Call me a cynic, but I would have to believe the fact that Chacon is making $2 million this season figured into his decision to say things to Wade like, “You need to …” and “You better …” I’ve always thought ballplayers are just like the rest of us, willing to roll up their sleeves for a hard-earned buck and respectful of the company’s hierarchy. But a situation like this makes me wonder if perhaps at least some of them have tobacco chaws for brains and are ignorant of the big picture.

A scant few individuals in professional sports have ever modeled themselves after Latrell Sprewell, but Chacon seems to be bucking that trend. Sprewell was a terrific talent and a prolific scorer in the NBA, but he is best known for wringing the neck of P.J. Carlesimo. It may not be fair to judge a person based on one incident, but there are exceptions: Lee Harvey Oswald; the captain of the Exxon Valdez; Sprewell, and now Chacon.

Chacon was released. Sprewell was suspended for 68 games. And Sprewell did have some productive years after that, most notably with the Knicks. He became a changed man – for a time.

But Sprewell had roughly $23 million coming to him when the Golden State Warriors tried to void his contract. Chacon isn’t that rich, and he isn’t that good. His decision to clock his boss doesn’t really make sense on any level. And if Chacon really wanted to examine his Sprewell association, he would notice that in recent months Sprewell had his yacht repossessed and his house foreclosed upon, and he’s deeply in debt.

What now for the Astros and Chacon? If this were somebody like Lance Berkman, perhaps ruffled feathers could be smoothed. But if Berkman were to attack his general manager, he would have two major advantages: He is a valuable employee, and he isn’t a moron. Alas, Chacon was not so fortunate.

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Sometimes a corporate retreat does the trick. There are also consultants trained in the area of employer-employee relationships. But in this delicate economy, when so many jobs are at risk, energy costs are rising and the housing market is mush, it’s probably imprudent to create tension in the workplace at this particular juncture.

Maybe Chacon should have made friends while he was in the bullpen, because right now he could use a save.

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