Also serving the communities of De Luz, Rainbow, Camp Pendleton, Pala and Pauma

A hopeful sign

It took a death to help sports ownership to talk and to take the first step. I enjoy our Southern California professional sports, from the Dodgers and Padres to the Lakers and the Clippers. I have taken my children and grandchildren to their games now and then. Now I am watching (on TV) some of the baseball playoffs. However, the alcohol ads plus its presence during the games gives totally the wrong message to our youth.

Knowing their reason for the ads, of course they can’t and won’t include the dangers connected with the use of alcohol, such as alcoholism, drunk driving and deaths caused by its use.

The Cardinals’ relief pitcher, Josh Hancock, was killed in a one-car drunk driving accident following a home game. His blood alcohol level was nearly double the legal limit.

Great news! I quote from North County Times under the heading “Notebook” by Dan Hays in the May 11 issue: “The Padres, who provide beer, but not hard liquor in their club house, are considering a change in policy.” The Cardinals responded by banning all alcohol in their clubhouse and eight other clubs have done likewise since Hancock’s death on April 29.

Thank you, Padres and other team owners, for considering and taking a first step, at least to remove this killer from the sport scene.

Orville G. Hiepler

 

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