One of my favorite things about writing this article is that it is purely my opinion…and I generally have LOTS of them. That being said, if you are reading this and you don’t agree with me then that’s totally fine. I’m ok with you being wrong. Just kidding!
So…here’s the opinion for this week.
It’s time to Free Pete Rose. I said what I said. It seems that a great many people have an even greater many opinions about Pete, but I feel like we have really blown his particular transgressions way out of proportion.
The facts: Did he gamble on Baseball? Yes. Did he get caught gambling on Baseball? Yes. Did he pay the price for his wrongdoings? Yes. Is it absolutely ludicrous that he was blackballed from the sport of Baseball for the remainder of his life? Also, YES! Well, maybe that last one wasn’t all facts, but I think you see what I’m getting at here.
Let’s talk about Pet Rose’s accomplishments:
Playing Career: 1963 to 1986 (23 Years)
All Time Major League Baseball Leader in:
- Hits (4,256)
- Games played (3,562)
- At-bats (14,053)
- Singles (3,215)
- Outs (10,328)
3 Time World Series Champion
3 Batting Titles
Most Valuable Player Award
2 Gold Gloves (Outfielder 1969 and 1970)
Rookie of the Year Award (1963)
17 All-Star appearances at an unequaled five positions (second baseman, left fielder, right fielder, third baseman, and first baseman)
Major League Baseball All Century Team 1999
Manager of the Cincinnati Reds from 1984 through 1989
To quote a former teammate turned MLB announcer from a video of the night that Pete broke the record for hits (that still hasn’t and may never be broken) “Pete Rose is Baseball”.
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So why did Pete Rose deserve the baseball equivalent of the death penalty and why is gambling considered the ultimate sin in the world of major league baseball? How did we decide that Rose would be the martyr and the example to set for generations to come to fear the long arm of baseball law. And wouldn’t it stand, that if gambling calls into question the integrity of the game, shouldn’t we be more focused on the things that actually affect the integrity of the game? I don’t know, maybe start with the massive use of illegal performance enhancing drugs and steroids??? Not that I didn’t enjoy the great home-run-athon between Sammy Sosa and McGuire…but you folks can’t actually tell me that you believe they were born with those bulging biceps. If so, we need to talk about some ocean front property in Arizona I have for sale. And let me go ahead and name drop a few other fan favs who have sullied the good name of Major League baseball with a cloud of performance enhancing drugs. I’m looking at you Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens, and A-Rod. I might even go so far as to add Jeter to the pot, but that may put some of you over the edge so I will just leave that right there. (Side note: I will never not hate the Yankees. I said what I said.)
In this country, but more specifically in major league sports, we have been way more forgiving for way worse crimes that actually attacked the integrity of the sport. So, I’ll ask again, why Pete Rose? Something about this just doesn’t sit right with me.
So, let’s re-cap:
Did he screw up…yes.
Was he contrite…not initially, but he got there.
Does he stand to benefit from being a Hall of Famer now…not that I can see.
Is he absolutely, 100%, undeniably deserving of HOF Status…without doubt.
I mean, at least let the man have his name on the ballot.
I know this is a super controversial topic for those with a love of the game. But my stance is and, until otherwise persuaded, will always be #JusticeForCharlieHustle.
Until next time…that’s how the ball bounces.
Read more from How the Ball Bounces with Bekka in the archives at www.mysaline.com/bounces.
About the author: Bekka Wilkerson is a lifelong lover of all things sports. Raised in a super athletic household it was no surprise when she too began to love sports at a young age. It seems like from the time she could walk she had a softball bat in her hands, but her true athletic passion came from all things Basketball. That love served her well as a Bryant High School Lady Hornet and ultimately earned her a full scholarship to play at the University of Central Arkansas – among many other adventures.
These days Bekka can be found running around Saline County with her husband, Speedy, or chasing one of her grandsons. She is also the Executive Director of The EMpact One Foundation, a Saline County Nonprofit Organization that helps young people stay connected to extracurricular activities through tuition assistance and equipment provisions.
Reach out to Bekka with questions and/or ideas about things you want to see in this column at [email protected] and learn more about The EMpact One Foundation at www.empactone.org.
