Kansas City Royals: Column
KANSAS CITY, Mo. Amid a distressing makeover by the Royals, the franchise faces numerous complicated decisions. But one looming consideration has more perilous and broad implications than about any other.
The Royals are exploring the possibility of trying to sign Luke Heimlich, the Oregon State pitcher who as a 15-year-old in 2012 pleaded guilty to a felony charge of molesting his 6-year-old niece.
We continue to seek information that allows us to be comfortable in pursuing Luke, general manager Dayton Moore said recently.
This is a probe into a hornets nest plopped on a third-rail shrouded in a haze bearing who-knows-what-substantial-upside and/or unanticipated consequences in the bigger picture.
Never mind that Moore is a man of impeccable integrity and sincerity and has a staff that reflects his values.
Even as he cautioned that its a tentative exploration, the very notion is laden with hazards.
Cue the alarm and skepticism, particularly when it comes to what Heimlichs place in the public spotlight would forever stand for to survivors of abuse and their families.
Bring on the irrefutably valid counterpoints to contemplating this, especially in the era of monsters Jerry Sandusky and Larry Nassar, including the most basic question:
Even if Heimlich, who is pitching in the College World Series, never is accused of hurting anyone again, why should he have this chance?
Im sorry, but Luke does not deserve to be on that platform and pedestal, (potentially) looked up to and adored by millions of people, including young kids, Brenda Tracy, a nationally recognized activist and survivor of a gang rape in Corvallis, Ore., said by telephone Saturday.
She later added, We should never normalize, we should never minimize (what Heimlich pleaded guilty to). If the Royals bring him on their team, they are complicit in normalizing and minimizing.
Nothing resonates more widely and deeply than those points do, and ultimately they should guide where this all goes.
Moore talks often about how every decision he makes has to be in the best interests of the organization, and, thus, for what the franchise stands.
No matter how honorably intended, this idea irreconcilably clashes with the senses of innocence and family Moore seeks to cultivate in the region, the stands and the clubhouse.
Still, its important to understand why Moore is exploring it.
