gabe kapler > brett myers, CLEARLY

It goes without saying that the Brett Myers sitch over in Philly is about as messy as anything can get. First, Myers punches his wife in the face (witnesses heard her saying "please don't hit me anymore"); then the Phillies organization makes the colossal mistake of trying to stand behind the bastard. Now, teammates like Ryan Howard are making supportive statements to the press.

"It's going to be tough whenever we're on the road. You hope it's not going to be as bad at home," Howard said. "You hope fans will rally behind him. Forgive. Forget about it. Hopefully, the fans will put it behind them. And behind us."

Fans shouldn't rally behind him, they shouldn't forgive, and they shouldn't forget about it. If George Brett's career can be stained with pine tar, then this incident should follow Brett Myers around for the rest of his goddamn days.

I've started and stopped a number of posts on this subject, and I've come to the conclusion that -- no matter how much I want to write one -- the last thing the blogosphere really needs is another angry post all about Brett Myers.

I'd like to draw our readers' attention to The Gabe Kapler Foundation, an organization started by everyone's favorite Red Sox backup outfielder and his family. The Kapler Foundation has been drawing attention to and combating domestic violence since 2004. Gabe and Lisa Kapler, along with Gabe's parents, work to empower victims of domestic violence and provide resources for victims living in transitional shelters. The Kaplers are particularly concerned with the safety of children who have been affected.

Some excerpts:

Although making it to the big leagues fulfilled his childhood dream, Gabe now dreams about helping all children feel safe enough to focus on dreams of their own. Gabe is convinced that all men have an obligation to speak out against domestic violence. Each man has the opportunity and the responsibility to serve as a role model and teacher for other men and boys in their treatment of women and children.

As the wife of a professional baseball player, Lisa believes that professional athletes and celebrities have been granted a gift, the gift of celebrity, that empowers them to help their communities by bringing important social issues into the spotlight. Gabe Kapler is doing just that! Lisa and Gabe chose to tell her story so that other women, especially teenagers, would know what signs to look for and how to protect themselves from becoming victims of abuse.

The website provides information about upcoming Kapler Foundation events, how to donate to organizations dedicated to stopping the cycle, and links to websites that provide information and help for victims of abuse.

I won't lie -- the waterworks started while I was reading Lisa Kapler's personal story. These are good people, y'all.

Instead of spouting more angry (yet well-intentioned) rhetoric, I urge everyone reading this to visit the Kapler Foundation's website and the sites to which they link, and to think about donating money or volunteering their time. It's important to send a message that behavior like Myers' shouldn't and won't be tolerated, but actions are just as important as words.