Transforming Major League Baseball: Truthfulness, Character, Courage

Baseball has always been my favorite sport. As a child, love for the game was expressed through card collecting, knowing the lineup of one’s favorite team by heart and articulating it with each batter at every whiffle ball or stickball game. Some of my most cherished memories are of coaching my son's little league baseball team. I consider this the highest honor and privilege.

Baseball became particularly important to me after the tragic death of Yankee catcher Thurman Munson. Soon thereafter, through coincidental circumstances, I found myself involved with Major League Baseball on a much more profound level as a confidant to the New York Yankees and to many players throughout the league.

The lesson from this experience remains with me to this day: money does not define the person. It is character — a good heart, appreciating life, fostering good will toward others — that is important in life. Pinstripes do not determine the person but the stripes of thoughtfulness, respect, civility, truthfulness, kindness and charity toward others are what is important in the game of life. Many Yankees learned that lesson in the summer of 1979 after the death of their beloved captain.

I was particularly disappointed with the Major League Baseball steroid scandal. Weak drug policies were destructive to the integrity of the game and too many officials ignored the crisis until public outcry forced their hand. The release of the Mitchell Report on the illegal use of steroids in Major League Baseball has brought the scandal once again into the forefront of America's collective consciousness.

As a leadership and security educator dedicated to the transforming of our nation through character development, I view this scandal as one facet of America’s crisis of character, built on the unethical foundations of deception, cheating, disrespect and arrogance.

Baseball Scandal Reflections

• As the national pastime with a rich history in America, baseball reflects the character of our nation.
• Our nation needs its moral compass realigned and it is essential that professional baseball and all associated with it—players, coaches, owners, executives and employees—is fully committed to implementing a code of ethics emphasizing truthfulness, character and courage.
• The message of any Major League Baseball team when signing a player with known unethical behavior is that cheating is rewarded. Rewarding dishonesty hurts all involved in the long run and a dedication to ethics is a path worth taking.
• Major League Baseball must be committed to transforming the sport. Its response to the House and Senate hearings was slow. It is time for action, not more investigations and meetings.
• Unless Major League Baseball is truly committed to fair play, integrity and a code of ethics, the lesson to hundreds of thousands of college, high school and youth athletes is that winning is the goal at any cost.
• The truth is critical to healing. Unless the truth is told by players, managers, owners and executives, the opportunity for a return to ethical behavior will be lost and denial will continue to rule the day.

Like it or not, the behavior of professional sports personalities plays an important role in setting an example for our youth. The reaction of those players named in the report will be watched and evaluated. We must commend those players who have come forward and admitted their mistakes and apologized to their fans.

Jason Giambi, who admitted using steroids months prior to the release of the Mitchell Report—even at the risk of losing his contract—must be singled out for speaking out when no one else would. Such truthfulness shows character and moral courage. (click here to read previous blog on Giambi)

It is important to understand that in America one is innocent until proven guilty and that the Mitchell Report does not carry the evidentiary weight that would be needed in a criminal proceeding. That being said, I am deeply disturbed by Roger Clemens' denial of steroid use. His video denial is reminiscent of former President Clinton's denial on national television. (see video clips below)

Assuming there is no "hard evidence" to "prove" that Clemens used steroids, it comes down to Roger's word against the word of Brian McNamee, Clemens' former personal trainer.

Some argue that McNamee is jealous of Clemens and trying to destroy his reputation. To date, no other players have denied McNamee's allegations. Andy Pettite admitted his mistakes and apologized, implicitly confirming McNamee's statements about Pettite's use. It is clear that McNamee stands to lose much by lying about Clemens' steroid use. According to the report,

• McNamee faces criminal prosecution if any of his testimony is found to be false.
• In the summer of 1998, McNamee injected Clemens with Winstrol, an anabolic steroid.
• In 1999 after Clemens was traded to the Yankees, McNamee was hired by the Yankees.
• McNamee was paid by both the Yankees and by Clemens as his personal trainer.
• In the middle of the 2000 season, McNamee injected Clemens four to six times with testosterone; during the same period, he also injected Clemens with human growth hormone.

For the good of his family, for the good of the game baseball, for the good of the nation, Roger Clemens should show some courage and character and tell the truth about his steroid use. If by some chance, Brian McNamee was lying about Roger Clemens' steroid use, then Mr. McNamee should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

Roger Clemens Statement (1:48) Bill Clinton Statement (0:25) Vincent Bove on Character (0:11)

<A HREF="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vD0GHx980CU">Play the clip on YouTube</A>

READ MORE

What Major League Baseball teaches our kids	Click here to visit site
The Mitchell Report	Click here to visit site
A Guide for Understanding Steroids and Related Substances	Click here to visit site
www.steroidabuse.gov	Click here to visit site
Steroids: Dangerous, Damaging and Dishonorable Vincent J. Bove—December 2006	Click here to visit site
American Leadership in an Age of Scandal Vincent J. Bove—December 2005	Click here to visit site
Baseball Has A Day of Reckoning In Congress Washington Post—March 2005	Click here to visit site
Baseball officials announce tougher steroids policy USA Today—January 2005	Click here to visit site

Crime Prevention Awards: Honoring Community Leadership

The North Jersey Regional Crime Prevention Officers Association, under the leadership of Lt. Patrick Fay of the Hackensack Police Department, held its annual award luncheon in Teaneck, New Jersey on Friday, December 14, 2007. It was attended by numerous law enforcement officers from throughout New Jersey, as well as citizens dedicated to serving their communities.

The association upholds the principles of crime prevention which are inseparable from community policing:

• Crime Prevention is a responsibility of all levels of government and linked with solving social problems.
• Crime Prevention requires a central position in law enforcement and demands cooperation by all elements of the community.
• Crime Prevention improves the quality of life for every community and its residents.

The following individuals were recognized for their dedication to the community:

• Steven Benvenisti, Esq.
  Citizen of the Year Award
• Officer Gary Boesch
  Police Officer of the Year Award
• Art Koster
  Citizen Appreciation Award
• Vincent J. Bove, CPP
  Ethical Leadership in Crime Prevention Award

In an age where headlines continually resonate with violence, the revitalization of crime prevention and community policing principles demands a sense of urgency for its capacity to transform our nation.

READ MORE

NJRCPOA	Click here to visit site
Crime Stoppers USA	Click here to visit site
USDOJ-COPS	Click here to visit site
Violence Concerns from the Schoolhouse to the White House	Click here to visit site
Community: The Hope of America	Click here to visit site

Union City Schools: Striving for Excellence in School Safety

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The vision of the Union City School District is focused on achieving one crucial goal – to enable all of our students to acquire the skills, understandings and attitudes needed to be productive and successful members of our society.

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This one sentence from the Union City School District Mission statement very simply describes the aim of the educator: to enable their students to become good citizens. Creating and sustaining a learning environment where children feel safe is a critical component for accomplishing this goal.

On Wednesday, December 12, 2007, Union City Schools continued their commitment to keeping their schools safe. Under the leadership of Superintendent Stanley Sanger and Educational Director of Facilities and School Safety Frank Acinapura, I was privileged to present New Jersey School Safety Best Practices, School Administrator Procedures to a gathering of school administrators. This presentation was developed in response to a directive of the State of New Jersey Department of Education Commissioner's as stated in an October 22, 2007 memo:

"Each school district, in accordance with N.J.A.C. 6A:16-5.1, must develop and implement plans, procedures and mechanisms that provide for the safety and security of the district’s schools. The plans must be developed in consultation with law enforcement agencies and be consistent with the format and content established by the Commissioner of Education. Additionally, an annual review and update, as appropriate, are required. Therefore, within 45 days of this memorandum, each district is required to use these procedures as a model to revise, as needed, its existing procedures."

Representatives from all Union City Schools attended the program including:

• Early Childhood Education
  • Eugenio Maria de Hostos Center for Early Childhood Education
• Elementary Schools
  • Edison School
  • Gilmore School
  • Hudson School
  • Jefferson School
  • Robert Waters School
  • Roosevelt School
  • Veterans' Memorial School
  • Washington School
  • Woodrow Wilson School
• Middle Schools
  • José Martí Middle School
• High Schools
  • Emerson High School
  • Union Hill High School
  • Career Academy

The content was designed not only to cover the required model security procedures, but to inspire a renewed commitment to the transforming power of teacher.

AGENDA

• Why Are We Here?
  • Union City Schools Mission
  • Security: Essential to an
    Effective Learning Environment
  • Compliance vs. Commitment
• Contemporary Concerns
  • Crisis of Leadership
  • Culture of Violence
• Lessons Learned: Virginia Tech Tragedy
• Key Role of the Educator
• New Jersey School Safety Review
  • New Jersey Commissioner of Education Memo
    School Administrator Procedures: Responding to Critical Incidents
    October 2007
  • New Jersey Department of Education
    School Administrator Procedures: Responding to Critical Incidents – Model School Security Policies
    October 2007
  • New Jersey Department of Education
    School Safety and Security Manual: Best Practices Guidelines
    December 2006
  • New Jersey Administrative Code
• Union City School Crisis Response Handbook
• USDOE / FBI / Secret Service Document Review
  • Practical Information on Crisis Planning: A Guide for Schools and Communities
  • Early Warning, Timely Response: A Guide to Safe Schools
  • Safeguarding Our Children: An Action Guide
  • The School Shooter: A Threat Assessment Perspective
  • The Final Report and Findings of the Safe School Initiative
  • Threat Assessment in Schools
  • Helping Your Child Become a Responsible Citizen
• Renewing Your Passion and Purpose
• American Military Tribute
• Conclusion

The Union City Schools are to be commended for their comprehensive approach to school safety and security. They recently provided school violence prevention programs for school crossing guards and school security professionals.

The next phase of this initiative is to ensure that all staff members—teaching and non-teaching—are trained so that they fully understand their specific duties and responsibilities in any crisis situation.

Through its commitment and leadership, the Union City School District has the opportunity to be a model of preparedness not only for the State of New Jersey but, as the city in the U.S. with the largest population per square capita, for the entire nation.

READ MORE

NJDOE—Keeping Kids Safe, Safe Schools Policy and Guidance	Click here to visit site
PRACTICAL INFORMATION ON CRISIS PLANNING: A GUIDE FOR SCHOOLS AND COMMUNITIES	Click here to visit site
Early Warning, Timely Response: A Guide to Safe Schools	Click here to visit site
Safeguarding Our Children: An Action Guide	Click here to visit site
THE FINAL REPORT AND FINDINGS OF THE SAFE SCHOOL INITIATIVE: IMPLICATIONS FOR THE PREVENTION OF SCHOOL ATTACKS IN THE UNITED STATES	Click here to visit site
USDOE—Character Education and Civic Engagement Technical Assistance Center	Click here to visit site
THREAT ASSESSMENT IN SCHOOLS: A GUIDE TO MANAGING THREATENING SITUATIONS AND TO CREATING SAFE SCHOOL CLIMATES	Click here to visit site