OT Casey Close libel suit

Submitted by k.o.k.Law on July 19th, 2022 at 3:50 PM

Full story on The Athletic.

link to USA Today story.

On June 29, Gottlieb tweeted that Close "never told Freddie Freeman about the Braves final offer," which the lawsuit describes as "false and reckless ... thereby injuring Plaintiffs’ names, businesses and reputation."

I watched Mr. Close play baseball for UM and met him a couple of times and hope he prevails.

I am not a First Amendment lawyer but part of the defense will be that Close is a public figure.

"Pursuant to the U. S.Supreme court:In a unanimous opinion authored by Justice Brennan, the Court ruled for the Times. When a statement concerns a public figure, the Court held, it is not enough to show that it is false for the press to be liable for libel. Instead, the target of the statement must show that it was made with knowledge of or reckless disregard for its falsity. Brennan used the term "actual malice" to summarize this standard, although he did not intend the usual meaning of a malicious purpose. In libel law, “malice” had meant knowledge or gross recklessness rather than intent, since courts found it difficult to imagine that someone would knowingly disseminate false information without a bad intent."

It seems clear to me that Close is not a public figure.

If the defense claims the statement was true, an absolute defense to a defamation suit, Mr. Freeman will have to testify to prove same.

I cannot close without reciting the best call ever by a UM baseball scorekeeper-announcer.

The late, and extremely great, Jim Schneider, tireless assistant SID for baseball and hockey and some football, at various times, for many years.

Dany Sygar was batting with Casey on first base. Sygar grounded to second and the force was made to retire the lead runner but the throw was barely beaten to avoid the double play.

"Close but no Sygar"

mGrowOld

July 19th, 2022 at 3:59 PM ^

I'm sorry but Gottlieb is a cheap, lying, no-good, rotten, four-flushing, low-life, snake-licking, dirt-eating, inbred, overstuffed, ignorant, blood-sucking, dog-kissing, brainless, dickless, hopeless, heartless, fat-assed, bug-eyed, stiff-legged, spotty-lipped, worm-headed, sack of monkey shit and i sincerely hope he loses his ass in this suit.

NittanyFan

July 19th, 2022 at 4:17 PM ^

Since Freddie Freeman is mentioned ....... all I know is this: the Dodgers better not get either of Luis Castillo or Juan Soto in trades the next few weeks.

This franchise is like the freaking Death Star.  Of course, they haven't won* a World Series since 1988, so I suppose they're overdue after all that under-achieving.

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* No - that ridiculous Coronavirus season, I'm not counting it.  Yes, that means even the Reds have won a World Series more recently than LA.

MGoGrendel

July 19th, 2022 at 4:52 PM ^

As a former Freddie Freeman fan here in Atlanta, I was very disappointed with his comments (while in LA and wearing Dodger blue) about the way the Braves treated him during the negotiations.  He said "...they called once, just to check in and LA really wanted me".  He wanted to move back home to California but didn't admit it publicly.  Now, he's talking home less money (due to CA taxes) then he would have made with the contract Atlanta offered (and he turned down).

In the end, we got a much younger player in Matt Olsen, paid less for him, and we're getting similar production at the plate.

  

mooseman

July 19th, 2022 at 9:21 PM ^

"Now if you get tired of talkin' here, Mr Marshal Eldin Patrick there will hand you one of them supeenies he's got stuck down in his pocket and we'll go downstairs and talk in front of a grand jury. Now we'll talk all day if you want, but come sundown there's gonna be two things true that ain't true now: One is that the United States Department of Justice is gonna know what in the good Christ--excuse me, Angie--is going on around here and the other is I'm gonna have someone's ass in my briefcase."

Hotel Putingrad

July 19th, 2022 at 6:40 PM ^

It strains credulity to think Close never communicated all offers with Freeman.

He'd essentially be sandbagging his reputation and livelihood, and for what greater purpose?

umchicago

July 19th, 2022 at 9:47 PM ^

i believe close won the big ten triple crown at UM the year they made the college world series. 1985 or 86? that was with former cincy reds larkin, sabo and morris on the team.