Jim Rice's comments on today's players

[Gom]

SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. — Jim Rice’s advice to Little Leaguers: Don’t use today’s major-leaguers as role models.

 

Speaking to players before the start of the Little League World Series, the new baseball Hall of Famer said today’s major-leaguers are too focused on individual goals and getting big contracts.

 

“You see a Manny Ramirez, you see an A-Rod (Alex Rodriguez), you see (Derek) Jeter ... Guys that I played against and with, these guys you’re talking about cannot compare,” Rice said to Little Leaguers gathered in the cafeteria.

 

The former Red Sox outfielder played 16 seasons in Boston, batting .298 with 382 homers before retiring in 1989.

 

“We didn’t have the baggy uniforms. We didn’t have the dreadlocks,” Rice said. “It was a clean game, and now they’re setting a bad example for the young guys.”

 

Asked later at a news conference to list current players worthy of the Hall, Rice suggested Seattle Mariner outfielders Ichiro Suzuki and Ken Griffey, Jr., and Chicago White Sox slugger Jim Thome.

 

He said he believes current Hall of Famers who did not cheat don’t want players who took performance-enhancing drugs to join them in the Hall.

 

Flexing the muscles in his right arm, Rice said, “That’s all the steroids you need. ... It’s called God-given talent.”

 

Rice’s talk to Little Leaguers was part of his first trip to Williamsport since playing minor-league baseball in the central Pennsylvania city in 1971.

 

He urged players to have respect for their coaches, teammates and parents, and to concentrate on improving the weakest part of their game. Rice said he had to put in extra work to improve his fielding.

 

Rice’s appearance was part of a promotion by Allstate Insurance Co. He got a standing ovation from players and coaches, though some of the 11- to 13-year-old players were yawning or had their heads in their arms on the table about 15 minutes into the talk.

 

Jeter cares more about his contract and isn't a team player? Dude...this guy has to be one of the dumbest people to put on a uniform.

[example1]

Jeter's a punk who doesn't respect the game. Thome never cheated. I see what Jim Rice is talking about.

[WhiskeyBreath]

Jeter doesn't respect the game? Since when?

 

How the hell do you know Thome never used?

[schillingouttheks]

I'm pretty sure he was kidding.

[BOSOX11]

Rice shouldn't be throwing stones at Manny for having dreads. I remember Rice having an Afro so big, he could barely get his ballcap on. He reminded me of Linc on the Mod Squad.

[Gom]

You can complain about Arod and Manny. Even Jeter's most ardent haters really can't question the way he plays the game.

 

Is there a way we can vote him OUT of the Hall of Fame? [PA's idea].

[Christian Snyder]

Jeter doesn't respect the game? Since when?

 

How the hell do you know Thome never used?

I agree... How do we know Griffey didn't use roids?

[SoxSport]

It's the money that's changed the game and the attitudes of the players. Older players like Rice resent the new generation of players who are big money first. And it's not just Rice. A lot of the older HOFers feel that way.I've heard it before.

 

I don't know what he was talking about with Jeter. Maybe money. Can't be steroids. But he sure is taking a pasting from that NY-based media. LOL.

 

I agree with the other poster about Griffey. Always thought he was juiced. You hit 50 HRs for a few years, get your big contract, then start getting chronic injuries and decline. That smells steroids. Typical side effects. It's a Faustian pact. There has been a lot of that the last 10 years.

 

I wish the title of this thread was not so moronish.

[The_Destroyah]

I agree... How do we know Griffey didn't use roids?

 

I honestly dont think Griffey used roids, if he had used roids he would have been far more unbelivable, I think his production is a result of one of if not THE mos perfect swings the game has ever seen.

[Dipre]

Griffey + HGH= 900 homers.

 

Enough said.

[Cocos Disciples]

Unless he did use steroids, and Griffey-HGH=450 HR. Who knows?

[Dipre]

Unless he did use steroids' date=' and Griffey-HGH=450 HR. Who knows?[/quote']

 

A) Clever use of math.

 

B ) Remember HGH is mainly used to better resist injury, so most likely when the freak injuries started happening, they didn't happen because he stopped taking steroids.

 

But wtf, maybe he was on the juice since high school.

[Cocos Disciples]

A) Clever use of math.

 

B ) Remember HGH is mainly used to better resist injury, so most likely when the freak injuries started happening, they didn't happen because he stopped taking steroids.

 

But wtf, maybe he was on the juice since high school.

 

Fair enough. Obviously I hope he didn't use, but at this point you can't count anyone out.

[SoxSport]

I've talked to one or two of the older HOF players. What they don't like about the current players is the greed. They want every last dollar.They have little or no team loyalty. Why else would a player have a snake like Boras for an agent?

I think, also, there is some resentment because they feel underpaid in their careers. LOL.

 

As for Rice, I think his comments were a bit disjointed, and not well thought out. Rice isn't very articulate, and I think he got his remarks mixed up. He probably wasn't thinking about steroids when he mentioned Jeter. That came up later. He was thinking about greed, though Jeter doesn't stand out in my mind there. The other two, for sure.

[The_Destroyah]

I've talked to one or two of the older HOF players. What they don't like about the current players is the greed. They want every last dollar.They have little or no team loyalty. Why else would a player have a snake like Boras for an agent?

I think, also, there is some resentment because they feel underpaid in their careers. LOL.

 

As for Rice, I think his comments were a bit disjointed, and not well thought out. Rice isn't very articulate, and I think he got his remarks mixed up. He probably wasn't thinking about steroids when he mentioned Jeter. That came up later. He was thinking about greed, though Jeter doesn't stand out in my mind there. The other two, for sure.

 

The "greed" isnt the players fault, It's the Free Agency and if Im a player Im looking for the fattest check I can find too which is why as much as I hate the man I would make Boras my agent.

 

And Rice's comments were just very stupid, he has no right to tell kids not to look up to current stars for ANY reason, when there have been players with less that desirable qualities throughout the years (Daryl Strawberry, Mickey Mantle, Babe Ruth, Ty Cobb, Reggie Jackson, etc.)

[Dipre]

People talk a lot about loyalty from a player to a team.

 

But what about loyalty from a team to its players?

 

Haven't the FOs gotten greedy and disloyal as well?

[Jacoby_Ellsbury]

Loyalty and business no longer coexist comfortably. When Rice played, it was much more game than business. Now, other way around.

[Dipre]

Loyalty and business no longer coexist comfortably. When Rice played' date=' it was much more game than business. Now, other way around.[/quote']

 

Exactly right.

 

Baseball is a business, the Comish is about making money, the players are about making money, and FO's are about making money, comparing this era to eras of old is foolish.

[soxfan17881]

Specific individual references aside, Rice is right on. Today's players are not the same caliber as players from Rice's era and earlier. Just my opinion.

[SoxSport]

Loyalty and business no longer coexist comfortably. When Rice played' date=' it was much more game than business. Now, other way around.[/quote']

 

Cable TV changed everything, along with agents and free agency.

 

Remember when free agency started in the late 70s? Steinbrenner was sucking up every FA in sight, while Haywood Sullivan, who ran the Red Sox, was giving away his star players, Fisk and Lynn, for technicalities. Sullivan hated free agency and rebelled against it. You know the result. The Yankees won a bunch of championships, while the Red Sox won nothing until '03, after they had signed Manny.

 

Cable TV is responsible for the huge revenues that make those big contracts possible.TV has considerable leverage in sports these days because of it. Selig spends more time worrying about TV ratings than anything else.

[RWTP24]

I honestly dont think Griffey used roids' date=' if he had used roids he would have been far more unbelivable, I think his production is a result of one of if not THE mos perfect swings the game has ever seen.[/quote']

 

Well said.. Griffey has the best swing in baseball IMO.

[TheKilo]

Specific individual references aside' date=' Rice is right on. Today's players are not the same caliber as players from Rice's era and earlier. Just my opinion.[/quote']

 

l-o-f***ing-l