Pete Rose Apologizes

[Douglas]

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=5561237

"I disrespected the game of baseball," Rose told a crowded ballroom. "When you do that, you disrespect your teammates, the game and your family."

Rose broke down as he spoke, according to the Enquirer, sobbing during a comedy roast that featured speeches from former Reds teammates Perez, Geronimo, Ken Griffey Sr., George Foster and Tom Browning.

Rose recalled a 1989 conversation with Bart Giamatti in which the late baseball commissioner suggested he "reconfigure" his life.

"I didn't know what that meant," Rose said. "It took me years and years [to come to grips with it]. ... I'm a hard-headed guy. ... But I'm a lot better guy standing here tonight."

Rose apologized to his former teammates, including those who weren't in attendance -- Johnny Bench, Joe Morgan and Davey Concepcion, the Enquirer reported.

Rose offered an apology directly to Perez, seated at his right, looking straight at him.

"I've known Tony 50 years -- he's like a brother to me," Rose said.

It was, according to the Cincinnati newspaper, the first time Rose had publicly addressed his past transgressions in such a direct, emotional way.

"I guarantee everybody in this room, I will never disrespect you again," Rose said.

"You can talk about hits and runs and championship games. ... [But] I want my legacy to be [that of] somebody who came forward. If anybody has a problem here today, come forward. Don't hide it. ... You can run, but you can't hide. If I can help a young kid to know what I went through, maybe I can prevent them from going through the same thing.

"I got suspended 21 years ago. For 10-12 years, I kept it inside. ... That's changed. I'm a different guy. ... I love the fans, I love the game of baseball, and I love Cincinnati baseball."

"Nice, nice," said Perez afterward. "I was crying. He finally got it off his chest."

"Out of left field," said Browning, shaking his head. "I didn't see it coming."

I've long supported MLB's ban on Rose, especially in light of his stubborn refusal to 'fess up to what he did, or even acknowledge he'd done anything wrong.

But with this, he should be welcomed back in. Put him in the Hall.

 

[dcg]

Does Pete have a new book coming out?

 

[Hombre Secreto]

He should still be banned from professional baseball. It's a joke he ain't Cooperstown though.

 

[BP348]

I don't support what he did but if you look at all the other BS going on with MLB I believe he should be put in to the Hall.

If they are going to let all these steroid abusing players into the hall then Pete definitely deserves a spot. When he played he was a monster!

 

[Slopho]

Originally Posted by BP348

I don't support what he did but if you look at all the other BS going on with MLB I believe he should be put in to the Hall.

If they are going to let all these steroid abusing players into the hall then Pete definitely deserves a spot. When he played he was a monster!

All these guys should be put in a special wing dedicated to roid heads and gamblers. Put Joe Jackson in there as well.

 

[aportnoy]

Originally Posted by BP348

If they are going to let all these steroid abusing players into the hall then Pete definitely deserves a spot. When he played he was a monster!

Bonds, Clemens, Palmiero, McGwire and Sosa are all not getting into the Hall and neither should Rose. For fu*k's sake, he bet on the team he was managing.

 

[Hombre Secreto]

Originally Posted by aportnoy

Bonds, Clemens, Palmiero, McGwire and Sosa are all not getting into the Hall and neither should Rose. For fu*k's sake, he bet on the team he was managing.

No way those two get excluded. Might take them a while though.

 

[countdemoney]

The east coast love for Clemens is crazy. You'd think he was the 2nd coming. He'll get in even though he shouldn't.

Bonds. Bonds won't. McGwire should. Palimiero isn't even a possibility. Sosa won't. Baseball writers, IME love the white guys.

 

[Hombre Secreto]

McGwire?

He was juicing since his bash brothers days. And even though the writers hate Bonds... he'll eventually get in.

 

[Douglas]

Originally Posted by countdemoney

The east coast love for Clemens is crazy. You'd think he was the 2nd coming. He'll get in even though he shouldn't.

Dude, come on. I hate Clemens with a passion, and he definitely was a juicer, but the guy was just unbelievable. SEVEN Cy Youngs. SEVEN. As far as pitching was concerned, he was the second coming. Even if he is also a spectacular asshole.

 

[edmorel]

**** rose, there are a lot of people in jail that are remorseful after the fact.

 

[dragon8]

Originally Posted by Douglas

Even if he is also a spectacular asshole.

LOL.

 

[Rambo]

I've met Pete a few times. He's actually a nice guy if you get him when he hasn't been drinking.

He definitely should be in the hall. Its a travesty that he isn't.

 

[onion]

Originally Posted by BP348

I don't support what he did but if you look at all the other BS going on with MLB I believe he should be put in to the Hall.

If they are going to let all these steroid abusing players into the hall then Pete definitely deserves a spot. When he played he was a monster!

Agreed.

Originally Posted by Slopho

All these guys should be put in a special wing dedicated to roid heads and gamblers. Put Joe Jackson in there as well.

Even better idea.

 

[Suave]

Originally Posted by BP348

I don't support what he did but if you look at all the other BS going on with MLB I believe he should be put in to the Hall. If they are going to let all these steroid abusing players into the hall then Pete definitely deserves a spot. When he played he was a monster!
so true