Pete Rose

Pete Rose is one of the greatest professional baseball players in the history of the game -- and also one of the most controversial. Peter Edward Rose was born April 14, 1941 in Cincinnati, Ohio. He grew up in Anderson Ferry, Ohio as one of four children to Harry and LaVerne Rose. Rose began playing professionally for the Cincinnati Reds in 1963, where he quickly earned the nickname "Charlie Hustle" for his work ethic and boundless enthusiasm. This was mostly a result of his childhood as Pete was encouraged as a young boy to participate in sports. His father, who played semiprofessional football, was the biggest influence on Pete and his sports career. Rose spent his childhood playing baseball with friends and later played for his local little league team.

During his 24-year professional career he had many high points, including a career batting average of .303, a record-setting 4,256 hits, a 44 game hitting streak (1978) and three appearances in the World Series (twice with Cincinnati, 1975 and 1976, and once with the Philadelphia Phillies, 1980). In 1963 Rose was named the National League's Rookie of the Year. In 1975, Pete was named the World Series Most Valuable Player, Sports Illustrated Sportsman of the Year and The Sporting News Man of the Year.

Before his illustrious career in the pros Pete Rose was a a good player and played both baseball and football at Western Hills High School. After high school Pete signed a contract with the Cincinnati Reds after graduation. He was assigned to the Reds minor league team in Geneva, New York.

Rose is most closely associated with Cincinnati, but he also played for Philadelphia (1978-83). As a free agent in 1978, Pete signed to play for the Philadelphia Phillies. Similar to his days with the Reds, Rose was instrumental on the Phillies pennant winning teams in 1980 and 1983 and led the team to the World Series Championship in 1980. Most that where not followers of Rose did not know he had a short lived stint with the Montreal Expos (1984). Prior to the 1984 season, Pete signed to play with the Montreal Expos. Then in in mid-summer 1984 and was told he would be brought back as a player manager giving him the chance to continue what he loved, Play Ball! On August 16, 1984, Pete was again a Cincinnati Red and was manager as well as a player for the Reds (1985-88).

During his career Rose played five positions: second base, right field, left field, third base and first base...It was Yankee pitcher Whitey Ford who gave Rose his "Charlie Hustle" nickname because of his hard nose , hard working style and dedication to the game and winning.

All of his achievements in baseball warrant entry into the baseball hall of fame, but it was one event on September 11 1985 that Pete established his place in baseball history. It was on this day he set the all-time hit record of 4,192 breaking Hall of Famer Ty Cobb's mark of 4,191.

Pete totaled an amazing 4,256 hits by the time of his retirement, which the achievement in and of itself warrants admission into the hall of fame.
Rose retired from baseball after the 1986 season. His days with the Reds were not over though. He served as manager from 1985 to 1988, helping the Reds to 4 consecutive 2nd place finishes and was considered to be one of the best managers in baseball.

By Benjamin Cox
Pete Rose is the all-time hit leader in the major leagues. He was also a successful manager but was banned the sport of baseball for gambling on baseball games. Now it's become the talk of the sports world, Pete Rose's now famous apology for betting on baseball, "I'm sorry I bet on baseball!"

Here is a poem I wrote with a little different take on Pete Rose.

A great baseball player
A gambling soothsayer
With reckless abandon for the most
He found life intriguing
The bells just kept on ringing
Each goal was achieved with a toast.

He arose through the maze
Of the fallen and the great
To a height never achieved so bold
Over four thousand hits
With so seldom a miss
And the public drawn in wasn't told.

When the word leaked out
The fans had their doubts
Could such a great man have fallen prey
To the keepers of the deep
Not so much as a peep
Will the rose simply fall and drift away.

The judges though many
From dark nooks and crannies
Didn't seem to know why it was so
He was banished the sport
Never more to come forth
The rose became petals to strew.

Does it profit a man
To manage a stand
When it dawns for certain he'll fall
While strolling the bush
Or fates grappling hook
He stumbles to crumble in the squall.

Now he's hustled about
Living lean without
The freedoms and comforts of home
Why do we treasure so
The favorite son's role
Then search out to pummel with stones.

Benjamin J Cox is an author, novelist, poet, speaker, writer and humorist. He has written a book, Insider Dreams, a 911 Novel. He was born on a dirt street in a Waldron, Arkansas, in 1943. He graduated from the University of Tulsa with a degree in Electrical Engineering. He is married with three children, five grandchildren. He is the President of Mayes County Writers Club, the Treasurer of Pryor Creek Investment Club and a member of Will Rogers Toastmasters Club. He is retired and lives with his wife in Pryor, Oklahoma. He like to run, enjoys big band dancing, Speaking before groups, and writes every day.

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by Tom Attea-NewsLaugh.com

Poor Pete Rose, the tireless slugger who the execs of the game kicked out because he was caught bet-handed. How many hears must the remorseful soul twist on the rack of their self-righteous protection of the reputation of the sport?

Is it not past time to have mercy on the once-mistaken Pete, The Gambler, and make a redemptive place for the extraordinary accomplishments of Pete, The Player?

So we do wish the commissioner of baseball would come forward and announce that Pete's punishment is over, with, of course, the politically correct reminder that if he bets again all bets are off.

If the commissioner will at long last go to bat for the slugger, he may once again manage and, after a suitable period of bet-free behavior, gain his very well-earned place in The Baseball Hall of Fame.

Tom Attea, creator of NewsLaugh.com, has had six shows produced Off-Broadway and has written comedy for TV. Critics have called his writing ""delightfully funny" and "witty" with "good, genuine laughs."

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