Matt Bush gets another chance. This time with the Rangers

YoungGunDad posted:

Are professional sports teams this shallow that they place winning at all costs above morals? 

 

YGD

Sadly, yes.

"Bush allowed alcohol and legal issues to ruin his career until the March 22, 2012, alcohol-related accident -- one that severely injured a motorcyclist -- in Port Charlotte, Fla., led to his sentence."

On March 22, 2012 my wife and I were in Port Charlotte Florida to watch our son in spring training with the Rays.  On the way to the game, we saw ambulances, police, a demolished motorcycle and we assumed the driver was dead.  We were shaken up by it.  When we got to the park, we mentioned to my son that we saw a horrible motorcycle accident not far from the hotel where the team was staying.  He told us one of his teammates named Matt Bush was responsible and that alcohol was involved and that it was a hit and run.  He had been fishing just about every day with Matt Bush that spring and seemed to get along with him although he mentioned he seemed to have a hot temper.  We didn't know what to say and the team seemed stunned.

Matt Bush has paid his debt to society.  Hopefully, he got treated for alcoholism while in prison and is currently in a 12 step program for the rest of his life.  Even more hopefully, Matt Bush has reached out to that unfortunate motorcycle driver and sincerely apologized to him and asked for forgiveness.  If he has done these type of things, I think he deserves another chance.  I understand how people could feel like he should not get another chance however.  

I am not sure how to respond to this story.  Its not that teams are shallow, its just that its about winning.  

The bottom line is that he has an illness and very lucky to be getting another chance and I hope that things work out for him.

Dat what speed do!

Really tough situation for those involved, and those effected by the young mans irresponsibility. 

Our society typically gives someone a second chance (with the right legal representation) to turn things around which I think separates us from other societies.  Whether that second chance is right or wrong  is really left up to the will of our society, and what this young man does with this opportunity.   It appears that our society is going to give him a very short leash to turn his life around which I think is fair.  His job is a baseball player.  He found a team willing to hire his talents, take a chance, and deal with any PR issues.    Nothing more nothing less.   I wish him the best of luck

All very good thoughts and responses. Like I said earlier I do believe in 2nd chances and forgiveness.  There was another article I read regarding his hit & run with the motorcyclist that fateful day. He has met and asked for forgiveness and was granted it from that man. If he can make it back and his actions stick there would be a huge platform for him to convey the realities of substance abuse.