So far, at least, none of those accusing or implying that Manny Pacquiao is a drug cheater in boxing have done so on national television.
I find it stunning that Bryant Gumbel, host of HBO’s “Real Sports” program, used his bully pulpit to read an “Open Letter To Mark McGwire” in which he came out and labeled baseball superstars Jeff Bagwell, Nomar Garciaparra and Pudge Rodriguez as artificially pumped up steroid users who hitting achievements were fueled by banned drugs.
Also taken back was scribe Tom Fornelli of AOL Fanhouse, who wrote this strongly worded report on the situation and thinks that the trio of ballplayers may have libel actions against Gumbel and the prime cable network over such accusations.
Fonelli called Gumbel’s blast “libelous, very libelous.”
Which brings me back to Megamanny.
The Pinoy Idol says he’s been besmirched, falsely accused and he’s done more than consistently deny such cheating.
Manny put his money where his mouth is by going to court.
Pacquiao hired noted OJ Simpson beater (in a civil suit) Daniel Petrocelli to file a federal lawsuit in Las Vegas against those the fighter contends have dragged his name through the mud without proof or any foundation.
What about Nomar, the former Red Sox star who also played for the Cubs, Dodgers and Oakland? Oakland?
What of Bagwell, the Houston Astros slugger?
And what about Pudge, the superb catcher who had an illustrious career in Texas, Florida, Detroit and with the Yankees, among others?
Have they been maliciously and falsely maligned by Gumbel?
Will one, two or all three go to bat, take forceful legal action, like Pacman has?
Perhaps, they and their advisers will treat the allegations as a passed ball or a wild pitch, figuring that going to court will just draw more attention to the problem.
In the court of public opinion, the accusation itself does great damage to the reputation of the accused.
Do these ballplayers “take” Gumbel’s pitch or do they do act like Manny has and fight back?
We shall see.
