Does anybody remember how Furcal left the Braves? Wasn't it because he was free agent? Yeah, but he also got busted for a speeding and a DUI on Interstate 85 and I believe that played a part too. The Braves are not a team that lends itself to controversy or normally keeps players around that have had poor conduct off the field, but there has been exceptions. Lest we forget Chipper and his divorce from his first wife. If that happened in new york, it wouldv'e been bigger then A-Rod and Madonna. We also can't forget the Gold Club where Andruw Jones had his choice of some fine stripper tail. Neither of those incidents resulted in indictments and charges. Rafael on the other hand was arrested, charged, and prosecuted for his actions.
This is the first time I can think of where the Braves welcomed back somebody who has had such a bad and public personal violation. Is this a sign of things to come? Are the Braves more willing to deal with off the field antics of its star players? I don't think so. What I think is going on here is that Furcal was quite young at the time of the incident, just 25, and now he is older and wiser. The Braves will likely not forget, and I bet somewhere in the fine print of that generous contract is stipulations on drinking and driving. They will be willing to dump him at the first sign of trouble (can we forget the infamous motorcycle and Ron Gant). As Rafi matures so do the Braves expectation. The willingness of the Braves to accept him is not a softening of the Braves towards problem players but rather a new respect for a wiser and more mature Rafial Furcal.
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he'll fit right in with our next center-fielder jordan schafer.. suspended 50 games in AA last year for being caught taking a 'banned substance' (coughsteroidscoughs). i didnt think we'd ever see schafer in a braves uniform after that, but i think youre right.. appears we're lowering our standards if it means putting talent on the roster. john schuerholz would be rolling in his grave
Lest we forget Furcal had a little controversy over his age. Like other Dominicans, he allegedly acquired a fake Dominican birth certificate in order to play in America.
Appearing younger can enhance a Dominican player's ability to be drafted into the major leagues in America.
The Jordan Schafer incident is more troubling then Rafi. I think because Schafer is so young, and the incident occurred in minors, they are willing to give him more room to wiggle. Even though Schafer's violation was more heinous for baseball purists, Rafi's was a serious criminal violation. Things are changing. Player expectations is still high, and I think the braves will continue to shy away from controversy if they can. But, there has been a lot more controversy of late, hopefully this can be avoided during the season.
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