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Lou Piniella Admits He Tried Marijuana

Sat, Jun 27, 2009 12:49 pm

Chicago Cubs manager Lou Piniella on Friday defended catcher Geovany Soto, who tested positive for marijuana during the World Baseball Classic, by admitting he once smoked pot.

"Look, I have smoked dope one time in my life," Piniella said before the Cubs faced the Chicago White Sox at U.S. Cellular Field. "And it didn't do a damn thing for me, and I never tried it again. I'm fortunate because of that. A lot of people do. You can even buy it in California from a pharmacy.

"I do know young people make mistakes at times and learn from mistakes. I've made a lot of mistakes in my life personally, and I've learned from them."

News of Soto testing positive while he played for Puerto Rico in the WBC surfaced Thursday. The WBC took place in March. Piniella believes the weight of knowing that revelation would come out affected Soto, who is the reigning National League rookie of the year and has struggled this season.

"I wasn't aware of this until three or four days ago, and if I had been aware of it, truthfully, I would have encouraged Geo to speak about this much sooner to get it off his chest," Piniella said. "I think it's really had a negative effect on his performance.

"It was supposed to come out a few times and they delayed it, and I don't think it's done any good. I would have encouraged the player to come out and say this is what's going to come out, this is what's happened, I'm embarrassed about it and it's not going to happen again. I'm done with it. Basically, that would have been the best approach, as far as I'm concerned."

Soto said in a statement that it was an isolated incident.

"I read his comments," Piniella said. "He knows what he did was wrong. He said he's embarrassed and sorry about it, and it's over with. It's a non-issue as far as I'm concerned."

» add a comment

treehugger

Jul 8 2009, 3:44 pm

lab3 - I know it's difficult to understand, you just have to free your mind. You see, when the internet was invented, social networking took a huge leap forward. The ability to "talk" to someone, anywhere on the planet, for free (at least that was the design, BUT YOU DO KNOW HOW AMERICAN CAPITALIST BEHAVE.

Well, it was all good and fun, for a while. But then the Americans felt agitated (imagine that!)that they could no longer express their anger at someone - hence the all caps. It implies that the text is being "shouted" at you. But, only if you believe.

Watch the movie The Matrix. It explains it all. Naturally, Government, is The Matrix. Control, deception, and disinformation, to keep the "shee-ople" as you so eloquently put it, in their place! Working to support the system - and nothing else.

treehugger

Jul 8 2009, 3:34 pm

Fed Fred - Who's Charlie Brown? You would think someone, so hyper-sensative, and obsessive, would've learned how to spell like a 5th grader by now.

treehugger

Jul 6 2009, 7:52 pm

lab3 - carried away? Nah, verbose, perhaps. Patriotic? More than most.

Just hit the enter key 2 or 3 times, to simulate paragraphs, and maybe they'll find something else to bitch about. Or is it aboot?

Keep Puffin, don't cage penguins!

treehugger

Jul 4 2009, 12:06 am

to: to umm - wow, do you really believe yourself? That I would change my pseudo - to hide from YOU?

You're not very observant, are you? Have you ever seen umm use the Shift Key? Or tell someone to FUCK OFF?

hey umm

Jul 3 2009, 5:39 pm

you aren't fooling anybody .

treehugger

Jul 3 2009, 8:13 am

lab3 - Just hit the enter key once-in-a-while to create a paragraph, and maybe 1/2 the idiots will leave you alone.

You know I don't advocate violence, but you are very good at seeing the real issues. Too bad these retards ignore that insight, cuz they can't get past your ALL CAPS. When they use NO CAPS, or periods, or vowels? BRILLIANT!

Ignorance, intolerance, just more tyrannical, laconic aphorisms.

Maybe, when they're 50, and the shit is still illegal, and 1/2 of their friends are dead from legal drugs, MAYBE they'll know how frustated we are.

Keep grindin them keys, but voice recognition would be easier for you.

treehugger

Jul 3 2009, 8:06 am

weedgod - wtf are you talkin about? I don't see any posts adressed to you from me.

Are you really still tryin to profile me?

I post under 1 pseudo, and I didn't see anything you posted worthy of a comment.

Bark up someone else's tree, retard.

hey umm

Jul 3 2009, 6:28 am

You're not fooling anybody .

gstlab3

Jul 2 2009, 5:02 pm

TO: treehugger, THANK YOU., I DO GET CARRIED AWAY BUT THIS AND OTHER CULTURE ISSUSES BLOW MY MIND!!

WEEDGOD

Jul 2 2009, 3:52 pm

TO,THE ASSHOLE SAD COMMENTS BELOW:SHUT THE FUCK UP! AND UNDERSTAND WHAT THE FUCK I WAS SAYING DUMBASS!

P.S ALOT OF PEOPLE READ HIGHTIMES,APPARENTLY U DO OR YOU WOULD NOT BE BUMPING YOUR GUMS PRICKILINI!!

THE MIGHTY WEEDGOD HAS SPOKEN!

treehugger

Jul 2 2009, 1:38 pm

hey umm - I haven't seen umm in here? Are you blind?

Are you tryin to profile me?

I post under 1 pseudo. If you don't like my opinion - propose a better one. But I'm not gonna change my name - cuz I'm scared of a 12-year-old.

Isn't there a way to keep it 18+?

hey umm

Jul 2 2009, 4:45 am

you're not fooling anybody .

treehugger

Jul 1 2009, 9:31 pm

Shut the fuck up about lab3, if you're that sensitive and intolerant to all caps, uh...hit the page up key and don't read it.

But, by reading it, and responding with equally horrific spelling and grammar, with NO CAPS - or periods, or sentence structure, makes you looks worse.

At least the first and last sentences are fairly mainstream, often comical, and dead balls on topic. The rest in the middle is optional reading, so - don't.

I work with computers, so, for me, it's easier to read, and for some reason I don't take personal offense to all caps, cuz maybe my speakers are broken - but I don't hear ANY shouting. Quit tryin to text and type, pick one, and stick with it. Soon, they'll have text web pages, cuz the next generation won't be able to spell a fucking thing. Where's all the vowels? Is my keboard broken? Could it be my video card?

treehugger

Jul 1 2009, 9:20 pm

This guy didn't only bend-over, willingly, but he blew the urine-tester too.

Piss-for-a-paycheck, now a billion dollar industry. How fucking disgusting. May as well bend over now, get it over with.

treehugger

Jul 1 2009, 9:14 pm

blah, blah, blah...plead guilty bitch, like every other REAL pot head. Like it's gonna affect his career?

Strawberry ring a bell? Shit, he'll probably draw a bigger crowd, albeit smokier.

the saddest comments

Jul 1 2009, 8:07 pm

to " weedgod "
who gives a f*ck!?!
most of the world doesnt read high times
they get their news and views from the
mainstream media
so, when a story like this comes out
and a punk ass playa and boss-man
say a bunch of b.s. like this...
it feeds into the hysteria and propaganda
why not just say
hey, i smoke some weed on the down time but hey, i still made n.l. rookie of the year and played for my country in the wbc, cant we all just let it go?
but NOoooo!
its shameful and a mistake and boo f'n hoo
i am sooo sorry, it will never happen again..
so, no, just dont let it go!

Jul 1 2009, 4:58 am

Sorry Dogdeew ( weedgod backwards )
all we hear is squeak sqeak sqeak . LMAO

WEEDGOD

Jul 1 2009, 12:17 am

TO THE LOSERS BELOW, GET A FUCKING LIFE!!

WHO GIVES A FUCK WHAT RICHASS BALLPLAYERS AND COACHES FUCKING COMMENT ON IN RELATION TO WEED!!

HIGHTIMES! GET! BETTER ! NEWS! STORIES!

THE MIGHTY WEEDGOD HAS SPOKEN!

the saddest comments

Jun 30 2009, 11:28 pm

headline news

"Look, I have smoked dope one time in my life," "And it didn't do a damn thing for me, and I never tried it again. I'm fortunate because of that.

"I do know young people make mistakes at times and learn from mistakes. I've made a lot of mistakes in my life personally, and I've learned from them."

Piniella believes the weight of knowing that revelation would come out affected Soto, who is the reigning National League rookie of the year and has struggled this season.

"I think it's really had a negative effect on his performance.

I'm embarrassed about it and it's not going to happen again. I'm done with it.

Soto said in a statement that it was an isolated incident.

"I read his comments," Piniella said. "He knows what he did was wrong. He said he's embarrassed and sorry about it."

To Below

Jun 30 2009, 4:44 pm

Ever considered the possibility they just might actually believe what they're sayng .........

REALITY ..the other white meat ............

Mature Adult

Jun 30 2009, 8:35 am

Its a choice . Don't make it if you can't handle the consequences .

gstlab3

Jun 29 2009, 10:59 pm

WOW! DID I STIR UP A BEES NEST OR WHAT?! SORRY BUT YOU ARE WRONG CHARLES., IT DOES HELP ME.,THAT'S JUST ME. AND I STILL THINK THIS WHOLE THING IS A LITTLE OVER THE TOP.,WE ARE SUPPOSED TO COMMENT ON THE STORIES YES? FOR THE MOST PART? I DO NOT MAKE THE RULES.,BUT SOME PEOPLES COMMENTS AND OR POSITIONS ARE REALLY WHACK. TO PUT A MODERN SPIN ON THE WORDS.

Baltimore Fred again

Jun 29 2009, 9:57 pm

Well Charles I'm glad you found your balls and came up with a name other than some simple shit like "LOL". Anyway I missed the part about GST3LAB's dyslexia, I thought his eyes were failing him. Anyway come up with some postings that people can identify with and we'll see how you work out Charles Denver.

For you other people that are dissing Pinella. This man has a job that pays a fair amount of money and he enjoys what he is doing. What would you want him to do? Come out wearing a NORML T-shirt saying legalize now?. Yeah right. If that is the way you think, you wear one to work and see how long you'll keep that McDonald's job.

At least he came out and said something positive backing his player. What would you have him say? I like reefer and I blaze a fattie every night to unwind. Rome wasn't built in a day. There is a large anti reefer presence out there still.

Charles from Denver

Jun 29 2009, 8:34 pm

gstlab3 I'm sorry but im calling bullshit on you being dyslexic. People who have dyslexia hate giant bloack of text and all caps doesn't matter but typeface. So stop using dyslexia as an excuse for being a loud jerk. Yes I am dude who wrote gstlab3 sucks and I still think so.

to below

Jun 29 2009, 9:34 am

LOL .. Thats certainly the pot calling the kettle black .

Baltimore Fred

Jun 29 2009, 6:07 am

GST3LAB is alright by me. He has established a name and can be identified who he is and has views that I agree with. He doesn't hide behind some lame handle so people are limited to respond back (other than "to the poster below")Given the caps are a bit over the top, deal with it or skip it.

Someday you detractors may have a medical condition that will restrict your life. By the grace of God there go I.

gstlab3 sucks

Jun 28 2009, 9:43 pm

Hey gstlab3 I check the comments pages here a lot and you're comments always devolve into a crazy-sounding rant. Look Im as passionate and articulate about my ideas as much as you are about yours, but when i see that mass of unbroken screeds i get an instant headache. Ive read a couple, but now I just ignore them as I'm sure most do. It's ironic because I assumed the CAPS were for ATTENTION not inducing a migraine.

Also, please please space your paragraphs because even if you get off your addiction to ALL CAPS, it still makes you look dumb to just have a mass of words. I'm not being a "knuckle dragger" here like you seem to enjoy calling people. I'm not saying I agree or disagree with you views. All I'm saying is please have some common decency in how you present them, and maybe more people will take the time to listen.

Yea gstlab3 Needs Our Help

Jun 28 2009, 9:38 pm

gstlab3

Jun 28 2009, 9:10 pm

TO: "THE KNUCKLE DRAGN', NAME CALLING MORON." fuck you! AND DIE!!! WHAT IF I TOLD YOU IS POT TO COMBAT ENCROACHING BLINDNESS AND I SEE THE CAPITAL LETTERS BETTER?!! YEAH WHAT EVER., FUCK OFF!!

gstlab3isadouche

Jun 28 2009, 1:59 pm

gstlab3, ur annoying, enough with the caps...

gstlab3

Jun 28 2009, 1:12 pm

EMBARRASSED! AND SHAMED! AND IN THE SAME BREATH HE SAID IT IS A NON ISSUE??!!" WHAT IS IT A NON ISSUE OR ONE FILLED WITH THE DEMONS OF EMBARRASSMENT AND SHAME? I THINK WE CAN SEE "WHAT" IF NOT HEAR WHAT HAS BEEN SAID IN BETWEEN THE LINES.,HOW CAN WE GET OVER OURSELVES AND OUR MORAL RIGHTIOUSNESS AT THE SAME TIME ACT LIKE ADULTS WHEN IT COMES TO ADULT BEVERAGES AND OTHER MIND ALTERING SUBSTANCES? WOULD'NT IT BE NICE NOT TO HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT THIS AT ALL??!!??" PROHIBITION OF ALCOHOL DID THE EXACT SAME THING BACK IN THE DAYS OF AL'CAPONE AND BUGGSY AND SCAREFACE AND THE LIKE., POLITICAL WRANGLING AND SOAPBOX GRANDSTANDING ALL OVER THE PLACE FOR THE MORAL HIGH GROUND!! ALL THE WHILE THE MONEY IS BEING CONTROLLED BY THE PROPRIATORS OF THE AFOREMENTIONED CONTRABAN AND THE MORAL CRUSADERS WHO WILL STOP AT NOTHING TO GATHER TOTAL CONTROL., LIKE A FIRST TIME PARENT WITH NO PARENTS OR SIBLINGS TO GO TO FOR HELP NOR ANY MEMORY OF WHAT A LOVING PARENT SHOULD OR WOULD DO.,THESE PEOPLE ARE JUST AS DANGEROUS AS THE IGNORANCE THAT PERVADES THE DRUG USING CULTURE., WITHOUT HONEST AND STRAIGHT FOREWARD EDUCATION ON BOTH SIDES WE ARE DOOMED TO SUFFER THE DISEASE OF IGNORANCE AND FEAR OF THE UNKNOWN!!!!! WE SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF OUR IGNORANCE AND EMBARRASSED OF OUR LACK OF RESOLVE TO FIND THE TRUTH FOR BOTH SIDES SAKE AND PROSPERITY!!!! PEACE! GROW YOUR OWN!!!!! FUCK THE POLICE STATE!!!

anonymous

Jun 28 2009, 5:17 am

piniella you need to learn theres absolutely nothing to be ashamed of while it didnt do anything for you there are many people who feel differently as well as many justifieable reasons to do such things this is rediculous THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH LIGHTING UP AS LONG AS YOU ARE 18 YOU SHOULD BE MORE ASHAMED OF DRINKING THATN THIS LAW OR NOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! LEGALIZE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

D-Bag

Jun 27 2009, 6:59 pm

Hilarious. All that hub-bub over a plant. These people sound so ridiculous. They should listen to themselves. "OH MY GOD, HE SMOKED WEED!"

Get over yourselves. Smoke bud and enjoy life.

Wow

Jun 27 2009, 2:02 pm

This WAR on weed has to end now. What would they do if 65% of the team tested positive. close it down there is just to much money to be loss so it would not be the case. Since it is one they can set an example. wake up people you want anything done do it in numbers.