There are few stories that come across my inbox that make me more mad than hazing stories. The latest comes from yet another sports franchise that “prides” itself on its hazing tradition: The Boston Red Sox. In the latest round, last Thursday they forced the rookies to dress up like characters from The Wizard Of Oz.
Funny, right? I don’t think so. If the whole team was dressing up, sure, that’d be hysterical! But when you force rookies or younger players to be embarrassed or hurt, you tell kids, “It’s okay to single out new players and make them do things they don’t want to do.” Those kids then do things like sodomize and injur their teammates. I won’t apologize for reacting strongly whenever I see role models hazing one another: It leads to physical and psychological injuries in high school and college and it’s not right.
I was the founding president of my fraternity (Theta Delta Chi) at Stanford, and I took hazing seriously then. It was an odd situation: We had a pledge class of 45 guys and only three active members. Still, I was so cognizant of hazing issues and always had at least one active member participate in all of our activities, and at least one member of the pledge class had to opt out of it. Plus, there were never any penalties for anyone who opted out and there was never any pressure on the newbies from the active members to participate. By making it optional with no repercussions, and having active members participate, we maintained the value of bonding without hazing.
Unfortunately, kids won’t see what the Red Sox have done as voluntary or without repercussion. I already hated the Red Sox. Now I have reason No. 574.
on Sep 23rd, 2009 at 5:02 PM
Dressing up is hardly hazing. It is fun! I think you are overreacting when you find it to be a slippery slope to sodomy. Initiations are as old as mankind.
on Sep 23rd, 2009 at 5:09 PM
Dressing up may not be so bad. However, the question is–what are the repercussions for not participating? If there are significant repercussions, then it is hazing, and and should not be tolerated.
on Sep 23rd, 2009 at 5:23 PM
It’s a giant leap from dressing up as the Tin Man to getting sodomized and making such statements is reactionary and disingenuous. While hazing can (and more often does) get out of control, in a monitored atmosphere it’s more of a rite of initiation and not a full on bugger party. While I am a die hard Phillies fan, I don’t think the Red Sox are out of bounds in this instance.
on Sep 23rd, 2009 at 6:29 PM
All the rookies were enjoying dressing up. I’m sure if someone had a real issue, they would be excused. This is barely hazing, it’s nothing compared to what my old high school used to do.
Plus, other teams do this. Why single out the Red Sox?
on Sep 23rd, 2009 at 8:02 PM
The Yankees actually did something similar a couple years ago dressing up rookies like the Wizard of Oz. They do something like that every year. Everyone involved appeared to be having fun with it so in this case, I don’t see any real harm will having them put on silly costumes, as long as everyone involved knows it’s all in fun.
on Sep 23rd, 2009 at 9:16 PM
A lot of teams have the rookies dress up in drag or in other costumes. If that’s as far as it goes I have no problem with it. I don’t know what happens if someone refuses to participate. When the stories hit the media, they never mention anyone not dressing up.
on Sep 23rd, 2009 at 9:17 PM
How absolutely absurd that this “writer” would waste his time damning the Red Sox for a harmless and comical initiation of their rookies! And to assimulate such fun with sodomy—–maybe this author has some long-time personal hangups and should go get some professional help to heal them.
And to be so full of hate—–there’s another issue that his psychologist should address.
This is from a life-long Red Sox lover and I don’t apologize one bit!
on Sep 23rd, 2009 at 9:22 PM
I always enjoy hearing self-righteous indignation, filled with self-admitted “hate” for people, groups, and teams.
on Sep 23rd, 2009 at 11:07 PM
OMG rookies having to dress up like lions and scarecrows this is truly an outrage! Cyd you need to go call the WAAAAAAAMBULANCE on this right away!
on Sep 24th, 2009 at 1:35 AM
Cyd went to Stanford???
Lol
on Sep 24th, 2009 at 8:15 AM
Some of the most prestigious publications, like the New York Times, have been taken in by fakes over the years. A clever fiction writer can pull off any ruse. Just ask Clifford Irving…
on Sep 24th, 2009 at 8:28 AM
Way overreacting!! It’s not only the Red Sox but just about EVERY MLB does this!!! The Florida Marlins just did the same thing…their players dressing as girls (not as characters of Oz.) At least this hazing doesnt cost them any money. What about in the NFL when rookies paying thousands (yes, thousands) of dollars when the team goes out to dinner and they are left to foot the bill. How about when ALL rookies on the 1st day of training camp get haircuts from the vets (mohawks, reverse mohawks, eyebrows shaved…etc).
The type of hazing that needs to be villified is the type that puts people in danger…drinking too many beers leading to alcohol poisoning, and/or making people perform sexual acts.
on Sep 24th, 2009 at 8:31 AM
btw…the player pictured is Josh Reddick and he is HOT!!!
on Sep 27th, 2009 at 10:45 PM
On the Twitter feed of Todd Zolecki, Phillies beat writer for MLB.com: “Rookie hazing. Escalona and Mayberry in lady pilot costumes for the flight. Happ is Superwoman. Costumes don’t fit right.”
on Sep 28th, 2009 at 4:57 PM
Why the BoSox hate? It’s a very well-run organization that doesn’t just rely on big bucks anymore. More teams should aspire to do what the Sox have done.
Yeah, they’ve done this hazing crap for a long time… and I wish they’d stop… but I will say that just about every team, if not every team, does similar things. The only reason why you’re reading about this one is because of the increased media attention on the Red Sox.
If you want to be taken seriously on this issue, you should be directing this anger against all teams and focusing on the MLB itself to change policy to ban this kind of stuff.