Bobby Brewer on Little League World Series cheaters: the kids lose
While Jesse Jackson leads a charge of racism, the dishonest organizers of Chicago’s Jackie Robinson Little League team illegally recruited players and has been stripped of its U.S. Title. 2001 Apopka coach, Bobby Brewer endured a similar scandal when the Bronx team from New York knowingly used a pitcher (Danny Almonte) who was two years over the age limit.
“It makes you feel bad for the kids,” Brewer, now the head baseball coach at Ocoee High School, said on our Open Mike radio show. “There are millions and millions of kids who play Little League sports around the world, and there are so many people doing it the right way. I’ve heard people (try to rationalize the rule-breaking). What they don’t understand is there’s a set of rules for everybody to abide by. When you don’t do that, you feel for the teams and the kids that get knocked off by (the cheating teams).”
Chicago mayor Rahm Emanuel blasted the Little League’s decision and Jackson threw gasoline on the situation with his high energy race-baiting.
These young men demonstrated tremendous character both on and off the field, and Chicago will honor them as the champions they are,” Emanuel told reporters. “The memories they created will last a lifetime, and so will the championship rings they have earned.”
“Is this about boundaries or race?” Jackson asked at a press conference. “This decision’s untimely and inappropriate at this time. It should not take six months after a team has played a championship game to determine eligibility to play the game in the first place.”