Pete Rose. NYT (share link). ESPN. MLB.
As everyone knows, I am not a baseball fan. And if I was a baseball fan, I would be pulling for the Astros, Rangers, or Indians Guardians.
But I’ve always felt a little sorry for Pete Rose. He did pretty much the worst thing you can do in baseball, and what happened to him is a result of his own actions. But I think he probably got crapped on more than he deserved, and I kind of wish people had shown him a bit more compassion. The ban from baseball was an appropriate response, but maybe he didn’t deserve to be a pariah and the butt of jokes.
I know that Pete broke the rules, which he did on purpose. But it did seem like a personal vendetta or something for the league to not have him in the HOF as probably the greatest pure hitter of all time.
MLB could have used him as an example while still recognizing his great on the field efforts. Done correctly they may have even gained more fans. Instead they chose to try and erase him from the game completely, an action based on what looks to be a personal vendetta.
May Pete RIP knowing that those of us who saw him play still know the difference between on field actions and off field actions. Perhaps when I become perfect I may have a different opinion. Until.that day co.we I will have to be content with the knowledge that Pete Rise was the best bitter to ever play the game.
I wonder if part of the personal vendetta is that people blame Pete Rose for Bart Giamatti’s death.
Other than that, I agree with you 100%. But apparently, Screaming A. Smith agrees with me, too, so now I’m doubting myself.
I will overlook that comment about the Astros. The one thing that they now have going for them is that they can watch the rest of the playoff games on television.
It seems like the Tigers are for real, and deserve to be in the list season. And AJ Bunch deserves the American League manager of the year title.
AJ Hinch. Dog gone spell check.
Pigpen:
You do understand that, to the extent I am a sports fan (which is not very much) and to the extent that I root for any sports teams (also not very much) geography requires me to pull for Houston and Texas based teams.
As for the Guardians, I have to pull for them for family-based reasons.
With that said, I am happy that the Lions and the Tigers are doing as well as they are. I would not be upset or disappointed if one or both of those teams went all the way this year. As a matter of fact, it would delight me.
I feel compelled to note that if those two do well, I would also hope da Bears do well.