Does D-Backs owner Kendrick really want to keep sports, politics separate?

by David Safier

Diamondbacks owner Ken Kendrick gives money to Republicans. That's well known. But lately, he made a statement saying he opposes SB1070, probably to inoculate himself from anti-D-Back protesters. Though who knows, maybe he genuinely doesn't like the bill.

But Kendrick and the management say, regardless of their views on the law, let's keep politics out of baseball.

Maybe, then, Kendrick shouldn't hold his fundraiser for Jonathan Paton in the owner's box at Chase Field.

On May 20th, the Nation has learned, Ken Kendrick is holding a private fundraiser inside his owners box at Chase Field for SB 1070 supporter State Senator Jonathan Paton. The fundraiser will be taking place during the D-backs game against the San Francisco Giants.

Kendrick holding a fundraiser for Paton is just fine. But if he holds it at the stadium during a game, he's using his position as a D-Back owner to help a pro-SB1070 candidate get into office.

Hold it at your home, Ken, or at some fancy Phoenix hotel. No problem. But if the fundraiser is at Chase Field, you have no reason to complain if anti-SB1070 activists picket your games, or demand the stadium not host the 2011 All-Star Game.

Just because you own the team and have the keys to the stadium "built with $250 million in public dollars" doesn't mean you're the only one who can use sports to promote your political agenda.