Earl Weaver Quotes
If you know how to cheat, start now.
Weaver, Earl. Quoted in The Washington Post, 23 Aug. 1981.
Here is another example of “the good old days” phenomenon. Similar complaints are made in most generations about most vices.
This is a common rejoinder of third world country leaders to accusations of Western democracies about corruption. And doubtless it is true. However temptation has never been a good defense of improper behavior.
Kott was indicted for accepting a bribe and Allen agreed to testify for the prosecution in exchange for lighter treatment. However, this illustrated the biggest Alaskan political scandal which involved many of the Republican state legislators, the long serving Alaskan U. S. Senator Ted Stevens and Stevens’ son were also the legislative leaders bribed to kill the tax bill. See {620070}.
Newt Gingrich, then speaker of the House, for years had used campaign donation money which was supposed to be used for promoting Republican candidates and political positions, to do so by purchasing Gingrich’s books with which to educate and inform people. The speaker had written them for a course in politics and was paid a significant amount for each sale. So Gingrich used campaign donation money to implement programs which happened to enrich him personally. The House had a rule limiting the amount of money that any Congressperson could earn beyond their salaries and Gingrich had gone way over that amount as a result of his book sales. After denying anything was amiss, he finally admitted to a technical violation of the House rules, but argued that he had broken no laws and should retain his Speakership. He was forced to resign, but later tried an unsuccessful run for the Republican Presidential nomination.
Earl Sidney Weaver was an American professional baseball manager, author, and television broadcaster. After playing in minor league baseball, he retired without playing in Major League Baseball (MLB). He became a minor league manager, and then managed in MLB for 17 years with the Baltimore Orioles (1968–82; 1985–86). Weaver's style of managing was summed up in the quote: "pitching, defense, and the three-run homer." He did not believe in placing emphasis on "small ball" tactics such as stolen bases, hit and run plays, or sacrifice bunts. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1996.
