A Rose by Another Name
Pete Rose is making the media rounds acknowledging what everyone knew: he bet on baseball. The timing of Rose's announcement (being in no way an apology) coincides with the publication of his new book and his realization that if he's not voted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in the next few years, he loses his eligibility forever.
I'll be blunt: I've always detested this guy. Sure Rose was a great hitter, deserved the nickname "Charlie Hustle", and on the field was a team player. But I also found him arrogant and not a little stupid. Now we know Pete Rose is a liar as well.
Yesterday Paul Molitor was voted into the Baseball Hall of Fame. The same accolades used for Rose - great hitter, "Charlie Hustle", team player - describe Molitor to a tee. Yet Molitor managed to achieve his success (3319 career hits and a 0.306 lifetime batting average) without the arrogance and ego Rose has so amply demonstrated for so long.
That Pete Rose should steal the least little bit of limelight from Molitor's honor (or from Dennis Eckersley who is the best relief pitcher ever) I find particularly galling. Here's hoping future baseball writers and Hall of Fame Veterans Committee members continue to deny Rose entry into the pantheon of baseball's great players and, in the case of Molitor, gentlemen.
K-
It would be so easy to say, yeah, let him in. But, for me, the case about Pete Rose is all about integrity. He diminished his own integrity, the integrity of his team, and ultimately, the integrity of baseball (not that baseball doesn't have its own integrity problems with or without Pete Rose). He might have "bought back" some of that integrity had he admitted to the gambling early on. He did not. Now, like so many liars and cheaters adn politicians, he makes a feeble attempt save face at the last minute, but in the process further diminishes his integrity. You nailed it with your point about the timing. He does not deserve to be in the Hall of Fame.
I don't think he should be inducted either. Whatever skill or talent he might have had to qualify him was nullified by his behavior.
Hey, if you're up right now, turn on Letterman. Molitor and Eckersley are doing the Top Ten List! Really funny!
'Fraid not and I'm sorry I missed it. My understanding is that Eckersley is an announcer for the Boston Red Sox and a very funny and personable guy.
K-