LASTINGS Milledge said during spring training that the biggest lesson he learned – having been chastised by 1) Willie Randolph for not running hard from first on a two-out double in Philadelphia, 2) by the media for high-fiving fans after hitting a home run, 3) by his teammates for showing up only an hour before a game – was how to “handle responsibility.”
And this, apparently, is his definition of that: The Mets’ prospect’s voice is on a rap record recorded by his childhood friend, Immanuel Dent II, singing a song called “Bend Ya Knees,” the lyrics of which pose instructions to a woman just asked to take off her clothes.
Of course, the female to whom L Millz, also listed on the Web site of the recording label as the manager for Manny D, is singing is not actually being referred to as a woman, instead by the usual gutter descriptions stereotypical in rap. One of those words that got Don Imus fired.
It also was the minimum needed to get the Mets, who learned only yesterday of Milledge’s musical misadventures, to issue a statement a lot faster than he went from first-to-third on that play last year in Philly.
“We disapprove of the content, language and message of this recording, which does not represent the views of the New York Mets,” said the statement, weakly attributed only to “The Mets,” not a Wilpon, not Omar Minaya, nor anyone in a position of responsibility.
“I’m looking into it,” was all Minaya would say after last night’s 10-1 loss to the Cubs. Presumably, “The Mets” will be calling New Orleans to tell the prospect, currently sidelined with a sprained foot, that as a representative of their organization, he must approve a statement of apology.
The regrets would seem more sincere with a suspension, even better with a trade, but keep in mind this is an organization that 12 games from now will be welcoming back drug cheat Guillermo Mota from a 50-game suspension.
Seven years ago, Allen Iverson recorded a rap single with homophobic lyrics that was never released, even after activist groups and NBA Commissioner David Stern pushed a change in the words.
Milledge’s recording already is playable from the label’s Web site. If it’s hard to tell which rapper is saying what, it is plain L Millz is credited as one of them.
He clearly has not an ounce of sense that the company from which he soon wants to be paid hundreds of thousands of dollars requires public approval to do business.
His enablers will point Milledge is still young, but clueless at 21 has turned into clueless at 22 with no indication that the kid, who comes from a good family and should know better, is growing up any time soon.
“Everything’s fine, everybody’s all right,” he said during spring training about his relationships with teammates. “I’m fine with everybody.”
Right. And that sign hung on his locker by a teammate, identified in published reports as Billy Wagner, saying “KNOW YOUR PLACE, ROOK” was just kidding.
Apparently the rook has no clue about his place as a role model for mainstream America if he saw nothing wrong with recording an insult to common decency.
“We all know professional athletes are held to a higher standard,” Wagner said last night. “You have to be careful what you say and do because that reflects on you.
“It’s unfortunate that now he has brought this kind of attention to himself. When he came to camp he had gotten a lot better both in the locker room and on the field. But I’m not going to say anything about this kid and the music he plays. It’s just not something I listen to.”
There is free speech in this country. There is also a conduct clause in contracts. If the Mets think that a talking to is all Milledge needs, that’s because he is a high first-round pick hitting .333 at Triple-A.