Women around the world are stunned upon hearing that a New York baseball player has been criticized for taking a brief paternity leave to become a father. As you may know: New York second baseman Daniel Murphy’s wife had a baby Monday, and Murphy took three days to help his wife through the birth and celebrate the new baby. But, a couple of radio talkers in New York found Murphy’s priorities misplaced. WFAN hosts Mike Francesa and Boomer Esiason said, and I quote:
“One day? I understand…In the old days they didn’t do that. But one day, go see the baby be born and come back. You’re a Major League Baseball player. You can hire a nurse to take care of the baby if your wife needs help.” That was Francesa.
Esiason observed that Murphy’s wife should have had a C-section before the season started. I’m sorry, he said, Murphy needed to “be at opening day.”
Murphy declined to dignify the criticism with a comment, but Mets manager Terry Collins defended his player: “He missed two games,” the manager said. “It’s not like he has missed ten. When you start attacking Dan Murphy’s credibility, you need to look in the mirror a little bit.”
Murphy’s wife, Victoria, gave birth to their first child Noah, a boy, on March 31.
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Well, now we all know for sure what is important to these folks. I know baseball is “important”, and to these guys, obviously more important than family and the birth of a child! Antiquated attitudes to be sure. Good headline, but if I may be so bold, I’d like to add to it… “Earth to Francesa and Boomer: Baseball Is Still Only a GAME!”…
Gary Jarvis, Sweet Home