Day: January 6, 2004

Like any good Mets fan, even when it seems hopeless– even when we know it’s hopeless, and brain cancer is as hopeless as it gets– you still gotta believe. And we did, right up till the last out.

I haven’t read, obviously, Pete Rose’s discussion of his gambling in his upcoming book. He does say he feels it’s time to admit that he gambled and take responsibility for his actions, and sections of it were quoted in news reports.

I dunno. I’d probably be much more impressed with his responsibility-taking if:

A) He had made the admission in relation to nothing other than feeling the need to clear the air, rather than as the centerpiece of an autobiography which stands to sell more copies as a result.

B) He didn’t make such a point of saying that he hoped his admission would get him back into baseball and a shot at the Hall of Fame.

C) He didn’t seem to blame the organization of baseball so much, stating that he would have received far better treatment if only he’d had a drug or drinking problem or something acceptable like that.

I tend to agree with Kathleen on this: The only way they should lift the ban on Pete Rose is if they lift the ban on Shoeless Joe Jackson and induct him into the Hall of Fame first.

PAD