Criticism of major leaguer

Joe Shipley had a point there, didn't he?

Been,

You are so right about that! With me it is "The older I get the better I was."

O42

I agree that some folks were rude in their attacks of the former major leaguer. 1 cup of coffee is better than egg on the face.

That being said, Let me point out that others have asked the FML to please stick around and post on the board to add his valuable knowledge to this ever growing community. I did a search on the user's id and found that almost every post dating back to early in the year is an advertisement for his services. No value added!

I recognized the user id from a youth baseball forum This user has created 12 posts in the course of a year on that forum and all have been advertisements. Just like here, he was asked not to advertise as well as participate in other threads.

I for one would love to hear what he has to say about many issues. If he chooses to only disclose his knowledge when he gets paid, that is his option. Just don't expect free advertisement were ever he goes. I ran a business in a different industry. I was a member of many internet bulletin boards relating to that industry. I, like PG & others chose to take the high ground and NOT advertise my wears in threads. I paid for advertisement were it was allowed. I do not think this is too much to ask anyone to do.

He also posted here:

Free Hitting and Pitching Tips from the Major Leaguer

Posters there also picked on him a little bit

A few more thoughts on the topic of advertising in the forums:

Our members who participate in the forums, offering advice or sharing stories, ARE welcome to also occasionally share some news of a baseball-related event, or a new product or service that might benefit some of our members. I am a small business owner in my "other life" (computer business in my home), and I enjoy reading about other members' baseball businesses. I wish them much success, and hope that their baseball events and products will continue to help our players.

Also, I personally have NO objection to members placing a link line in the signature of their profile - the name of their business or a slogan, linked to their site. This single inobtrusive line at the end of each of their posts is not "spamming" our members, and some of us probably will be interested in checking out the website and seeing what the member does for a living.

As others have mentioned, the reason the former major leaguer prompted some criticism was first the fact that he posted his notice in about a dozen places, and secondly that he did not appear to be participating, or willing to participate, by giving free advice as most of our members do.

TO ALL OF OUR BUSINESS-OWNING MEMBERS: Please don't feel that you cannot talk about your business from time to time, or post a notice about a baseball-related event. The recent discussions about mis-use of the forums do NOT describe how the vast majority of our members conduct themselves here.

Julie

I agree with all those who did not like the advertising without offering anything else.

The thing that disappointed me the most was the way some of us attacked his playing accomplishments and ability.

Anyone who played professional baseball that long, doesn't deserve those cutting comments. He might have "only" 10 Big League ABs, but that's great. Besides, after 12 years, you can be sure he spent a lot of time just a notch below, knocking on the door to the Major Leagues.

The complaints about all else are well justified. People cutting down him and his baseball career is another story.

Some people are a heck of a lot more comfortable being critical rather than acknowledging another's accomplishments.

Just another form of Daddyball......

I neglected to mention earlier, I agree that it was inappropriate for a few of our members to attack the former pro's playing record and abilities. I also applaud any player who has earned the opportunity to play professional baseball, at ANY level!

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MN-Mom...

Agreed.

Sad to demean even a single MLB AB. If either of my sons every gets a single MLB at bat, or makes a MLB pitch I for one will cry on the spot. Heck, I cry when I even think about Moonlight Graham (yes, there really was one. Got one inning in the field near the turn of the century.)

How short sighted to demean such an amazing accomplishment. What an incredible amount of hard work, luck, and outside help it took for that single moment in the spotlight.

It's easy to criticize and its tough to compehend, to teach, and to offer second chances. I still figure the poster has something incredibly valuable to give...should he so choose.

Anyone ever wonder if Jalal even bothers to read any of this stuff. If not, I guess it really is just a place to advertise his business. That would be too bad.

I do not demean the accomplishment of reaching the majors, even to be up for one day and it rains.

But I do take issue with the term 'former Major Leaguer' with so little time served as a sales gimmick. The inference offered and I would assume taken is that the person had an actual career and succeeded in that career. It would further imply that this individual would be able to pass along the knowledge and training that assisted in his success.

It is not the same as the line about finishing last in the class at medical school.

PG-I also wonder if he has even returned to see any responses to his many posts as well. IMO if he has read them and decided not to respond then he obviously doesn't care about adding to this site. We have certainly made it clear his knowledge and experiences are welcome.

He IS a former major leaguer,who had a actual career and I would say was successful. Just because your not the CEO of a company doesn't make you unsuccessful.
Im just beginning to understand what it takes to have a career in pro baseball and I have to admire anyone who did it as long as he did

I believe the story out of West Point is there are 2 graduates that went on to become famous Generals even though they finished last in their class... Gen Custer and Gen Patton. Getting there is the accomplishment.

I married a "cup of coffee" pitcher whose stats were not real exciting, but his stories, aquaintances(sp?)and experiences are always entertaining and his knowledge of the game is unbeleivable. He would never be able to charge money to pass on what he knows about baseball. He just likes to help kids be successful and is very good at it. Most kids, as was the case with my son, listen and are more willing to learn from someone who has "been there".

Baseball is the only sport that allows you to be sucessful in three of ten attempts.

I'll have a minimum career .250 hitter teach my kids to hit.

quote:

The thing that disappointed me the most was the way some of us attacked his playing accomplishments and ability.

just reinforces my belief that some people were put on this earth to be negative.

As one of those who posted a criticism, let me say that I regret picking on his major league credentials - and I would like to publicly apologize to Mr. Leach. Anyone who makes the majors or even professional baseball has progressed further and has come closer to fulfilling a dream than I ever did.

As a die hard Giants fan, I was quite aware of Mr. Leach's major league record. My comment, made in a rather flip and off hand manner, was made in reaction to seeing a footnote in another poster's comment - and finding the combination of the two somewhat amusing. I regret making it and wish that I had not.

08 Dad, no apology needed. This is America where marketing rules but also needs to be understood ... and I think you do. When a person uses their accomplishments or credential to promote a product or a service, those accomplishments and credentials should be scrutinized. If a player claims to be a major leaguer and uses his name or credential to market a product then his benchmark is no longer that of just a person or a baseball player, but as a “major leaguer” and he has asked to be measured against that standard. Using that “major league” standard we can rank major league players on a scale from ... let’s say ... a poor performer to an excellent performer. I may recognize Mr. Leach as a great person and as a great ball player ... but as a major leaguer where does he rank ????
To really put this in perspective we should have Greg Maddox and Sammy Sosa open and academy across the street from Mr. Leach.
Fungo

I have been reading the feedback since this thread started and glad to see some have reconsidered their original position. FML has as much right on this or any other site as we all do. If he has violated an advertising rule or regulation then it is the responsibility of the site administrator to address the infraction. Personally, I was saddened to see so many people tear down FML's accomplishments. There are parents out there praying nightly to have their sons get a college scholarship or roster position anywhere, and yet the voices of negativity and criticisim chimed in to tear down this man's accomplishments. I do not know FML and until the thread, nor have I heard of him. Out of curiosity, I went to his site and he has some good info out there and yes, he runs a business. A busniness we can either use or refrain from.

I remain hopeful in the future, readers will exercise a little restraint before opining on matters and starting out of the box with negativity. We live in a free scociety and it is nice we can all voice our opinions. My message here is simple, use some thought first before making comments about others. I hope FML stays on the site and offers information and experience he has. I try to be a student of the game and I for one, am always learning something about the game. I think when we "think" we know it all, its time to hang up the spikes. Be a student of the game, respect the game.

08Dad-You're a good man in my book .

Wish I could take back a lot of things I've said AND done in the past.

Amen

08Dad you're a keeper!

Good post by Waveball

Moc,

I might take back more than I'd keep.

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08D...already knew!

Waveball...Nice start. Keep it up.

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Waveball,
Coach, thanks for your post. I had a chance to browse through your team’s website ... looks good. Hope you will continue to give your thoughts about high school baseball. Best of luck to you and your team.
Fungo

Thanks Fungo for the comment.

I really enjoy reading the perspectives on this and other baseball sites. Lots of knowledge and experience out there...

I had my first weekend off from coaching and I had all kinds of time to read posts. :-)

Have a great day!