1/10/2004 - Pete Rose, say it ain’t so.
You think this article is about him gambling on baseball. Come on, I knew
he gambled on baseball 14 years ago. My Beef with Pete is that
he does not play chess. I picked up a copy of Pete’s new book “
Pete Rose”. Pete says he does not have normal hobbies like
golf, tennis or chess. Pete claims he suffers from attention deficit disorder,
oppositional defiant behavior and he has a gambling problem.
Pete start playing chess! It’s
a great game and it will help keep you focused and could keep you away
from the bookies and casinos. Chess
is exactly what Pete needs to quench his competitive thirst.
Pete Rose is
my favorite ball player. I
remember watching the 1970 all-star game. It’s a tie score in the bottom
of the 12th inning, Pete Rose is on 2nd base, there
are two outs and Jim Hickman is at the plate.
Jim hits a single to center, Pete Rose rounds third and is coming
home, he hesitates a bit, not sure if he will slide headfirst or run over
the catcher. Pete decides not to risk breaking his collarbone and will
barrel into Ray Fosse. Center
fielder Amos Otis catches the ball and fires it to Ray who is blocking the
plate. An instant later Pete comes charging through, there is a collision
at the plate. Both players fall to the ground. Rose is safe and the
National League wins the game 5-4. Both
Ray and Pete were hurt on the play. It’s one of baseballs greatest
plays. In that one instant, Pete achieved baseball immortality. There is a lot not to like about Pete. However, there is an element to his approach to his sport
that makes him a good role model. He always hustled, even on a walk; he
would run to first base. You never saw Pete slack off. It did not matter
if he was winning by 10 or down by 10. He always gave his maximum effort.
He is the all time hit leader and holds numerous other baseball records. Pete became known for his head first slide to third base.
If
Pete was a talented chess player, he would never take an early draw, he
would probably play for a win in every game regardless of color or
tournament standings. Fans
love Pete because, when he was between the lines, he tried his hardest at
all times. I am wondering if
chess players can use a little or a lot of Pete Rose’s hustle. I think
FIDE could use a Big dose of Pete Rose’s hustle.
Whoa, that would really energize chess. Chess aside, I think we
could all use a little bit of Pete Rose’s hustle in our lives. I try to
incorporate a little of it in my approach to chess reporter.
Should Pete
be allowed to return to baseball? Well the rules are clear, however if you
are going to allow some one back in, it’s Pete Rose. The suspension Pete
signed did leave the door open for his return. I don’t buy the argument
that if you let Pete back in, you got to let Shoeless Joe Jackson back in.
I don’t equate the two crimes against baseball as equal. If Shoeless Joe
Jackson threw the 1919 World Series, he should never be allowed back. Now
Pete is only guilty of betting on baseball. I am not condoning that,
because betting on a sport could lead to fixing games. At this point there
is no evidence to indicate Pete fixed any games. His hustle between the
lines indicates otherwise.
I got
Pete’s autograph a few years ago in Edison New Jersey. My observations
are that Pete needs to pay closer attention to his fans that worship him.
Pete could use this to help defeat his gambling problem.
Common Pete Rose questions:
1)
Is the release of the book self-serving? Is Pete trying to profit
from his banishment and subsequent admission of guilt.
Yes,
but who can blame him. Pete has been denied, by his own failures, from
earning a living in his own profession. He can’t coach, manage, or
announce major league games. Pete also has money problems, most people
with gambling problems do. Bottom
line, he has no choice. There is no guarantee that Pete will be allowed
back into the game of baseball. He needs to make a living. Pete is more
concerned about managing than getting elected to the Hall of Fame.
2)
Should Pete be allowed back into baseball?
Yes, but he must be agreeable to extensive monitoring of his finances and
recreational habits. He
should not be allowed to go to casinos or horse tracks. NO gambling what so
ever. The clubhouse phone should be monitored. Before Pete is allowed
back, he must follow late Baseball Commission Bart Giamatti advice. Pete
must reconfigure his life.
My advice to Pete Rose :
a)
start playing chess
b)
show your love of baseball and give up all forms of gambling
I would like to end this with a joke.
Pete sat on a tack, Pete Rose.
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