’ generosity while in the same breath acknowledging he prefers they didnt – as if his MO is of little or no consequence next to the #1 priority of corporate aggrandizement. It’s similar to the way mlb/diamondbacks jumped on and exploited Doug Davis’s cancer, against his expressed wishes, to transfix viewers with a melodramatic story line – well after his particular cancer was, if I may be so bold, rather routinely eradicated.
I realize the prevailing attitude is that philanthropy, or personal trials of DD’s kind, justify some degree of aggrandizement. That’s the society we live in. My own view is that people’s private acts of kindness, or trials, needn’t be so readily up for sale.
If the FO is the focus of anything, something is seriously wrong with the picture ! - unnamedDBacksfan 2/20/09
That’s fine, although the MLB is far from the only organization to do this. Every corporation in America blows its “charity” horn — every time I leave Target or Walmart they throw in my face the extent of their community charitable contributions.
I actually think Hall and J. Byrnes are to be congratulated for this. Clearly E. Byrnes is someone they’d rather sweep under the rug and let the fanbase forget about, but they did the right thing and honored the guy who (ostensibly) has given the most back to the community. Good for them (and good for Eric, too).
"Say this much for big league baseball - it is beyond question the greatest conversation piece ever invented in America."
-- Bruce Catton
Corporations tout
their charitable contributions, but I think a distinction here is that Eric’s making the contributions. He’s a person. I imagine he’s legally bound to go along with whatever MLB has up its sleeve, much the same way Doug Davis graciously sat there, while Daron and Jeanie Zelasco sold his cancer like churros. Legal or not, ubiquitous or not, I choose not to like it. I think it’s disrespectful, and on some level, dehumanizing. It’s not a level most fans care about and I accept that. Jim just asked me a civil question, so I tried to provide a thoughtful response.
As far as Eric being selected over teammates, he very well could be the most deserving. I really dont know. But I wouldnt assume the org clearly wants to “sweep EB under the rug” either. Generating this sort of positive publicity softens what I think we both agree has been an ongoing PR liability for the club (ie the EB extension and his subsequent poor play).
In 2005 (or 06, I forget), Shawn Green was mired in a terrible slump and getting booed at home. In no time, the club flooded broadcasts and local media with releases detailing his rather large charitable donations. The timing was pure PR, to soften the image, to soothe upset customers. I cant say that’s the motivation here, but the idea that annointing EB involved some sort of contrarian courage on the part of the Diamondbacks is even more suspect, imo.
Appreciate your perspective, as always
cheers
If the FO is the focus of anything, something is seriously wrong with the picture ! - unnamedDBacksfan 2/20/09
To respond to both your posts
I realize the prevailing attitude is that philanthropy, or personal trials of DD’s kind, justify some degree of aggrandizement. That’s the society we live in. My own view is that people’s private acts of kindness, or trials, needn’t be so readily up for sale.
I’m not sure what was sold? This implies that recognition of Byrnes’ charitable endeavors devalue them? I think it’s quite the reverse, that philanthropic acts do deserve to be acknowledged – obviously, acclaim should not be the driving force behind them, but that certainly doesn’t appear to be the point here, and Hall goes out of the way specifically to address that potential criticism. It gives publicity to deserving causes and provides a good example to the rest of the community.
I think the fans’ relationship with Byrnes is basically unsalvageable, save a Pujolsesque season next year (not likely, shall we say), to a far greater extent than anything Shawn Green ever endured. Every mention of him – such as “that” show which I’ve been asked never to mention again! – is an irritant, a reminder of the contract from hell. It would have been easier and safer for the team to pick, say, Brandon Webb, and no-one would really have argued with that choice either.
However, I certainly don’t think it’s a bad thing to remind fans now and again that players are not just stat-generating automatons for their fantasy leagues. They are people, capable of doing good things off the park, even as they blow chunks on it. Byrnes is a perfect example: hate the sin, love the sinner, as they say.
"Win, or die" -- Marquise de Merteuil
by Jim McLennan on Sep 5, 2009 12:30 PM EDT up reply actions
acclaim should not be the driving force behind [philanthropic acts], but that certainly doesn’t appear to be the point here
Well, it’s precisely the point. Acclaim is not EB’s intention or wish, but it’s clearly the point of the award and Hall’s supporting comments; to aggrandize Byrnes, and by extension, Hall’s enterprise.
Hall goes out of the way specifically to address that potential criticism.
He’s “addressing” a criticism nobody has – namely that Eric does this stuff for his own return on celebrity. That’s not the issue and I doubt people think that. Hall’s “going out of his way” to recognize Byrnes for the same reason Derrick does everything, from the time he wakes up in the morning til the time he goes to bed the next morning: to make his organization look good. He’s using Byrnes’ good works (it is Eric’s money, after all) to connnect his enterprise with fans – even though the PR in this case, by Hall’s admission, isnt Eric’s style.
It gives publicity to deserving causes and provides a good example to the rest of the community.
I think that’s a valid point. A decidedly secondary point, in terms of the Award’s intent, but valid.
I certainly don’t think it’s a bad thing to remind fans now and again that players are not just stat-generating automatons for their fantasy leagues. They are people, capable of doing good things
Even if the philanthropist prefers not to be put on a pedestal? Besides, do we really “need” another reminder? Have you ever watched a local newscast? A Diamondbacks broadcast? National games peppered with player PSAs? Any episode of “In My Own Words” or other auxillaries aired on FSN? Spend more than thirty seconds around Derrickl? We are constantly reminded, by MLB, of how grand MLB is for society.
Eric doesnt need his private works heralded with a PR campaign pursuant to an award he’s not going to win anyway, and fans dont need it either. MLB is simply capitalizing on his good works and sacrifice, and I must say, they’re rather insistent about it.
I think the fans’ relationship with Byrnes is basically unsalvageable, save a Pujolsesque season next year (not likely, shall we say), to a far greater extent than anything Shawn Green ever endured.
Maybe your relationship (or TAPs) with Byrnes is unsalvageable, but I disagree with both generalizations. I dont anticipate a rebound on the field and, like you guys, am enormously disappointed in EB’s freefall, but to suggest he needs to be Albert Pujols to win back fans is silly – he just needs to be the historical Eric Byrnes. Second, because of 2007, there remains a widespread, albeit underlying fondness for EB that Shawn Green simply never enjoyed here.
It would have been easier and safer for the team to pick, say, Brandon Webb…
Not if they dont pick up his option :-)
If the FO is the focus of anything, something is seriously wrong with the picture ! - unnamedDBacksfan 2/20/09
Maybe your relationship (or TAPs) with Byrnes is unsalvageable, but I disagree with both generalizations. I dont anticipate a rebound on the field and, like you guys, am enormously disappointed in EB’s freefall, but to suggest he needs to be Albert Pujols to win back fans is silly – he just needs to be the historical Eric Byrnes.
The “historical” Eric Byrnes has a 94 career OPS+ – that won’t win back fans, given he will be earning $11m next season. Even the 2007, career-best version of EB still had only a 104 OPS+, and while we can add a bit on for the SBs, would you pay $11m for that? [In the agreed as unlikely event, at age 34 come next Opening Day, he reverses his precipitous decline since then.]
And it’s far from just being me and TAP: his biggest 2007 cheerleaders – the azcentral commentors – have turned against him venomously and want him gone now. That says a lot about how far his fan stock has fallen.
"Win, or die" -- Marquise de Merteuil
The "historical" Eric Byrnes has a 94 career OPS+ – that won’t win back fans…
Of course it would. If Eric played like he did in 2006-07, that’s exactly what would happen. It’s human nature and your azcentral flipflop confirms rather than contradicts that. Support is tied to a player’s career performance with emphasis on recent play – and Eric’s been really, really bad for a couple yrs now. Fans are understandably very down on him.
Your Pujols comment is what’s at issue. I know why you said it. Because that’s the kind of season you think might justify the long term deal. Problem is, most fans dont premise their day to day feelings and support on the long term efficacy of a contract. That’s just not the way most fans think. They’re too busy enjoying the game :-)
If the FO is the focus of anything, something is seriously wrong with the picture ! - unnamedDBacksfan 2/20/09
One big difference between then and now.
Never mind achieving overall value for the contract (which we seem to agree is virtually impossible), in 2007, Byrnes was earning $4.575 million. In 2010 alone, he’ll be earning $11 million. What was an acceptable or even decent level of performance at the former price just won’t cut it at almost 2.5 times the cost. Fans know this and take it into account. Two seasons of uber-suck won’t easily be forgotten.
"Win, or die" -- Marquise de Merteuil
It's a big difference to you
and to a certain type of spreadsheet jockey, but most people drill no deeper than the axiom ballplayers make “alot of money”. Fans arent nearly as sensitive to big shifts in salary as to big shifts in performance.
They were plenty upset with Tony Clark and Chris Burke and neither made big money. Significantly larger salaries could’ve made it worse, but marginal dollars (from one yr to another or one player to another) arent the proximate cause of most fans’ hostility – poor play is. In Byrnes’ case, $4.5 v $11M is a relatively minor consideration to most folks, compared with the painfully visible fact he’s not performing at either rate.
Pick any of this year’s three breakout kids: Mark, Justin, Miggy. If any of them had the misfortune to have a 2010 like CY’s 2009, do you think the fans would show more mercy? Because they dont have CY’s long term deal? I dont think so.
Final point I meant to bring up earlier, about fan venom towards players. A good deal of it is really aimed at the manager or front office (not just ours, but anybody’s) for playing guys we know are overmatched. It’s frustrating and at games inevitably projects onto players because the mgr is in the dugout and the GM in the box. It’s difficult to boo them. I mention it to advance the notion that fans hatred of home players isnt as deep, wide or intractable as is sometimes perceived.
cheers
If the FO is the focus of anything, something is seriously wrong with the picture ! - unnamedDBacksfan 2/20/09
Counter-example
marginal dollars…arent the proximate cause of most fans’ hostility – poor play is.
Wrong.
Player A: 61 games played, .200 BA, .352 SLG
Player B, 62 games played, .216 BA, .361 SLG
Very similar seasons, so this means both would be in line for the same amount of hostility, right? Not at all. Player B is Eric – but Player A is Chris Snyder. He’s had a crap season, crippled by injuries, ever bit as much as Eric’s. But compared to the venom leveled at EB, he’s been given almost a free pass. Why? Because he earns only $2m, less than league-average.
Player salary does make a difference – much though you want to think you have your finger on the pulse of what “most people” think.
In the interest of harmony, I’ll pass entirely on your description of those who notice the team’s finances as “spreadsheet jockeys.” But request you keep focused on the issue, rather than the personalities. We both know where that inevitably goes.
"Win, or die" -- Marquise de Merteuil
by Jim McLennan on Sep 5, 2009 11:14 PM EDT up reply actions
Why am I finding it soooo hard to follow Thumper’s advice?
"Say this much for big league baseball - it is beyond question the greatest conversation piece ever invented in America."
-- Bruce Catton
Just taught me a new word… but don’t know how it relates to this…
"Say this much for big league baseball - it is beyond question the greatest conversation piece ever invented in America."
-- Bruce Catton
It's a Thumper reference
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twitterpated
Second paragraph in the ‘Plot’ section.
"Win, or die" -- Marquise de Merteuil
by Jim McLennan on Sep 4, 2009 11:31 AM EDT up reply actions
niiiiiiiiiiiiice.
"Love is the most important thing in the world, but baseball is pretty good too. " ~Greg, age 8
So, as I am not his mother, I am not here to defend him
But I will point out that it is nice to hear that some people find a way to look past what I can concede is frustrating things that are entirely outside of his control, and see that he does in fact try and give him all for our team even when it can’t be on the field.
BRING BACK THE PRETTY TRENT!
by mrssoco on Sep 4, 2009 12:47 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs
I was going to make fun of him for that exact reason
and then pass along kudos for being a positive something, but then I decided it would just be trolling
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by Andrew Martin on Sep 4, 2009 12:59 AM EDT up reply actions
Nah,
it would just make you a Snakepitter.
"In the future, I want to be a fossil. Or, at least have my feces be fossilized"
-Pygalgia
Really
After watching the episode of the Eric Byrnes Show (yeah, I watched one, stop laughing) where he named the field after the kid who died of leukemia, I did decide to pull back on making fun of Byrnes for a while. He is a pretty cool guy, even if I get annoyed at his batting average.
"I can't accept and won't concede that this is who we are..."
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