Mark Grace was arrested Thursday night for driving under the influence of alcohol and operating his vehicle with a suspended license.
It’s the second time in the last 15 months he’s been arrested for a DUI, and the former offense already requires him to have an interlock device on his vehicle.
Grace has remained in the good graces of Cubs fans since he was let go by the team in 2000. But despite his reputation as a lovable Wrigleyville playboy, there’s nothing comforting with what appears to be his personal battle with alcoholism.
The Diamondbacks announced Friday Grace had requested “an indefinite leave of absence” to seek personal assistance. It’s likely he won’t return to the broadcast booth this season.
Whether or not the D-Backs should invite Grace back next season, I don’t know. I personally take DUI offenses extremely seriously. And this obviously isn’t the first mistake Grace has made behind the wheel.
However, Arizona turning its back to Grace may not be beneficial to either party. Grace is a terrific broadcaster, and if he’s willing to seek help and remain open to treatment, why not work with him to get his life and his career back in order?
If, however, Grace succumbs to a third strike–sorry Gracie, yer’ out.
Cubs fans are wondering if Bob Brenly will be back in the broadcast both next season. His current deal is set to expire at the end of the regular season.
However, I’m wondering if Brenly wants to come back?
From the outside it seems broadcasting Cubs games is a wonderful gig, Brenly is certainly paid well, but does he want to sit through another three or four losing seasons on the North Side?
Brenly has always been keen to the idea of what it would mean to be part of a Cubs World Series championship–legendary for all parties involved. But the window that opened in 2007 and 2008 to cement Brenly’s place in Cubs championship lore has closed for the foreseeable future.
Watching the rebuild may not be worth it for a guy like Brenly whose on-air candidness and occasional humor would be welcomed with open arms in markets with competitive teams like Arizona or Los Angeles.
Of course, who’s to say Bob doesn’t want to manage again? Houston has an opening, and so too might the Rockies. Brenly’s hometown Indians could be another possibility.
Or is it the Cubs have someone else in mind to be the color commentator? Todd Hollandsworth, Kerry Wood? I’d recommend Doug Glanville.
Brenly has spent eight years covering the Cubs. He’s definitely grown on me as an analyst, and I would assume the rest of the viewing audience.
There are, without debate, far worse broadcasters in major league baseball, which explains why he and Len Kasper are often regarded as one of the best broadcasting duos in the game.
Personally, I’d enjoy if Brenly returns to the Cubs booth in 2013 and beyond. But I wouldn’t necessarily be surprised if he opts to move elsewhere.
Losing is hard to swallow, even when you’re being paid handsomely to watch.
