Bill McNeal wrote:

3 muffs in the stands? Jeter-esque.

Count San Diego Padres pitcher Bud Norris among [the Carlos Gomez haters]. In a conversation about what’s proper on-field behavior and what’s not, Norris mentioned Gomez as a particularly egregious violator of the rules. While praising Gomez’s ability, Norris said some of his actions are disrespectful.

When the told the large majority of the benches-clearing incidents involved players of different backgrounds, Norris nodded knowingly.

"I think it’s a culture shock," Norris said. "This is America’s game. This is America’s pastime, and over the last 10-15 years we’ve seen a very big world influence in this game, which we as a union and as players appreciate. We’re opening this game to everyone that can play. However, if you’re going to come into our country and make our American dollars, you need to respect a game that has been here for over a hundred years, and I think sometimes that can be misconstrued. There are some players that have antics, that have done things over the years that we don’t necessarily agree with.

"I understand you want to say it’s a cultural thing or an upbringing thing. But by the time you get to the big leagues, you better have a pretty good understanding of what this league is and how long it’s been around.’"

Bud Norris, who had been critical of the Astros previously — and was at one time represented by Singleton’s agency — attacked the contract on Twitter.

“Sorry but this Singleton deal is terrible,” Norris wrote last year. “Wish Jon listened to the union and not his agent.”

Former big leaguer Mark Mulder voiced similar dissent at the time.

“We found the criticism unprofessional because it came from players and agents who had no insight into Jonathan’s situation, and the reasoning behind his desire for this contract,” Karon said. “It would never cross my mind to judge another player’s deal without complete understanding of his background and his goals. As for validation, the only validation that matters is Jonathan’s, and I know he believes this was and still is a great contract for him and his family.

“I care more about Chuck Norris’ opinion than I do about Bud Norris’.”

pacino wrote:that contract has worked out fairly well for Singleton, thus far, considering his lack of production would've netted a far lower contract in the future, if not no contract.

A man who says he fell asleep inside the Charlotte Knights’ BB&T Ballpark after a day of heavy drinking, found the costume of the team mascot and had a night on the town dressed as Homer, is facing two felony charges for breaking-and-entering and larceny.

Among the more notable quotes from the question-and-answer piece Creative Loafing—Charlotte’s alternative weekly newspaper—conducted with Joe Gillespie were Gillespie’s comments upon discovering the costume of the Knights’ beloved dragon mascot.

I start walking down the hallway to leave and I look to my right and see the mascot dressing room. I thought, there’s no way this door is unlocked. I turned the handle and it opens right up and there’s the damned costume. So, I suited right up, walked out the door and proceeded to Hooters. I walked right up into Hooters and my buddy didn’t even know it was me. I was ragin’ dude.

You can read the entire story here from Creative Loafing.

The Knights were not amused. In a statement, the team said, “An unauthorized individual gained access inside BB&T Ballpark after Charlotte Beerfest to the Homer mascot costume. After a CMPD investigation, the costume was recovered. The Charlotte Knights thank the dedicated investigators of the CMPD for their prompt response in resolving this matter.”