"Even heroes fall: Honesty is the best policy"... Take a look if you have a few minutes...

riccaboni

Hey guys. For my school newspaper, the topic of Pete Rose was brought up and out. I am pretty passionate about this subject and voluenteered to write an editorial covering my personal experiences. My story is rather long winded so far and with some editing, I plan to cut it down quite a bit. I have been considering a career as a journalist, but this by no means is my finest work. It is a rough draft, and I am just posting it to get some opinions on it and to clear up factual inconsistancies.

If you have a few minutes and would not mind dropping me a few lines of criticism, constructive of course , it would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Ian

(Story posted in next post.)

riccaboni

Even heroes fall: Honesty is the best policy
By IAN RICCABONI

The world stood still on December 31, 1999. Some worried of the Y2K problems, while others hoped with great promise for prosperity in politics. The presidential election ended up providing excitement for all, with a couple hundred hanging chads in Florida deciding a nationwide election. 2000 saw the finishing touches to the rags to riches National Football League story of Kurt Warner, who went from bagging groceries to Superbowl Most Valuable Player (MVP). For me, 2000 will be remembered based on personal experiences. In 2000, I received my first kiss, began care about hygiene, and met my childhood idol, Pete Rose.

Since my days as a t-ball player, I had admired Rose for what he had done on the field. My team was the Reds and I selected number 14, Rose’s number, by accident. On a trip to the sporting goods store with my brother to get a hat because the children size they gave me was too small, my brother informed me of who Pete Rose was and his accomplishments. Rose left baseball as it’s all time hit leader, with three World Series rings, three batting titles, and an amazing 17 Major League Baseball (MLB) All-Star game selections. I felt honored to wear the number 14 as a Cincinnati Red and even more honored because my coach graced me with Rose’s nickname, “Charlie Hustle”.

In 2000, though, I was a batboy for the independent Northern League baseball team, the Allentown Ambassadors. As a thank you for a strong 1999 season to their fans and staff, owner Peter Carolly created a luncheon for staff and season ticket holders, with none other than Pete Rose as the keynote speaker. Like the day I received my first kiss, I will never forget the day I attended the luncheon.

This day was unlike any other. My dad, a stickler for going to school even when deathly ill, picked me up to leave school at precisely 1:00 pm. I had put on my best looking Hawaiian style shirt, grabbed a Sharpie marker and my official National League baseball, as well as my camera. This day had been circled on the calendar for quite some time, and as my father and I departed for the Allentown Hilton, the butterflies in my stomach started churning. “What would I say if I had the chance to make small talk with him?” and “I wonder if he will sign my baseball,” were questions that ran through my head in the car. When I arrived though, with invitation in hand, the questions left my head and my stomach. Lunch began to be served and Carolly started to speak. He spoke of excitement and anticipation for the 2000 season for the Ambassadors, and how this was just the beginning of things to come. Rose was introduced.

Carolly had to say nothing more than “Pete Rose”. The room of about 75 or so instantaneously raised to their feet, and gave Rose a standing ovation. Since my days as a t-ball player, I had learned of the circumstances. The circumstances of course being the fact that Rose had signed a lifetime ban agreement from the game of baseball with then MLB commissioner Bart Giamatti, an agreement concluded to after the findings of John Dowd’s reports were presented on August 23, 1989. Rose had been found by Dowd to be betting on baseball, betting for the Reds to win, and possibly making moves detrimental to the careers of young players on the Reds in order to secure a victory in order to protect his betting. Even after signing this agreement, Rose went on a campaign for reinstatement, often times on Baseball Hall of Fame induction days, setting up and signing autographs while the ceremonies right down the street in Cooperstown, NY took place. However, in the agreement, Rose agreed to breaking the number one rule posted in every clubhouse, “No betting on baseball.”

Rose was clearly a fan favorite for his hustle and determination off of the field. For a baseball player, he was a man of average size, but used his heart, soul, and mind to supply the skills he lacked. Rose spoke for around thirty minutes that day. He admitted he had a gambling problem, but mentioned that he bet only on football and basketball. Rose passionately convinced all of us in attendance that he had not bet on baseball, and was even quoted in the Morning Call as so. His statements were so riveting, in fact, that his “I did not bet on baseball,” received a standing ovation. Of all of the horror stories I have heard of his personality, and of all the outrageous charges I have heard for him wanting to sign autographs, Rose opened the floor for questioning and answered every last one. He also broke after his speech, during his lunch, to sign every autograph for everyone in attendance at no charge. A smile and a thank you, Rose had my undying support.

Through his campaigning in the late 1990’s and into 2003, Rose maintained his passion and conviction on the charges that keep him out of enshrinement in the Baseball Hall of Fame and out of old timer games, jersey retirement, and celebration of greats. Current MLB Commissioner Bud Selig, however, granted Rose a “weekend” pass to participate in a celebration of the All Century team, a team voted on by the fans, with the living members gathering at Yankee Stadium prior to Game 2 of the 1999 World Series. On August, 23 2003, it was reported by Baseballprospectus.com that Rose had been granted re-instatement for 2004 by Commissioner Selig, with no admission of wrong doing by Rose required. As a Rose fan, I thanked my lucky stars. Pete Rose would finally be celebrated among the greats, once and for all.

The report was declared false by MLB officers. Still, the report put Rose’s name right back into the spotlight. Even as the report was broadcast on ESPN, I had remembered the perfect blend genuine nature and passion Rose presented at the luncheon in 2000. I felt bad for Rose and was passionate for his reinstatement. After all, Ty Cobb was one of the most obnoxious and ruthless MLB players ever and he was represented in the Hall of Fame, as is Babe Ruth who had alcoholism. Rose had me convinced that he signed that agreement in 1989 because he was forced to. Well, possibly until January 5, 2004.

Headlines across the bottom of the screen on the Bottom Line on ESPN that day read “Rose admits to betting on baseball, see full story on PrimeTime Thursday, January 8, 10:00 pm.” My stomach turned over. Worse than when my heart was broken, worse than when God took the life of my grandfather who I unfortunately was unable to talk to, I was betrayed. But, being my hero, I wanted to grant Rose a chance to speak his mind, to hear his side of the story.

I watched the special that Thursday with great anticipation and nearly was brought to tears. I was fervently behind Rose all of the way. He had a gambling addiction and he needed help. Being a legend and a man in the public spotlight, he had hoped it all to go away until he was ready to admit to it. He indeed confirmed betting on baseball, but also confirmed to betting on the Reds, only to win. "I believed in my team. I knew my team. It never altered the way I tried to run the game," Rose said in his interview with Charles Gibson. All was well, and he had my support; until the next morning.

I anxiously arrived home that day to find my tape of Rose on ABC’s Good Morning America and ready to watch it. I wanted to hang on his every word and give him a “thataboy” for finally coming clean. In staunch support, I loved it, until I realized what his message was. It all clicked in my head of the previous night’s interview. Rose spent both interviews promoting his book, himself and the fact that not being able to be affiliated with MLB denies him of revenue that could be made off of trading cards, replica jerseys, as well as other collectable items and apparel. No longer was I joyous with support, chilled with anguish, or ecstatic and compassionate for my hero. I was angry. Angry that Rose took the opportunity, center stage on national primetime television and the following morning, to promote a lousy book, angry that Rose did not take the opportunity to support gambling rehab institutions, and angry that my hero since I was five years old lied to me. Rose could have lied to me on television, or in print, but on that day in 2000, Rose pulled me into the shore, hook, line, and sinker, of his world of untruths with myself a mere 30 feet from him. Worse than any girl I had been in love with, my heart was broken on January 9, 2004.

Is Pete Rose a Hall of Fame baseball player? Yes, without a doubt. Should Pete Rose be eligible for Hall of Fame election? No, not at all. He broke baseball’s number one rule, no gambling, for two years as a manager in 1987 and 1988, used his star power and media darling status to inflate his ego, and used the one opportunity he had at restoring any true faith to his name to support himself and himself only. Had Rose admitted his wrong doing in 1989, like he had with Giamatti, to the public instead of living fifteen years of lying and cheating the fans who paid the tickets to see him play, to buy the trading cards, the caps, the personalized autographs and memorabilia, and given back to society by instituting clinics on the dangers of gambling addictions, perhaps the media would not be buzzing right now. But then again, Rose could not have picked a better situation for his name to go down infamy under any circumstances.

Rose’s name will live in my heart forever as a man who played the game to the absolute pinnacle, but not as a man who should ever be allowed as a Hall of Fame inductee and drag the reputation of MLB down the tube with it. If Rose is pardoned, this opens the flood gates. Young players and managers will believe it ok to gamble on games, while those like “Shoeless” Joe Jackson, of the 1919 Chicago “Blacksox” scandal, a player who had Hall of Fame credentials, but was denied induction when the entire 1919 Chicago White Sox team was banned on allegations of fixing that year’s world series, will have to be reconsidered for eligibility. I hope Rose learned something, to the effects of honesty is the best policy. I know I learned a lot from this; even heroes fall.

riccaboni

Just a quick glance over, needs more solid basis for argument and less fluff. Also a date for the luncheon would be helpful, since it is the pivitol rememberance in my story. I am trying to find the invitation with the date or the old Morning Call newspaper that covered it.

jrinck

Here's what George Carlin has to say about honesty and dishonesty:

"Honesty is the best policy, but, apparently, by process of elimination, dishonesty is the SECOND BEST policy!"

fullerfun4

It's a good story as I read it, and very true. I have met Rose several times and I have on each occasion found him to be cynical, greedy, and aloof. Joe Jackson deserves to be in the Hall before Rose. Jackson didn't participate in the throwing of the series, but only knew of it and didn't reveal it. On the other hand, Rose not only violated the crdinal sin of baseball, but lied about his culpability for years.
As a player, he was one of the greatest. As a person, he is one of the lowest.

habs71

<< <i>Headlines across the bottom of the screen on the Bottom Line on ESPN that day read “Rose admits to betting on baseball, see full story on PrimeTime Thursday, January 8, 10:00 pm.” My stomach turned over. Worse than when my heart was broken, worse than when God took the life of my grandfather... >>



Let's see if I have this right..you feel worse about Pete Rose gambling on baseball, lying about it for 14 years, partly admitting guilt, than you feel about your grandfather passing away??

Not for me to question your life priorities.. BUT...



Skip

wolfbear

Ian - You're correct that it does need to be edited down,
but I think the personal stuff adds interest, and for a rough draft, I give it two thumbs up.

You're fortunate to have a good command of the written word. It gives you a huge leg up on most people.

oaktown

First of all, thanks for posting your work. Takes some guts. I thought it was heartfelt and honest. You're definitely well on your way!

I grew up, like you, idolizing Pete Rose. I can remember in Little League, diving head first into any and every base possible (whether it was necessary or not). But as I've grown up, I've realized that Pete Rose is nothing but a scoundrel and a cheat. I would like to able to defend him and get him into the HOF on his amazing achievements on the diamond, but he's not remorseful at all. He still claims not to have placed any bets while in the clubhouse when the Dowd report has phone reports proving otherwise. I know there have been plenty of ball players with social problems as you alluded to with Ruth and Cobb. But those two had genuine respect for the game. Rose is and always will be a self promoter and only concerned with his future earning potential.

riccaboni

Without a doubt, the grandfather comment was a play on a recent incident in my life and was a wink wink moment at my journalism teacher who had helped me overcome it. That will not be in the final paper. But I appreciate any and all criticisms and I await Mr. Marsico's verdict on it tomorrow.

-Ian

Tipem

Ian,

Nice Job.I think that you have expressed what many Rose fans are grappling with.I also feel that Rose has the credentials for the hall based on his playing days but his obvious lack of remorse even now, and also his glaring self promotion have certainly taken him out of the hall as far as I am concerned.I do think that Skip is right in his assessment of your piece.I would definately keep that part out.
It certainly seems that you have chosen a career path that you will excel in.Good luck in that regard and leave the national out this year if it conflicts with the school that you spoke of in an earlier thread.

Vic

qualitycards

IAN, Nice paper. Always cool to do a sports topic for a school project.

With that said, you stated you were devastated when he announced his role in betting on Baseball.
I know he always denied it prior, but the evidence in the Dowd report seemed so black & white, didn't
you have any inkling that he did bet? I always figured he bet and this day was coming that he would
admit to it. Now that public opinion has swayed back & forth, time is needed to heel the process, and
then universal forgiveness should follow...jay

Buccaneer

As someone who has been following sports since the late 1960s (including a huge Big Red Machine fan), I fortunately learned early on that one should never equate "heroes" with sports athletes. Even though there were many players I liked, I thought it was unhealthy and unrealistic to put them (or any celebrities) on a pedestal.

Fabfrank

Hi Ian. Always enjoy reading your posts. Your article was well written but needs to be "condensed" a bit. I'm sure your editor/teacher will address that for you. As for Pete Rose, I've always known he gambled on baseball. Not because of any inside source, but as a somewhat reformed gambler myself, I can tell you one thing. Gamblers bet on what they know. Pete knew baseball and there was no doubt in my mind he bet on baseball. There was no doubt in my mind he bet on the Reds. They only thing I question is whether he bet on the Reds to lose. I hope is own competitive fires prevented him from betting against, or managing his team to lose.
The whole situation reminds of the Bill Clinton/Monica Lewinsky affair. Both lied to the public until faced with irrefutable proof of their guilt. Bill- the stained dress. Pete- his bookies betting slips (which he also denied up until now)
My own personal experience with Pete was less than what I hoped for. He was signing at the Rothstein show a few years ago. I was with my brother-in law (who is a huge Pete Rose fan) and we waited till the end of the show to get our autographs. We didn't want to wait on line and wanted to get a few extra moments with Pete. We paid our fee and went up to Pete when there was no line. He was in the middle of eating a big Tuna fish hero but kindly put down his lunch to sign our baseballs. It was Pete and his agent behind the table and my brother-in law and I on the other side. We told him how much we appreciated his taking time to sign for us and how much we admired his accomplishments. He nodded and gave us back our signed baseballs. We said "Thank You" and as we left he said to his agent, under his breath "Why are they saying Thank You? They paid for the autographs."
That moment opened my eyes to how some of these athletes regard their fans, especially Pete Rose. It's only about the money.

oaktown

Ugh...that's a brutal story. I hate to hear that about athletes signing autographs. Without fans/baseball Pete would be mopping up at the local adult oriented store!!

ngfred

Good paper. I share a similar sentiment. Not so much the fact that Pete lied (I knew he was lying all along), but the lack of remorse as most have pointed out.

I'll paraphrase what Mike Lupica said on ESPN's Sport Reporters, when the Kobe Bryant thing came out, that "we continue to count on these stars to be role models and heroes, and they continue to disappoint us. It's to a point where the only thing we can count on these days is the game itself, and that's probably the only thing we should have counted on in the first place."