Hall Of Famer Pitcher A Catcher In Private Life? - GoFuckYourself.com

Mutt · 02-21-2003, 11:11 PM

Associated Press

LOS ANGELES -- Hall of Fame pitcher Sandy Koufax has severed ties with the Los Angeles Dodgers because of a gossip-column item in a newspaper owned by the team's parent company.

The Los Angeles Times reported Friday that Koufax told the Dodgers he would no longer attend spring training at Dodgertown in Florida, visit Dodger Stadium or participate in any activities while they are owned by News Corp. because of a report in the New York Post that intimated that he's
homosexual.

The Times said Koufax, through friend Derrick Hall, a Dodgers senior vice president, declined comment Thursday night, but that officials familiar with the situation said the former pitcher broke off ties after 48 years in response to a two-sentence item than ran in the New York tabloid on Dec. 19.

The Post said a "Hall of Fame baseball hero'' had "cooperated with a best-selling biography only because the author promised to keep it secret that he is gay. The author kept her word, but big mouths at the publishing house can't keep from flapping.''

Koufax, who was not specifically named by the paper, is the subject of Jane Leavy's biography, "Sandy Koufax: A Lefty's Legacy,'' published in September.

Expressing his feelings to the Dodgers through Hall shortly after learning of the report, Koufax reportedly said, "It does not make sense for me to promote any'' of the companies controlled by News Corp. chairman Rupert Murdoch, adding he would "feel foolish to be associated with or promote one entity if it helps another.''

Hall said Koufax stressed, "I have no problems with the Dodgers or their current or previous management. It's more so about (News Corp.).''

Leavy, a former Washington Post reporter, told The Times she assumed the item was about her book.

"(The item) was blatantly unfair, scandalous and contemptible,'' Leavy said. "It was thoroughly without basis in so far as it had to do with Sandy or any relationship I had with him professionally. It's not the kind of journalism I practice.

"Sandy Koufax is as principled a human being as I have ever met in my life. If this is a stand he is taking, I certainly understand why he might feel that way and I totally support it.''

Hall, who had dinner with Koufax on Wednesday in Vero Beach, Fla., spoke on behalf of Dodgers chairman Bob Daly and president Bob Graziano.

"It was irresponsible and inappropriate,'' Hall said. "It's unfortunate that this happened, but we fully support and understand Sandy's position on this. It's terrible because he's an important part of this organization and its rich history. And most importantly, Sandy has a lot of friends who are hurt by this.''

News Corp., which bought the Dodgers in 1997, is trying to sell the club, with former New York sports executive David Checketts recently making a reported $650 million offer.

PornoDoggy · 02-22-2003, 12:16 AM

I don't give a fine flying fuck if he was gay or not ... as a kid it was depressing to watch the S.O.B. beat the Cardinals, but he was a great pitcher.

sextoyking · 02-22-2003, 12:19 AM

A Great Pitcher!!!

A Southpaw and a Jew boy, can't beat that combo

wait that's me! well except I can't pitch

Mutt · 02-22-2003, 01:04 AM

i never saw him pitch but as a kid it was one of the most famous names in not only sports, anywhere. Koufax, Mantle and Mays - i knew those names when I was 4. Most people say that he was the greatest pitcher in history, for the years he was at the top of his game, and those years were not long due to injury, but he was so dominant that he still was a first ballot Hall of Famer. He was wild as hell in the beginning but something clicked and he was almost unhittable from there on out until his arm gave out.

Rupert Murdoch is a piece of shit. Outting a gay person who wishes to remain in the closet is about as low as you can go. Koufax is famous for being a very private person, in fact, i don't think i've ever seen him in anything but old film of his playing. I've never heard anything about his being gay, not that it matters really if he is or isn't but the man is probably near 70 and if he wished to go through this life keeping his gayness a secret to the outside world a slimeball like Murdoch should burn in hell for robbing him of his privacy.

Nobody ever criticized Sandy Koufax for making the decision to not pitch on Yom Kippur, he was that respected as a competitor and a person.

02-21-2003, 11:11 PM	#1
Mutt Too lazy to set a custom title Industry Role: Join Date: Sep 2002 Posts: 34,431	Hall Of Famer Pitcher A Catcher In Private Life? Associated Press LOS ANGELES -- Hall of Fame pitcher Sandy Koufax has severed ties with the Los Angeles Dodgers because of a gossip-column item in a newspaper owned by the team's parent company. The Los Angeles Times reported Friday that Koufax told the Dodgers he would no longer attend spring training at Dodgertown in Florida, visit Dodger Stadium or participate in any activities while they are owned by News Corp. because of a report in the New York Post that intimated that he's homosexual. The Times said Koufax, through friend Derrick Hall, a Dodgers senior vice president, declined comment Thursday night, but that officials familiar with the situation said the former pitcher broke off ties after 48 years in response to a two-sentence item than ran in the New York tabloid on Dec. 19. The Post said a "Hall of Fame baseball hero'' had "cooperated with a best-selling biography only because the author promised to keep it secret that he is gay. The author kept her word, but big mouths at the publishing house can't keep from flapping.'' Koufax, who was not specifically named by the paper, is the subject of Jane Leavy's biography, "Sandy Koufax: A Lefty's Legacy,'' published in September. Expressing his feelings to the Dodgers through Hall shortly after learning of the report, Koufax reportedly said, "It does not make sense for me to promote any'' of the companies controlled by News Corp. chairman Rupert Murdoch, adding he would "feel foolish to be associated with or promote one entity if it helps another.'' Hall said Koufax stressed, "I have no problems with the Dodgers or their current or previous management. It's more so about (News Corp.).'' Leavy, a former Washington Post reporter, told The Times she assumed the item was about her book. "(The item) was blatantly unfair, scandalous and contemptible,'' Leavy said. "It was thoroughly without basis in so far as it had to do with Sandy or any relationship I had with him professionally. It's not the kind of journalism I practice. "Sandy Koufax is as principled a human being as I have ever met in my life. If this is a stand he is taking, I certainly understand why he might feel that way and I totally support it.'' Hall, who had dinner with Koufax on Wednesday in Vero Beach, Fla., spoke on behalf of Dodgers chairman Bob Daly and president Bob Graziano. "It was irresponsible and inappropriate,'' Hall said. "It's unfortunate that this happened, but we fully support and understand Sandy's position on this. It's terrible because he's an important part of this organization and its rich history. And most importantly, Sandy has a lot of friends who are hurt by this.'' News Corp., which bought the Dodgers in 1997, is trying to sell the club, with former New York sports executive David Checketts recently making a reported $650 million offer. __________________ I moved my sites to Vacares Hosting. I've saved money, my hair is thicker, lost some weight too! Thanks Sly!

02-22-2003, 12:19 AM	#3
sextoyking Confirmed User Industry Role: Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Portland, OR. Posts: 6,034	A Great Pitcher!!! A Southpaw and a Jew boy, can't beat that combo wait that's me! well except I can't pitch __________________ ICQ: 52344098 -------------------------------------- 50% Commissions on all Product Sales. http://www.wishing.com/money

02-22-2003, 01:04 AM	#4
Mutt Too lazy to set a custom title Industry Role: Join Date: Sep 2002 Posts: 34,431	i never saw him pitch but as a kid it was one of the most famous names in not only sports, anywhere. Koufax, Mantle and Mays - i knew those names when I was 4. Most people say that he was the greatest pitcher in history, for the years he was at the top of his game, and those years were not long due to injury, but he was so dominant that he still was a first ballot Hall of Famer. He was wild as hell in the beginning but something clicked and he was almost unhittable from there on out until his arm gave out. Rupert Murdoch is a piece of shit. Outting a gay person who wishes to remain in the closet is about as low as you can go. Koufax is famous for being a very private person, in fact, i don't think i've ever seen him in anything but old film of his playing. I've never heard anything about his being gay, not that it matters really if he is or isn't but the man is probably near 70 and if he wished to go through this life keeping his gayness a secret to the outside world a slimeball like Murdoch should burn in hell for robbing him of his privacy. Nobody ever criticized Sandy Koufax for making the decision to not pitch on Yom Kippur, he was that respected as a competitor and a person. __________________ I moved my sites to Vacares Hosting. I've saved money, my hair is thicker, lost some weight too! Thanks Sly!

02-22-2003, 12:16 AM	#2
PornoDoggy Confirmed User Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 1,053	I don't give a fine flying fuck if he was gay or not ... as a kid it was depressing to watch the S.O.B. beat the Cardinals, but he was a great pitcher.