I assume that just about everyone knows about the whole Pete Rose ordeal. If you don't, I don't know what hole you have been living in, but I will give you a brief synopsis.
Pete Rose was a great major league baseball player a couple of generations ago (before my time). During his playing career he established himself as a hard-nosed player that earned the nickname "Charlie Hustle." Over his career Rose amassed 4,256 hits, more than any other player in major league history, he had a 44-game hit streak and won a World Series MVP. After finishing his career Rose became a manager for the Cincinnati Reds, the team that he played for. In 1989 Rose was banned for life from baseball for "conduct detrimental to the game." Basically Rose was caught betting on baseball and even worse betting on games that he had a direct effect over. In other words he was betting on games that his team was playing in and therefore games that he could manipulate (to some extent) the outcome of. This is the chief of all sins in baseball and Rose received the equivilant of the death penalty. He was banned from all things baseball and most importantly to his supporters, from the Hall of Fame.
Well the debate has resurfaced as reports have come out that Rose is in the midst of making a deal with Bud Selig, the Comissioner of MLB, to allow him back into baseball. First into the Hall of Fame and then possibly as a manager.
This just makes me sick. If Pete Rose actually bet on games that he could control the outcome of then why do we want him back in baseball? Why would we allow him to manage again? The proof against him is insurmountable yet he has never admitted to wrongdoing. He was convicted of tax fraud because he didn't report his gambling earnings but he won't admit that he gambled. The guy is just sleazy and I don't want him back in baseball. Yeah, maybe he deserves to be in the Hall of Fame as a player based upon his career but he screwed up and took that opportunity away from himself. I have no pity for him. He got what he deserves.
Posted by bhuffine at August 12, 2003 01:28 PM | TrackBackhe did deserve what he got. he also should admit that he did wrong and gambled on baseball. but its not as bad as you make it sound. ive heard many times that he always bet on his team to win. i personally dont see whats wrong with that. and irrespective of that, the man belongs in the hall. 4,000 hits? only two players ever have done that, the other being georgia's own ty cobb. how many players have committed adultery or beaten their wives or gotten nabbed for drugs and are allowed back into their game? and how many repeat offenders are there? and which is worse? its time to forgive and forget. and for that matter, let shoeless joe jackson be reinstated and enshrined in the hall too since everyone whos ever seen field of dreams knows he didnt do it either.
Posted by: at August 12, 2003 04:37 PMHall or no hall, the damage Rose has done to himself will surpass any accolades he'll ever receive.
I am a baseball fanatic, and I say "no" to Rose; Especially when he insists on lying. He should've been a politician.
Why should the game respect him when he didn't respect it? And why are bad actions less bad simply because some time has passed?
Posted by: at August 12, 2003 07:03 PM