I guess I didn’t know the power of a camera until just a few minutes ago. I knew KSN Channel 3 had video of the Kash Beauchamp tirade last night, but until I got to the press box a little bit ago, I didn’t know that the meltdown had been replayed on Good Morning America and two ESPN shows — Around The Horn and Pardon The Interruption.
Great. Now the Wingnuts are a joke and Beauchamp is the punchline. Everybody who saw it has been telling me how funny they thought it was, but I just don’t see it that way. Maybe I’m taking the entire situation a little too seriously, but I’ve gotten to know Kash pretty well and I like the guy. Seeing him cross the line the way he did last night is like seeing a friend do the same thing. You want to bury your head in your hands and hope everybody forgets about it.
Well, now that Kash is national news, it doesn’t look like it’ll be forgotten anytime soon.
In case you missed it, last night Beauchamp argued a check-swing strike call and was ejected after yelling a curse word from his third-base coaching box. He proceeded to take off his shoes and hold them near home plate umpire Blake Felix’s face. Then Beauchamp pulled down his shirt and put his armpit in the same place the shoes had been. …..Then he used two batting weights as binoculars or glasses or whatever.
Sure, on the surface that sounds like pretty funny stuff. It discouraged me a little bit, though. And last night after the game I saw a side of Beauchamp that I hadn’t really seen before, at least in terms of his relationship with umpires. He was humble. I don’t know if he really doesn’t remember how he ended up in his socks, but I think he wanted to say all the right things to make sure people knew he was sorry for doing what he did.
For the story I wrote on Beauchamp Sunday, I interviewed him for about an hour and a half. During that interview, he referenced his history with umpires several times. He makes light of it quite a bit, but I don’t think he’s proud of it at all. For whatever reason, when Beauchamp steps on the field, something takes over him. He’s competitive almost to a fault and I think he may be starting to realize a need to tone it down and control himself better.
Apparently quotes from my article were referenced on Around The Horn. I didn’t watch the show, but I really hope it wasn’t Jay Mariotti. Don’t like him. I really would prefer it not to be Bill Plaschke, either. Woody Paige is iffy. In fact, Tim Cowlishaw and J.A. Adande are really the only people on that show I’d be comfortable referencing my work.
Kash is dealing with the apparent impending death of his grandmother. That isn’t an excuse for last night’s actions, but he’s a pretty emotional guy right now from what I’ve seen. I remember last year, when that Double-A Braves manager had his historical meltdown and a lot of people were saying how bad they felt because he’s such a good guy and they don’t want him to be known for one incredibly weak moment. That’s how I feel about Kash. I hope the whole thing is forgotten soon. I’m sure he’ll laugh about it for now, though. Maybe I’m just taking it too seriously.
Anyway, just found out that he was suspended four games. That’s the rest of this homestand. So we won’t see him back in uniform at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium until July 18.
9 Comments
So once again, Beauchamp throws a tantrum, demonstrating a pure white-trash trailer park lack of class.
Don’t most of the tickets for these games get sold to families looking for a family friendly environment? How many parents want to have to explain the tantrums this adult jerk throws, to their children in the stands?
Wichita White Trash Baseball. National news item, indeed.
Jeffery: I applaud you for your stance. I’m sure it’s quite difficult to call out someone you could consider a friend, someone you have so much obvious respect for. This is what makes your dad unique in the business, and kudos to you for stepping up and doing your professional job. Your blog was WELL written. As for me, I think his actions were ridiculous. I’m not stranger to the rumblings of the game, but the shoe, the armpit? classless! First off, the umpire got the call correct, it wasn’t even a hard call. I feel for skip and his personal situations he’s dealing with (death of dad, pending death of grams), but if it’s that big of a challenge to act appropriate, then take a few weeks off. I’m quite sure the ownership staff would understand. he completely embarassed our city with those actions. 4 games isn’t enough, considering he should have been punched in the face. Try that crap in a bar and see what reaction you get from a grown man. I’m all for the new team, but the theatrics, the fighting, the baloney has got to tone down a bit. It’s suppossed to be baseball at the heart of it. This other junk is getting to WWE for my taste.
arglebargle, I’m more ashamed of idiots like you than Kash Beauchamp. White trash, low rent, redneck, blah blah blah. Have you ever even been to a baseball game? I’d bet a weeks pay against it. It would be such a strain on your senses it would take you a month to recover.
Jeff,
You might have plenty of ink and plenty of time on your hands, but you have never spent the time and energy to put a ball team of any nature of the field of play. You say the call was correct, I say he checked his swing and the pitch was outside. So who is correct? You because you are a low beat writer and have access to the press box and the Eagle because you daddy is there.
You write and article on Goldberg and his newly discovered daddy, Randy. WOW what a treat and what a sorry state of affairs. Get your facts correct on this story and then report the truth.
News flash to ES and all of the other idiots. Either support the team or stay the hell at home. Keep your mouths shut or someone will shut it for you.
Jeff, you once again prove how big of an idiot you are. Just like you proved it when you did not vote for Herrea for all star second baseman.
I will continue to support the Wingnuts and all their hard work and dedication. Either be positive or just shut up.
A wingnut fan
blonde,
jeff doesn’t cover the wingnuts because of his dad. he covers them because he’s a damn good writer, knows baseball inside and out and understands how to handle situations like this.
you don’t seem to understand that he writes for a metro publication, not the high school newsletter. this isn’t your kid’s tee-ball team. these are professional adults, not 10 year olds. if Beauchamp does something this embarrassing and immature, he needs to be called on it, not coddled. that’s jeff’s job as an objective beat reporter, and he does a hell of a job.
you may chose to be a homer fan and condone ridiculous behavior, but attacking people who are objectively criticizing it makes you look pretty ridiculous yourself.
rokchok is right on. blonde, you don’t know the first thing about umpiring, not even enough to know when to raise the Tee 2 inches. Your opinion on the check swing is yours, no matter how WRONG you are. The umpire ruled correctly. I’ve been around Jeff when he’s commented on an umpire or official. He knows a little on what he’s talking about, and unlike SOME Eagle staff, he doesn’t have an axe to grind with officials and umpires. He calls it out as he sees it, he DOES HIS JOB THE RIGHT WAY. I’ve also seen him disagree with a call, and rightfully so and wrongfully so. In short, he doesn’t carte blanche take a side. What that means, you illiterate ingrate, is he doesn’t automatically side with or against something. Good job, again, Jeff, of staying neutral to the game. If the ump were wrong (at least in your eyes) you would have said so.
For the record, I don’t think I ever said which way I thought the call should have gone. But since I’m apparently geting props from JD for thinking it was the right call, I better stick with that.
Blonde is an idiot.
wow… blonde sure makes the rest of us (wing)NUT fans look stupid…
ps…its just NUTs, the wing is silent!