Thursday, May 1, 2014

The Boys-Will-Be-Boys Coddling of a Star Athlete

Florida State’s Jameis Winston Is Cited for Shoplifting Shellfish. (The New York Times, 4/30/2014)

A consequence-free lifestyle.


All we need to know.  2013 Hesiman Trophy winner Jameis Winston led the Florida State Seminoles' football team to a national championship.

For this latest transgression, Winston has been suspended from the FSU baseball team.  Not a tough call for coach Mike Martin, I imagine.  College baseball is not much of a money sport, and Winston's talent is middling.

During the 2012-13 season, Winston started in half of FSU's 64 games.  He batted a meager .235, compared to the team average of .287.   In 119 at-bats, he hit no home runs and batted in 9 runs.

He fared better as a relief pitcher with a 3.00 earned run average in 17 appearances and 27 innings pitched.

As for his fielding percentage (.940), he's no gold-glover.

Winston is spending a lot more time on the bench this season.  Of the 44 games played so far by FSU, he has started in 5 and played in 22.  His batting average is an anemic .194 -- 5 hits in 36 at-bats.

His pitching has improved.  (The guy's got an arm, remember.)  In 16 relief appearances, he has an ERA of 1.50 in 24 innings pitched.  Not to mention 25 strikeouts.  He can bring it, as they say.

He has made no errors so far this season in just 13 fielding chances.

But back to the shellfish.

Maj. Michael Wood of the Leon County Sheriff’s Office (and Seminole Booster?)  is reported as saying that Winston will probably repay the $32.72.

Probably??!!

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