Carlos Delgado: Model Ballplayer and Citizen

By: Brian Kevin Williams
Submitted: 2007-01-17 16:25:36
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In just his first season with the New York Mets, Carlos Delgado has immediately delivered for the Mets, providing solid offensive play for his team. Although he is in the middle of a 7 for 50 slump for the Mets, Carlos Delgado has still been providing the power numbers (15 HR’s) thus far. After hitting about .300 in the month of April, he has only hit about .217 in May, but I’m sure he will turn it around and right his average to around .280 or so. If his protests a few years back are any indication of this man’s character, then he certainly won’t cower down to the adversities of this month long slump, nor will he fail to deliver in a big spot for the Mets.

Many Mets fans were hesitant about signing Delgado this past off-season due to his refusal to stand for “God Bless America”, his sweet stroke and swagger at the plate certainly make up for any animosity that some New Yorkers may have felt towards Carlos. After refusing to stand for the playing of the song as a visitor to Yankees Stadium, he was boo’ed loudly by Yankees fans. This served as a tremendous injustice to this man that was simply refusing to back down on his anti-war sentiments, and his opposition to the United States using the island of Vieques, Puerto Rico as a bombing target practice facility.

A year or so later, his refusal to stand for “God Bless America” was in protest of how the Administration linked Saddam Hussein to September 11th, and the U.S. invasion and occupation of Iraq. Delgado said that, “It’s a very terrible thing that happened on September 11. It’s a terrible thing that happened in Afghanistan and Iraq. I just feel so sad for the families that lost relatives and loved ones in the war. But I think it’s the stupidest war ever.” Delgado was fulfilling his duty as a civic citizen of the United States, as his actions of protest certainly weren’t grounds of hatred and abuse from the fans; his actions should have served as a reminder to the ideals that this country was founded upon, rather than the ideals that politicians try to brainwash American youth with today.

Upon signing with the New York Mets, Carlos Delgado changed his perspective on the matter, and decided that he would now be standing for the playing of “God Bless America” in the ballpark. With the adoption of a team-first mentality, Delgado immediately answered many concerns by stating that with his new mentality, “Everybody stands and I will be there.” Although I certainly do not agree with this new philosophy that Mr. Delgado has taken on, I do believe it is in the team’s best interest that he does stand with the rest of the team, to avoid any sort of negative publicity for the Mets, after many years residing in the N.L. East basement, and making the back cover more so for their front office turmoil than their actual accomplishments. It certainly does not speak volumes about the public, as a man can not voice his concerns through non-violent protest, without being abused. If Delgado produces for the Mets, then I’m sure Mets fans will not care if he stands or not.

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