Pedro- should athletes be held to different standards?

[RubeBaker]

I think it's great when we get a good ethical discussion going on these boards, and I think the latest incident with Pedro and Marichal proposes a good one.

There is a US law whereas any corporation that is based in the US, or is owned by the US, must still comply with US law regardless of where they operate. So even if a company is in say, Elbonia (yes, the third world country from Dilbert), they can't just dump all the toxic waste they want simply because there are no laws in Elbonia against dumping toxic waste. I know, it happens anyway but it's the thought that counts here.

The question is, should atheltes be accountable for their actions regardless of where they are?

Pro: The MLB, NBA, NFL, and all the other pro leagues are all corporations, and these athletes are employed by these corporations. Furthermore, they are making millions in the US as public figures and should be held responsible for their actions regardless of location.

Con: This is something that was done on their own time, and as long as it was legal in whatever country, that's their business. Furthermore, it's an invasion of personal rights to hold them to a different standard.

Personally, I think they should be held accountable. What do the rest of ya think?

[StanTheMan]

Should they be held to different standards? They already are.

(I voted for "they should be held accountable")

[rockin500]

they are held to different standards, to be sure. But should they? I'm not really sure. I went with no. If they are in america, follow american rules. if they are in the dominican, follow dominican rules.

[Pere]

There is a US law whereas any corporation that is based in the US, or is owned by the US, must still comply with US law regardless of where they operate.

Reference?

[Honus Wagner Rules]

Did Marichal and Martinez break any Dominican laws? Pedro wasn't representing the NY Mets when he was caught on video. Athlestes should be held to the standards of their community and country. Like it or not cock-fighing is legal in the DR.

[Old Sweater]

Not all the players can to the goody two shoe straight laced players that some of the fans want them to be. I'd be like watching a bunch of robots in a game if so.

[Mattingly]

While something being legal may get someone to avoid jail time for where they'd commited an act, that won't necessarily fly in the court of public opinion. In the USA, many frown upon cock fighting and dog fighting. If it's legal in the DR, then they escape punishment over there. However, once they return to US soil, that doesn't mean that fans or the general public will approve of this conduct.

Prostitution is legal in the State of Nevada. Does that mean that my Congressman/woman can go out in the Red Light District and not hear it quite loudly from any of his/her constituents?

I think that Pedro and Marichal should realize that, while cockfighting may be a popular "sport" in the Dr, that doesn't mean the people back here (where they have made most of their money) agree on the sporting aspect.

[Mattingly]

Not all the players can to the goody two shoe straight laced players that some of the fans want them to be. I'd be like watching a bunch of robots in a game if so.

I don't think that either of those guys would have to be like "Opie" from Mayberry RFD. If he drinks a little, swears a little, I won't mind. However, pitting animals or birds against one another, I can think of a few better things I'd prefer to see top athletes do.

Everyone's different in their approach.

[Old Sweater]

I don't think that either of those guys would have to be like "Opie" from Mayberry RFD. If he drinks a little, swears a little, I won't mind. However, pitting animals or birds against one another, I can think of a few better things I'd prefer to see top athletes do.

Everyone's different in their approach.

I agree with that but everybody is different in their opinion also or boards like this would die real quick. I myself can't see where they done any harm. Having to deal with PETA will be penalty enough for Pedro.

[Captain Cold Nose]

I don't think it's MLB's or anyone else's place too dictate morals or ethic on an individual basis. Just as it's no one's right to tell other what they should or should not be offended by.

If people have an issue with what Martinez did in the DR, what someone "caught" him doing, that's fine. But because he's a Met do we have to turn him into Eliza Doolittle? No.

[KCGHOST]

Players should hold themselves to a higher standard of conduct. They have such a good thing going for them they should take special care to evaluate the ramifications of their actions.

The recent Pedro chicken fighting deal is an excellent case in point. He did nothing illegal and, in fact, where it did it is culturally approved. But due to this incident you will never ever read an article evaluating his career without a reference to the cock fighting episode.

As a side not, it is an interesting commentary on how we view athletes in that we hold them to a higher standard of conduct than the average joe, but rockers and rappers are held to no standard of conduct. And the latter two certainly have more influence on kids than athletes.

[2Chance]

IMO that's what these guys need their managers, agents and PR people for. Watching people with talent (singers, actors, athletes) do stupid things has become too common. Some things you would think they should know better. But they have definitely surrounded themselves with people that should.

Anyone in the public eye should hold themselves to a higher standard. But it's folly for me to hold an athlete, singer or actor to one.

As for US laws in foreign countries, some of their laws are more harsh than ours. Remember that American a few years ago who was caned for vandalism? People got all upset about that, caused a big stir. I say the guy had it coming to him for 1) not knowing the laws of the country he was visiting and 2) being disrespectful of his hosts.

When in Rome....

[metfan13]

Players should hold themselves to a higher standard of conduct. They have such a good thing going for them they should take special care to evaluate the ramifications of their actions.

The recent Pedro chicken fighting deal is an excellent case in point. He did nothing illegal and, in fact, where it did it is culturally approved. But due to this incident you will never ever read an article evaluating his career without a reference to the cock fighting episode.

As a side not, it is an interesting commentary on how we view athletes in that we hold them to a higher standard of conduct than the average joe, but rockers and rappers are held to no standard of conduct. And the latter two certainly have more influence on kids than athletes.

But he's a citizen of that country. Grew up in that country. Is immersed in its culture. Is PART of its culture.

And because of that, why would he even care if "the cockfighting incident" is included in every bio of him. That's STILL imposing US cultural biases on actions that took place elsewhere.

[sturg1dj]

There is a US law whereas any corporation that is based in the US, or is owned by the US, must still comply with US law regardless of where they operate.

so how is it that sweatshops exist then?




and you know what, regarding the question......baseball was so much more fun when we didn't know/care that Mickey Mantle was a pill popping drunk, and that all players were popping amphetamines. ignorance is bliss

[NYMets523]

I like how his appearence at a cockfight is overshadowing all his charity work he does for the Dominican Republic.