Story originally printed in the La Crosse Tribune or online at www.lacrossetribune.com
Published - Friday, May 11, 2007
OUR VIEW: Banning clubhouse beer makes sense for Major League Baseball
Thumbs up to the St. Louis Cardinals and other Major League Baseball teams that have removed beer and liquor from their at-home clubhouses.
The Cardinals made the largely symbolic move after pitcher Josh Hancock was killed in a car accident after a game and an evening of drinking.
Hancock spent more than three hours drinking at a downtown St. Louis restaurant and then refused a taxi offered by the restaurant owner.
His vehicle hit a tow truck while he was on his way to a suburban restaurant to meet other teammates. Police said his blood-alcohol level was 0.157 percent, nearly twice the legal limit of 0.08.
Although Hancock didn’t drink in the clubhouse, there is still good reason to eliminate alcohol after home games, since most players drive their own vehicles home. The new policy won’t affect the availability of alcohol in visiting clubhouses, when players would not be driving.
Cardinals president explained the new policy this way: “I think it will serve as a reminder. They will know why there is not beer. It reminds them of what can happen if you exercise very poor judgment.”
Other teams, including the Chicago Cubs and the Washington Nationals, have gotten rid of beer in the home clubhouse.
It’s a good move.
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