Where is Pete Rose's second chance?
By
Stephen Forsha-sforsha@gmail.com
If you get a chance, visit Grantland.com and watch the new "30 for 30" eight-minute film on Pete Rose and what his normal day is like.
Basically, his life now is for 20 days a month, he signs autographs in Las Vegas to pay his bills, but in the film, he said he'd rather be managing a baseball team.
Though he did admit to lying about gambling on baseball, Pete Rose has suffered enough … it's time for him to have a second chance.
Everyone else gets one in real life … what makes baseball so important that they get to pick and choose who receives their blessing for a second chance?
Why is it that steroid users, drug addicts and anyone else in baseball that has had a problem or slip-up gets a second chance, but not Pete Rose?[[In-content Ad]]In the film, he even admits he was "still wrong" for gambling. He also says, "You can find something wrong with everybody, but if you want to harp on it, life's too damn short to be negative. I hate negative people."
This is old hat, I know, but watch the film, and you tell me he couldn't do something worthwhile in the game of baseball. Pete Rose is more than just a display item at memorabilia shops in Las Vegas.
Speaking of players who have been give more than one second chance, later this month (May 30) Manny Ramirez will be eligible to rejoin the Oakland A's after he finishes serving a 50-game suspension for violating the performance-enhancing drug policy of Major League Baseball.
Why is it someone who was found to have illegal substances banned by baseball in their system allowed a second chance, but someone who gambled on his own team to win – and yes, what he did was extremely wrong – doesn't get a second chance, to if not be a part of baseball in some way, at least be eligible to be elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame?
Even though I love MLB, it can and has been a bit hypocritical
when it comes to dealing with second chances. After he wasn't able to be suspended, New York Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez admitted to taking performance-enhancing drugs. So did Andy Pettitte. What happened with those two … they are both still in the game of baseball, and Pettitte is making a comeback, again.
What is the difference between what they did and what Pete Rose did? Nothing, in my mind.
Do I think Pete Rose should be in charge of a team as a manager? I'm not quite that trusting (he'd have to earn that position), but why can't the all-time hits leader and winningest athlete in all of sports be a bench coach in MLB or at the least a hitting instructor? Mark McGwire admitted after his career he took performance-enhancing substances during his career, and he's gotten another chance as a hitting coach for the St. Louis Cardinals.
Not to mention there have been former MVPs who have been found or have admitted to using performance-enhancing banned substances in baseball, and well, they didn't even get a slap on the wrist.
Why can't Pete Rose get a second chance?
Who is to say gambling is worse than being an admitted recovering drug addict? Those who work on their problem have shown they can succeed in not only life, but baseball as well. If you don't believe me, see Josh Hamilton of the Texas Rangers. He's had more than one second chance, and he's a role model for the most part, and last week, he hit four home runs in a game.
People can learn from their misfortunes and mistakes, but how can anyone know if Pete Rose has learned from his mistakes, unless given a second chance?
This comes from someone who was just a few months old when Pete Rose broke the all-time career hit mark held by Ty Cobb, and reading books on Tyrus Cobb and his attitude on and off the field … he makes the all-time hit king look like a saint, and we know that isn't true.
I've changed my stance on this topic, for the reason if others get a second shot at baseball for breaking the rules, why not Pete Rose?
He's done his time … folks go to prison for shorter amounts of time for far worse than the 20-plus years Pete Rose has been banned from baseball for gambling.
I'm not saying Pete Rose is a role model, but what I'm saying is many pro athletes are given a second chance … it’s time for Pete's name to reach the top of that list.
Stephen Forsha is the sports editor of The Highland County Press. He can be reached at sforsha@gmail.com. Follow Stephen on Twitter @hcpsportseditor.
Basically, his life now is for 20 days a month, he signs autographs in Las Vegas to pay his bills, but in the film, he said he'd rather be managing a baseball team.
Though he did admit to lying about gambling on baseball, Pete Rose has suffered enough … it's time for him to have a second chance.
Everyone else gets one in real life … what makes baseball so important that they get to pick and choose who receives their blessing for a second chance?
Why is it that steroid users, drug addicts and anyone else in baseball that has had a problem or slip-up gets a second chance, but not Pete Rose?[[In-content Ad]]In the film, he even admits he was "still wrong" for gambling. He also says, "You can find something wrong with everybody, but if you want to harp on it, life's too damn short to be negative. I hate negative people."
This is old hat, I know, but watch the film, and you tell me he couldn't do something worthwhile in the game of baseball. Pete Rose is more than just a display item at memorabilia shops in Las Vegas.
Speaking of players who have been give more than one second chance, later this month (May 30) Manny Ramirez will be eligible to rejoin the Oakland A's after he finishes serving a 50-game suspension for violating the performance-enhancing drug policy of Major League Baseball.
Why is it someone who was found to have illegal substances banned by baseball in their system allowed a second chance, but someone who gambled on his own team to win – and yes, what he did was extremely wrong – doesn't get a second chance, to if not be a part of baseball in some way, at least be eligible to be elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame?
Even though I love MLB, it can and has been a bit hypocritical
when it comes to dealing with second chances. After he wasn't able to be suspended, New York Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez admitted to taking performance-enhancing drugs. So did Andy Pettitte. What happened with those two … they are both still in the game of baseball, and Pettitte is making a comeback, again.
What is the difference between what they did and what Pete Rose did? Nothing, in my mind.
Do I think Pete Rose should be in charge of a team as a manager? I'm not quite that trusting (he'd have to earn that position), but why can't the all-time hits leader and winningest athlete in all of sports be a bench coach in MLB or at the least a hitting instructor? Mark McGwire admitted after his career he took performance-enhancing substances during his career, and he's gotten another chance as a hitting coach for the St. Louis Cardinals.
Not to mention there have been former MVPs who have been found or have admitted to using performance-enhancing banned substances in baseball, and well, they didn't even get a slap on the wrist.
Why can't Pete Rose get a second chance?
Who is to say gambling is worse than being an admitted recovering drug addict? Those who work on their problem have shown they can succeed in not only life, but baseball as well. If you don't believe me, see Josh Hamilton of the Texas Rangers. He's had more than one second chance, and he's a role model for the most part, and last week, he hit four home runs in a game.
People can learn from their misfortunes and mistakes, but how can anyone know if Pete Rose has learned from his mistakes, unless given a second chance?
This comes from someone who was just a few months old when Pete Rose broke the all-time career hit mark held by Ty Cobb, and reading books on Tyrus Cobb and his attitude on and off the field … he makes the all-time hit king look like a saint, and we know that isn't true.
I've changed my stance on this topic, for the reason if others get a second shot at baseball for breaking the rules, why not Pete Rose?
He's done his time … folks go to prison for shorter amounts of time for far worse than the 20-plus years Pete Rose has been banned from baseball for gambling.
I'm not saying Pete Rose is a role model, but what I'm saying is many pro athletes are given a second chance … it’s time for Pete's name to reach the top of that list.
Stephen Forsha is the sports editor of The Highland County Press. He can be reached at sforsha@gmail.com. Follow Stephen on Twitter @hcpsportseditor.