Baseball and the Slow Death of Chewing Tobacco

So 1/3 of major leaguers dip or chew and only 6% of nonplaying males use it. I wonder how many players drink heavily? Just because we can’t see them do it doesn’t make much of a difference. Hardly seems like much to worry about. Unlike smoking, it only affects the user, unless you are squeamish about people spitting. These guys are going to parks like 9 months out of the year. Let them have a little something. Maybe require some preseason education about he dangers of using. Not a big deal IMO, just something for some folks to feel good about.

We're all going to die.  I wouldn't choose salivary gland cancer as my way out, but that's just me.

That argument is black-and-white - die versus not die. But it's the quality of life that should matter more. Having a heart attack at 48 and living a diminished life until finally succumbing just past a 60th birthday is nobody's idea of a good "way out". You can't guarantee a good or bad outcome, and I know better than to be smug, but man, there are strong correlations.

It is all very weird that this is nearly a baseball exclusive issue. If their non-baseball peers aren't doing it, and it's not allowed in HS, college, minor league and half of the major league stadiums, that means these guys are actively going out of their way to start this habit. It's not like the Senior catcher is sitting next to the Freshman in the dugout pressuring him to try it anymore.

I didn’t start dipping because I saw a baseball player on tv do it. It was actually a guy at work that got me into it. Obviously I’m aware of the health issues but once a day suits me just fine.

I'm guessing MLB teams, paying for the player's lifetime health insurance, consider it a big deal?

Ok then, ban sodas, hot dogs, hamburgers and all unhealthy food from the parks and clubhouses. Heck, alcohol isn’t even banned in all clubhouses, and even where it is I can guarantee the rule isn’t followed. Also, they should stop taking advertising bucks from any breweries and we all know that won’t happen. Alcohol has ruined countless more lives, is more widely abused and is responsible for many more deaths than dipping. Think of how many ball players dip and you can name one who died from it. There have probably been more DUI deaths from players leaving stadiums at all levels than guys who’s jaws have fallen off. It’s selective, feel good policing. That’s all.

Right, but 37% of your coworkers weren't doing it. Ballplayers are doing it because of watching another ballplayer on TV, because of baseball tradition, or some other outdated idea. I mean 37% compared to 6% isn't a coincidence. Buxton and other players chewing IS perpetuating the use for the next generation. One can argue that it's their right to perpetuate it, but I don't think one can argue that they aren't perpetuating it.

What does throwing a dozen Budweiser ads up per game do for perpetuating bad habits amongst fans? I can’t think of a single televised sporting event I’ve ever seen where alcohol wasn’t a prominent advertiser.

Arguments that try to demonize something else as justification don't carry much weight. Feel free to argue for or against an alcohol ban, but saying tobacco should be allowed because alcohol is worse is like arguing that Mussolini should stay in office since Hitler is an even worse dictator.

I think the very nature of baseball lends itself to such a habit. Same reason seeds and bubblegum are popular with players.

Not really with you on the argument not carrying weight. It’s selective enforcement and incredibly hypocritical, especially when alcohol is not only allowed but the league gladly profits from it. How about showing locker room celebrations where dudes are dousing each other in booze? What does that do for the young kids watching? I mean, banning tobacco in entire stadiums is laughable. “Miller park”, “Busch stadium” lol how about “Copenhagen ballpark”? Have you ever looked at the salt content of sunflower seeds? I would want my employees on a low sodium diet if I’m going to be responsible for their health care!

So a business can't justify taking one step to save themselves money and improve the health of their employees unless they take every possible step to do so. Got it.

Are you going to act like alcohol is not far and away a bigger threat to the health, safety and well being of not only the user but possibly those around them than some skoal? Is that going to be your argument? But alas $$$$$$$ talks

I'm a beer drinker, and I don't think your argument against alcohol advertising is out of line at all. I might not be in favor of it, but there's plenty of merit there.

 

But it doesn't take away from the fact that these guys are perpetuating a habit the no one wants their kids picking up.

Believe me, I love my beer drinking as well (I have all the bad habits) so I’m not put off by any of the advertising. I just have a problem with the selectivity of it all. Sure, baseball and tobacco will always be linked and no that’s not a great thing for the kids to see. But I can parent my kids about substance abuse, I don’t need buxton to toss out his wad of dip to make my job any easier.

Don't stop there -- cars are dangerous too! Your concern about alcohol is just selective, feel good policing if you're not also banning cars.

It’s always interesting to see how hard some people fight to make sure other people can’t enjoy things that have nothing to do with them.

I think we may be giving kids too much credit paying attention to what's inside a baseball player's mouth. Growing up I never noticed Tony Gwynn and other baseball players were using chew on the field.

If we want to deter kids from using chew play the summer carnival scene from The Sandlot on an endless loop.

There are plenty of laws already concerning use of alcohol. What point exactly where you trying to make by bringing it up repeatedly in this thread?

That it’s far more dangerous than dipping tobacco and mlb allows their employees to use it in their clubhouses and their fans to use it in their stadiums, and also profits from it. Sheesh I didn’t know this would be that difficult to comprehend.

There's a big difference between (disclosed) advertising and a player's use of a product.

Um