Writings on baseball by Matt Barnard and Dan Stein.

 
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The Pete Rose saga drones on
Maybe I'm totally oblivious, but I don't understand why this debate continues. Do the rules of Major League Baseball, as posted in every clubhouse, not explicitly prohibit participants from betting on games? Pete Rose has agreed to a lifetime ban from baseball. That's it. End of story. Pete Rose's decision...made by none other than Pete Rose himself...is right there on the document he signed. He's banned. Can he apply for reinstatement? Sure, he's within his rights to do so. But then everything that hasn't been revealed to the public has to be taken into consideration, and somehow I don't feel that's what Mr. Rose has in mind. On espn.com, they've run polls all day indicating that the vast majority of people (who took it upon themselves to vote on this issue) want Rose reinstated. So what? The masses are sometimes dead wrong, and this is a perfect example. It's plain as day: if you bet on baseball, you're going to be suspended. If you bet on your own team, to win or to lose, you're going to be banned for life. Pete Rose could've played it out. If he's not guilty of the charges levied against him, then he'd be fine and free to operate in baseball just like anyone else. Of course, the evidence against him is overwhelming and incredibly damning (and he knows this) so it's clear why he agreed to what he did. Pete Rose should never be allowed to participate in Major League Baseball again. Whether he fesses up to his crimes or not. His sins against the game are inexcusable and unforgivable, and clearly in violation of the rules. He's a disgrace to the league and really to all athletic competition, and whether he's a fan favorite or not, there's no room in sports for people like Pete Rose.

That said, I couldn't care less if he's allowed into the Hall of Fame. At the time, there was nothing to prohibit banned players from entering the Hall, and he does deserve to be in on merit. While I believe things can and should be done to punish him going forward, his career speaks for itself. The Hall of Fame, in my opinion, is not there to honor great men, it's there to honor great players. It's pretty clear that Rose stuck around far too long in baseball and did so to the detriment of his teams. But it's also clear that he had a superlative career and is the all-time leader in hits. He's a player that deserves a plaque in Cooperstown, regardless of his future in the sport. So I'd be in support of suspending the Hall of Fame rule that no banned player is eligible on the grounds that it was not in place when Rose agreed to a lifetime ban. There's a huge difference between this and his being reinstated, which would be totally reprehensible in light of the facts available to us.

And while this shouldn't be a concern, maybe if he's admitted into the Hall people will stop talking about him. Maybe his banishment will become a dead issue. Do people really need to hear Pete Rose on radio or television? Or in their team's dugout? I doubt it. It seems like something that the masses bitch and moan about because they feel their guy, a regular Joe who's made some mistakes, is not being given his due. Fine, give him his induction (without ceremony), and have that be the last involvement with Major League Baseball that he ever has. I'm sick of hearing about Pete Rose.

For a really terrific (and lengthy) commentary on this issue, I encourage all of you to read Derek Zumsteg's Evaluating the Dowd Report. While I suspect a great many of you have seen this already, if there's anyone reading this who hasn't...it's worth your time and will put to rest any doubts you have on the issue. If you'd like to read the commentary of a guy who doesn't recognize the difference between "reinstatement" and "induction to the Hall of Fame", check out the ruminations of Rob Dibble.
posted by VZW Watcher at 3:29 AM -