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Keller @ Large: Message For Fans About Pablo Sandoval's Weight

BOSTON (CBS) - I don't know about you, but it's time to start thinking about baseball.

So I was wallowing in Red Sox news out of Florida Tuesday to take my mind off of the wintry horror all around us when my escape was rudely interrupted by an annoying spasm of sizeism – knee-jerk discrimination against heavy people.

You know what I mean – our culture is obsessed with weight, and good luck trying to be recognized for your inner qualities if you exceed the mob's social norms.

In this case, the spasm came out of that hotbed of stunted thinking, the sports world, where a photo of new Red Sox third baseman Pablo Sandoval letting it all hang out down in Fort Myers has touched off not just the usual online snickering, but an apparently serious discussion of whether or not Sandoval is fit to wear the Red Sox uniform.

This is especially ridiculous coming from a city that has been treated to three titles courtesy of David Ortiz, who will never remind anyone of Tom Brady when it comes to body mass index.

David Ortiz
David Ortiz. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)

And Sandoval's career is a classic reminder that abs and waist-size have absolutely nothing to do with winning and excellence.

The man is a superb hitter who thrives under pressure, the only player to ever have 26 hits in a postseason, one of only four players all-time to hit three homers in a World Series game.

And he's a work of art in the field with a .960 fielding percentage in seven seasons at third base.

But he's apparently too heavy for some local sports fans?

Go grab a shovel, whiners – you could afford to lose a few pounds yourselves.

Listen to Jon's commentary:

You can listen to Keller At Large on WBZ News Radio every weekday at 7:55 a.m. You can also watch Jon on WBZ-TV News.

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