A Belligerent Rose Only a Bit Apologetic

AP.com ^ | 01/08/2004 | Ronald Blum

[.cnI redruM]

In 1978 I got a signed photograph of my favorite baseball player. It was Pete Rose. What I darn shame.

[.cnI redruM]

Correction - What a darn shame.

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	Linda Carter is completely unrelated to Free Republic. But if I am going to have to post donation begs until the Freepathon is over, I'm going to occasionally post something I want! And there is only one way you can stop me!

[BlueNgold]

They can put him in the hall and still prevent him from working in baseball, which is what should be done. His accomplishments on the field earned his place in the hall, period.

[Shermy]

Rose says he never bet against the Reds. But the guy has a gambling problem. How plausible is it that he resisted the temptation of throwing a game or shaving a run or two?

[BenLurkin]

This "accomplishment" still riles me.

IMHO Rose deserves nothing but disgrace.

I wonder how much, if anything, did Pete bet on that game?

[ex-snook]

Maybe Bill Bennett, the gambling czar will say a word on Pete's behalf. Bennett has been welcomed back.

Or perhaps Rose could appeal to President Bush for amnesty in breaking baseball laws. Baseball as an employer could determine that on one wants to manage a baseball team in Cincinatti and could write a letter promising a job to Rose.

[Alberta's Child]

He recounts anecdotes of his career such as taking an umpire to dinner after he was ejected from a game . . .

Maybe it's just me, but this seems like a clear violation of Major League Baseball's code of ethics for umpires. They are specifically told not to fraternize with any of the players, and I believe this applies both on and off the field.

[tcuoohjohn]

The Rose Litany

1987-- I don't gamble

1991-- Okay, I gamble but not on sports

1994-- Okay I gamble on sports but not baseball. Only football and Basketball.

1998- Okay..I bet on Baseball but not on the Reds games

2004- Okay, I bet on Reds games but never against the Reds

2005...?

2007....?

[sgtbono2002]

Pet Rose may not be a likeable guy, but you cant take away his career. Pete Rose deserves to be in the Hall of Fame. Baseball is crap for not allowing him in. Illegal bats and steroids seem not to bother them in the least.

[cksharks]

About the same as you posting praise for Bush.

[cksharks]

You have rapists, murderers,physical attackers,dope addicts, drunks,people who spit in umpires faces and the only person who is guilty and caint play is Rose. I have two words for this horse shit.

[razorback-bert]

Put his bust in the Clinton Lieberry.

[Chu Gary]

I wonder what would be sufficient contrition for the folks with all this venom. Would you be content if Pete poked out each of his eyes with a hot poker? Maybe he should cut out his tongue. Have his hands cut off. Will any of those work? Get a life! If Sainthood were part of the criteria for the HOF, how many of the plaques would need to be removed?

[thesummerwind]

The Rose Litany

1987-- I don't gamble

1991-- Okay, I gamble but not on sports

1994-- Okay I gamble on sports but not baseball. Only football and Basketball.

1998- Okay..I bet on Baseball but not on the Reds games

2004- Okay, I bet on Reds games but never against the Reds

2005...Okay, I bet on baseball as a player.

2007....Yeh, I bet on my own team as a player.

He was a slap-hitting gutterboy. No Hall of Fame, PeteyHustler!

[thesummerwind]

What could any reasonable person who is familiar with Pete Rose ever believe that he didn't most likely bet on baseball as a player too?

[thesummerwind]

It's amazing to me that some people feel the way you do on this. Most likely, you never played professional sports.

I am going to make an analogy here that may be a little off, but it could help illustrate what gambling means in baseball, and means to team mates and to others in the league.

Think of a family business, and think of one member of that family business stealing from that venture, or messing with the books. Rose did the same sort of thing with baseball and his team mates. That's a BIG no no.

No Hall of Fame for the eternal lying slug.

[thesummerwind]

That should read -- How could any reasonable person who is familiar with Pete Rose ever believe that he didn't bet on baseball as a player too?

[BenLurkin]

Years ago, as a child living in the City of East Cleveland, I watched in dismay as Pete Rose ended the career of Indian catcher Ray Fosse. Rose barreled viciously into Fosse during an all star game.

The warm Cleveland evening turned bitter as I puzzled in my young mind over why Rose would do such an awful thing in a meaningless exhibition game. The bitterness lasted and grew over the years; no one could mention the name of Pete Rose without my ire rising yet again over the seemingly senseless act.

Then years later the betting scandal broke. It all became clear to me (though this is still just my allegation). Rose made an unnecessary play, ending a popular player's career, in an exhibition game (supposed to be fun) BECAUSE HE HAD BET ON THE GAME.

May Rose NEVER get into the Hall of Fame. He deserves to end his life in shame, in my opinion.