The Play’s the Thing Where Rose Is Concerned

When I first saw Pete Rose play baseball, I didn’t like him. I thought he was brash and arrogant and clumsy, and that nickname of his really grated on me, “Charlie Hustle,” as if nobody else ever hustled before. But then I watched him dive headfirst and run over people and get a lot of hits and back up his talk with wins and I started to respect and admire him not because he was perfect, but because he asked no favor and gave none and always met his opponents head on.

I would be disappointed if Pete bet against his own team but even that would not sway my opinion of the man one bit.

Unlike many other present-day professional athletes who are only glad to be where they are, Pete Rose wanted to be the greatest baseball player ever. And now, with our goldfish bowl morality, we are trying to stain a legend. As far as I’m concerned, Pete Rose is guilty of only one thing: living his dream.

LES KAMM

Escondido