Monday, February 14, 2011

Reading: Juiced, by Jose Canseco (pgs. 129-166)

After completing the next section of Jose Canseco's book, Juiced, I feel that I have more agreements with Canseco as well as disagreements.  In chapter eleven, Canseco describes the trade he went through from the Oakland A's to the Texas Rangers.  Canseco, along with the rest of the baseball world were both shocked and disappointed.  However, the move proved to be a great move for Canseco.  Canseco also describes working with other players, specifically Latinos, and showing them steroids.  He describes in detail how many people gradually leaned towards steroid use as he continued to advocate them in the league. 

In chapter twelve, Canseco describes his second wife, Jessica.  He met her at a Hooters restaurant, hit it off with her, and eventually the two married each other.  Canseco also describes the birth of his child, Josie.  He describes how he gained a new sense of purpose and responsibility with his new kid and he was living with a completely different perspective after Josie was born. 

In chapter thirteen, Canseco describes the strike baseball went on during the 1994 season in which they did not even have a World Series.  Canseco states that both sides of the player's committee, led by Donald Fehr, and the rest of baseball acted immaturely.  Canseco states that the strike affected everyone in baseball, including the economy surrounding baseball.  Canseco describes his time with the Rangers at the end of the chapter.  He tells about his good times with manager Kevin Kennedy, and highlights some of his top moments while on the Texas Rangers. 

In chapter fourteen, Canseco goes into great detail concerning the world of umpires in the MLB.  He describes several situations and umpires that he and other players disagreed with during their at bats.  In addition, he describes some of the codes and standards the umpires hold throughout the league that many people are not aware of concerning the MLB.  Canseco states at the end of the chapter that umpires must be monitored so that they do not make the game completely unfair and biased. 

After completing the section of reading, I feel that Canseco had some strong points when he describes his new found fatherhood.  I am no where close to fatherhood, yet I can see how having a child would completely change a person's perspective.  I read about the difference in fatherhood in Drew Brees's book as well as Canseco's book.  Fatherhood gives a person someone else to live their lives for, in addition to their wives.  I believe Canseco was also right when he said that the strike in baseball was a foolish action.  I believe that the season should have been saved simply for economic reasons.  There would have been people who lost tremendous income from the strike.  Overall, I believe Canseco had some valid points in this section of reading, despite the fact I disagree with some of his morals.

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