Tom on MLB Betting

 

Major League Baseball banned a 24 year old player for life over charges that he placed bets on games that this then-team, the Pittsburgh Pirates, just weeks after a player for the NBA's Toronto Raptors received a similar punishment for a similar offense. 4 other players were suspended for a year for betting on games that their team was not involved in.  These stories break the heart of any true sports fan, whose interest in any sport is based upon love of the sport, rather than the betting opportunities a particular sport might offer.  Major sports leagues have to be absolutely merciless when it comes to regulating gambling activity.  No second chances.  If you don't believe that a contest is honest, it just becomes another form of professional wrestling; suitable only for 8 year olds. 

I don't care about the players.   They made their beds and they have to lie in them, next to their angry wives.  These guys make good money for playing a kid's game, albeit at an extraordinarily high level.  For those suspended for the year, it won't be too bad.  Most enjoyed ample signing bonuses and should be able to get by for a year, but for those who bet on games that their teams were involved in; well, their toast..No more first class travel and hotels. No more major league meal money, ($117.00/Day).  No more 'Road Meat', that most enjoyable perk wherein pretty girls clamor to have sex with you just because you're a pro athlete.  After you get yourself banned for life, your own wife won't even sleep with you.  Most likely, she'll divorce you and take whatever money that you have left. And your kids...:(

These people are addicts.  They bet because they have to, not because they want to.  They live for that rush.  For these folks it's compulsive gambling.  For others it's alcohol, or sex, or drugs.  Some like to diddle kids and others eat until they grow to the size of a zeppelin.  Even shopping can be pathological.  Addiction comes in many forms and, in order to treat the patient effectively, you have to address the underlying cause of the addiction, not just the symptoms.  The therapist has to take a holistic approach.