The problem with apology letters from owners to fans is that no one believes the remorse. The problem with apology news conferences is that no one believes the remorse, but at least the powers that be have to face uncomfortable questions.
Jerry Reinsdorf, the power that still be here, recently released a letter apologizing for the White Sox’ record-setting 121-loss season. It was like writing “Sorry about all that” on a sticky note and slapping it to the Titanic’s jagged hull.
There’s another way. There’s honesty, with an actual human voice attached to it.
On Monday, Diamondbacks owner Ken Kendrick took responsibility for signing Jordan Montgomery to a one-year, $25 million contract. Montgomery had the worst season of his career, going 8-7 with a 6.23 ERA.
‘‘If anyone wants to blame anyone for Jordan Montgomery being a Diamondback, you’re talking to the guy that should be blamed,’’ Kendrick told Arizona Sports. ‘‘Because I brought it to [the front office’s] attention. I pushed for it. They agreed to it — it wasn’t in our game plan.
“You know when he was signed — right at the end of spring training. And looking back, in hindsight, a horrible decision to invest that money in a guy who performed as poorly as he did. It’s our biggest mistake this season from a talent standpoint. And I’m the perpetrator of that.’’
The Diamondbacks finished 89-73. And this guy’s apologizing on the radio!
Contrast that with Reinsdorf’s mea culpa:
“By all measures, our on-field performance this season was a failure. As the leader of this organization, that is my ultimate responsibility. There are no excuses.
“I want to thank you for continuing to support the team throughout what was an embarrassing season. You all deserved better. This season’s performance was completely unacceptable and the varying reactions and emotions from our fanbase are completely understandable.’’
On a surface level, that sounds like something, right? Failure, check. No excuses, check. Embarrassment, check. Unacceptable, check. Absent, however, were answers and accountability. What specifically went wrong with a rebuild that still looks a lot like rubble? What role did Reinsdorf play in it? Where was general manager Chris Getz’s plan lacking, in particular? Surely Reinsdorf knows.
But there was nothing in his letter but generalizations. He spoke (typed? dictated? slept in?) of “doing everything we can to fix this.’’
Can someone please apologize for signing Andrew Benintendi to a five-year contract?
An owner sending a letter to fans is the baseball version of the high school kid who texts his girlfriend that he’s waiting outside so he doesn’t have to knock on the door and be subjected to her parents’ questions. If your team is historically abysmal, you owe the fan base your presence and your responses to hard questions. If there was a circumstance that prevented Reinsdorf from meeting with reporters after the season, there was nothing stopping him from having a news conference during the season. The Sox were on pace to break the losses record in June. The same questions could have been asked monthly.
Finishing 51½ games out of first place demands an appearance from the owner.
Kendrick has been criticized for throwing Montgomery under the limo, but what’s wrong with stating the obvious? The pitcher stunk it up. Diamondbacks fans know it. Montgomery knows it. He has $25 million to help him overcome the emotional distress Kendrick’s words might have caused. If free agents avoid Arizona because of the mean owner, well, there’s soft and then there’s flaccid.
If free agents are looking for a place where they can lose a lot of games and not get criticized by anyone in power, I know a perfect place on the South Side. There’s an 88-year-old owner who refuses to speak any evil. More than that, he refuses to speak. I’m starting to wonder if he’s generated by artificial intelligence.
In his letter, Reinsdorf tried to rationalize his way out of meeting with reporters. It didn’t work.
“Whether said out loud or written in a statement, words are easy,’’ he wrote. “I understand we need to show our progress through action, and I commit to you that everyone associated with the White Sox is focused on returning this organization to the level of success we all expect and desire.’’
Out-loud words might be cheap, as Reinsdorf suggests, but sometimes you need to hear them.
And he still hasn’t apologized for hiring Tony La Russa as manager.