On the TUNNEYSIDE of SPORTS March 7, 2016 #583 Up next…” Dipping”
After further review…The MLB pitchers and catchers have begun their spring training ritual with the balance of the rosters due to report soon. Warnings about the use of smokeless tobacco arise once more. Major League Baseball and the MLBPA (the players’ union) have sent a one-page letter to all players at their spring training sites. The letter states that smokeless tobacco often called “chew,” or “chaw” is now prohibited in all parks in Boston, San Francisco, and Los Angeles. The restrictions are based on new municipal codes, not MLB rules. These codes were enacted in the name of public health. Hmm, why not the others?
The tribute that I, and 23,239 others attended at San Diego’s Petco Park a couple years ago to honor “Mr. Padre,” Tony Gwynn, was a thrilling event, but sad in that Gwynn wasn’t there. He had died of oral cancer some ten days earlier. His death is officially recorded as “salivary gland cancer.” While there are no conclusive studies that link chewing tobacco to mouth or throat cancer, Gwynn was “absolutely convinced” that “dipping” was the cause of his cancer. Gwynn had been on the speaking circuit educating young players about this danger, and he has since been joined by numerous baseball figures, including Hall of Famer Umpire Doug Harvey.
If smokeless tobacco is so dangerous to a player’s health, and the spitting of same so repugnant to a great many fans, why doesn’t MLB bad it from all fields? (Note: although the above mentioned letter was sent to all major leaguers at their spring training sites, none of those locations prohibit smokeless tobacco.) If you were to question the MLBPA you would likely hear the following evasion: “it’s a civil liberties issue.”
Washington Nationals manager, Dusty Baker, a former big dipper, recently said, “It’s a bad influence for the kids. Big time.” Along with Baker many major league stars have issued warnings about the dangers. Yet those messages fall on deaf ears to the young player who believes that dipping is part of baseball tradition and greatness. Some who supporter a ban suspect that MLBPA would go along with one, but are holding that “card” as a bargaining chip in further negotiations with MLB powerbrokers. Meanwhile, more players, both in the major leagues and the “wannabees” in the lower leagues, will suffer with cancer and die as the “bargaining chip” sits there.
Will you step-up when the opportunity arises to help players avoid smokeless tobacco?
To contact Jim go to www.jimtunney.com or email him jim@jimtunney.com.
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