Sez Me …
In life, Pete Rose was stopped at the door, denied entrance, given the Heisman by baseball — and so, the Hall of Fame. In no uncertain . He broke the cardinal rule. He bet on baseball. As a manager.
But he belonged. As a player. He was a great player. He was beyond a great player. He was baseball. He was what baseball is supposed to be. He played every position but trainer — played them hard, with ion — and became the all-time hits leader.
But it didn’t matter to the Hall, once Pete was banned from the game.
So, the question must be begged: Now that his life has ended, should he be allowed into the hallowed Hall?
I don’t change my mind on this sort of thing very often. And I’m sure not going to do that now. He’s a Hall of Fame player. I emphasize p-l-a-y-e-r. He wasn’t getting in as a manager.
Rose was managing when his hand got caught in the bookie jar. He’s a gambler, which makes it hard to believe he didn’t wager on the game as a player. Gamblers gamble. Hard habit to break. He even ed away in Vegas.
However, if there was any proof of wrongdoing as a player — there is a sign inside of every clubhouse door warning the athletes that gambling could end their career — we never saw any. And we would have. Baseball was out to get him.
But even Pete, who championed his own cause every vocal at-bat he got — and there were thousands of them — expressed his doubts during his final interview.
“I don’t see much sense in putting me on the ballot after I die.” he said. “And I know people who rooted for me my whole career would have loved to see me in the Hall of Fame as a living player, not as someone who’s 10 feet under. What good would it do my family if they put me in after I die? I can’t see anything good about that.”
I don’t think Pete is going to make it. Baseball has yet to throw Shoeless Joe Jackson a pair of socks. He’s still banned because of the 1919 Black Sox Scandal, with no real proof he was involved in trying to throw the World Series — only that he led all Series batters with a .375 average and didn’t commit an error.
Bob Costas, a brilliant baseball person, believes Pete should be allowed entrance, with the caveat on his plaque that he gambled on the game. It’s not a bad idea, but I can’t see baseball or the Hall buying into that.
Thing is, the Hall is not the Vatican. It isn’t filled with saints. And, no doubt, cheats. But if they bet on baseball, they covered it up nicely.
Gambling remains the No. 1 no-no. It supersedes domestic violence and drug abuse. , MLB isn’t keeping the s — and suspected s — out of Cooperstown. The voters are.
Never mind that gambling now is plastered all over networks carrying games. It may seem hypocritical, but I don’t see MLB budging.
If Rose had retired as a player and stayed out of the game, he would have gone in, no problem.
But he didn’t. And he’s going to remain an outlier, a Hall of Famer with one hard out in his final box score. …
Question: Would the Padres be in the playoffs without Jackson Merrill? Rookie of the Year. The moment never was too big. …
Paul Skenes? Terrific rookie. He pitched in 23 games, 133 innings. …
I need a slide rule to watch baseball on ESPN. So many numbers from the broadcasting mathematicians. Really. Can they hit? Can they field? Can they pitch? Imagine Dizzy Dean deciphering all this crap. …
Almost 48,000 at Petco? Shoehorn Night. …
Pads batted .263 and led all of baseball. White Sox? .221. But BA doesn’t matter anymore. …
If Shohei Ohtani wanted to win the batting title to get a triple crown, he should have hit for a higher average. At least the Pads didn’t sit Luis Arraez for the last game. He won it like a man. …
Arreaz can’t do much other than hit, but the DH is here to stay, and the “H” stands for hitter. Not many guys bat .300. No question he helped this ballclub. He should stay put. …
The Tigers’ entire roster payroll is around $18 million. So there. …
It will be interesting to see which team gives away a good receiver to help the Chiefs get better. …
Anthony Richardson is a Faberge egg with legs trying to play professional football. He cannot last. …
And I worry about Jayden Daniels, who has been remarkable. …
Guess who’s going to win the Jets and Eagles head coach-quarterback fights? Hint: He doesn’t play. …
In 2012, Derrick Henry’s freshman year at Alabama, he carried the ball 35 times for 382 yards and caught one for 61. I recall writing then he was the best player in America. A few weeks ago I completely forgot to mention him in my column on great backs. So stupid of me. He’s a Hall of Famer. …
Derrick is a cheetah wrapped in rhino clothing. …
Jared Goff has more receiving touchdowns (one) than Travis Kelce, Brandon Aiyuk and Jalen Waddle. What does this mean? Well, he’s caught one more than they have. …
I never thought I’d see the day when UNLV had a better football program than San Diego State. But then, I never thought I’d see the day when San Diego State had a better basketball program than UNLV — and just about everybody else. …
I’m hoping Aztecs football makes the move to sign Davante Adams, who’s entering the portal. …
RIP, Kris Kristofferson. Rhodes Scholar, Army Ranger, helicopter pilot, could-have-been West Point professor, actor, activist. Wrote one of my favorite opening lines in song: “Busted flat in Baton Rouge, waiting for a train.” A renaissance man’s renaissance man. Damn American genius. …
RIP, Anthony Giacalone. A great soul with a kind heart. Disney has lost its biggest fan since Walt. …
MLB’s fashion designers have announced players will return to their primary team uniforms for the All-Star Game. The only difference? Bell-bottom pants. …
Jimmy Carter, who just turned 100, wrote a book called “The Virtues of Aging.” I haven’t read it, but it shouldn’t be difficult. Can’t be more than one page long. …
Willie Mays on Sandy Koufax tipping pitches: “I knew every pitch he was going to throw, and I still couldn’t hit him.” …
Nick Saban to Marshawn Lynch, on Seattle throwing the ball from the 1 in the Super Bowl: “I’m giving your ass the ball.” Marshawn was the toughest back to bring down I’ve seen. And that was the worst play call in the history of sports. …
When we have that “one really violent day,” I’m not going outside. I have read up on the horrors of “Crystal Night.”…
“Those are my principles, and if you don’t like them … Well, I have others.” — Groucho Marx …
I realize it’s terrible for your health, but people seemed to be much happier and calmer and truthful when they smoked.
