The Crows Executive Committee is reaching out to Bernie Knox, and the entire Crow Nation family to find, and persecute the Bernie Knox imposter who has posted a comment on our website. We do not take this lightly and will set an example if we can. At the bottom of this post, you can see the imposters post in full. Due to the serious allegations in this letter, we will also use this time to dispute and respond on any comments in that post, as we feel that we owe that to our fans, players, children, 3rd and 4th generation Crows, Old Crows, and the Crow Nation in general.
"I write this letter with a heavy heart, as I am sad to announce that I am officially retiring from The Young Crow Organization."
This one I am sure the fans were upset about. However, proof that this is not the case, is that the Executive Committee knows #26 personally, and never would a statement like this come out in an "annonymous" post. He would at least hold a press conference.
"Over the last two weeks I have made several attempts to reach management to discuss my reinstatement and my messages have fallen on deaf ears."
Again, this is not the way #26 would approach this situation. The EC admits they received ONE phone call, and in that message, Bernie asked for an excused leave of absence due to family time and obligations, and asked to be reinstated full time starting July 1. The EC has been off in Executive meetings over the last 2 months, discussing financing, new stadium talks, fan base, promotions, uniforms, player personel....etc. As a matter of fact, proof that the EC is always working,is the recent signing of Pudge Leebens toa 30 year contract. Only the Crow organization can land a player of this caliber mid season.
"I will use the remainder of this season as time to think about my next steps, as I am unsure if I want to retire completely from the game I love."
Obviously this is false, as with Bernie's 30 year contract, his only choices are to play with Crows, or be given a role within the organization. The EC would not allow a player of this caliber to retire. Not to mention, we continue to hold the rights to any and all offspring of the Knox family.
"I am a little upset with how my future with this team played out."
Of course the EC would be upset with this comment, IF it had really come from #26. They would find it hard to believe #26 would be upset with how the EC dealt with him, as they have always bent over backwards for him. As they do with all players who earn this type of respect, #26 has been allowed to take approved leaves of absence over the last 3 years, due to personal, family, and child committments, and have always allowed him to show up and play whenever he could. Not many players have been given this option. As a matter of fact, in 2009, he asked to be a sub, which was granted, then asked to come back full time, which was granted, then asked to take June off, which was granted, and then asked to come back full time July 1, which was granted, just not officially yet. The EC is proud of the way the are able to put a competitive team on the field each week, balancing palyers personel lives with that of the team, trying not to field too many or too few players each week, while keeping the talent level at an all time high.
"Somewhere, in management’s eyes, the game has passed me by and younger talent has taken my place. I always committed myself to the game and vowed I would walk away when my play no longer added value to the team. And now, just as I'm really hitting my stride, I have to stop!"
This one almost made the EC laugh,.....how could #26 write this one - when he continues to get an open door to come and go however he wants, balancing his family life with his Crows committment. Not only is he able to "play when he wants to play", but Coach Nolan continues to bat him in the top of the order, and start him in the field when he shows, even if he only shows here and there. Thus bumping other quality players who show up EVERY week. Due to #26's history, class, and respect that he has earned over the years, Coach Nolan obviously believes the same way the EC believes, that #26 is as good as any on this team, which is full of hall of famers and all stars.
Please help the EC in finding the imposter who wrote this article. We are eagerly awaiting a response from #26 as well, to help dispell any of these statements. We were concerned since the statements had some information in them that only Bernie - or someone close to Crow Nation - would know, that we needed to clear things up.
As always, the EC looks forward to hearing from #26, hopefully asking for a formal full time reinstatment at July 1, or whatever date works for him.
Also, Coach Nolan continues to deal with all game time decisions. This includes playing time, batting order, and of course discipline. We back Coach Nolan 100%, and any decisions made by him are final. We at the EC may help determine who is on the 20 man roster, but who actually makes a lineup is a decision for Coach Nolan, which is why he was hired to this postions, and continues to excel at. We expect Coach Nolan to respond to this matter as well - and are a little upset he has to take time out of his personal time, when he should be putting together a game plan.
Imposter article in full:
It was 18 years ago, in this very city, that I signed my first big league contract. I couldn't even begin to tell you how much things have changed since then. On the other hand, though, I can tell you that it really doesn't seem all that long ago. I write this letter with a heavy heart, as I am sad to announce that I am officially retiring from The Young Crow Organization. Over the last two weeks I have made several attempts to reach management to discuss my reinstatement and my messages have fallen on deaf ears. I will use the remainder of this season as time to think about my next steps, as I am unsure if I want to retire completely from the game I love. Right now I'm looking forward to the start of my new life, and thinking about what I should be doing to make the most of it all. Just precisely what that will be, I don't know yet, but I do know that whatever I'll be doing, I'll be doing my best to make it as enjoyable as possible.I leave this fine organization with little regret, as I have had the privilege of playing with the best group of guys in the game. I have been treated fairly, yet I am a little upset with how my future with this team played out. I have given my all to help this team achieve great success and I feel proud of the Championships we have given to this great fan base. Somewhere, in management’s eyes, the game has passed me by and younger talent has taken my place. I always committed myself to the game and vowed I would walk away when my play no longer added value to the team. And now, just as I'm really hitting my stride, I have to stop! I wish my teammates well as the talent on the field shows great promise. My journey, at least with this team has come to an end, there is a void that I will need to fill. As I close this door to my storied career with The Young Crows, I search for another to open. Time will heal all wounds and a new day will bring new opportunity. Thanks and goodbye….#26
