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A Rose by any other
name, is just as sweet; But a Hall without Rose is incomplete
On September 11th
1985, members of the San Diego Padres stood around the
batting cage prior to their game that evening against the
Cincinnati Reds, flanked by the Padres starting pitcher,
Eric Show. Show, a tortured man, an unpopular teammate and
a member of the John Birch Society, was approached in jovial
fashion by the well-liked Tim Flannery.
“Eric,” Flannery shouted
tongue-in-cheek, “You always think the whole world is
against you,” “well tonight you’re right!”
Approximately 90-minutes later,
Show surrendered hit number 4,192 to Pete Rose, making Rose
the Major League Baseball ‘Hit-King,’ as well as the
all-time leader. Certainly there could be no doubt that
everyone in the stadium, anybody watching or listening to
the game, or even the most casual baseball fan was
definitely rooting for Pete Rose that evening.
Nothing has changed, we still do…
Who didn’t like ‘Charlie Hustle?’
Unless of course, you had to play against him, but even then
he commanded respect from everyone. Why not? Has there ever
been anybody that played the game harder, committed himself
to their craft more diligently, or personified the essence
of our National Pastime better?
While at Western Hills HS in
Cincinnati , Ohio , Rose was a marginal prospect at best. An
early scouting report stated: “Pete Rose can’t run, can’t
throw, does not have a specific position, and he should try
to learn to hit right-handed before trying to hit
left-handed.”
However Pete Rose always insisted
he was blessed with a great work ethic, an attribute that
trumps all other faculties.
Can you name another player that
ever made greater use of their natural talents? Rose’s
extraordinary spirit and determination, the enthusiasm he
brought to the job every day, was alone worth the price of
admission.
After breaking Cobb’s record, he
finished with a total of 4,256 hits in an unequaled 3,562
games and 14,053 at bats for a lifetime average of .303.
Pete Rose also holds 31 other Major and National League
records.
The reason I am asking so many
questions is simple. Can you give me a valid reason, at this
juncture, why Pete Rose shouldn’t be in the Hall of Fame?
Does it serve any fruitful purpose to continue keeping Rose
out of Cooperstown ?
Even revisionist history now
reveals that while rendering the decision of Rose’s lifetime
banishment in 1989, Commissioner Bart Giamatti had
reasonable doubts that Rose had bet on baseball.
Nonetheless, the verdict was rendered and I have always had
this nagging feeling that Giamatti made a deathbed plea with
his successor Fay Vincent, to uphold his judgment.
I am also of the opinion that the
alleged conversation which I theorize took place between
Giamatti and Vincent, was passed onto our current
commissioner, Bud Selig.
But, this is America .
Redemption is good for the soul,
and for our collective souls. Amnesty and forgiveness are
rendered when it makes sense. President Gerald Ford pardoned
Richard Nixon even though it was a politically costly choice
for him.
I believe Bud Selig should do the
same. In other words, he must set in motion a course of
action whereby Pete Rose can be forgiven in the eyes of
Major League Baseball, thus beginning the process that will
land Charlie Hustle in the Hall of Fame.
In Selig’s case, it would
actually be a politically popular choice. Even before Pete
Rose admitted to betting on baseball and apologizing, a
Sports Illustrated poll conducted in the 1990’s indicated
97% of the respondents believed that Rose should be in the
Hall of Fame.
As I alluded to earlier, who
doesn’t root for Pete Rose? He has paid an incredible price
for his indiscretions, even serving prison time. He is
gainfully employed, he has subsequently led the life of a
law-abiding citizen, and he has complied with the special
restraints imposed upon him by three consecutive
commissioners.
As a result of his banishment, in
painful dignity he has suffered many other actual and
indirect punishments as well.
Whenever the U.S. government
makes a decision to grant amnesty or an official pardon,
they follow specific guidelines; They assess the offense,
extenuating circumstances, evidence of reform or
restitution, and the willingness of the victims to forego
continuing punishment of the guilty.
By the way, who exactly are the
victims? I say the real victims are the legions of fans
spanning 3 generations that would like to see Pete Rose in
the Hall of Fame.
The governing body of baseball
needs to act quickly and decisively in favor of Peter Edward
Rose. Election to the Hall of Fame has never been an
affirmation of impeccable character, but rather a
recognition of extraordinary achievements on the diamond.
Ty Cobb is in the Hall of Fame.
Why not Pete Rose? If not now, when?
Many years ago the legendary Ty
Cobb was asked about how he would feel if somebody broke his
hit record, and the Georgia Peach replied, “It would take a
helluva man to break my records, and I would like to meet
that man.”
Pete Rose is a helluva man.
A helluva man deserves to be in
the Hall of Fame.
I bet even Eric Show would agree.
(c) 2010 BernieFratto.com
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