Would Twins draft Oregon State lefty Luke Heimlich?

[jud6312]

I'd totally wiped this kid from my mind, but even the question of whether or not they'd draft him have me scared they might do just that. I'm not sure I could continue to support the organization if they did.

 

https://www.twincities.com/2018/06/02/would-twins-draft-oregon-state-lefty-luke-heimlich-club-isnt-saying/

[luckylager]

Heimlich completed his sentence which included therapy. After doing so, he should be allowed to reenter society and pursue whatever path he chooses, provided he continues on the straight and narrow. If he has ML talent, he deserves a shot. 

[Brock Beauchamp]

Heimlich completed his sentence which included therapy. After doing so, he should be allowed to reenter society and pursue whatever path he chooses, provided he continues on the straight and narrow. If he has ML talent, he deserves a shot.

He deserves a chance to play baseball. I don’t have to want him on my favorite team.

[jud6312]

 

Heimlich completed his sentence which included therapy. After doing so, he should be allowed to reenter society and pursue whatever path he chooses, provided he continues on the straight and narrow. If he has ML talent, he deserves a shot. 

Respectfully disagree. There's some crimes there's no coming back from, and this - IMO - is one of those. He got his free education, he's received enough.

[TheLeviathan]

I have a hard time writing children (as he was when this happened) off for any crime, but I'd prefer the Twins avoid the PR nightmare.  It's likely not worth it.

[jud6312]

 

I have a hard time writing children (as he was when this happened) off for any crime, but I'd prefer the Twins avoid the PR nightmare.  It's likely not worth it.

In crimes like this, I can't call 15 a child. Unless that 15-year-old has developmental disabilities, that's more than old enough to know the difference between right and wrong.

[TheLeviathan]

 

In crimes like this, I can't call 15 a child. Unless that 15-year-old has developmental disabilities, that's more than old enough to know the difference between right and wrong.

 

From my experience working with teenagers with similar accusations, I'd suggest that assumption is far from reliable.  

[jud6312]

 

From my experience working with teenagers with similar accusations, I'd suggest that assumption is far from reliable.  

Perhaps I should rephrase ... convicted pedophiles shouldn't get second chances.

[TheLeviathan]

 

Perhaps I should rephrase ... convicted pedophiles shouldn't get second chances.

 

That's fair, but then the problem becomes....how do we consider children who commit such acts?  Is an 18 year old senior with a freshman girlfriend the same as what we commonly mean as "pedophile".

 

This is a dicey area of criminality that I struggle with answers for.

[jud6312]

We're not talking about an 18-year-old dating his 15-year-old high school girlfriend here. He can go be a garbage man or something as his second chance.

[jud6312]

 

That's fair, but then the problem becomes....how do we consider children who commit such acts?  Is an 18 year old senior with a freshman girlfriend the same as what we commonly mean as "pedophile".

 

This is a dicey area of criminality that I struggle with answers for.

I'd say cases like this are pretty cut and dry - she was 4-6 years old, he was not. The cases when they're older and older in age are more difficult than this one, IMO.

[TheLeviathan]

 

I'd say cases like this are pretty cut and dry - she was 4-6 years old, he was not. The cases when they're older and older in age are more difficult than this one, IMO.

 

Right, but he was 15.  We recently had a prominent celebrity celebrate this sort of thing also.  Different, but not by much depending on your opinion.

 

To be clear, I'm of the opinion that some 30 year old that molests a 5 year old is irredeemable and should be banished.  Recidivism is too high to risk.  But when the circumstances are like this, based on my experience, I'm a bit more hesitant.

 

I'd rather we just avoid the headache and the association.

 

[nicksaviking]

****Moderator Note**** - The previous title was framed as clickbait, I have changed it.

 

Additionally, if a bunch of adults can't discuss this without finger pointing, getting upset, hyperbole and making implications about each other, we won't be discussing it at all.

[jud6312]

 

Right, but he was 15.  We recently had a prominent celebrity celebrate this sort of thing also.  Different, but not by much depending on your opinion.

 

To be clear, I'm of the opinion that some 30 year old that molests a 5 year old is irredeemable and should be banished.  Recidivism is too high to risk.  But when the circumstances are like this, based on my experience, I'm a bit more hesitant.

 

I'd rather we just avoid the headache and the association.

15 is old enough to know the difference between right and wrong. I just can't give second chances on something like this.

 

If the Twins draft him, I will be done with them and I will sell or give away everything I've accumulated over the last 30+ years - from my Harmon rookie card to my 1987 Wheaties box. Same thing I did with the Vikings when they gave Peterson his post-abuse pay increase.

[gunnarthor]

 

I'd say cases like this are pretty cut and dry - she was 4-6 years old, he was not. The cases when they're older and older in age are more difficult than this one, IMO.

I believe he was 13 when he committed the crime but plead guilty when he was 15. Experts in the field said he has a 2.5% chance of committing that sort of crime again. Basically, the juvenile mind is different than an adult one and he's unlikely to be a threat to anyone.

 

Not sure I want the Twins to draft him but I certainly won't hold it against them as I root for the laundry.

[TheLeviathan]

 

15 is old enough to know the difference between right and wrong.

 

Again, this simply may not be true.  Especially of a 13/15 year old kid.

 

I appreciate your position, I can't take issue with it in principle, but I would suggest things are not that clear.

[jun]

Plenty more good players out there. It's just not worth the headache. I am not sure being rich would make certain people a better person.

[jud6312]

I'm trying to figure out which way I go if they pull the trigger. Do I stop watching baseball altogether? Do I become a Brewers fan? Rangers? Cubs (like everyone else)?

 

I don't want it to come to that, and really hope it doesn't, but I just wouldn't be able to continue supporting them. 

 

I can't, however, blame those that would be able to. Or those that can forgive. I just have too many friends and family members that went through this kind of abuse, and have seen how it's affected their lives, to be able to.

[AZTwin]

Can we not even have this thread?  Just pass on him and let it go.

[Thrylos]

Really?  Who the hay would want a child molester in their team.  And a six year old child.  There are crimes and there are crimes.  But, gee.  That guy should be behind bars.

[yarnivek1972]

I read the snipet, but I guess I don’t know enough about the background of the story.

 

The article said Heimlich was a “teenager”. While molesting a 6 year old is certainly never okay, I think it makes a difference if he was 13 or 18 at the time. One you lock up. One you keep an eye on and are more inclined to give a second chance to.

[jud6312]

 

I read the snipet, but I guess I don’t know enough about the background of the story.

The article said Heimlich was a “teenager”. While molesting a 6 year old is certainly never okay, I think it makes a difference if he was 13 or 18 at the time. One you lock up. One you keep an eye on and are more inclined to give a second chance to.

I believe she was 4-6 (more than one occasion) and he was 13-15.

[Squirrel]

Second moderator note: This thread is not discussing baseball and the draft. It’s become a ‘guilty’, ‘not guilty’ thread regarding one individual’s transgressions. The purpose of this forum is to discuss the Twins minor league teams, Twins prospects and the 2018 draft. While I do understand this person could become a draftee for any team, including the Twins, it’s impossible to discuss this person without discussing the more personal and abhorrent nature of his past. The discussion has been had, 3 times now in other threads, and it is circling back on itself just as it did before.Given that, this thread is now closed. Please do not start yet another. If he is drafted by the Twins, sigh, we'll discuss that if and when that happens. Until then, leave it alone in other threads.