Greg Couch: Inappropriate Furcal comments?

[daske17]

I just wanted to gage reaction to Greg Couch's most recent column in the Sun-Times about Rafael Furcal.

 

The basic thrust of his article is "Should the Cubs sign Furcal to a big dollar contract knowing he has a drinking problem."

 

Personally, I think the entire column is insulting. Furcal may have a drinking problem, but he is taking appropriate measures to ensure that it doesn't affect his career. Even in Couch's column, he mentions that Furcal sat in another room while the Braves had their champagne celebration for winning the division.

 

Given the drinking problems of several of Couch's Sun-Times colleagues, I would think he would be a little more supportive and empathetic to airing that sort of dirty laundry in such a fashion.

 

http://www.suntimes.com/output/couch/cst-spt-greg042.html

[Shawon12]

why would you find that insulting? He is stating his opinion.

[Bull]

I found the article respectful and well written. It is true that management will consider this factor, but its not really neccessary for readers to hear it.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

I didn't have a problem with the article. It gave a balanced view of both sides of the issue and raised a significant question with support about whether the Cubs should pursue Furcal in light of his problem with alcohol.

[daske17]

I think my main problem with the article is that he portrays Wrigleyville as this booze-filled place where self-control goes out the door for ballplayers.

 

Couch started out with a accurate portrayal of Furcal as someone who knows well enough not to get into a bad situation with booze (sitting outside the locker room during a champagne celebration). But because of day games and an erratic game schedule, suddenly he's going to be hitting all the bars?

 

He does follow it up with saying that Furcal may not do that. But I just didn't like the implication.

 

Something about the entire article just rubbed me the wrong way. . . Maybe I just don't like Greg Couch. :)

[Scott G. F.]

The way he wrote that article, it was was poorly written and written for effect. He began with the Bad DUI Furcal and then tried to soften it a bit by saying he was out of the locker room for an OJ shower.

 

In reading the article I didn't understand why he was outside the locker room but really felt better about him knowing he removed himself from the locker room and the alcohol. I wouldn't have. That takes nuts!

[wXw]

How fast can I get his name on the dotted line? Anyone that we sign can/will have issues. If he's working on his life issue and obviously working on the problem, then I say Ink him and let's focus on our other holes.

[Balsa]

I didn't have a problem with the article. It gave a balanced view of both sides of the issue and raised a significant question with support about whether the Cubs should pursue Furcal in light of his problem with alcohol.

I agree, and I certainly hadn't thought about the day games ending at at what? 5 PM? And 5 PM in Wrigleyville really is a bar scene. There's no denying it.

 

Still, I really respect the fact that he didn't participate in the champaign. That is incredibly telling in my opinion.

 

4 years, 35 million....4 years, 35 million.....4 years, 35 million.....

[donobr]

When i drank and had an office in the Wrigley building,more than once i got drunk with our laading sportswriters(peole who live in glass houses)

[donobr]

At Biillygoats

[donobr]

It took me 38 years to quit ,so kudos to Furcal

[tgk]

I didn't have a problem with the article. It gave a balanced view of both sides of the issue and raised a significant question with support about whether the Cubs should pursue Furcal in light of his problem with alcohol.

I agree, and I certainly hadn't thought about the day games ending at at what? 5 PM? And 5 PM in Wrigleyville really is a bar scene. There's no denying it.

 

 

I fail to see how this is relevant. The great majority of the American workforce gets off work at 5 p.m., and I'd bet you'd be hard pressed to find someone who doesn't drive past a bar on the way home. Heck, I go past two and I live in a dry county. (Illegal to sell for those of you who are in shock).

 

I'd also bet that you could find a bar or two near every major stadium. This doesn't even count the beer in the clubhouse.

 

He'll face the same temptations in Chicago that he would anywhere else.

 

Still, I really respect the fact that he didn't participate in the champaign. That is incredibly telling in my opinion.

 

4 years, 35 million....4 years, 35 million.....4 years, 35 million.....

 

I'm on the fence on Furcal, but this article made me less worried, not more so. I don't know whether I'd sign him or not, but this wouldn't be an issue.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

I didn't have a problem with the article. It gave a balanced view of both sides of the issue and raised a significant question with support about whether the Cubs should pursue Furcal in light of his problem with alcohol.

I agree, and I certainly hadn't thought about the day games ending at at what? 5 PM? And 5 PM in Wrigleyville really is a bar scene. There's no denying it.

 

Still, I really respect the fact that he didn't participate in the champaign. That is incredibly telling in my opinion.

 

4 years, 35 million....4 years, 35 million.....4 years, 35 million.....

 

4/38 or 5/45 is what it's going to take.

[CubRock2]

I fail to see how this is relevant. The great majority of the American workforce gets off work at 5 p.m., and I'd bet you'd be hard pressed to find someone who doesn't drive past a bar on the way home. Heck, I go past two and I live in a dry county. (Illegal to sell for those of you who are in shock).

 

I think you're right... alcoholics face temptation anywhere. It's a tough life to live if want to go straight. However, Chicago is constantly voted as the "favorite city" by ball players because they love it here so much. I'm sure an early start time opens up the window to a lot more fun after games. I'm not saying that the Cubs are the drunkest team in baseball, but I'm sure it presents a different environment that may be hard to get used to. And let's face it: Wrigley's a hell of a lot more beer-focused that the area around Turner Field.

 

He'd certainly be tempted more if he came to Chicago. I think that it's a valid concern if you're making a $10 million dollar a year investment. That being said, it's also not certain that he'd regress and abuse alcohol.

 

It's a good article. It brought up a concern that a lot of us should have if we're adding such a high dollar player. Age, health and "chemistry" are all factors in player acqusitions, why not this?

[brfahey]

I think my main problem with the article is that he portrays Wrigleyville as this booze-filled place where self-control goes out the door for ballplayers.

 

Couch started out with a accurate portrayal of Furcal as someone who knows well enough not to get into a bad situation with booze (sitting outside the locker room during a champagne celebration). But because of day games and an erratic game schedule, suddenly he's going to be hitting all the bars?

 

He does follow it up with saying that Furcal may not do that. But I just didn't like the implication.

 

Something about the entire article just rubbed me the wrong way. . . Maybe I just don't like Greg Couch. :)

 

I think Couch probably wrote the article because, in some way, it's not a positive piece about the Cubs, whom he hates (like everyone else at the Sun-Times). He spent a long time writing about the premium ticket service and bashing the Cubs about a year ago and the case got thrown out of court. The Furcal piece could just as easily been about how Furcal has stayed out of trouble in the past year. Typical sportswriter stuff.

[wekse]

ruth was drunk all of the time. mantle too. both of them sucked though. let them do what they want. their life. put a clause in the contract that says "you mess up, we don't pay". stop being so sensitive.

[ToupeeOnFire]

I didn't see this as a negative article at all. In fact, it struck me as very well balanced. When you are talking about making a multi-million, multi-year investment, a player's past is a real concern. It appears that Furcal at least is making a concerted effort to right himself. Yet Furcal's past issues cannot be ignored. It is up to Hendry and company to make the final determination as to whether he is truly worth the gamble.

 

I say this, by the way, as someone who, much to my great shame, has had a DUI arrest in his past.

[AllStarMe]

I'd say JH should offer Fookie 4/36 with a 5th year vasting option at 10M or a 2M buyout. And offer him special perks in his contract like a 24 hour on-call chauffer, a case of sparking cider for celebrations, or even an apartment in the Wrigleyville area so that, should he go out and get tanked, he could walk instead of drive. It maybe seems like a bit much, but you'd want to take every percaution so that he wouldn't screw up again. There should also be a clause voiding the contract if he gets another DUI. I've heard it would mean deportation.

 

He and Aramis are countrymen and near the same age, I think our third baseman should put in a call or visit on behalf of the Cubs. It's also got to be a draw having Lee corraling your throws to first. Are there any other Cubs who don't drink at all/anymore? Having that kind of mental support could prove valuable.

[USSoccer]

I didn't see this as a negative article at all. In fact, it struck me as very well balanced. When you are talking about making a multi-million, multi-year investment, a player's past is a real concern. It appears that Furcal at least is making a concerted effort to right himself. Yet Furcal's past issues cannot be ignored. It is up to Hendry and company to make the final determination as to whether he is truly worth the gamble.

 

I say this, by the way, as someone who, much to my great shame, has had a DUI arrest in his past.

 

Yeah, I agree. It wasn't like a smear piece. It was bringing up a legit concern that the Cubs may have. Like it or not, drinking can be a major, life long issue for people to deal with. Were we to sign Furcal, he would be a key player in any championship hopes we have, so it makes sense to look at the past, and look at how he's tried to handle it.

[Gracies Girl]

The question that has been rolling around in my head, and was not answered by this piece, is that given how the Cubs organization have handled players with (alleged) drinking problems in the very recent past, is Furcal going to think it would be a good move for his recovery to come here?

 

He had a half-season to listen to/witness a testimonial. I wonder how that will weigh in to his decision?