Dugout: No place for women?
April 25th, 2006
New York Mets broadcaster Keith Hernandez found himself in hot water after a remark he made during Saturday’s game.
Hernandez noticed Kelly Calabrese, a massage therapist for the Padres, high-fiving Mike Piazza in the dugout.
“I won’t say that women belong in the kitchen, but they don’t belong in the dugout,” Hernandez said. He then laughed and added: “You know I am only teasing. I love you gals out there — always have.”
Now, the Mets network has reprimanded Hernandez for his “inappropriate” remarks.
I think that if one’s career has sunk to the place wherein one has to shlog men’s hair color products, the only way to make headlines is for one to make gender-biased and uninformed comments such as this.
In short, “Did dude really say that?”
Setting aside his remarks for a moment:
I have to admit, when I saw the clip on TV, I was very surprised to see her in the dugout, IN FULL UNIFORM, which no one else has talked about. I know, I know, she is on staff with the team. It just seems that only people who are directly involved in coaching players on the field in baseball strategy and methodology should have the privilege of being in the dugout, in full uniform. If Kelly were, for instance, a legitimate base coach, or hitting, pitching or fielding coach, no problem. But a massage therapist in full uniform in the dugout? Guys, isn’t this a bit of a stretch? Did Greg Anderson get a uniform and dugout privileges with the Giants because he “helped” Barry Bonds?
All that being said, as long as no rules are being broken, a team can have whomever they like in uniform, in the dugout. It was just a surprise to see this, that’s all.
I am no chauvanist. I was surprised, that’s all
Well, I’m not either, Bob. However, I’m going to have to say I agree somewhat with Keith. (This reminds me of the Seinfeld episode with “The Second Spitter,” played by Roger McDowell, the Braves new pitching coach. “I despise Keith Hernandez!”)
I am somewhat of a traditionalist when it comes to baseball. Originally, baseball was the “Gentlemen’s Baseball Club.” It was/is a man’s game. That’s just the way it is.
Now, I’m all for women being fans of the game and even playing with the guys in the local backyard game. However, when it comes to the big show, I feel it should be purely men.
I realize this woman in particular was not actually playing the game, but I feel that the rule still applies. No women in the clubhouse or dugout.
Now, some of you may disagree with me on this, and that’s fine. I realize it’s a sensitive issue nowadays. But hey, I decided to let my opinion be known.
She is a trainer on the team, the training team. If they can wear uniforms so can she. When she was interviewed it appeared what really offended her more was the Morganna crack, er, comment.
Keith Hernandez probably just wishes he could still be in a dugout. But I to have to say I am somewhat dubious about a woman in the dugout.
To quote the old Seinfeld episode, “I don’t know if I’m more jelous of her or Keith Hernandez!”
But seriously, when I first heard the remark, I thought Hernandez was being a bit disrespectful to women in general. After further thought, I think it’s just the opposite. He respects women enough to change his conduct in front of them. Hernandez simply doesn’t think a woman should be exposed to the foul lanuage and coarse humor that one would hear in a dugout. It’s not that he dislikes women, it’s that he respects women. At least that’s where I think he is coming from.
Meh. She’s not even cute.
REJECTED!!!!! No play for Mr. Gray….
Good one, Bobby Ricky. Funny.
Good point, Joel. I agree.
If we had a girl or a lady trainer or whoever for my high school baseball team, I would not want her in the dugout. To be honest, that is one of the worst places to be- meaning that it can very easily attack your spiritual life. Hearing certain words and other things not appropriate for discussion on a family website such as timellsworth.com, made even me uncomfortable. That is one of the main reasons I quit the team before the season started. I knew that being exposed to this every day would end badly for my spiritual life.
In other words, that is not a place a lady should be around. Some guys are smart enough to shut up around a girl, but unfortunantly most aren’t. It’s disrespect, and the lady does not deserve it.
I think we’re finding a number of issues that defend Keith’s statement. Don’t take it as face value. It may have looked bad at first, but it’s becoming more clear what his intentions might have been.
Who are you guys going to defend next, John Rocker?
What do we expect from a guy that advertises ‘Just for Men’ hair products? Let’s make a deal: give the inside of dugouts to guys, and give the top of the dugouts to the sexy women to throw free tshirts to the fans. Everyone wins!
Jeremy, Jeremy, Jeremy.
After looking at the picture, personal opinion:
Hair cut and sans makeup, and no one would have known.