What’s "Professional" In Sports?

Has professional sports lost something in recent years, is it fading away, or is it simply not the norm any more?

How athletes and coaches act nowadays has become a farce of what it was once. Showboating and smack talk have become part of sports whether we like it or not. However, there are some things that are hard to put into words but you know are just plain no-no’s.

Nyjer Morgan (center) being held back by
teammate Prince Fielder (right)

The recent spat caused by Milwaukee outfielder Nyjer Morgan, or Tony Plush or whatever personality decides to drop in, is just a recent example of some of the unprofessionalism in sports today.

Morgan has had a reputation for getting into trouble, most notably last season when he was suspended for 8 games for a number of incidents as a member of the Washington Nationals.

Those incidents, unfortunately, seemed to typify Morgan’s behavior during play, but his actions beyond play are not much better. His public disagreement with his manager would be an example.

For a long time this season it appeared as if Morgan was beginning to change some of his ways. However, that ended this week with the incident against the Cardinals.

According to Chris Carpenter, Morgan had been running his mouth for the past couple of days.

"Every time, every time. When he hit that double he was screaming," Carpenter told MLB.com, referring to a hit earlier in the game. "Yesterday he screamed, a couple days ago when he hit that ... Which I don't mind. Do whatever you want. But when you strike out like that and try to throw the chew (at) the mound to our pitcher and yell? Come on, man. You need to be more professional than that."

In the video, Carpenter had a chance to say two words at most before he turned around. So, in Nyjer Morgan’s mind, his couple of days of mouthing off wasn’t as bad as Carpenter’s two words?

In an interview after the game, Morgan didn’t seem to think that he could be at fault for any reason. But if what Carpenter said is true, then how could he think that? That is unless his actions are becoming the norm of sports.

This would be an unfortunate turn for sports to take. It’s one thing to be competitive, but it is another thing entirely to be a nuisance or conceited.

For instance, I don’t mind barreling into a catcher as long as it necessary and it’s the only way to get to the plate. However, running your mouth every time that you do something just lacks class.

Trust me, Nyjer. You wouldn't
want Albert in the ring.

Morgan also extends his personalities past the diamond. He does have his own twitter account, which some might find entertaining, but sometimes it’s misused. An example would be his comments about Albert Pujols after the altercation the other night.

"Alberta couldn't see Plush if she had her gloves on!!! Wat was she thinking running afta Plush!!! She never been n tha ring!!!"

I’m sorry but let’s look at this practically standpoint. Albert has 3 inches and nearly 60 pounds on Nyjer! Not to mention that most of that difference is muscle. I’m not boxing expert, but I’d say that the chances fall in Pujols’s favor.

Now let’s compare what they’ve done in their careers, to see who “deserves” to smack talk. Pujols has a .328 career average versus Morgan’s .289 average. Morgan has 8 career home runs. Pujols hits 8 home runs in a month. Pujols has 3 MVP Awards, while Morgan has none. Pujols has a World Series ring, and Morgan, apparently, has been in a boxing ring.

So, I think it’s safe to say “What were YOU thinking?” Fortunately, for Morgan, he’s picking a fight with a guy who is least likely to retaliate. Albert will let his bat and baseball glove do the talking for him, rather than get in twitter fight with “Tony Plush.”

Morgan also seems to lack an ability to be humble. So, when he’s on a team that actually can win games and go to the playoffs, something his former teams were unable to do, he feels the need to boast about it. In the interview after the game, he brushes off his behavior on the fact that the Brewers are in first place. His personal sense of superiority absolves him any problems that come up.

Nyjer Morgan is certainly not the only player in baseball, or sports in general, that acts this way, but it’s unfortunate that we even have to talk about these guys.

The true professionals are the ones who let their play do the talking. Those who only know how to bark loudly are the ones that should be heard the least. Both Pujols and Carpenter have handled this better than Morgan, and they are far better than I in allowing some leeway for Morgan's shortcomings.

I don’t know if this is a surging trend among athletes or if it’s an unfortunate smear in our era of sports.

Either way let’s hope that these bad habits won’t continue into the next generation of professional athletes.