Rose must own up, or it's no deal
Pete Rose is arguably one of the greatest baseball players of all time. Sadly, he is also one of the most tarnished. I think most of us would probably agree that Rose belongs in the Hall of Fame- for his exploits on the playing field. It's what took place off the field that has turned Rose's glorious career into a laughingstock.
PETE Rose is no less guilty or hardheaded today than he was yesterday.
The guilt we can forgive. It's the stubbornness. It's the defiance.
The taint on Rose, who defied baseball's most sacred edict, is no less despicable today than it was yesterday. His past associations with convicted drug dealers and history of lying haven't disappeared. He still is a convicted tax cheat who for many years had associations and business relationships with unsavory individuals
The great thing about this country is that if you're good enough at whatever you do, eventually people will forgive you your transgressions. Even O.J. Simpson is on the road to rehabilitation. For Rose, getting back in baseball's good graces is a pretty simple proposition.
But today Rose is a sympathetic figure.
He is because this is America. And America is all about baseball, hot dogs, apple pie and second chances.
It is what makes this great land of ours great. You're nothing until you've risen, fallen to the point of crawling around belly-first like a slug, and then tried humbly to work your way back up.
You're not really a megastar and national hero until you've tried to work your way back from any or a combination of:
A well-publicized affair or divorce. Rehab. Spousal abuse. A relationship with Madonna or Jennifer Lopez. Assault charges. Well-publicized lies. Corporate crime. Testifying before a Senate subcommittee. Citations for DUI. Or politically incorrect or discriminatory quotes.
It's the American way. Give us liberty, or give us dish.
And in a few months or years, if you turn a new leaf, we'll forgive you.
Inevitably, when stars fall, serve their time in the court of public indignity and have the obligatory sit-down with Barbara Walters, opinions usually turn 180 degrees, and all is forgiven.
Today, America has forgiven Pete Rose. If only he were remorseful and honest. If he is not, then baseball should not forgive Rose.
It's simple. All Rose has to do is to admit to what the evidence has already made clear: that he bet on baseball. If he were to say, "I did bet on baseball games, and I am sorry", all of the debate about whether he deserves to be enshrined in Cooperstown would vanish. As long as Rose insists he is innocent, baseballs fans (and the game's hierarchy) are going to feel as if they're being played for fools.
Rose has been banned from the game for 13 years. He has done his time. Clearly, he is deserving of being remembered with the game's best. Until he owns up to his own guilt (if anyone has any doubt, refer to the Dowd Report) and comes clean, changing the status quo would be wrong. Rose bet on baseball games as a player and as a manager, and by doing so tarnished the integrity of the game. I would be willing to forgive Rose his trespasses, if only he would utter that one little sentence: "I did bet on baseball games, and I am sorry". That's it. Until that happens, however, Rose deserves to be on the outside looking in.
