January 09, 2004
On Peter Rose & More
I met a friend for coffee this morning (a "LARGE MOCHA" at a non mega-chain store and with a croissant). He is much smarter than I'll ever be and we were arguing about Pete Rose and whether he should be allowed in Baseball Hall of Fame. Just because my friend is smart, it does not mean he can't be wrong, as this was the case on his "ban for life" argument. But he was right about something else. In the heat of debate, he asked me why I don't put my opinion on this up on my weblog? I thought about it and he was right.
I think we all have a tendency to fall into certain routines and stereotypes we design for ourselves. I have tried hard to break that and as it relates to this weblog, try to have it more reflective of all my interests and attitudes, not just on politics or social issues, but also everything else including TV shows I like, my dating ventures, music I listen to and more. Yet there are many other topics I stay away from on the eyeranian. Well, I intend to be more cautious of that fact and try to not censor myself as often.
On Pete Rose: If Rose is ever inducted into Cooperstown, it is because of being one of the most dominant PLAYERS in baseball history. As such, his selection is an award or a recognition for what he accomplished as a player, nothing more or less. What he did years later and as a coach (no matter how wrong) has nothing to do with that. You don't take the Heisman honor away from OJ because he brutally killed two people. He won that for being the best player in college football for 1968 and what he does after that, no matter how unfortunate, has nothing to do with it (even if sells the actual trophy).
If Rose was running for public office, applying for a coaching job or asked to borrow $20, then his admitted gambling problem while a coach should be a concern. If he did anything wrong as a player (can you say Shoeless Joe Jackson?) his exclusion could be explained. Otherwise, Pete Rose deserves to be in the baseball hall of fame, period.
Now that I got that off my chest, I'm glad Paul Molitor, the best overall player to ever wear the jersey of my beloved Blue Jays, was honored on his first opportunity, even if he goes in with the best closer Jays ever faced; Dennis Eckersley. They both deserve it. Who do you think will be the first inductee in a Jays hat? McGriff? Alomar? Steib? Delgado? Somebody else?
Posted by Pedram at January 9, 2004 11:21 PMThis essay just about sums it up for me. :)
Pete Rose And The Liar's Hall of Shame
http://www.hoffman-info.com/condit.html
I agree with Pedram; Rose belongs in the hall!
Posted by: Jerry in Jersey at January 13, 2004 11:19 AMFantastic website you have here.