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Incensed Vero Beach Bums owner J. Lee Gohlke held an impromptu press conference responding to today's comments of Binghamton owner Jason Garnar.
Gohlke had these words to say: "What could he possibly be thinking?Ê First off, I couldn't care less whether he's impressed with our team or not. The record shows that we're as good or better than they are.Ê His logic is completely screwed up, as well.Ê The fact that our teams have identical records, when he only has one player out and we have 4 on the disabled list, shows that we have depth and can come back from adversity.Ê Not to mention the fact that our team batting average is 41 points higher than theirs.Ê This is not the big issue, however."
Gohlke continued: "I have no respect for an owner who so clearly displays a complete lack of sportsmanship as well as a disregard for the well-being and livelihood of other people.Ê I'm referring, of course, to the 'bounty' Garnar is reportedly offering his players to 'take out' our players.Ê I don't think he could sink any lower than this, short of outright assassination.Ê This stinks of Garnar's lack of respect for his fellow owners, the players in the PVBL, and in fact his own team.Ê He doesn't think they can win the Picard division crown on their own merits, so he tries to incite his players to destroy other men's lives.Ê
"I believe there should be serious ramifications from the players' union and the commissioner's office.Ê I will play the rest of my games against Binghamton under protest until something is done: either a full retraction and apology from Garnar, a sanction by the league, or something more drastic.Ê I would encourage other owners to let Garnar know that we don't want this kind of bad sportsmanship in the league.
"We're going to win this division, and Binghamton doesn't want to accept it.Ê That's the bottom line."
Vero Beach players also responded to Garnar's comments, a bit less diplomatically. "The [expletive deleted]!" exclaimed pitcher Kevin Ritz. "It's no fun being hurt.Ê Baseball is the way we make a living, and I'm sure Garnar's players understand that.Ê Unless I'm wrong, the players won't follow their owner's warped directive."
"Hard slides and brushback pitches are part of the game," said CF Marquis Grissom, "but anything more than that is asking for trouble.Ê If I see anything remotely like what Garnar said they were going to do, well, let me be the one to throw the first punch.Ê I don't care if it's me they take out and my leg is broken.Ê He can't fault us for having injuries; this team has worked hard for every win it's gotten.Ê I'm glad to have played for two class organizations this year and not for a guy like Garnar."
2B Rex Hudler stated, "I've been in baseball for quite a while, and I've never seen someone go this low.Ê This team will stick together whatever happens, and expect to see some violence if they try to take us out."
Leftfielder Ron Gant, in a written comment due to the large orthopedic brace on his jaw, had this to say: "Let me at him."
Written by Jason Gohlke
Written by Jason Gohlke