Posted on 08/22/2003 10:12:15 AM PDT by Keyes2000mt
Ruth has 4.
Bump; for emphasis.
He wasn't speaking about Barry as an individual, his is a lone opinion, and his credibility on the issue is equal with the Padres being in last place in the NL West (28 games out from SF). He is wrong and the Padres suck.
He has more records broken than Ted Williams and he will brake the Bambino's all time record season HR record soon just as he broke the walk record and combination stolen bases and singles season HR record and eventauly Aron's record. Ted had a one of the greatest swings (I read his book), but Barry is quicker and just like Ted talks about seeing the stiching rotation on the ball before he swings.
American League President Ban Johnson to issue an order in 1903 forbidding all gambling and betting in American League parks. Johnson's order was greatly ignored as gambling continued to infest baseball. Two years later, New York Giants manager [and 1937 Hall of Fame inductee]John McGraw was involved in a gambling incident during the A's-Giants World Series. McGraw had placed $400 on the Giants to win the Series. After New York defeated the A's in 5 games, McGraw collected on his winnings and never faced any discipline over the incident.
Pete definitely made a mistake... but no more so than a bunch of other players, both before and after him. Does the name Ty Cobb ring a bell? He bet on games too, then went out and played harder than ever to win. Babe Ruth did a bit of minor betting too without getting tossed out of the game.
So what's the difference with Pete? Well, it's the same difference we all bitch about when we see liberal ideas celebrated on the front page and conservative principles hidden amongst the obituaries. THE PRESS!! Prior to WW2 most of the press was on the unofficial payroll of baseball and they certainly weren't going to bite the hand that fed their familes. Now that the press has been "liberated" it can tear into anybody it wants, especially anybody that doesn't play by their ill-defined rules. Pete didn't give them the proper respect in his interviews so they scratched around and dug up a cross to crucify him on. If he's guilty of anything, it's being stupid enough to hand them the nails and hammer.
While I can't say that I know Pete, I've met him and his family. He ain't the sweetest guy around but he's no worse than a lot of professional basketball players... especially some of the ones we have here in Portland, the home of the Jailblazers.
Give him a pass. He's done more for baseball than all the keyboard commandos who've been condemning him here.
I asked for ANY proof that ANYTHING he did changed the outcome of ANY game. We have proof that corked bats affect the outcome of games. So when there is no proof, you say ban him. When there is proof you say don't ban him?
I understood what you asked. My response was that betting on baseball in itself was so damaging to the game that proof of affect was not germane. Beyond that you are carrying out the comparison for your own entertainment.
You may have outrage, you aren't the one keeping him out. Where is MLBs outrage? Where is their effort to ferret out these other outrages to the game?
So since they aren't addressing these other outrages they should just go ahead and let Rose in the game? That may be how you would handle things. I would opt to address the other issues while keeping Rose out.
Begging the question on re-instatement. By putting the clause in that he could re-apply, it follows that they would seriously consider re-instatement. If there was no intent to ever reinstate then the clause is a joke and that makes the whole document a joke. Either they misled Rose into signing the document or they meant what they said, there is no third way.
There is a third way. The option for re-instatement might have been included IF Rose made any serious attempt to admit his transgressions, apologize, be contrite, and atone for his sins against the game. Since there has been no meaningful acknowledgement of wrongdoing on his part, who's to know? Regardless, I'm glad he's not back.
Patients my friend.......patients....I am looking forward to watching the Giants beat up on the bronks bombers soon........very soon my friend. I predict a splash end in the Bay for that ring and another year without a championship for George and the Yanks.
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