The elephant in the room returns

SomeBaseballDad posted:

Enjoying the Ride posted:

I have read the back story and personally I am not convinced of his innocence. But what you or I think doesn't matter one iota. The situation is what it is. 

No, you miss the point. What you and I think does matter (specifically those who think the kid still has a price to pay for his actions). The courts have rendered their verdict, their opinions aren't the ones MLB is concerned about  It's the paying public  and again, not those who feel the kid has paid his debt to society and should be left alone. 

My point has nothing to do with whether he should be allowed to play professional ball. It has to do with whether he will be. 

Dominik85 posted:

Regarding Osuna he was involved in a domestic violence incident against his GF. He didn't quite molest a child but I still think luhnow made a big mistake by signing osuna.

from a pure wins standpoint it made sense (more than heimlich who is just a prospect who might very well bust if given a chance) as he bought low on it but I think here luhnow overdid the analysis driven stuff to fight for every single tenth of a win at maximum efficiency.

Astros pitchers verlander and mccullers did an extremely hard attack on twitter on a minor leaguer who was filmed beating up his GF in march (like fuck off and never come back) and now verlander did take a pretty open stab at luhnow ("he didn't ask me" and he also said that luhnow generally would do his own thing generalizing this criticism).

now of course it is also not smart by verlander to openly take a stab at his GM but his attacks in march were so hard that he would have lost credibility if he had not said anything so verlander chose this route.

why did luhnow risk ruining the team chemistry of a 100 win defending WS champion just to add another win or so?

Playoffs.  Red Sox are going to win 175 games or something at their current pace.

CaCO3Girl posted:

What I find fascinating is that had he filed the right paperwork, had the state not "messed up" and released the info it would be under lock and key in a minors file and NONE of us would ever have known and he would have been drafted.

Whether he did it or not doesn't matter at this point, his career in baseball is ruined.  Personally, I think he should sue the state for lost income.  

Here’s how I see the same situation ... Had he been RESPONSIBLE enough to file the proper paperwork he would be a millionaire (signing bonus) minor leaguer. 

Therefore, in addition to the original crime he had an out as long as he played it straight. He couldn’t play it straight. He didn’t control what what was in his control. This was his second chance.

I’m indifferent to whether Heimlich gets a shot. His irresponsibility of failing to file put him at the mercy of other people's (baseball) decision making. Baseball goes on regardless of whether he ever plays again. Hall of Farmers retire and the game goes on. No one player is bigger than the game. 

RJM posted:

CaCO3Girl posted:

What I find fascinating is that had he filed the right paperwork, had the state not "messed up" and released the info it would be under lock and key in a minors file and NONE of us would ever have known and he would have been drafted.

Whether he did it or not doesn't matter at this point, his career in baseball is ruined.  Personally, I think he should sue the state for lost income.  

Here’s how I see the same situation ... Had he been RESPONSIBLE enough to file the proper paperwork he would be a millionaire (signing bonus) minor leaguer. 

Therefore, in addition to the original crime he had an out as long as he played it straight. He couldn’t play it straight. He didn’t control what what was in his control. This was his second chance.

I’m indifferent to whether Heimlich gets a shot. His irresponsibility of failing to file put him at the mercy of other people's (baseball) decision making. Baseball goes on regardless of whether he ever plays again. Hall of Farmers retire and the game goes on. No one player is bigger than the game. 

Not exactly true:

https://portlandtribune.com/pt...for-beavers-baseball

"If 16 or older, a juvenile offender in Washington must notify state officials of any address change through the five-year period in which he is registered as a sex offender. (The timeline is two years if the offender is 15 or younger. Heimlich had turned 16 by the time his case came to court in August 2012.) Heimlich gave notice of a couple of moves during his time in Corvallis. Shortly after his 21st birthday — Feb. 3, 2017 — he received a citation from Benton County for failure to re-register. Oregon officials had incorrectly determined him to be a resident of the state. Washington state rules do not require re-registration on a 21st birthday. Heimlich's attorney, Stephen Ensor, took the case to court, and the citation was dismissed.

In the interim, however, The Oregonian learned of Heimlich's case and printed a story on his legal situation, including a quote from the niece's mother saying she was "appalled " that Oregon State would have him on its team. (The newspaper did not name the mother to protect the identity of the child.)"

In other words, he followed the rules.

RJM posted:

CaCO3Girl posted:

 

I'm indifferent to whether Heimlich gets a shot. His irresponsibility of failing to file put him at the mercy of other people's (baseball) decision making. Baseball goes on regardless of whether he ever plays again. Hall of Farmers retire and the game goes on. No one player is bigger than the game. 

That's such wrong thinking. Maybe subconsciously deflecting blame to "baseball" instead of accepting one might be to blame for that kid not playing. I saw an article that's headline was something like "MLB renders a verdict". No, they didn't. A certain segment of society did and baseball is reacting to it.  Sure there may be some owners who wouldn't consider having the kid on the team due to their moral compass, but others would take him in a moment if not for fear of public backlash. The worst thing is a majority, say 90%, could be in favor of the kid playing, but if the 10% is vocal enough they'll rule the day. What owner wants a demonstration in front of their stadium, even if it's only twenty people. 

Anyway, if you've ever voiced opposition to this kid playing because his punishment didn't meet your moral standard then you (and others like you) are keeping him out of baseball. 

SomeBaseballDad posted:

RJM posted:

CaCO3Girl posted:

 

I'm indifferent to whether Heimlich gets a shot. His irresponsibility of failing to file put him at the mercy of other people's (baseball) decision making. Baseball goes on regardless of whether he ever plays again. Hall of Farmers retire and the game goes on. No one player is bigger than the game. 

That's such wrong thinking. Maybe subconsciously deflecting blame to "baseball" instead of accepting one might be to blame for that kid not playing. I saw an article that's headline was something like "MLB renders a verdict". No, they didn't. A certain segment of society did and baseball is reacting to it.  Sure there may be some owners who wouldn't consider having the kid on the team due to their moral compass, but others would take him in a moment if not for fear of public backlash. The worst thing is a majority, say 90%, could be in favor of the kid playing, but if the 10% is vocal enough they'll rule the day. What owner wants a demonstration in front of their stadium, even if it's only twenty people. 

Anyway, if you've ever voiced opposition to this kid playing because his punishment didn't meet your moral standard then you (and others like you) are keeping him out of baseball. 

Excellently put. 

SomeBaseballDad posted:

RJM posted:

CaCO3Girl posted:

 

I'm indifferent to whether Heimlich gets a shot. His irresponsibility of failing to file put him at the mercy of other people's (baseball) decision making. Baseball goes on regardless of whether he ever plays again. Hall of Farmers retire and the game goes on. No one player is bigger than the game. 

That's such wrong thinking. Maybe subconsciously deflecting blame to "baseball" instead of accepting one might be to blame for that kid not playing. I saw an article that's headline was something like "MLB renders a verdict". No, they didn't. A certain segment of society did and baseball is reacting to it.  Sure there may be some owners who wouldn't consider having the kid on the team due to their moral compass, but others would take him in a moment if not for fear of public backlash. The worst thing is a majority, say 90%, could be in favor of the kid playing, but if the 10% is vocal enough they'll rule the day. What owner wants a demonstration in front of their stadium, even if it's only twenty people. 

Anyway, if you've ever voiced opposition to this kid playing because his punishment didn't meet your moral standard then you (and others like you) are keeping him out of baseball. 

You can’t be serious. This is like blaming my lack of a career as an MD on the people who believe doctors should be qualified to practice medicine rather than the fact that I never attended medical school.  At the end of the day, there is only one person responsible for keeping Luke Heimlich out of professional baseball.

SomeBaseballDad posted:

RJM posted:

CaCO3Girl posted:

 

I'm indifferent to whether Heimlich gets a shot. His irresponsibility of failing to file put him at the mercy of other people's (baseball) decision making. Baseball goes on regardless of whether he ever plays again. Hall of Farmers retire and the game goes on. No one player is bigger than the game. 

That's such wrong thinking. Maybe subconsciously deflecting blame to "baseball" instead of accepting one might be to blame for that kid not playing. I saw an article that's headline was something like "MLB renders a verdict". No, they didn't. A certain segment of society did and baseball is reacting to it.  Sure there may be some owners who wouldn't consider having the kid on the team due to their moral compass, but others would take him in a moment if not for fear of public backlash. The worst thing is a majority, say 90%, could be in favor of the kid playing, but if the 10% is vocal enough they'll rule the day. What owner wants a demonstration in front of their stadium, even if it's only twenty people. 

Anyway, if you've ever voiced opposition to this kid playing because his punishment didn't meet your moral standard then you (and others like you) are keeping him out of baseball. 

I’ve haven't stated once whether or not Heimlich should be in or out of baseball. I’ve only expressed why I believe he is out. It’s amazing how some people see things in a manner that allows them to call out other people rather than bother to take the time to comprehend what was actually said.

This thread has become very circular. Unless someone posts some great insight I’m out.

Enjoying the Ride posted:

SomeBaseballDad posted:

RJM posted:

CaCO3Girl posted:

 

I'm indifferent to whether Heimlich gets a shot. His irresponsibility of failing to file put him at the mercy of other people's (baseball) decision making. Baseball goes on regardless of whether he ever plays again. Hall of Farmers retire and the game goes on. No one player is bigger than the game. 

That's such wrong thinking. Maybe subconsciously deflecting blame to "baseball" instead of accepting one might be to blame for that kid not playing. I saw an article that's headline was something like "MLB renders a verdict". No, they didn't. A certain segment of society did and baseball is reacting to it.  Sure there may be some owners who wouldn't consider having the kid on the team due to their moral compass, but others would take him in a moment if not for fear of public backlash. The worst thing is a majority, say 90%, could be in favor of the kid playing, but if the 10% is vocal enough they'll rule the day. What owner wants a demonstration in front of their stadium, even if it's only twenty people. 

Anyway, if you've ever voiced opposition to this kid playing because his punishment didn't meet your moral standard then you (and others like you) are keeping him out of baseball. 

You can’t be serious. This is like blaming my lack of a career as an MD on the people who believe doctors should be qualified to practice medicine rather than the fact that I never attended medical school.  At the end of the day, there is only one person responsible for keeping Luke Heimlich out of professional baseball.

The clerk who mistakenly thought he was an Oregon Resident????

I think it's wrong to admonish people simply for having a different opinion than you do. If you listen and open your mind you might just grow a little. What I have tried to get across on this thread and every thread about this situation is this. WE DON"T KNOW. We don't know if he was guilty or not. There are so many things we don't know and never will know. To say he is guilty because at 15 years old he signed a confession makes no sense to me. Why? Because there are so many things we don't know. I do know as a former investigator that negotiations and plea bargaining agreements are all about closing a case. In situations like this one there are so many factors in play it is impossible to know what actually transpired. The amount of pressure on a grown man much less a 15 year old kid is hard for people to understand unless you have been there. I have seen hardened life long criminals with very little to lose crack and do whatever they were asked to do. I can offer up one scenario for an example. "Do you realize the humiliation and embarrassment your family is going to face if this goes to trial?" "If this goes to trial and you are found guilty you will go to jail for a long time. You will forever be remembered as a child molester. Your family will never be able to go anywhere without this following them. Do you understand this? Do you realize we have the evidence to convict you? Now if you sign a confession we will recommend that you not serve any time. Your a juvenile and your records will be sealed. You will save your family and yourself the public humiliation of a trial. You can move on with your life. Do you want to risk it or sign the confession and lets close this case and move on?"

Now I know this happens in all types of cases because I have experienced it first hand numerous times. And especially in a case where the victim is close to the accused. And especially in cases where the family is torn with prosecuting one of it's own. So for me basing guilt solely off of a confession just doesn't cut it. I want actual evidence that shows beyond a reasonable doubt the person committed the offense. 

So having said all of that what we have is a man who signed something at 15 under circumstances we have no way of knowing all the facts. He signed it believing it would never be made public. Wouldn't that factor into your decision to actually sign it or not? Now he is "someone" and his past is brought up to deny him opportunity in life he has actually earned. In other words by signing the confession he actually signed a life sentence. Some would say he should have thought about that before he did what he did. Well what did he do? Do you really know? He signed a confession! Here we go again with that.

Baseball has a right to do what they want to do. I have taken that out of the thought process for me. What I am interested in does this man have a right? A right to live a life free from his past? A right to move forward and be a productive person without the stigma of his past "a signed confession at 15 believing it would never be made public." This going back in time and tearing people to shreds mentality reeks imo. Like I have said before IF he did it he shouldn't be allowed to walk the streets a free man. Ever. So what kind of justice system takes a signed confession from an admitted sex offender and then just sets him free and says "It will never be made public." How is that justice? If they actually believed he was this animal how could they in good conscious  just release him out on society for the sake of "clearing a case." Something just doesn't smell right here at all to me and quite honestly I would rather err on the side of second chance and redemption than be a part of kicking a man when he's down. But to be honest I feel our society has become very good at doing just that. 

I love this guy^^^^

Our society as a whole has decided that we all have a voice and we all have an opinion that others should be forced to hear it.  Think about the top 5 news stories any day of the week, would they have been reported about 20 years ago?  Can you envision your grandparents openly discussing such topics? NOPE! 

We have decided that the news media tells us the truth about various topics and it's our duty to then get involved in the said "truths" and picking sides.  Who here really knows about trade deals/tariffs, Brexit, anything about Ohio elections, how to disarm a nuclear bomb....we talk about things like we are experts, we form opinions about things we don't know the first thing about, then we wonder why there is so much hate and violence in the world.  I was happier not hearing these things.

The founders warned against “Factions”.  That’s why we are not a pure democracy.  Facebook gave a microphone to everyone.  Where we once trusted a barrier of elected officials to handle our frustrations , we now are so intimately and immediately connected that we feel like we are directly integral in how people will vote or what they will believe about matters.  Thus, we get so tweeked up at a post, believing that someone else just influenced untold numbers of people. 

For me, this was never about whether he should be allowed to play pro ball, it was about who is responsible for why he isn’t.  OF COURSE he should be allowed to move forward and be a productive person.  His speech communication degree from Oregon State should be a major advantage in helping him do that.  I don't see how portraying him as a victim at this point helps anyone, including him.

And no, the clerk isn't responsible.  Like all of us, he has to face he consequences of his choices (even if that choice was to admit to a crime he didn't commit).  If the world of baseball were blaming the inept clerk, he would be wearing a pro jersey right now.

We are just talking past each other at this point.  Like RJM, I'm done.  

https://www.google.com/amp/www...eague%3fplatform=amp

Hasn’t this horse been beat to death enough times already?!?  Surely there are better things to talk about! 

adbono posted:

  Surely there are better things to talk about! 

Well I have to admit you got me there. Having a level headed debate here (good luck right) about whether an extremely talented player that committed a heinous crime and then paid his dues should be able to advance his career ranks nowhere near a debate about ground balls in HS. 

At risk of igniting another debate, I'm just going to say this. He served his sentence. He continues to suffer the consequences. Let him find what success he can.

Iowamom23 posted:

At risk of igniting another debate, I'm just going to say this. He served his sentence. He continues to suffer the consequences. Let him find what success he can.

 

What is he doing to rehab his image? Doing something in the community makes him a reformed person. It gives MLB a changed image to sell. Not everyone will accept it. But doing nothing keeps him the baseball player who ...

RJM posted:

Iowamom23 posted:

At risk of igniting another debate, I'm just going to say this. He served his sentence. He continues to suffer the consequences. Let him find what success he can.

 

What is he doing to rehab his image? Doing something in the community makes him a reformed person. It gives MLB a changed image to sell. Not everyone will accept it. But doing nothing keeps him the baseball player who ...

What can he do to rehab his image?  

He can’t donate money, he didn’t get a contract. 

He can’t work with kids.

I don’t think even habitat for humanity would want him working on a house of theirs.

What charity is going to put him front and center?

I also am not wanting to start another debate but either the kid did his time OR the kid actually was railroaded when he was 15, didn’t actually do anything, and has still paid his time.

 CaCO3Girl posted:

RJM posted:

Iowamom23 posted:

At risk of igniting another debate, I'm just going to say this. He served his sentence. He continues to suffer the consequences. Let him find what success he can.

 

What is he doing to rehab his image? Doing something in the community makes him a reformed person. It gives MLB a changed image to sell. Not everyone will accept it. But doing nothing keeps him the baseball player who ...

What can he do to rehab his image?  

He can’t donate money, he didn’t get a contract. 

He can’t work with kids.

I don’t think even habitat for humanity would want him working on a house of theirs.

What charity is going to put him front and center?

I also am not wanting to start another debate but either the kid did his time OR the kid actually was railroaded when he was 15, didn’t actually do anything, and has still paid his time.

He doesn’t have to be front and center of any charity. All he has to do is find a cause where a group needs help and make a difference. Anyone involved in any charity at any level makes a difference.

Then a MLB team can sign him and say despite his past problems he been a model citizen lately including helping (whatever charity) in his free time. Helping disabled or homeless veterans would be a good cause where he wouldn’t be a risk.

RJM posted:

 CaCO3Girl posted:

RJM posted:

Iowamom23 posted:

At risk of igniting another debate, I'm just going to say this. He served his sentence. He continues to suffer the consequences. Let him find what success he can.

 

What is he doing to rehab his image? Doing something in the community makes him a reformed person. It gives MLB a changed image to sell. Not everyone will accept it. But doing nothing keeps him the baseball player who ...

What can he do to rehab his image?  

He can’t donate money, he didn’t get a contract. 

He can’t work with kids.

I don’t think even habitat for humanity would want him working on a house of theirs.

What charity is going to put him front and center?

I also am not wanting to start another debate but either the kid did his time OR the kid actually was railroaded when he was 15, didn’t actually do anything, and has still paid his time.

He doesn’t have to be front and center of any charity. All he has to do is find a cause where a group needs help and make a difference. Anyone involved in any charity at any level makes a difference.

Then a MLB team can sign him and say despite his past problems he been a model citizen lately including helping (whatever charity) in his free time. Helping disabled or homeless veterans would be a good cause where he wouldn’t be a risk.

With how polarized this topic has been on here I don’t see a veteran taking kindly to a convicted chikd molester.  Let’s say he did sneak in there.  He reports back he’s spent 100 hours with disabled vets, what do you think said org would say?  Probably along the lines of “we will have to do better background checks on our volenteers.  We deeply regret subjecting the vets to this type of person, we do not support him”...I can’t see it going well

CaCO3Girl posted:

RJM posted:

 CaCO3Girl posted:

RJM posted:

Iowamom23 posted:

At risk of igniting another debate, I'm just going to say this. He served his sentence. He continues to suffer the consequences. Let him find what success he can.

 

What is he doing to rehab his image? Doing something in the community makes him a reformed person. It gives MLB a changed image to sell. Not everyone will accept it. But doing nothing keeps him the baseball player who ...

What can he do to rehab his image?  

He can’t donate money, he didn’t get a contract. 

He can’t work with kids.

I don’t think even habitat for humanity would want him working on a house of theirs.

What charity is going to put him front and center?

I also am not wanting to start another debate but either the kid did his time OR the kid actually was railroaded when he was 15, didn’t actually do anything, and has still paid his time.

He doesn’t have to be front and center of any charity. All he has to do is find a cause where a group needs help and make a difference. Anyone involved in any charity at any level makes a difference.

Then a MLB team can sign him and say despite his past problems he been a model citizen lately including helping (whatever charity) in his free time. Helping disabled or homeless veterans would be a good cause where he wouldn’t be a risk.

With how polarized this topic has been on here I don’t see a veteran taking kindly to a convicted chikd molester.  Let’s say he did sneak in there.  He reports back he’s spent 100 hours with disabled vets, what do you think said org would say?  Probably along the lines of “we will have to do better background checks on our volenteers.  We deeply regret subjecting the vets to this type of person, we do not support him”...I can’t see it going well

I get what you're saying about MLB liking the optics of a guy who spends his time helping out others. But they don't draft great volunteers, they draft great pitchers.

Maybe that's something he can and should do at some point, but right now, with the obstacles he faces, my guess is it's taking all he has to find a place to play baseball.  And I respect him for pursuing what has to be a really difficult path. At the very least, people have to give him some credit for mental toughness.

CaCO3Girl posted:

RJM posted:

 CaCO3Girl posted:

RJM posted:

Iowamom23 posted:

At risk of igniting another debate, I'm just going to say this. He served his sentence. He continues to suffer the consequences. Let him find what success he can.

 

What is he doing to rehab his image? Doing something in the community makes him a reformed person. It gives MLB a changed image to sell. Not everyone will accept it. But doing nothing keeps him the baseball player who ...

What can he do to rehab his image?  

He can’t donate money, he didn’t get a contract. 

He can’t work with kids.

I don’t think even habitat for humanity would want him working on a house of theirs.

What charity is going to put him front and center?

I also am not wanting to start another debate but either the kid did his time OR the kid actually was railroaded when he was 15, didn’t actually do anything, and has still paid his time.

He doesn’t have to be front and center of any charity. All he has to do is find a cause where a group needs help and make a difference. Anyone involved in any charity at any level makes a difference.

Then a MLB team can sign him and say despite his past problems he been a model citizen lately including helping (whatever charity) in his free time. Helping disabled or homeless veterans would be a good cause where he wouldn’t be a risk.

With how polarized this topic has been on here I don’t see a veteran taking kindly to a convicted chikd molester.  Let’s say he did sneak in there.  He reports back he’s spent 100 hours with disabled vets, what do you think said org would say?  Probably along the lines of “we will have to do better background checks on our volenteers.  We deeply regret subjecting the vets to this type of person, we do not support him”...I can’t see it going well

There's an underlying issue here we haven't quite exposed, but are getting close.

He doesn't have an image to rehabilitate. His public image is because of his status as convicted sex offender. While there have been people accused and/or convicted of similar things that have (at least partially) recovered in the eyes of the public, they had a persona prior to that and had social capital upon which to build. He doesn't have that. I may be losing my memory in my somewhat-old age, but I cannot think of anyone in recent years who became famous as a sex offender and then ingratiated themselves to the public. He would not be known outside of a small baseball circle if it wasn't for this issue.

• CaCO3Girl posted:

  RJM posted:

   CaCO3Girl posted:

  RJM posted:

  Iowamom23 posted:

  At risk of igniting another debate, I'm just going to say this. He served his sentence. He continues to suffer the consequences. Let him find what success he can.

   

  What is he doing to rehab his image? Doing something in the community makes him a reformed person. It gives MLB a changed image to sell. Not everyone will accept it. But doing nothing keeps him the baseball player who ...

  What can he do to rehab his image?  

  He can’t donate money, he didn’t get a contract. 

  He can’t work with kids.

  I don’t think even habitat for humanity would want him working on a house of theirs.

  What charity is going to put him front and center?

  I also am not wanting to start another debate but either the kid did his time OR the kid actually was railroaded when he was 15, didn’t actually do anything, and has still paid his time.

  He doesn’t have to be front and center of any charity. All he has to do is find a cause where a group needs help and make a difference. Anyone involved in any charity at any level makes a difference.

  Then a MLB team can sign him and say despite his past problems he been a model citizen lately including helping (whatever charity) in his free time. Helping disabled or homeless veterans would be a good cause where he wouldn’t be a risk.

  With how polarized this topic has been on here I don’t see a veteran taking kindly to a convicted chikd molester.  Let’s say he did sneak in there.  He reports back he’s spent 100 hours with disabled vets, what do you think said org would say?  Probably along the lines of “we will have to do better background checks on our volenteers.  We deeply regret subjecting the vets to this type of person, we do not support him”...I can’t see it going well

  I’m not looking for a knock down dragged out debate of I’m smarter than you on the topic. I don’t even care if the guy ever plays baseball. I’m offering possibilities using my marketing background. Marketing isn’t that different from PR. It’s also going to take the MLB organization standing behind him. It’s also going to take patience and maturity on behalf of the player. If you think MLB fans can be brutal try minor league parks where a player can hear everything a loudmouth says.

   I guarantee there are MLB teams who will be watching how he does on the mound and handling the situation in the Mexican League. I’m guessing he will learn some Spanish he didn’t care to know.

  What I do hope is he becomes a rehabilitated, productive member of society. If he does this there’s no reason why he can’t play baseball. I could see him in organized baseball ten years after the event. At that point a decent, rational person would think he’s not a threat to society. 

I agree with RJM and also with Matt13's comment about "he doesn't have an image to rehabilitate." For many people, this is the first thing we are learning about him, and the first thing we are reacting to.

I wonder how this situation would have played out if he had been an established player in the MLB before the story of the crime became public. He would have had a reputation (hopefully as a good guy that did good stuff around the league and for his community) and an MLB team and its PR machine backing him and making the case that people should look at what he's achieved and maybe setting him up as an example of someone who righted his life after doing a terrible thing.

Instead, he's just a college kid making the best decisions he can.

It will be interesting to see how it plays out. I hope well for everyone involved.

Iowamom23 posted:

I agree with RJM and also with Matt13's comment about "he doesn't have an image to rehabilitate." For many people, this is the first thing we are learning about him, and the first thing we are reacting to.

I wonder how this situation would have played out if he had been an established player in the MLB before the story of the crime became public. He would have had a reputation (hopefully as a good guy that did good stuff around the league and for his community) and an MLB team and its PR machine backing him and making the case that people should look at what he's achieved and maybe setting him up as an example of someone who righted his life after doing a terrible thing.

Instead, he's just a college kid making the best decisions he can.

It will be interesting to see how it plays out. I hope well for everyone involved.

 

An unknown is a clean slate when he becomes a public person. Then the person is judged. 

By rehabilitate I mean return to where he gets to be judged again. If he comes across as normal and has a back story of contributing to the community in some way decent people will give him the benefit of the doubt ten years later.

There will always be some horses behinds who try to rattle him. There were fans at every game who heckled and tried to unnerve Jim Eisenreich for having Tourettes. But he’s going to have to live with it.

When teammates with kids start saying he’s an ok guy he’s won the battle. But first he has to get into the battle. The Mexican league is step one. What decent person wouldn’t want to see him return to normalcy and be a regular member of society? The rate of recidivism is a lot lower than people think. People tend to think it’s high due to how it’s played out on crime shows on tv.