Pete Rose Isn't The Only One In Pete Roseland

Wall Street Journal ^ | January 9, 2004 | DANIEL HENNINGER

[Tom D.]

Any player, umpire, or club or league official or employee, who shall bet any sum whatsoever upon any baseball game in connection with which the bettor has a duty to perform shall be declared permanently ineligible.

"I'm sure that I'm supposed to act all sorry or sad or guilty now that I've accepted that I've done something wrong. But you see, I'm just not built that way. Sure, there's probably some real emotion buried somewhere deep inside. And maybe I'd be a better person if I let that side of my personality come out. But it just doesn't surface too often. So let's leave it like this: I'm sorry it happened, and I'm sorry for all the people, fans and family that it hurt. Let's move on."

[Tom D.]

As usual, Henninger draws apt parallels and does so in powerful way.

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[doosee]

Mark McQuire, Barry Bonds and a cast of hundreds also live in Roseland. I will get re-interested in baseball when their records are purged from baseball history. Pete Rose never cheated "on the field in the game" as coach or player. As Letterman said the other night, Rose also admitted to taping major league baseball games without the express written consent of MLB.

[ovrtaxt]

I think baseball would rather have drug addicts and wifebeaters involved in the sport than gamblers, simply because it undermines the credibility of the scores. It will be viewed as Professional Wrestling in short order if this is tolerated.

I know a few people who see the NFL that way. I have noticed a tendency for the officials to call penalties in order to make up for previous bad calls. Also, the old 'holding' penalty during critical, game-breaking or -making plays. I understand that it's entertainment first and foremost, and they want close scores, but the fact that it goes on is enough to get one thinking....

[MEG33]

He said on O'Reilly he wanted back into baseball.....he said he was sorry.He thinks we ought to "move on".Fat chance.

[somemoreequalthanothers]

Pete Rose was the best baseball player I've seen in my lifetime. Most of today's players do not even understand the concept of hustle that he had. He should be in the Hall based on his play. I don't care if he bet on his son's pine wood derby races.

[dakine]

Wrong, Wrong, Wrong,...you can not even have a hint of gambling on baseball.

E.G. No one watching should have it in their mind that Buckner let the ball go through his legs because he may be throwing the game.

[John H K]

A player betting on baseball in any form is a million times worse than a player that does a million doses of steroids, or a player that does a million pounds of crack rock in his career.

People just don't get it, though.

[somemoreequalthanothers]

Anyone that would think that probably doesn't know a thing about Bill Buckner.
I'll accept a gambling Pete Rose much sooner than the dopers playing the game today. "Harmful to baseball....." what a joke.

[MEG33]

You would trust a game where the manager or players are betting on the outcome?It destroys any faith one has in the outcome.

[cajungirl]

What did Mark McGuire do?


Pete Rose's apology was utilitarian, not real.

[dakine]

I used Buckner as an example, the question is that in the back of your mind there can be no notion that the game is being "fixed"...

[captbarney]

Not only did Rose bet on Cinn. games but he "threw" games. The betting slips indicate he bet different amounts daily. What does that tell us he had in mind when using his players or his strategy. ($10,000 vs $1,000). It also helps the bookmaker in changing his "line"

[Mr Ducklips]

Back in baseball: No.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame: Yes.

[somemoreequalthanothers]

If he's betting on himself to win, I would have no problem whatsoever. You had to see Pete play the game. He played with great intensity 100% of the time, it's completely lacking with today's players, IMHO.

[somemoreequalthanothers]

Bah....the only people that think baseball may be fixed also think pro wrestling is real.

[MEG33]

He was a great ballplayer.He gambled on baseball...Greatness in the sport does not exempt one from the lifetime ban.

[Tripleplay]

Gambling would destroy the game. Competitive sports are only viable is the outcome is in doubt. No one would watch if players would lose on purpose for financial gain.

Rose should be denied entrance on this basis alone.

[somemoreequalthanothers]

The ban may or may not be the right thing. But the Hall of Fame should be torn down if Pete ain't in it.
The state of the nation musn't be very bad considering we're here debating baseball. :)

[MEG33]

It's for sure I'm not solving anything on a computer.