Posted on 06/09/2010 6:52:06 PM PDT by Free ThinkerNY
You're looking at an X-ray of a Mizuno PR4192 bat, commissioned by Pete Rose specifically for his 1985 chase of baseball's all-time hits record. Inside, clear as day, is a piece of foreign material, about 6 inches long, and the diameter of a nickel. This is the story of that bat. * * *
In 1985, over the July Fourth long weekend, Rose and the Cincinnati Reds headed to Veterans Stadium for a four-game series with the Phillies. Rose was on the last legs of his career and had been traded from the Expos back to the Reds the previous season. Permanently playing first base now, and serving as the last player-manager in baseball, Rose was in hot pursuit of Ty Cobb's iconic record of 4,191 hits. It was the only reason he was still playing baseball.
Before the season, Rose had a box of about 30 black Mizuno bats specially made for him. His trademark quick swing not nearly as quick as it used to be, Rose ordered his bats a little lighter than usual to shorten up his motion. The bats were 34 inches long, and weighed 31.6 ounces. In honor of his quest for 4,192 hits, they were dubbed the PR4192.
He used one of those bats — the bat you see in the X-ray — in the Philadelphia series. It was captured forever by a photographer's camera: Rose, waiting in the on-deck circle, bat resting on his left shoulder.
Pete Rose went 1-for-8 that weekend. He was 37 hits away from breaking the record. * * *
Steve Wolter was a huge Pete Rose fan.
"He idolized Pete, his hard work, the effort he put forward," his son Adam says.
(Excerpt) Read more at deadspin.com ...
So should he be banned from baseball for life - again?
I never liked the guy.
Pete Rose, the Ron Paul of Sports.
I really dislike Rose, and this latest revelation only increases that. But the jerk belongs in the Hall Of Fame.
And people think he should be in the Hall of Fame?
They could start a new Reality Show called The Cheat and the Silicone Skank!
You mean Pete was a cheat? Who would ever have guessed.
Interesting character and probably deserved at least some of the punishment he got but also one heck of a competitor.
Screw babseball and the Obama loving NBA/NFL. Many of these baseball hitters were cheaters.
It is sickening when you think of Ted Williams, Mantle, Maris, Aaron, Willie Mays, Ruth, DiMaggio and other real players who did not cheat.
Ted Williams was incredible. Did a fighter pilot hitch in WW2 and in Korea. If he had played ball those years - he would have had the home run record.
I followed his career from start to finish and you are correct in your 3 thoughts imo. on another feeling, I think the hall of fame members should decide if his induction is warranted, they should have the final say on that I feel, not us fans after what he did. one of my favorite players and competitors.
Williams was astounding. I couldn’t agree more. Mays at “old” Candlestick... if he had played at a cozy park without those winds off the bay... But that is what the purist in me loves.
My two favorite players of all time... Al Kaline of the Tigers and Robin Yount of the Brewers. For love of the game.
Viagra has given these has beens new life....lol
I guess that is him. I thought it was the guy from Seinfeld.
dittos to those you mentioned. a different time then for sure. I’m and old timer MLB ‘numbers guy’ and it kills me to look at how lifetime stats have been compromised.
Williams was almost beyond belief. What was his banner year? .402 or .406
Mays the Say Hey kid and (old) Candlestick was horrible with the winds and also the cold.
NO juiced balls or bats. No steroids.
Kaline was another old warhorse. I did not follow Yount’s career. Lots of great ones like Brooks Robinson too.
The Mickey and Roger show.
MacGregor was based in Cincinnati and Rose was with the Reds. He was on his first marriage at the time. He was having an affair with a MacGregor secretary who looked like a young Mary Tyler Moore at the time and a less attractive woman who was a secretary in the Advertising Department.
GREAT mlb site at baseball-reference.com this sight has a line item for ‘162 game averages’....a player’s 162 extrapolated stats. fun to compare past-present, present-present, past-past player stats as if they had all gone 162. give it a look. a lot of other career, season, lifetime etc. stats also.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.