Coonelly got a DUI

[thecrow124]

Back on Dec 22 according to Dejan. I am not condemning him, but maybe he should have come out and said something before now. Luckily the fine will only be between $1000 and $5000, so it shouldn't impact the teams ability to work on an extention with McCutchen. However, Cutch's personal views are definately going to have to be altered, I can only imagine with his upbringing that this isn't something he would have liked to have seen from his boss.

 

[magnumo]

Unfortunate, for sure. It's never good for any organization to have its CEO take a credibility hit like that (although I have no personal sympathy at all for Coonelly). At least everyone interviewed so far seems to be saying the right things in the face of such an incident:

- Coonelly has expressed a LOT of contrition and assumed full responsibility.

- Nutting gave Coonelly a vote of confidence but also indicated that Coonelly is accountable.

If Coonelly does it again, I expect he will be fired promptly (as he should be, IMO), regardless of what the Pirates are doing on the field.

 

[element1286]

It happens, I can't crucify that guy because I know I've driven with a little too much alcohol in my system on a few occasions.

 

[element1286]

However, Cutch's personal views are definately going to have to be altered, I can only imagine with his upbringing that this isn't something he would have liked to have seen from his boss.

What was McCutchen's upbringing?

 

[thecrow124]

What was McCutchen's upbringing?

Father is a minister if I remember correctly. Heck I could be wrong, but it seems like that is what I have heard.

 

[element1286]

93.7 The Fan Tells Hosts To Avoid Talking About Frank Coonelly's DUI - Bucs Dugout

For the local radio listeners.

 

[Etrius24]

Everyone is human..

People make mistakes... The rule of law and the society we live in allows for second chances and for people to make good on their debts to society.

So if this is his only slip up... I think it becomes a non issue... As long as it never happens again.

We all make mistakes in judgement, I have little tolerance for drunks as I grew up in a home where my father got drunk A LOT and when he did he liked to yell and throw things ...beat the windows out of the house...etc... Good times.

But back to this, I believe in second chances...Thankfully he did not hurt anyone or himself when he did this...He can move on with his life...

If Cutch's dad indeed was a minister???? This should have no impact... Christians believe in forgiveness... or they are supposed to! They are also not supposed to judge others...

Cheers!

 

[Darkstone42]

Everyone is human..

People make mistakes... The rule of law and the society we live in allows for second chances and for people to make good on their debts to society.

So if this is his only slip up... I think it becomes a non issue... As long as it never happens again.

We all make mistakes in judgement, I have little tolerance for drunks as I grew up in a home where my father got drunk A LOT and when he did he liked to yell and throw things ...beat the windows out of the house...etc... Good times.

But back to this, I believe in second chances...Thankfully he did not hurt anyone or himself when he did this...He can move on with his life...

If Cutch's dad indeed was a minister???? This should have no impact... Christians believe in forgiveness... or they are supposed to! They are also not supposed to judge others...

Cheers!

As a Christian myself, I must say forgiveness and slowness to judge are not as common among Christians as they should be, especially among the outspoken ones. Of course, when it comes down to it, signing an extension with the Pirates will likely be a baseball and a financial decision before anything else.

 

[Etrius24]

Darkstone

I agree with everything you said...The older I get the more I challenge religious terms and ideas... Because of that I was not going to say that many Christians are quite the opposite and are the first to judge and the last to forgive... Thank you for getting there for me!

And I agree that if the Pirates Make Cutch a solid offer... That is the most important thing they can do.... It will have more to do with the decision than someone in the front office having one too many beers after a party. ( and then trying to drive home)

 

[sychmd]

Alert. this post has nothing to do with baseball, and not intended to be offensive.
i am a Christian and had a DUI and more.
here is a brief story about it for those interested in these things
Lighthouse Network - Videos
I am now a psychiatrist(sych,md) and help many people with similar issues through Lighthouse Network nationally and internationally(Kenya, Uganda, and Iraq).
We are Good Samaritans when others, including a lot of Christians, don't help those in need. But help isn't always saying yes.....
if you have any loved ones who are struggling, we are a free service to help them understand and navigate the complex system and connect them to their best treatment options.
thanks for the time to be tangential with an important topic that this thread introduced.

we all make mistakes. mccutch will be looking at the pervasive character of management and how they as individuals and a collective treat him. he probably will not focus on one outside the organization mistake, unless it is just an example of coonelly's usual behavior, attitude, and heart. the dollars, winning, and distance from family will also be important pieces of the complicated pie that we hope has pirates written on it.
have a great weekend and can't wait till the first game.
does anyone know if it is possible to find games for free(and legally) on the web.

 

[magnumo]

There have been many fans calling for Coonelly to be fired, based upon the logic that, in addition to the DUI, he was driving on a suspended license (even though that charge was dropped). Further, I've read a bunch of speculation (not on this board, but elsewhere) that:

1. His license had been suspended due to previous DUI's, or.....
2. The suspended license charge was "dropped in a plea deal," or.....
3. The charge was dropped because Coonelly is a "big shot."

I had hoped that more information about that dropped charge would emerge..... and now that has occurred:

Coonelly's attorney: Dropped charge stemmed from unpaid ticket

To me, that story is probably true (because it can easily be checked) and is plausible. So, as far as we know, Coonelly received no preferential treatment and his DUI was a first offense, meaning that while he should be chastised and held accountable, perhaps he should not lose his job over it.

On the other hand, I gotta wonder how different things would look if Coonelly had hit someone head-on (resulting in fatalities) while he was driving the wrong way.

 

[magnumo]

Reply to sychmd

does anyone know if it is possible to find games for free(and legally) on the web.

The same question comes up very year.

Assuming you mean a streaming broadcast (similar to TV coverage), the general answer is no. Historically, MLB.com may offer a free spring game or two as a teaser to get folks to sign up for a pay-for-streaming package.

You're probably aware that several web sites (including ESPN and MLB.com) offer pitch-by-pitch graphical representations of all regular season games in (almost) real time. IIRC, they offer the same for most spring training games. If you're NOT familiar with these and want more info, just post that or contact me by email, and I'll give you more details.

 

[Darkstone42]

I'm hoping when I have roommates we can get cable and Extra Innings, since the folks I'm talking to are baseball fans, too.

If not, I'm buying that MLB.com package I think.

 

[element1286]

There have been many fans calling for Coonelly to be fired, based upon the logic that, in addition to the DUI, he was driving on a suspended license (even though that charge was dropped). Further, I've read a bunch of speculation (not on this board, but elsewhere) that:

1. His license had been suspended due to previous DUI's, or.....
2. The suspended license charge was "dropped in a plea deal," or.....
3. The charge was dropped because Coonelly is a "big shot."

I had hoped that more information about that dropped charge would emerge..... and now that has occurred:
Coonelly's attorney: Dropped charge stemmed from unpaid ticket

Spoke to my dad who is an ex cop, and he said a charge like driving on a suspended license is a common charge they tack onto most serious moving violations. In the same vein they tack on Disorderly Conduct to most public drunkenness arrests. They are usually expected to be dropped.

On the other hand, I gotta wonder how different things would look if Coonelly had hit someone head-on (resulting in fatalities) while he was driving the wrong way.

He'd be facing Manslaughter charges, and awaiting trial.

 

[element1286]

I'm hoping when I have roommates we can get cable and Extra Innings, since the folks I'm talking to are baseball fans, too.

If not, I'm buying that MLB.com package I think.

milb.com package is good as well, and pretty cheap.

 

[element1286]

I'm hoping when I have roommates we can get cable and Extra Innings, since the folks I'm talking to are baseball fans, too.

If not, I'm buying that MLB.com package I think.

Plan on hitting up an Spring Training Complexes in Tucson, Darkstone?

 

[Darkstone42]

Plan on hitting up an Spring Training Complexes in Tucson, Darkstone?

I have plans in the works for several trips. One of my friends is an Indians fan, so we'll probably go see them at some point. And there's a group of kids I play basketball with who make a couple trips a year, and I'll be going at least once with them as well.

 

[magnumo]

Spoke to my dad who is an ex cop, and he said a charge like driving on a suspended license is a common charge they tack onto most serious moving violations. In the same vein they tack on Disorderly Conduct to most public drunkenness arrests. They are usually expected to be dropped.

Yes..... I've heard the same thing about the process in some jurisdictions. On the other hand, if we believe what has been reported in Coonelly's case.....

- His license actually had been suspended and the charge was legitimate, but

- Dropping the charge seemed appropriate, considering the circumstances.

He'd be facing Manslaughter charges, and awaiting trial.

That's really what I was getting at. In principle, it doesn't seem right that someone should get off (a lot easier) for doing the exact same thing, when chance may be the only factor which prevented a much more tragic result, such as fatalities or serious injuries.

I guess my main point is that, in general, I believe the penalties for DUI's are too light. The deterrent isn't strong enough. I know people who have driven while impaired, some more frequently than others..... and I have known people who were killed by drunk drivers. But at the same time, I know a lot of people who don't drink at all. Personally, I occasionally drink one glass of wine at dinner, but never more than that (don't like the taste of beer or hard liquor). At any rate, I'm in the camp which holds that there is absolutely no excuse for driving while impaired (or driving while texting, either).

So..... I believe that Coonelly shouldn't lose his job (since that's the equivalent of "capital punishment" in the employment world) for ONE offense, but he should be gone in a heartbeat for a repeat offense.