Still hustling
P ete Rose made it easy on commissioner Rob Manfred. If Rose had been serious about wanting to get back into baseball, truly serious, he could have had a powerful case. It has been more than 25 years since his banshiment from the game. He was a great player who unquestionably did many wonderful things for baseball. He remains a popular figure for many … and, seriously, who doesn’t love a good redemption story?
Yes, Rose could have given Manfred a few sleepless nights as he conversed with the ghosts and pondered the right thing to do.
But it wasn’t like that at all. Pete Rose still bets on baseball.
Beyond that, he was a generous teammate, who treated even the newest rookies with respect. Every single one of his teammates had something good to say about Pete Rose, the player. Rose was colorblind. Rose was a good friend. Rose was selfless: When the Reds desperately needed a third baseman that year, manager Sparky Anderson asked Rose to move there even though Pete hated the position. Rose immediately ran to the dugout.
“What did you get there, Peter Edward?” Anderson asked.
“A cup,” Rose said. “I’ll help the club, but I’m not risking my family’s future for you.”
Rose is a great storyteller, when he’s in the mood. He’s a funny guy, when he’s in the mood. He’s a good guy to hang out with, when he’s in the mood. Like I say, I have a soft spot for him. And beyond that, I’m on the record saying that I would vote for him for the Hall of Fame.
But all this has nothing to do with his appeal to be reinstated to baseball. Manfred had one concern and one concern only: If Pete Rose were allowed back in, would he embarrass the game?
And to determine this, Manfred needed just one piece of evidence — a piece of evidence Rose himself provided in their conversation.
Pete Rose still bets on baseball.
Oh, he does? Great. That’s a wrap, folks. Please tip your waitresses on the way out.
Are you kidding me? He bets on baseball. What possible argument for reinstatement could Pete Rose’s lawyers make after that admission? In fact: How could Rose’s representatives even let him go speak to the commissioner of baseball knowing that the guy still bets on the game? What a waste of time. What a waste of hope for all those people who loved Pete Rose, the baseball player, and want to believe he has been wronged. What a waste of everything.
Poor Charlie Hustle. Still screwing it up. I do believe the Hall of Fame Question should be considered by the Hall and voters as it is separate form the MLB organization. He certainly did make the Commissioner's job easy for him.
Dear Friends Spikegary and John Russell: I concur with both your sets of points.
If performance enhancing drug users will be allowed into the Hall of Fame, so should Pete Rose.
Once banned from the sport for either gambling or drug use, reentry for those still addicted to ICD behavior shouldn't be allowed back in actively. They should have they legitimate contributions to he game recognized.
One need not be perfect to be of use to a great societal institution. Actually, those who do are never perfect.
Perfections isn't for people. improvement is. So is doing good.
Gambling is an addiction. They are hard to shed. There is a story, doubtless false but still a good story. A degenerate bettor sings up for Gamblers Anonymous. After hearing his self introduction, members gave him 8-5 odds he wouldn't complete the program.
Questionable humor aside, I would vote to get Pete Rose into the Hall of Fame. I also voted to get Neil Sedaka into the Music Hall of Fame in Cleveland.
Mr. Sedaka had no known vices. A clean, sober family man, his music was delightful to hear. His lyrics clean and romantic.
Hall of institutions are far for perfect in their election process. Why expect perfection from those who could and deserve to be included?
Great original article and post Spikegary,. Valuable and insightful post John Russell.
As we used to say in the Blue Grass State of KY, "Ya done good"!
Peace, Abundant Blessings and Credit Earned is Credit Due for Everyone, Not Just Some.
Enoch.
To not have the all time leader in hits in the HOF is a farce.
The best argument for Rose is that steroid cheaters will go into the Hall Of Fame , there is support for Bonds, and Alex Rodriguez although it may take a few years. And as soon as the "old school" baseball writers are gone, the door will really open for steroid and HGH users to get in, because the younger writers don't much care.
I have a nephew that collects sports memorabilia. When Rose was having trouble as an announcer on this past season's playoffs , suggesting that players who might have a concussion should suck it up and stay in the game, I was talking about that with my nephew and he told me that he had met Pete Rose at a memorabilia store in Las Vegas a couple years ago. He said he saw someone sitting by themselves at a table and when he walked closer it was Rose. No fans, no business that day. He said he talked with Rose for about 20 minutes and Rose was a cool guy. My nephew even got his autograph without buying anything.