04/19/24
October 19, 2011
Howie Kendrick Angers Neighbor in Autograph Flap: Los Angeles Angels second baseman Howie Kendrick and his wife made an 8-year-old neighbor cry by scolding him for coming to their house to request an autograph, claims Radar Online. "We had been respectful and had not bothered him or his family until the morning he was packing to move," the kid's mom said. After Kendrick told them the request was rude, Kendrick's wife Jody supposedly told the child and his mom, "I can't believe you're still standing here. This is really rude and it's not going to happen. It's sad that you're still standing here." Howie Kendrick's been sparring with the kid's relatives on Twitter, where he retweeted the comment, "I find it funny how some people feel a professional athlete is obligated to sign or take a picture whenever asked," and also told one critic, "Save it meat your opinion doesn't matter. Blocked. And yes the adults ruined it."
Autograph hounds can be incredibly obnoxious, but ordinarily I would think a neighbor kid coming to your door would be different.
There's no way of knowing if the mom was too pushy, but Kendrick's making himself look like an ass on Twitter -- and any reporter wondering whether to trust Radar gets all the confirmation they need in his tweets.
posted by rcade at 01:32 PM on October 19, 2011
Wow this guy is coming off as an ass. Pretty hard to see it any other way based on what I read. I can't imagine why this guy is so pissy considering that he is rich, famous and gets to play baseball for a living. This was not a stranger but the next door neighbors kid. He should remove three letters from his last name because he is a dick. Although I do defend his right to be one.
posted by Atheist at 04:25 PM on October 19, 2011
Kendrick on Twitter this afternoon: "If I have offended anyone I apologize. I definitely appreciate all the kind comments from you guys good and bad. All this will serve to make me a better person and player. Once again I apologize."
posted by rcade at 04:50 PM on October 19, 2011
Yeah, that seems in line with the personality behind his earlier comments. Remind me to root for the beanball next time I watch the Angels play. For a bunch of vanilla nobodies, they are an annoying team.
posted by yerfatma at 05:11 PM on October 19, 2011
If I have offended anyone I apologize.
Howie:
The 8-year-old kid doesn't care about your tweeted generic apologies. Just give the kid the autograph. He'll be happy and you and the Angels can at least mitigate the whole PR disaster you created.
posted by roberts at 05:14 PM on October 19, 2011
"For a bunch of vanilla nobodies, they are an annoying team."
What exactly is that supposed to mean? What makes them vanilla nobodies, and why are they annoying as a team? It is an interesting description and I am curious to understand why it applies to the Angels.
posted by Atheist at 05:34 PM on October 19, 2011
Now his meaningless apologies will come forth as his employer, agent and others have him feeling sorry, not for being an ass but for being exposed as the ass he is.
I wish idiots who get caught exposing their real personalities could find some other apology to issue other than the standard, I'm sorry if I offended anybody line everybody uses in this situation. He may be sorry if he offended anybody, but it sounds like he is sorry anybody found out. He should be embarrassed by his behavior and be apologizing to the kid who just wanted his autograph. Kendrick should be glad anybody cares enough to want his autograph.
posted by Atheist at 05:37 PM on October 19, 2011
rcade: did Kendrick respond to you on Twitter?
posted by NoMich at 05:41 PM on October 19, 2011
Nope. Criticizing famous people with an @ on Twitter is weird. I can't decide if it puts me in a higher league of asshole than I'm prepared to compete in.
I love the super-serious tone of the Radar lead: "Anaheim Angels all-star Howie Kendrick refused to sign a baseball card for an eight-year-old boy and made him cry, RadarOnline.com has exclusively learned." Move over, Cronkite!
posted by rcade at 06:39 PM on October 19, 2011
Maybe it's something simple like he never learned how to write his name. It must be pretty intimidating to have to go face-to-face with a 8 year old who's smarter than you.
posted by dyams at 06:44 PM on October 19, 2011
"RadarOnline.com has exclusively learned" = "The kid's mom thought of us before she thought of TMZ"
posted by tahoemoj at 06:45 PM on October 19, 2011
What exactly is that supposed to mean? What makes them vanilla nobodies, and why are they annoying as a team?
For the most part, their stars could all go shop at the grocery store without anyone bothering them. Not that they wouldn't be noticed, but who'd want their autographs? I feel like they get a +10 damage modifier because every baseball commentator loves their manager. In reality, they seem like a bunch of underachievers to me and Scocia seems like the second coming of LaRussa: a guy who has to show you how smart he is.
posted by yerfatma at 09:45 PM on October 19, 2011
But the Angels are famous for thunder monkeys and rally sticks. Doesn't that automatically make them a more interesting team?
posted by beaverboard at 10:09 PM on October 19, 2011
"RadarOnline.com has exclusively learned" = "The kid's mom thought of us before she thought of TMZ"
Oh, so very true. Tempest in a teapot, and a couple of entitled parents teaching their kid to not handle disappointment well. How does it help a kid to teach him that the best answer to not getting what you want is to cry louder?
posted by lil_brown_bat at 08:48 AM on October 20, 2011
a couple of entitled parents teaching their kid to not handle disappointment well. How does it help a kid to teach him that the best answer to not getting what you want is to cry louder?
You really can't see the difference between the kid getting shunned and berated by a pro baseball player from his favorite team and not getting a pack of starburst at the checkout counter? Geez.
posted by tselson at 11:24 AM on October 20, 2011
When the dad found out about the autograph refusal, he drove by and yelled out the window at the Kendricks. I don't think that is going to win anyone a parent of the year award.
posted by bperk at 01:22 PM on October 20, 2011
For the most part, their stars could all go shop at the grocery store without anyone bothering them. Not that they wouldn't be noticed, but who'd want their autographs?
Obviously some 8 year old neighbor wanted one.
I feel like they get a +10 damage modifier because every baseball commentator loves their manager. In reality, they seem like a bunch of underachievers to me and Scocia seems like the second coming of LaRussa: a guy who has to show you how smart he is.
They did finish second in their division to the American League champs. Comparing Scocia to LaRussa is hardly a negative since LaRussa has a pretty good record including being the manager of the National League champs.
posted by Atheist at 01:41 PM on October 20, 2011
tselson:
You really can't see the difference between the kid getting shunned and berated by a pro baseball player from his favorite team and not getting a pack of starburst at the checkout counter? Geez.
You really think that one represents disappointment and the other represents something completely different? I guess we'll agree to disagree about that one.
posted by lil_brown_bat at 01:46 PM on October 20, 2011
Well, I'm assuming the kid cried because he was treated like crap by an adult not because he didn't get what he wanted. If you think that a kid crying automatically means he is a spoiled brat with "entitled" parents, I'll agree to disagree with that.
he drove by and yelled out the window at the Kendricks. I don't think that is going to win anyone a parent of the year award.
Or he, "drove by Howie's house and said out his car window, "I hope that makes you feel good, making my eight-year-old son cry. You have kids too, I would think you would never want someone to do that to them."
Not necessarily a most egregious act that would automatically disqualify him from the parent of the year contest. I would say Kendrick disqualified himself from any fan favorite competition though.
posted by tselson at 03:56 PM on October 20, 2011
Just sign your damn name, Howie. It would take all of two seconds and the rest could be avoided. Instead you shoot down a 8 year old?
But I'm sure being Howie Kendrick is a real burden. Probably can't get a minute of peace because he's such a star. Other than Muhammed Ali, Michael Jordan, or Derek Jeter, I don't know of any athlete who probably gets recognized more or bothered as much for autographs, personal appearances, paparazzi photographs, etc. I guess we just have to be happy his overworked security team and bodyguards didn't choose to work the kid over.
I can only imagine how his life will become even more crazy when he enters the Hall of Fame.
Douche.
posted by dyams at 04:35 PM on October 20, 2011
When the dad found out about the autograph refusal, he drove by and yelled out the window at the Kendricks
I thought that they were neighbors ...? Sounds to me like they lived down the street if the dad had to drive past the Kendrick's home.
posted by BornIcon at 05:27 PM on October 20, 2011
Maybe they have very large yards.
posted by dyams at 06:06 PM on October 20, 2011
Or he, "drove by Howie's house and said out his car window, "I hope that makes you feel good, making my eight-year-old son cry. You have kids too, I would think you would never want someone to do that to them."
Not necessarily a most egregious act that would automatically disqualify him from the parent of the year contest
On what planet is that an appropriate response to someone not doing your child a favor? Dad is acting as if Kendrick owed their child something when he definitely did not. Passing on that sort of entitlement to your child is a big mistake. An appropriate response by someone actually trying to parent is showing your child how to react appropriately to disappointment. Dad failed that test in a pretty major way.
posted by bperk at 06:33 PM on October 20, 2011
On what planet is that an appropriate response to someone not doing your child a favor?
It was about more than not doing the kid a favor by the time dad got involved. The Kendricks had been verbally rude to his family and he let 'em know what he thought about that. Assuming this isn't all bullshit, of course.
I don't get why we're focusing on parenting instead of simple neighborly courtesy. They were neighbors. Any Major Leaguers who won't sign for the neighbor kids suck, and I hope they miss half a season with testicular torsion in a contract year.
posted by rcade at 07:11 PM on October 20, 2011
On what planet is that an appropriate response to someone not doing your child a favor?
On the same planet where people expect adults not to be such an asshole that they make an eight year old cry?
I shudder at the thought of a Girl Scout ringing your doorbell, or Kendricks.
Dad is acting as if Kendrick owed their child something when he definitely did not. Passing on that sort of entitlement to your child is a big mistake.
Dad is acting as if Kendrick owed his eight year old some common courtesy which he definitely did.
An appropriate response by someone actually trying to parent is showing your child how to react appropriately to disappointment. Dad failed that test in a pretty major way.
Okay, so what would you tell the kid, since you seem to have this "trying to parent" thing down so well? Seriously, how would you "show" the eight year old how to "react appropriately" to being told to basically f-off by a pro baseball player who lived next door?
This kid was going to remember this day forever, unfortunately now he'll remember it as the day he learned that there aren't Angels in the outfield. All because some pompous asshole couldn't just smile and make an eight year old kid's day. I mean at eight years old, Major League ball players are next to Santa Claus in awesomeness. Kendrick would be one bad Santa and he's a shit of an adult and parent for not remembering what it was like to be a kid.
And, yeah, I'm related to Buddy the elf and I am not ashamed.
posted by tselson at 10:41 PM on October 20, 2011
Other than Muhammed Ali, Michael Jordan, or Derek Jeter
No real opinion on the topic, but this sentence can not stand. Derek Jeter is a huge star. But Ali and Jordan are either the top athletes in their sports, or very close. They are both icons that grew bigger than their sports. No one, in their right mind, would ever consider Jeter, a hall of fame player, on their level.
Therefore, I am replacing Jeter with Ruth.
"Other than Muhammed Ali, Michael Jordan, or Babe Ruth."
I know the logical problem with this is that Ruth is no longer alive, but I wanted to be fair and keep it a Yankee.
Tada! Everyone's happy.
posted by justgary at 01:21 AM on October 21, 2011
I stand corrected.
posted by dyams at 07:05 AM on October 21, 2011
On the same planet where people expect adults not to be such an asshole that they make an eight year old cry?
Eight year olds cry. I happen to have an eight year old right now, and I can assure you that this is true. It isn't worth freaking out about. Further, I guarantee you that the kids at school are far meaner than Kendrick has been to this kid. Kids are incredibly mean and say and do all sorts of terrible things to one another. And, yes, I think the parents (and Kendrick, of course) botched this which made it harder for the kid. If it was my eight year old (since you asked), I would have done the prep work ahead of time (Just understand that he may say "no", if he does what will you do, how will you handle it blah blah blah. Practice what they will say, etc.). Then, the kid won't be so shocked about it. After it happens, you leave and don't get in an argument with the people. That was a needless escalation of an already awkward situation. Then, dad focuses his efforts on making his kid feel better about it, not escalate the situation with drive-by shouting. There are lots of assholes in the world. You aren't going to be able to shield your kids from them. The only thing a parent can do is teach their children how to deal with assholes (and that does not mean escalating the situation).
I'm going to disagree with you about Kendrick owing the kid common courtesy. If you knock on someone's door (when you haven't been invited), you get what you get. People are busy living their lives, and they don't always like intrusions into their world. I respect that. I haven't always been appreciative of people knocking on my door. When I did a little door-to-door campaigning, dealing with expected rudeness b/c of the intrusion was basic training and very common.
I agree that Kendrick was an asshole. He should be decent and gracious enough to sign an autograph for a little kid that built up the courage to knock on his door. He could have some pre-autographed things by his door, for goodness sake. It shouldn't have been a big deal.
posted by bperk at 07:23 AM on October 21, 2011
Further, I guarantee you that the kids at school are far meaner than Kendrick has been to this kid. Kids are incredibly mean and say and do all sorts of terrible things to one another.
Not in my experience raising three sons. It isn't until the middle and high school years that my kids had to deal with some malicious little bastards.
posted by rcade at 08:19 AM on October 21, 2011
Maybe we are in a particularly devilish neighborhood because the rascals here are just evil. Lots of you're fat, stupid, ugly, etc. is going on in the 3rd grade, with some I-hate-yous thrown in. I mainly have experience with my own, but I don't see a rejection being particularly traumatic. A rejection with parents freaking out, however, would be a really big deal.
posted by bperk at 09:26 AM on October 21, 2011
It is a sad commentary on our society that we even are discussing this. I believe Kendrick is a complete asshole. I also believe that the kids father has a right to point that out to him. It seems terrible to me that some feel the kids dad needed to say to his son, "now remember son, some of your sports heros are actually spoiled assholes, and conceited pricks who don't have a nice bone in their bodies, and may in fact jump at the opportunity to hurt the feelings of an 8 year old who may idolize them. Just remember to buck up if our neighbor turns out to be one of them.
How can anybody blame the dad as a bad parent because he did not foresee the fact the Kendrick could be void of compassion for a child. To me he is not a bad parent for letting Kendrick know what an ass he is. Maybe more people should have let him know he was a dick while he was a little league, and high school baseball star. It may have prevented him from becoming a major league dick. pun intended.
posted by Atheist at 10:48 AM on October 21, 2011
It sounds like all the adults ruined it for the kid. His parents completely overreacted to him being turned down as well. They could have warned him that Kendrick might turn them down. Still, you would think your 8-year old next door neighbor might be able to get an autograph.