Dexter Fowler was a pivotal player for the Chicago Cubs in 2015 and 2016, right down to his home run to lead off game 7 of the World Series.
He deservedly cashed in on that performance, signing a 5-year/$82.5 million deal with the Cardinals. Fowler’s game and personality were beloved in equal measure by Chicago fans, and it seemed likely that he’d charm another audience in St. Louis. (Especially since he left a rival to join the team.)
But Fowler is also not afraid to speak his mind on issues beyond sports. And as his wife is Iranian, the recent travel ban issued by President Trump affects his family more than most, so he decided to voice his opinion:
Fowler, who signed a five-year, $82.5 million contract with the Cardinals in December, told ESPN that he and his wife Darya want to take their daughter, Naya, to see family in Iran.
But that is one of the seven Muslim-majority countries President Trump restricted travel to and from in an executive order that was eventually blocked by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.
“It’s huge. Especially anytime you’re not able to see family, it’s unfortunate,” Fowler told ESPN.
Fowler also said his sister-in-law recently delayed her return from a business trip to Qatar because she did not want to be detained.
Reasonable words, especially from someone so close to the situation. Obviously, everyone understands athletes are citizens as well, and have the right to avail themselves of their own platform when they see fit.
Oh, ha, no, wait, that’s not what happened at all.
Let’s head to the best online chronicle of poor fan behavior, @BestFansStLouis:
"It's huge. Especially any time you're not able to see your family, it's unfortunate." – Dexter Fowler pic.twitter.com/eDLRleURzE
— Baseball's Best Fans (@BestFansStLouis) February 19, 2017
If you want a perfect example of the worst kind of person on the Internet, it’s the guy who meant to type “Get rid of him” and instead ended up with “Hey rod of him.” Everything about that is awful. If there’s justice in the world, it’ll be a meme.
But wait! There’s more!
.@BestFansStLouis pic.twitter.com/878z8JACkt
— Baseball's Best Fans (@BestFansStLouis) February 19, 2017
.@BestFansStLouis Extra! Extra! pic.twitter.com/C99qoMpEHC
— Baseball's Best Fans (@BestFansStLouis) February 19, 2017
There are some fun Twitter replies as well, as you might expect, although there’s something about the avalanche of Facebook ignorance that really gets across the inherent ridiculousness.
I could obviously wax on and on about this situation, but there’s no need to do that, as Dexter Fowler laid out the situation more concisely than I would have:
https://twitter.com/DexterFowler/status/833393294268731392
https://twitter.com/DexterFowler/status/833392747138605056
https://twitter.com/DexterFowler/status/833393616840056832
https://twitter.com/DexterFowler/status/833395426883559424
That’s a masterclass in taking the high-road. Hopefully, the St. Louis fans come to appreciate the player and person they have in Fowler. As well as his family, which includes a contender for best sports kid.
