Booze And Baseball Meetings.........

[Wolf Hopper]

.....do not mix well.

At least it didn't happen on Nightline.

http://wire.jacksonville.com/pstorie.../1644549.shtml

New York Mets special assistant Bill Singer and the team apologized for racially insensitive remarks to a Los Angeles Dodgers' official during the general managers' meetings.

Singer made the comments to Dodgers assistant general manager Kim Ng at a hotel bar in Arizona on Tuesday night, prompting Yankees general manager Brian Cashman — Ng's former boss — to step in, sources familiar with the conversation told the New York Daily News. The Los Angeles Times also reported that Singer confronted Ng, citing unnamed baseball officials who were present.

"I am embarrassed by what I said when I met with Ng on Tuesday evening," Singer said Friday in a statement released by the Mets. "My comments were truly inappropriate and I'm truly sorry. I have apologized to her and hope she will forgive me."

The Daily News and the Times, both citing unidentified people who were present in the bar, reported that Singer asked Ng questions about her background and later spoke in gibberish, making fun of the Chinese language.

"There was a situation," Ng told the Daily News. "I've talked to (Mets GM) Jim Duquette about it. That's all I'm going to comment about it."

Cashman declined to comment to the Daily News.

"His conduct was inexcusable and extremely disappointing," Dodgers GM Dan Evans told the Times. "Kim handled the entire situation in a professional manner, and we addressed the matter with the New York Mets the next day. I would prefer to keep that discussion with the Mets confidential."

[Craig S.]

I'm guessing that this incident does nothing to stop the liquor from flowing at these meetings.

While Ng may have been insulted, I think it's way more embarassing for Singer, who made an ass of himself. I don't think it's something to be fired for, but I'm curious whether the Mets will discipline him seriously or with just a slap on the wrist. Not sure what I'd do in their position.

[Wolf Hopper]

Well, for sure, if they're trying to sign Kazuo Matsui, it's doubtful that they will have Singer be part of the talks.

[Fuzzy Bear]

Is this that same Bill Singer that used to pitch for the Dodgers?

www.baseball-reference.com/s/singebi01.shtml

[captain_napalm]

Originally Posted by Fuzzy Bear

Is this that same Bill Singer that used to pitch for the Dodgers?

www.baseball-reference.com/s/singebi01.shtml

Yes, it's the same one

[Wolf Hopper]

The latest: http://www.newsday.com/sports/baseba...,1006200.story

Only two weeks into his tenure, Mets general manager Jim Duquette already is in damage-control mode. He likely will ask for the resignation of superscout Bill Singer because of Singer's racially offensive remarks to Dodgers assistant general manager Kim Ng during last week's GM meetings in Phoenix.

Singer, 59, who was hired by the Mets on Nov. 6, confronted Ng last Tuesday night at a hotel bar where she was sitting with Yankees general manager Brian Cashman, her former boss in the Bronx. Eyewitnesses say Singer approached Ng and, after asking her about her Chinese heritage, responded in gibberish, mocking the Chinese language. At that point, according to an eyewitness, Cashman intervened, forcefully rebuking Singer, who left the bar shortly afterward.

For a little guy, Cashman is not afraid to shove people around.

Singer was hired 10 days ago, huh? That might be a record.

[nightal]

Singer needs to consult Dusty Baker on how to survive such an incident.

[cubfan33]

Steve - Cashman works for the Yankees. Between the press and his boss, I think he gets plenty of practice standing up to people.

More power to him for standing up for his former employee and a good baseball person.

[Wolf Hopper]

Will.

Actually, Cash started out with the Yankees as a college intern, working the radio for security teams in the Stadium on game days. Legend has it, whenever there was a fight, rather than just to let the hired muscle handle things, Cashman would get right in the mix - often getting his clothes ripped. It was that moxie that impressed Stein and after he graduated college, they offered him a FT perm job in the office.

OK, back on topic...........the more I think about this case, I think to myself - - Singer was on the job a week (thereabouts) and the Mets sent him to the meetings. How stupid was that? In just about any "assistant" job, how many times do they throw someone in the line of fire in their first week of hire?

[RichG]

Originally Posted by Wolf Hopper

Will.

OK, back on topic...........the more I think about this case, I think to myself - - Singer was on the job a week (thereabouts) and the Mets sent him to the meetings. How stupid was that? In just about any "assistant" job, how many times do they throw someone in the line of fire in their first week of hire?

What line of fire? The GM meetings are like an industrial tradeshow and it's not as if Singer was a neophyte.

What I find ironic is that one of Singer's duties was to have some responsibility covering Asian baseball.

[Fuzzy Bear]

Originally Posted by RichG

What line of fire? The GM meetings are like an industrial tradeshow and it's not as if Singer was a neophyte.

What I find ironic is that one of Singer's duties was to have some responsibility covering Asian baseball.

Singer's not young (he's 59) but I'm not sure if this isn't his 1st front office job in baseball. I remember he used to be a stockbroker of some sort.

While the world seems to be full of tattletales who can't seem to let anything pass quietly, Singer's certainly old enough to know better. His behavior reminds me of Alvin Dark going up to Latin players on the Giant team bus and say something like "Abbababababa" in a conversation where the participants were speaking Spanish. Such behavior, which included a gross inability to get along with his major Latin star, Orlando Cepeda, didn't hinder Dark's career. Of course, it isn't 1962 anymore.

A legitimate question should be: Why is this story in the newspapers? Just because it's BASEBALL? Singer certainly has a reprimand coming, but wouldn't you be upset if YOUR misdeeds at work found their way into the paper. Other than juicy gossip, I really wonder why this story qualifies as "news", even in terms of sports.

[Skip]

Originally Posted by RichG

What line of fire? The GM meetings are like an industrial tradeshow and it's not as if Singer was a neophyte.

Excellent point. I, and others I am sure, have been to industry shows even in our youth. Had the 20 year old me hit on the Hooters girl hawking the XYZ booth, I'd have been censured or canned. Certainly this guy should get at least the same approbation.