December 13, 2002 [LINK]
Is Pete Rose really sorry?
In yesterday's Washington Post, Thomas Boswell wrote about the ongoing negotiations between Pete Rose and MLB Commissioner Bud Selig, which may portend Rose's return to the good graces of the sport he loves, but which he betrayed. In 1990 Pete was banished from baseball for life because of overwhelming evidence that he had gambled on major league games, but recent reports suggest that if he makes an acceptable apology he may become eligible for the Hall of Fame. Like many determined ultra-competitors, including Ty Cobb, whose lifetime hitting record Rose surpassed, as well as some former presidents who clawed their way to the top from humble origins, Rose has a big chip on his shoulder and is by nature loathe to apologize to anyone. I don't care how popular "Charlie Hustle" is with the fans, Boswell is absolutely right that Rose must make the first move and heal the wound that HE created.
As expected, ace pitcher and possible future Hall of Famer Tom Glavine has left the Braves and signed with the Mets, taking advantage of his free agent status. Mets fan Jeff Cooper thinks the aging Glavine is a strange pick for the Mets, who are most in need of better hitting and fielding. Now what about Greg Maddux?
Pac Bell Park will be the site of the inaugural "San Francisco Bowl" between Virginia Tech and the Air Force Academy, on New Year's Eve. Odd, since it is smaller and much less suited for football than Candlestick Park, but it may be that the 49ers want to keep their home field in prime condition for the postseason.