They’re acting as if Arrieta sexually assaulted the reporter.
MSN: The Cubs brought back former ace Jake Arrieta this season in hopes of rediscovering some of the form that won him the 2015 National League Cy Young Award. Instead, Arrieta has put together some of the worst performances of his career, and his off-the-field remarks haven’t helped his cause either.
Arrieta had already opened the season with irresponsible anti-vaccine comments, so it wasn’t exactly surprising to see his thoughts on masks fall into the same realm. But when Arrieta chose to mock a reporter over wearing a mask after allowing 8 runs in four innings on Wednesday, it appeared to be the final straw for the Cubs.
Arrieta said to a reporter after the Cubs’ 10-0 loss:
“It’s not hard, Bruce. And I’d love you to take your mask off. I don’t think anybody’s around you.”
Come Thursday, the Cubs had seen enough. They announced that Arrieta had been placed on the unconditional release waivers, ending his tenure with the club. MORE
I hope Arrieta took the Cubbies for trainloads of dollars.
The MLB, NFL, NHL, NBA…. all dead to me. They get everything they deserve. I’ll never watch pro sports again.
The mask issue isn’t the issue for his release. He simply hasn’t been pitching well enough for a major league level. In the first inning last night, he was throwing beach balls over the plate.
I lived in the right field bleachers at Wrigley when I was in HS. Now? Couldn’t name 1 player on the team if my life depended on it.
In fact I couldn’t name one player in either division.
Don’t follow baseball but I bet he’s relieved he doesn’t have to suit up with locker room pussies anymore.
I guess all the Cub’s players should have their masks on even with at the plate or in the outfield.
Don’t be talking the talk if you can’t walk the walk.
To think, I would go to cubs games when I was in my teens. Now, I wouldn’t cross the street to see them.
My takeaway from this incident is that Chris Korman is an insufferable, preachy douchebag.
BTW…Field of Dreams game is on right now…
What can I say…we love baseball.
@MaryHatch
Started following the Cubs when I was 9 – in 1969. Finally got to see them win the World Series. Haven’t watched them in 2 years; won’t be watching them (or any MLB games) ever again.
Been a baseball fan my whole life. Stopped watching last year when all the stupidity hit. The Little League World Series regionals are on this week, and I’ve watched them every chance I got. That will be how I get my baseball fix from now on.