Robservations: Looking ahead to hardball
Isn’t it funny how time flies?
In just five weeks, pitchers and catchers will be reporting to begin spring training for the 2004 Major League Baseball slate.
Heck, it seems like only yesterday I was trying my best to punch out a television set after the Marlins eliminated the Cubs from the NLCS. And here I am, already pining for the start of the new baseball season.
When the weather’s particularly chilly, it’s always good to think thoughts of spring, and if you’re a baseball fan, nothing warms your soul like thinking about our national pastime.
And this off-season, there’s been plenty to think about.
First of all, wasn’t Pete Rose a lot classier when he was just an “alleged” baseball gambler?
I’ve defended Charlie Hustle for a long time — for a longer time, in fact, than many of the baseball players I cover have been alive. I even signed a petition one night at Harry Caray’s Restaurant asking to reinstate Rose and put him in the Hall of Fame.
But that was years ago, back when Rose would pop up every now and then, spout his lies about never gambling on the Reds, and then return into the back of our minds.
Over time, the allegations that had been oh-so-serious back when they surfaced in the late 1980’s began to fade, and Rose’s accomplishments on the diamond began to once again take center stage — almost. Bud Selig had even begun taking steps for a possible reinstatement.
Then, Charlie Hustle had to go and write a book, and admit he’d been lying to everyone — accusers and defenders alike — for all these years.
He admits he was a gambling addict, and that he did indeed bet on baseball, something he always expressly denied. He even admits betting on the Reds while managing the club.
But wait. Don’t cast judgment, he cries, because at least he never bet on them to lose, and he never placed bets from his office in the clubhouse.
Yeah, right.
Bottom line, I’ll believe Rose made it a point to leave his office before placing a bet the same day I’ll believe Michael Jackson would make a good baby-sitter. And if he only bet on the Reds to win, did he bet on every game? Because not placing a bet that they’d win, is the same in my book as placing a bet that they’d lose.
Call me crazy, but I’m not that happy when I get lied to. I’ll bet the big-wigs in baseball who could bring Rose back aren’t that happy about it, either.
• In other diamond news, I’m sure you all read friendly neighborhood sports writer Dale Stubblefield’s column in Wednesday’s edition on Roger Clemens’ decision not to retire.
Instead of heading off into the sunset, the Rocket was talked into signing with the Houston Astros by friend and fellow former New York Yankee Andy Pettitte.
As a fantasy baseball owner who has had Pettitte on his roster more than once, I can only wish Andy could retire batters as well as he can apparently un-retire pitchers. But I digress.
Wednesday, in an interview with ESPN radio, Clemens said he may be an Astro now, but “I still consider myself a Yankee.”
Just a thought here: The Astros play the Yankees in a spring training game on March 12. If Clemens really still considers himself a Yankee, it might be a good idea to keep him on the bench for that one.