Fire MLB'S Uneven Discipline

McDowell: scariest thing in San Fran besides earthquakes. (Credit: AP)

Recent bad behavior by two members of the Atlanta Braves has highlighted MLB's disciplinary inconsistencies, which should be fired.

An investigation revealed that Braves pitching coach Roger McDowell made homophobic slurs and threatened fans with a baseball bat during an April 23 game in San Francisco. While supervising pre-game warmups, McDowell spotted 3 men and for no apparent reason asked them: "Are you guys a homo couple or a threesome?" He then made crude gestures toward them. When another nearby fan shouted at McDowell that "there are kids out here," the coach said kids don't belong in the ballpark and threatened to knock out the fan's teeth with a bat. For his actions, McDowell was suspended for 2 weeks without pay and fined an undisclosed amount.

Just days later, Braves pitcher Derek Lowe was busted for DUI. Since that alone wasn't stupid enough, Lowe was also cited for reckless driving and improper lane change. It is rumored that he was drag racing when he was pulled over. Lowe has yet to receive any disciplinary action from MLB and made his scheduled start over the weekend. Manager Fredi Gonzalez said the Braves never considered benching Lowe as punishment.

Why should players and coaches be held to markedly different standards when they're naughty? McDowell may or may not be sorry for what he did, but he probably won't threaten fans again because he knows there is a consequence (albeit a pretty light one that should be fired, too, because he deserves more than 2 weeks in time out). Lowe, on the other hand, may be able to avoid punishment until the off-season and by that time fans will have forgotten that he committed a crime.

No sports league can stop all its employees from doing dumb things, but if everyone knows there is a potential suspension waiting when they break the law, it will significantly curb bad behavior. Plus, look at the message MLB is sending. Not only do the players make much more money than coaches, but only coaches get in trouble when they're bad. So why should players respect the people who are supposed to be teaching them? MLB could clear all this up by firing an unfair and uneven disciplinary policy.