Published: June 20, 2009 09:57 am      

MARK MAYNARD: Goodell made right call on Stallworth 6/20/09

The other night one of my favorite baseball movies was showing on one of those obscure channels.

“Eight Men Out” is the story of the 1919 Chicago White Sox scandalous World Series with the Cincinnati Reds.

Some of the White Sox, paid nothing by owner Charlie Comiskey, got involved with gamblers and threw games in the World Series that the Reds eventually won.

The players went on trial for their deed but the pro-White Sox jury proclaimed them not guilty. They were celebrating and hugging, figuring they had beat the system.

But baseball’s judge – Commissioner Kenesaw “Mountain” Landis – had other ideas. He banned the eight who were involved in the scandal from baseball forever, including Buck Weaver and the infamous “Shoeless” Joe Jackson.

It was the right move for Landis, who saved baseball’s integrity and drew a line in the sand that the players knew they dared not cross.

Earlier this week, Cleveland Browns’ wide receiver Donte Stallworth looked like he’d beaten the system. His high-powered attorney had helped Stallworth get the deal of the century. Stallworth had killed a man while driving under the influence and his penalty for manslaughter was a mere 30 days in jail.

Stallworth, to his credit, took responsibility for the crime that killed a 59-year-old family man in Miami. But because of his decision to drive under the influence, Mario Reyes was dead. His family lost a husband and father forever.

Stallworth made a plea bargain with the family so they wouldn’t sue in civil court and the court’s guilty verdict for manslaughter resulted in the 30-day sentence. He actually only has to serve 24 days, having been credited for one day when he was arrested and then getting the sentenced reduced by five more days because of being a first-time offender.

The penalty seemed light for such a horrendous outcome for the Reyes family. Oh, I’m sure they’re financially in fine shape after making the deal with Stallworth.

But can you replace a father with money?

On Thursday, the NFL put in its penalty phase on Stallworth. NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, who protects “The Shield” aggressively, suspended Stallworth indefinitely for his “inexcusable” actions.

Goodell made the correct call and he is the NFL’s judge and jury. Playing in the NFL should be a privilege and shouldn’t come with exceptions. Stallworth made a mistake but it’s a mistake that a Miami family – and Stallworth himself – will have to live with for a lifetime.

How long the indefinite suspension lasts is anybody’s guess. But Goodell, like “Mountain” Landis did in 1919, drew a line in the sand.

Professional athletes need to understand they are responsible for their actions no matter how much money they’re making.

Goodell may be criticized for being too harsh on Stallworth but it was the right thing to do. He called the wide receiver’s actions “inexcusable.”

When Stallworth’s 30-day jail sentenced was announced earlier in the week, how many of us thought the punishment didn’t fit the crime.

Goodell apparently was thinking the same way.

MARK MAYNARD can be reached at mmaynard@dailyindependent.com or (606) 326-2648.