Look, as much as I hate to close comments, I gotta do this now. This thing is as far off-topic as can be…no one is discussing whether or not the Yankees should sign Carl…and now it’s just a conversation about me…with many attacking me, questioning my character, etc. Hence, the closure.

Thanks to those who have offered comments in support, confirming that they understand what I was conveying, etc. Much appreciated – as it’s good to know that somebody gets it.

Studies have shown that most of us, due to the society we live in, exhibit some form of aversive racism. It is below the surface, and it doesnt make you a racist. I’ll be perfectly up front: Harvard has an association test that tests for this sort of thing, and although I like to consider myself above race and liberal, I didnt score perfectly, and was in fact disappointed by my score. It doesnt make me a racist, nor does Steve’s comment make him a racist unless he meant it as a racial slight, which I do not believe it was (from reading here for years). Basically, what Im trying to say is that the comment may have been an example of aversive racism, but that doesnt make Steve a racist and it shouldnt be taken that way, neither by the people making the observation, nor by Steve.

So tell me – what does Crawford have to do with Dock Ellis, other than their skin color? Ellis was a pitcher with drug, alcohol, and anger management problems who wore curlers on the field and threw a no-hitter on LSD. Has Crawford ever done any such stunt like that? If so, cite your evidence – I’ve never heard of any such thing about him. If not, you owe Crawford an apology. (And please, your “soul” analogy is ridiculous too. Nobody talks that way anymore.)

“Any of you guys are familiar with either Mickey Rivers or Rickey Henderson? The comp seemed apt to me….Steve’s concern with Crawford has nothing to do with his race. It has everything to do with his skillset as a ballplayer. Did anyone bother to look at his comps? Similar ballplayers and what they’ve done at 35+?”

Except for the fact that Henderson played until age 44 (and led the league in stolen bases at age 39.) And that Rivers is unfortunately more remembered by today’s audiences more for spending his money at the race track than for his skills as a player. And that the hitter who is really the most similar at that age to Crawford, according to Baseball-Reference, is baseball hero Roberto Clemente, who still had great skills at age 37.

Any of you guys are familiar with either Mickey Rivers or Rickey Henderson? The comp seemed apt to me. FWIW, I don’t think either had any tattoos, though I can’t really confirm. Does anyone watch the NBA? Anyone remember when Jason Williams showed up? How did people refer to his game when he played the point for the Kings?

Steve’s concern with Crawford has nothing to do with his race. It has everything to do with his skillset as a ballplayer. Did anyone bother to look at his comps? Similar ballplayers and what they’ve done at 35+?

And what does Rickey Henderson – or Mickey Rivers – have anything to do with Crawford? I didn’t get the sense that Crawford was much like either of them, other than them also being African-American baseball players.

Besides, I’m a little tired in general of this myth about how every Yankee is supposed to be like Pettitte/Mo/Jeter etc. Yeah, neither of them would have a neck tattoo – or any tattoos, for that matter. What does that have to do with anything? Please, even Michael Kay admitted he was wrong about his “Yankee way” obsession.

A lot of people have issues with how Steve feels about the Yankees and certain aspects of the team (myself included). Half of the time I read this site I’m shaking my head in disagreement.

That being said, there’s no reason to take that aggravation and turn it into a personal attack of this nature. I agree that the comments were not the most politically correct comments that have ever been made. But to say that he is subconsciously a racist? What does that even mean?

If you want to bash Steve, fine. His insight sucks. He’s all wrong about Cashman. That’s all fine. But to cherry pick details to cast the man as a bigot to people who might not even read him? That’s a low blow.

I will admit, however, that as I wrote this post, I found it all VERY ironic. But that’s a post for another day. Steve, do you see the irony?

Very impressive that you are so omniscient in discerning all forms of racism at such an early age. Just be forewarned that certitude seems to wane as one grows a little older. Just saying…