In Tuesday’s California “Jungle Primary,” Russia Hoax star and never-in-doubt, Democrat Adam Schiff, and former Major League Baseball star and Republican, Steve Garvey advanced to November’s general election.
Congressman Schiff is the favorite. Believing otherwise means you don’t follow politics or understand California, but I am a believer in “never say never” when it comes to politics. Let’s be honest, if Mr. Garvey wins, Republicans probably have a 54-55 seat majority in the U.S. Senate.
Why much can be said about this Jungle Primary, about Schiff’s brilliant and calculating decision to promote Garvey, what struck me was a comment on Threads the day after Garvey advanced to the General Election that read:
“Did you know because of Jack Clark, Willie McCovey and Nate Colbert that Steve Garvey was never even the best 1st baseman in California at any time in his career?”
Interesting comment, much goes into a player like clubhouse presence, winning, etc., but I immediately checked the author’s page.
You guessed it. The author is a hyper partisan Democrat.
This is where we are at now. If World Series champion Steve Garvey had been a Democrat, the author would have said he was the best ever! Actually, the liberal author NEVER would have hit send on his 100+ character Thread.
As politics inundate our lives this year, we have to remember that these candidates, whether we like them or not, have some good qualities, some wonderful career successes, and just because you do not agree with their platform does not mean those things aren’t true.
I remember an associate confidently telling me that Obama was a lousy father. I disagreed. Now, I don’t know Mr. Obama, I never voted for him, but there is nothing to suggest that he is anything but a loving and attentive father. I do not have to admire his leadership to recognize that he appears to be a good dad.
At the end of the day, let us take off partisan colored glasses and recognize that those who represent different views than ours, also have some good qualities. Qualities that would make them good neighbors, colleagues and even (gulp)… friends.
So regarding Mr. Garvey, he was a pretty darn good baseball player. He was an “All-Star eight seasons in a row from 1974-1981, receiving MVP votes every single season. He played in five World Series (1974, 1977, 1978, 1981 and 1984), winning a championship with the Dodgers in 1981.” Not many of us can claim that type of success in our career.
It is okay to recognize those accomplishments and not vote for Mr. Garvey. You don’t have to be a winkle about it.
Note: the opinions expressed herein are those of Chuck Warren only and not his co-host Sam Stone or Breaking Battlegrounds’ staff.