How’s this for irony?
A federal court yesterday blocked a move by Delaware to roll out legalized sports betting.
The ruling comes 20 years to the day that Pete Rose was banned from baseball.
If you’re looking for someone to argue that Pete Rose is a Hall of Fame person, in the words of Michael Vick, you’re barking up the wrong tree.
Having said that, it’s hard to look at the man’s accomplishments on the field and say with a straight face that he does not deserve a spot in Cooperstown.
Of course, that ignores the issue of “character” and what part – if any – that actually should play in making that decision.
Pete Rose violated one of the most sacred tenets of the game. It is why the ban on gambling – and associating with those who do – is clearly posted inside the locker room of every major league team.
Still, there is only one person whose name appears next to that category of Most Hits. It states Rose, Peter.
As a person, manager and any number of other categories, Pete Rose leaves a lot to be desired. Yes, Rose gambled on baseball. Yes, despite his longtime vocal efforts to the contrary, he bet on his own team’s games. The belief is he never bet against his team. I hope that’s true.
But so far as between the lines, he remains without peer. He is baseball’s all-time hits leader. This is one hit that he should do without.
If we can offer a second chance to Michael Vick, how can we continue to turn thumb’s down to Rose.
I’ll steal this one from columnist Jack McCaffery. Free Pete Rose.
A federal court yesterday blocked a move by Delaware to roll out legalized sports betting.
The ruling comes 20 years to the day that Pete Rose was banned from baseball.
If you’re looking for someone to argue that Pete Rose is a Hall of Fame person, in the words of Michael Vick, you’re barking up the wrong tree.
Having said that, it’s hard to look at the man’s accomplishments on the field and say with a straight face that he does not deserve a spot in Cooperstown.
Of course, that ignores the issue of “character” and what part – if any – that actually should play in making that decision.
Pete Rose violated one of the most sacred tenets of the game. It is why the ban on gambling – and associating with those who do – is clearly posted inside the locker room of every major league team.
Still, there is only one person whose name appears next to that category of Most Hits. It states Rose, Peter.
As a person, manager and any number of other categories, Pete Rose leaves a lot to be desired. Yes, Rose gambled on baseball. Yes, despite his longtime vocal efforts to the contrary, he bet on his own team’s games. The belief is he never bet against his team. I hope that’s true.
But so far as between the lines, he remains without peer. He is baseball’s all-time hits leader. This is one hit that he should do without.
If we can offer a second chance to Michael Vick, how can we continue to turn thumb’s down to Rose.
I’ll steal this one from columnist Jack McCaffery. Free Pete Rose.
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