Sports figures have a way of pulling the rest of us forward, into that great, gray future some care not to see. Though these advances tend to come with discomfort, they come nonetheless.
Tim Lincecum may become one such figure.
If the weed recently confiscated from his Mercedes represents the extent of his illicit drug use – and I must emphasize "if" – the next generation could look upon the Giants right-hander as not merely an uncommonly gifted pitcher but something of a social pioneer.
Though it won't be on the same epic scale as a Jackie Robinson or a Muhammad Ali, who sacrificed considerable parts of themselves to bear necessary torches, Lincecum's contribution will stand as part of another movement.
When marijuana is fully decriminalized and legalized sometime in the next 20 years, sports figures will be among the many whose exceptional accomplishments will have given testimony on its behalf.
And if the team photo is complete, Lincecum might be in it. Along with Lakers coach Phil Jackson, generally considered the greatest coach in NBA history. Along with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, the NBA's all-time leading scorer, and Robert Parish, the league's all-time leader in games played.
Randy Moss, one of the greatest wide receivers in NFL history, will be in the picture. Front and center could be super swimmer Michael Phelps, probably the greatest Olympian ever and widely embraced as an American hero.
Each of these greats is spectacularly successful and each has been associated with smoking marijuana.
And now here's Lincecum, 25, the brightest star in the Bay Area sports constellation and one of the five most captivating performers in baseball.
Upon being stopped last month in Hazel Dell, Wash., a few miles north of the Oregon border, for driving 74 mph in a 60 zone, Lincecum lowered his window for the patrolman, who caught a whiff of pot, which led to the recovery of a pipe and 3.3 grams of the stuff.
Lincecum initially was charged with speeding and two misdemeanors, one for possession of pot and one for drug paraphernalia. It has since been reported that Lincecum and his attorney reached agreement with authorities wherein the pot charge will be dropped, and he'll pay a fine for possession of the pipe.
Concluding Lincecum made a small mistake and admitted it, authorities gave him the same slap on the hand they give to any other first-time offender.
This is not by any means to suggest Lincecum's behavior that morning was exemplary. It was not. He was speeding, he got caught, and he'll get what he deserves. If he was under the influence – which didn't appear to be the case, according to the cop – that's irresponsible and inexcusable. It would make him a road hazard.
Having no evidence that Lincecum was driving under the influence or while otherwise impaired brings us back to what we know and already could have guessed. Little Timmy is among millions worldwide who smoke pot – and among the numerous high-profile sports figures known to partake in a drug once thought to be cultivated in Satan's garden.
With his long hair and goofy grin and overall slacker appearance, Lincecum looks like an X Gamer who swapped his skateboard for a baseball uniform. He fits the pothead stereotype. Yet he's a presence on the mound, winning the NL Cy Young Award in 2008. He is among the contenders for the '09 award to be announced Nov. 19. It is the sum of Timmy that makes him so indispensable to a sport trying to recapture the young.
These revelations won't hurt Lincecum with that demographic, might even help him. He can have it all – if he continues to achieve.
The young, as we are finding out, are increasingly receptive to the possibilities. They powered the election of a black president, Barack Obama, who is the third consecutive chief executive associated with happy grass in his youth.
Each generation chips away at our ignorance and intolerance, opening minds to things our forefathers could not have envisioned. Yes, there are female breadwinners. Yes, there will be openly gay team athletes.
As Lincecum and Phelps and others combine achievement with responsible self-medication – and consistency is crucial – minds will continue to open and pot will soon become a natural alternative to so many prescription drugs whose long-term effects remain questionable.
It is, after all, impossible to ignore or dismiss the impressive results submitted by some of our exceptional sports figures.
News Hawk- Ganjarden 420 MAGAZINE ® - Medical Marijuana Publication & Social Networking
Source: San Jose Mercury News
Author: Monte Poole
Contact: San Jose Mercury News
Copyright: 2009 San Jose Mercury News
Website: Get a Whiff Of This: Lincecum A Social Pioneer?
Tim Lincecum may become one such figure.
If the weed recently confiscated from his Mercedes represents the extent of his illicit drug use – and I must emphasize "if" – the next generation could look upon the Giants right-hander as not merely an uncommonly gifted pitcher but something of a social pioneer.
Though it won't be on the same epic scale as a Jackie Robinson or a Muhammad Ali, who sacrificed considerable parts of themselves to bear necessary torches, Lincecum's contribution will stand as part of another movement.
When marijuana is fully decriminalized and legalized sometime in the next 20 years, sports figures will be among the many whose exceptional accomplishments will have given testimony on its behalf.
And if the team photo is complete, Lincecum might be in it. Along with Lakers coach Phil Jackson, generally considered the greatest coach in NBA history. Along with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, the NBA's all-time leading scorer, and Robert Parish, the league's all-time leader in games played.
Randy Moss, one of the greatest wide receivers in NFL history, will be in the picture. Front and center could be super swimmer Michael Phelps, probably the greatest Olympian ever and widely embraced as an American hero.
Each of these greats is spectacularly successful and each has been associated with smoking marijuana.
And now here's Lincecum, 25, the brightest star in the Bay Area sports constellation and one of the five most captivating performers in baseball.
Upon being stopped last month in Hazel Dell, Wash., a few miles north of the Oregon border, for driving 74 mph in a 60 zone, Lincecum lowered his window for the patrolman, who caught a whiff of pot, which led to the recovery of a pipe and 3.3 grams of the stuff.
Lincecum initially was charged with speeding and two misdemeanors, one for possession of pot and one for drug paraphernalia. It has since been reported that Lincecum and his attorney reached agreement with authorities wherein the pot charge will be dropped, and he'll pay a fine for possession of the pipe.
Concluding Lincecum made a small mistake and admitted it, authorities gave him the same slap on the hand they give to any other first-time offender.
This is not by any means to suggest Lincecum's behavior that morning was exemplary. It was not. He was speeding, he got caught, and he'll get what he deserves. If he was under the influence – which didn't appear to be the case, according to the cop – that's irresponsible and inexcusable. It would make him a road hazard.
Having no evidence that Lincecum was driving under the influence or while otherwise impaired brings us back to what we know and already could have guessed. Little Timmy is among millions worldwide who smoke pot – and among the numerous high-profile sports figures known to partake in a drug once thought to be cultivated in Satan's garden.
With his long hair and goofy grin and overall slacker appearance, Lincecum looks like an X Gamer who swapped his skateboard for a baseball uniform. He fits the pothead stereotype. Yet he's a presence on the mound, winning the NL Cy Young Award in 2008. He is among the contenders for the '09 award to be announced Nov. 19. It is the sum of Timmy that makes him so indispensable to a sport trying to recapture the young.
These revelations won't hurt Lincecum with that demographic, might even help him. He can have it all – if he continues to achieve.
The young, as we are finding out, are increasingly receptive to the possibilities. They powered the election of a black president, Barack Obama, who is the third consecutive chief executive associated with happy grass in his youth.
Each generation chips away at our ignorance and intolerance, opening minds to things our forefathers could not have envisioned. Yes, there are female breadwinners. Yes, there will be openly gay team athletes.
As Lincecum and Phelps and others combine achievement with responsible self-medication – and consistency is crucial – minds will continue to open and pot will soon become a natural alternative to so many prescription drugs whose long-term effects remain questionable.
It is, after all, impossible to ignore or dismiss the impressive results submitted by some of our exceptional sports figures.
News Hawk- Ganjarden 420 MAGAZINE ® - Medical Marijuana Publication & Social Networking
Source: San Jose Mercury News
Author: Monte Poole
Contact: San Jose Mercury News
Copyright: 2009 San Jose Mercury News
Website: Get a Whiff Of This: Lincecum A Social Pioneer?
