Today, April 14, one of , in my opinion, the greatest, most exciting men in baseball, was born in 1941. In today’s world- when you hear the name “Pete Rose”, you probably think more about gambling than the game he played. So what, he bet on baseball while managing the Reds??? Big deal!! The guy appeared in 17 All Star Games, in a whopping 5 positions! He ran to first base when a pitcher walked him. He surpassed Ty Cobb’s records for most hits and most games played. He had amazing drive. You could feel the energy watching him on the field…. I was only a few years old when he was in the later years of his career. I watched his games via VHS and ESPN Classic Sports channel. I never got tired of watching the Big Red Machine! Pete Rose and Johnny Bench were like Michael Jordan and Scotty Pippen, in my most uneducated opinion. It is a great loss to baseball that his ban has not been lifted. It is a sad time when players like Barry Bonds and countless others have been found out to “cheat” by using steroids, and still be allowed into the Hall of Fame, and Pete Rose, who never drank, smoked, or used performance enhancing drugs, who accomplished everything that he did with pure talent and drive, can not be acknowledged for his great efforts.
Today, I would absolutely love for the ban to be lifted. I would love to see him come back to Cincinnati, and manage the Reds again. I think his drive is just what the team needs to pull them together, to motivate them to play more from the heart than from the pocket. Teach them to “want to win” and how to effectively use and further develop their talent to make it happen.
So- here’s to you Pete. I have great respect for you as a player, as a manager, and as a person. Happy Birthday my friend. You have been a great inspiration to me, and I’m sure to many, many others.
Pete was a switch hitter in the game, but he always stayed true and bet FOR his Reds.
For the record Pete, I am with you, give me $100 on the Reds!
Jessica's on the Ball 