SABR 2016

1. Allison R. Levin (MA, JD)
@consultsnaps

4.  Discourse tracing
 Look at history of media coverage of domestic violence and trace
how the rhetoric has changed
 Compare to how other major issues are covered
 Content Analysis of Articles
 Social Media Mining

5.  PEDs it can be argued effects the team on the field. Domestic
Violence does not.
 Punishment is going to be different
 Can’t wait for the law because most cases don’t go to court
 Women don’t press charges
 Women are put under more scrutiny than the men they accuse
 Celebrity culture is designed to applaud and protect powerful men
 Rhetoric is different about domestic violence

6.  Common clubhouse taunts and media coverage in articles are
related to a man showing vulnerability or weakness
 Connected to them acting feminine
 Opposite of weak is power
 Athletes are often iodized because they are considered the model of
masculinity
 This is the root of a systemic issue
 We warn about raising girls but most deviant behavior by boys at a
young age is just excused by saying Boys will Be Boys

7.  It’s cultural
 It’s socioeconomic
 It get’s enough media attention, look at Reyes and Olivera

9. "They always get guys that are a little
crazy
or have stuff going on off-the-field.
But despite all the off-the-field
stuff the teams that had those
players ended up getting it done."
The Philadelphia Phillies started
pitcher Brett Myers at Fenway Park
the day after the player was arrested for
dragging his wife by the hair and hitting
her in 2006.
The Colorado Rockies allowed
Pedro Astacio, to pitch on opening
day in 2000 after he pleaded guilty
to punching his pregnant wife
In 2005, the Dodgers nominated
outfielder Milton Bradley for the Roberto
Clemente Award after police had
been called to his house multiple times
that season for domestic violence
If Chapman’s penalty is really short
than he’ll be able to play for most of
2016.
If the penalty is longer, he might not
accrue enough time to be a free agent at
the end of the year. Win-Win

10. There is a chance they’ll hear from
women’s groups and everyday people
repulsed by domestic violence.
But they got the most overpowering
reliever
in the history of baseball for nothing,
You take that chance. The fans will be in
the stands come opening day.
I’d trade for Chapman.
We can’t moralize the game
"If we had not been satisfied with
what we heard, we would
not have moved forward. He was heartfelt in
the
conversation. He’s been a good teammate in
his months with the Yankees

12. “I was very upset when the Yankees traded for Chapman. My personal feelings about players who get
into trouble are complicated. I like my team to do well, but this is an entertainment industry, I want
to be entertained. It’s a lot more difficult to be entertained by players with baggage. I do not cheer for
Chapman when he pitches. I sit and wait for him to be finished and hope he does his job so he doesn’t
hurt the team. It’s very difficult to feel anything but stress when he pitches and I don’t wish it on
anyone. It isn’t entertaining. It just feels hollow. If he got counseling or apologized I’d feel better, but
he hasn’t.”
“At the end of the day there are things in life more important than winning. I need to be able to watch
my team and at least entertain the thought that it is not a team that is condoning violence against
women.
“I don’t like my answer, but if answered honestly, anything that increases the chances of a ring I
support.”
“If he is eligible by league rules and he helps my team win then yes.”
“Flags fly forever, bad PR goes away”
“So although it does make me cringe a bit, I have believed in the plan since I heard Theo discussing it
my first Cub Convention. So I trust his judgement. I want that ring, badly. Not just for me, a good
friend’s dad is almost 80. For everyone whose spent their life cheering even when it seems impossible.
If that takes Chapman to bring that home, so be it.”

13.  Joe Torre
 Dee Gordon

14.  Be aware of language we use when talking about men and women
 Understand that charges can’t be the determining factor
 Teach GMs and Teams how to discuss domestic violence
 Include counseling in punishment
 Continue the discourse
 It’s ok to feel conflicted, but it’s important to express why
 Teach the younger generation about history
 Discourse shapes reality—start the change

15. View Points on Media Effects:
Pseudo Reality and its Influence
on Media Consumers (Rowman &
Littlefield, 2017)