O/T - All Star game

[vintagetoppsguy]

Originally Posted by Anthony S.

Wilson isn't flashing a gang sign, he's making a cross with his arms and looking up toward heaven, ie at his dad, who died when Wilson was in high school. His dad was in the Air Force, which is why Wilson funded a couple of Air Force Academy scholarships starting this year. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/blogs/the-...122865134.html

For what it's worth, he also gave out a 1000 gloves this past weekend to needy kids (his idea) and conducted a Q and A period with the kids afterwards. Sorry you don't approve of his facial hair.

I didn't know that about his dad, but another board member sent me a PM and told me it was also a tribute to his dad. It looked more like an "X" to me, but I suppose it could have been a cross. I'm sorry that he lost his dad so early in life. However, here is the bottom line. Closing games is Wilson’s JOB. That’s what he gets paid to do. Every time I do something good at my job, I don’t make hand signs and/or pay tribute to anybody. I may get a pat on the back, but I’m only doing my job. And another thing, if I showed up to my job looking like Brian Wilson, I really think I would be (and should be) fired. His appearance is not professional – not at most companies and certainly not for Major League Baseball.

As far as Fielder goes, do you really think he could get a decent job in the real world with all those tattoos? Not hardly.

[asoriano]

I guess you wouldn't be too fond of Peter Moylan either:

[quinnsryche]

David, I'm not a fan of tattoos either, but don't single out Fielder. Josh Hamilton, Yadier Molina, Jon Rauch (just off the top of my head) all have tattoos and many others (in all sports). I think it's just the times we live in. Tattoos are a part of mainstream society, like it or not. Weird beards and strange facial hair are part of it too. What about Rollie Fingers? That's about the strangest facial hair in the last hundred years and nobody says anything other than "cool". Steinbrenner wouldn't allow facial hair until Reggie came along, then Gossage, Martin, Munson etc. all had 'em. It's just sports, enjoy the game and enjoy the characters that go along with it (Bill "Spaceman" Lee, Al "The Mad Hungarian" Hrabosky, Steve "Psycho" Lyons, Mark "The Bird" Fidrych, Bill Veeck, Rick "Rain Delay" Dempsey et al). Just my 2 cents.

[Robextend]

Originally Posted by vintagetoppsguy

As far as Fielder goes, do you really think he could get a decent job in the real world with all those tattoos? Not hardly.

Why should Prince or Brian Wilson care about real world jobs? Both guys are great for the sport...both charismatic, friendly, and do a lot for their communities. Why does anyone care about facial hair and tats? Seems a bit ridiculous to me…

[vintagetoppsguy]

Originally Posted by Robextend

Why should Prince or Brian Wilson care about real world jobs? Both guys are great for the sport...both charismatic, friendly, and do a lot for their communities. Why does anyone care about facial hair and tats? Seems a bit ridiculous to me…

I care because it is a disrespect to Major League Baseball. Most professional companies have guidelines regarding personal appearance. That's just a fact. Rob, here's a question. No matter how qualified, do you think these guys could get a job at your company looking they way they do? I'm guessing probably not. Why should MLB be any different?

[Robextend]

Originally Posted by vintagetoppsguy

I care because it is a disrespect to Major League Baseball. Most professional companies have guidelines regarding personal appearance. That's just a fact. Rob, here's a question. No matter how qualified, do you think these guys could get a job at your company looking they way they do? I'm guessing probably not. Why should MLB be any different?

Every profession is different, and every position within that profession is different as well. Where I work in my department you have to be clean cut, but the guys in my mailroom have earrings, and have tats exposed all over the place and it is accepted. They have been at the company a long time and make pretty good money.

If Brian Wilson or Prince Fielder were in construction, I doubt they would have to change anything.

[vintagetoppsguy]

Originally Posted by Robextend

Every profession is different, and every position within that profession is different as well. Where I work in my department you have to be clean cut, but the guys in my mailroom have earrings, and have tats exposed all over the place and it is accepted. They have been at the company a long time and make pretty good money.

If Brian Wilson or Prince Fielder were in construction, I doubt they would have to change anything.

Rob, you proved my point though. I work for an offshore engineering company in Houston. I, too, am expected to project a professional appearance. However, the guys in the mailroom and office services have tats and earrings, but those aren't "professional" jobs. Construction is a profession, but is not a "professional" occupation. IMO, MLB is a professional company and their employees should maintain an appearance of any other professional company.

In other words, in the real world, Wilson and Fielder would have mailroom or construction type jobs - not that there is anything wrong with that. They wouldn't have professional jobs because of their appearance. Why should it be different with MLB - a professional company?

[Robextend]

Originally Posted by vintagetoppsguy

Rob, you proved my point though. I work for an offshore engineering company in Houston. I, too, am expected to project a professional appearance. However, the guys in the mailroom and office services have tats and earrings, but those aren't "professional" jobs. Construction is a profession, but is not a "professional" occupation. IMO, MLB is a professional company and their employees should maintain an appearance of any other professional company.

In other words, in the real world, Wilson and Fielder would have mailroom or construction type jobs - not that there is anything wrong with that. They wouldn't have professional jobs because of their appearance. Why should it be different with MLB - a professional company?

The game and everything about it including the appearance of its players has changed from what the norm used to be. There has never been an MLB wide policy on tattoos or facial hair. If the players want to express themselves in such a way, and the ballclub has no set rules, it is well within their right to do so. If my company didn't have written policies on dress code, then I would be well within my right to dress the way I felt. Whether you agree or disagree with the way Brian Wilson, Prince Fielder, or anyone else looks like that is certainly understandable on a personal level. However, if I held your position I would be more inclined to blame MLB, or the particular team rather than the ballplayer. As I said, if my company allowed shorts, sandals and a Hawaiian shirt every day...I would be that person.

[ChiefBenderForever]

Originally Posted by vintagetoppsguy

I care because it is a disrespect to Major League Baseball. Most professional companies have guidelines regarding personal appearance. That's just a fact. Rob, here's a question. No matter how qualified, do you think these guys could get a job at your company looking they way they do? I'm guessing probably not. Why should MLB be any different?

Many professional companies are prejiduce but many are not, if qualifed, yes they would be able to get a job at most Fortune 500 companies as the 1980's are long gone.

[Jason]

Since i have very extensive tattooing i feel a bit put off by this whole talk about discriminating based on appearance.I also choose to have a beard.I consider myself a good person and i do hold a professional job.Just because people look different that doesnt mean they are less of a person,man,or human being than someone who looks "conservative".Scumbags come in all forms not just bearded and tattooed.Other than that the All Star Game has become a joke i agree.Jason Wells

[39special]

Originally Posted by TheT206Fiend

Since i have very extensive tattooing i feel a bit put off by this whole talk about discriminating based on appearance.I also choose to have a beard.I consider myself a good person and i do hold a professional job.Just because people look different that doesnt mean they are less of a person,man,or human being than someone who looks "conservative".Scumbags come in all forms not just bearded and tattooed.Other than that the All Star Game has become a joke i agree.Jason Wells

Well said!!

[vintagetoppsguy]

Originally Posted by ChiefBenderForever

Many professional companies are prejiduce but many are not, if qualifed, yes they would be able to get a job at most Fortune 500 companies as the 1980's are long gone.

It's not a matter of being prejiduce or not. It's a matter of companies wanting to project a professional appearance to their clients. I disagree with your statement. I think most Fortune 500 companies would not hire someone covered in tattoos regardless of their qualifications (especially in this job market). Yes, the '80s are long gone, but presenting a professional appearance is still very much a part of business. And no, tattoos do not project a professional appearance.

For the record I have a scorpion tattoo on my upper right arm - something I did 15 years ago in my younger days. However, it can not be seen even with a short sleeve shirt. This is not just about tattoos, it is about projecting a professional appearance whether it's tattoos, a beard that looks like a bird's nest or a mohawk haircut.