Mr Commissioner Never Mind, Your Services Are No Longer Required, Hall Of Fame: It's Time To Drop the "Pete Rose Rule" !

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Mr. Commissioner,

   It is clear to us that barring Pete Rose's untimely death, Pete showing up volunteering to be a sausage for life in one of your Oversized Meat races, or simply groveling for forgiveness, your not going to reinstate him. Bullheaded Pete wont grovel anyway, so forget that idea. Not even with the backing of Mike Schmidt or Henry Aaron on Pete's Side, will you make a decision. Before we go further consider this: How antiquated is a system is one ruler dictatorship/decision maker-ship? iHow has that worked in Government politics, ummm can you say government "Fail" ? I know thats extreme, but isn't a "one ruling power" over the careers of so many, an outdated idea? How can one person wield the power that thus effects thousands even millions of fans and many men ie: Shoeless Joe, Pete Rose, etc. How can one man only, influence the history of the game? In keeping the All-time MLB hits leader out of even the conversation of the Hall, one man has the Baseball Universe by its Balls!
Well Ya' know what Commish' Never Mind we don't need you! For two Reasons:


1) You don't need to reinstate him: I kinda agree with you, Pete doesn't deserve a job in the Game. Why?  Pete needed to "reconfigure" his life, Remove himself from gambling if that was the addiction that caused his banishment from his passion: Baseball. His continued gambling, lack of sincerity, and lying for 14 years is hard to swallow(More below)
2) The Hall Of Fame Itself can make thing whole thing "right"!

   Pete isn't close to "reconfiguring" his life , (yes I know about the recent heartfelt hug to Johnny Bench) and legally he has every right to bet on the ponies. But if something your addicted to is keeping you from your first love: Baseball, wouldn't you gather the strength to remove yourself from that addiction? Even "Bullheaded" Pete who would wear a "Gasoline suit through Hell to play baseball" doesn't evidently have the strength or desire to quit his second love: gambling. Pete is still observed at the track waving wads of cash. In his book My Prison Without Walls he still admits to what some call his disease, his weakness: "One would think he might have learned his lesson following fulfillment of his sentence, which included time in a halfway house and community service, yet he continues to "occasionally" gamble and sought to make a living as a race horse trainer." (http://www.bookreporter.com/reviews/1579549276.asp) 
   The point is if he admitted to gambling on the Reds in the clubhouse, and he wants another job in a clubhouse, could you trust him? Would it be worth the risk/press/media scrutiny to your ball-club? In my opinion he aint gettin' reinstated though the commissioners office, but he could get on the ballot if the Hall erases its seemingly "behind the scenes collaboration" with the Commish office when they made the "Pete Rose Rule." So lets focus our energies elsewhere! ;)
   Shortly after Pete's banning, the Hall made the rule: If any Player is on the Ineligible List from baseball he cannot go on the Baseball HOF ballot, Thus because of the timing it is referred to as the "Pete Rose rule". After Rose's ban, the Hall formally voted to ban those on the "permanently ineligible" list from induction. Previously, those who were banned had been excluded by informal agreement among voters. 
Dear HOF,
   We revere you, the history you maintain in your hallowed halls, the yearly pomp and circumstance that you exhume when you enshrine the greatest, is revered by all. Hall Of Fame, Its time, the entire universe recognizes Pete's deserving efforts for what he did between the White Lines. Why would you maintain an allegiance with the Commissioners office that is scrutinized across the country as outdated, unfair, and gets hammered on all sides to address the Pete Rose situation. Imagine the weekend Cooperstown NY would have inducting Peter Edward Rose? I was there when Sparky/Tony/Fisk/Marty (and of course Bid) went in in 2000, but the buzz was about Pete then as it still is now. You want a Economic bailout? Announce the Hit Kings induction!;) 
There is another with a new perspective on Petes Induction: One Mr Ken Burns:  "Vote him in after he's dead. He deserves to be in the Hall but he doesn't deserve to know"  Wow Mr Burns, we respect you, but for you to judge when someone would enjoy an accomplishment only in death is rather callous, is it not? Judge away Mr burns we will choose not to cast stones! http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=5437988
   We are not naive, there are many old schoolers that will never forgive Pete, and their argument has validity, he bet on the game, thus putting his own financial entertainment above the rules of the game he so dearly loved. But it is also a game he bled for, dove for, crashed through catchers for, raised others levels of ability for, and hit more baseballs safely than any other Human has done, on the field of play, in recorded history. It's time. Pete has shown signs of contrition towards those that have looked on him with a cautious eye. Namely One JB #5. http://www.wcpo.com/dpp/news/region_central_cincinnati/pete-rose-apologizes-to-johnny-bench---
   Pete's contrition towards Johnny Bench may be the start of "reconfiguration" of his soul. After all thats what must change first. So Finally, Hall Of Baseball Fame, we have seen Pete's items you so proudly display in your Reds display, isnt it time now to finish it off with a bust? We ask you to take another look within baseballs soul which at times emanates from 25 Main Street, but is not baseballs soul mainly centered in its fans nationwide? You don't have to decide O Hallowed Hall, all you have to do do is erase the Rule in order for a vote to take place. Let Petes fate have its day on the ballot. For who else is banned from baseball waiting to get in? Shoeless Joe Jackson? Another strong case. Your not opening a can of worms here, 2 men, one changed the game, let us re-embrace their accomplishments together, on your lawn!


Sincerly,


Baseballs Humble fans


(Sent the above 8/8/10)


If your So Inclined:

National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum
25 Main Street,
Cooperstown,
NY 13326


Its time folks, I must not be the first to want to bypass the Commish, and I'm sure I wont be the last, but the easy fix is so evident is it not? If you feel so inclined to drop the Hall a quick e-note here is the link:
http://baseballhall.org/contact
Please sign the petition:
http://bit.ly/bzz9qO
I have also started a Facebook page to hopefully continue the groundswell in that other cyber-world:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Commissioner-Not-needed-HOF-Please-Put-Pete-on-Ballot-Now/118758871506665?v=wall

Warren Spahn said it best: A good hitter has timing. A good pitcher upsets timing. 
Let us have good timing!

Redlegs And Cards Fight For The Same Perch!

As Reds and Cards (Insert Buzzards, Pigeons whatever you'd like) fans ponder who will fall first! Let this 1926 rendition of The Reds re-capturing First place be a premonition of what's to come!

03JUNE2010: "This relic was dug up last week by Reds Media Production Manager Dave Storm.  Good stuff, Dave.  Thanks! "Jaimee http://ramsey.mlblogs.com/archives/2010/06/

Thanks to Jaimee and Better of Red for posting this back in June.

Comin August 7: Hey Bud, Never Mind!: Pete, Cincinnati Reds Fans, And Baseball Fans for #14's Justice Worldwide have another Solution for Pete! Stay Tuned! ;)

(Philosophy Final August 6th, Hit King Solution to recognition without Bud Selig's help coming to the Progressive pages August 7!)

Banana Phone was "Off the Hook" on 7/20/10

On July 20th one of the more entertaining Reds Banana Phone episodes took place, Mark Grace called in and pranked Marty, some guy called in and called Arroyo: Oreo, Masset: Mallet: etc...Another called in sounding like an older woman, while Marty deadpanned the whole time, playing right along with him. It brought out some true winners, and these were some of the musings on twitter while we listened to WLW and the phone-in's during that almost three hour, rain delay:

@chelsiemoody the first call! Lol corky miller mustache holding him Up? WT? Lol on the couch? WT?

@redlegnation RT @dotsonc: Hilarious...from when Adam Dunn pranked the #Reds announcers during a rain delay:   http://redlegnation.com/adamfrommilwaukee.mp3 "Marty do you have your shirt on?" LOL

@redlegnation " Why don't you go have a drink of whatever it is your drinkin, your a little bit short tonight my man!" Marty Brennamen lol

An older gentleman called and was perturbed that when listening to the game on the radio and watching on TV asked Marty why he cant call the balls and strikes on time! ;)

@CincyGy Poooor old guy on the Banana phone "Can't u guys call the balls and strike as they happen?" not understanding the Satelite delay! #Reds

John Fay (Reds Enq Beat reporter was handling the Twitter style Banana Questions) :@johnfayman RT @renewkir: @johnfayman does the banana phone actually look like a banana?//Used to, doesn't anymore 

(I think I remember that under Marty and Joe :)

@johnfayman RT @John03163: @johnfayman What's so bad with Cordero? He was leading NL in saves at the break//And blown saves.

@johnfayman  What should I have for lunch tomorrow?//Turkey Tom from Jimmy John's, no sprouts.

@slagzoo These #Reds fans calling to talk to Marty are dumb as hell. They're making the rest of us look like idiots.


JimmyTwoTimes37 over at http://www.xavierhoops.com/forums/showthread.php?p=206807
Encapsulated the whole thing quite well: Reds Banana Phone on 700 WLW 7/20/10

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If you haven't heard these calls during Reds rain delays, you are missing out big time. Highlights from yesterday included:


1) Some guy...(called in and misprounced)... names such as "Cookie Miller", "Cueeero", "Bronson Oreo" and "Raymond Hernandez"


2) Mark Grace pretending to be some random guy telling Marty the Reds should trade "Danny Ray Herrera for Danny Haren"


3) Some guy saying Mike Leake should bat Leadoff


4) A guy calling with his radio cranked up creating massive feedback. When he turned it down he sounded like he was in a vacuum. He was upset with Marty for not answering his email. "You never answer my questions"


"That's because they aren't worth reading"


5) Marty saying he's going to cut some guy's water off


It's supposed to rain tonight so I'll be listening and hoping for a rain delay
__________________

Stay Thirsty My Friends" Thanks  Jimmy 2 Times

I have an old Wayte Hoyt in the Rain LP, I look forward to the day WLW publishes best of Banana phone, this one was a classic!

Tweets Of The Month

 7/14/2010 “@CincyGy: Breaking: Tiger just admitted in England he has been defeated! The still reigning and undefeated Heavyweight Champion of the World: #Sex! ;)”


“@Jesus_M_Christ: If y'all still looking for Osama, go check Comic-Con. Where the Hell else is he going to find 72 virgins?”


@LanceMcAlister 

  

"I think people around Reds country are coming to the realization that this team is not going to break their heart"-Marty B

The 2010 Cincinnati Reds First Half MVP

  

Many have said this is a toss up, not in my book: If we were to go on stats alone it would be the Young Man Mr Joey Votto, but his day will come. Without this Guy, Phillips/Gomes/Votto all the young guys wouldn't have the mentor, the leader and a man backing it up with the stats/hustle and mainly: the Leadership. The Reds are 70 and 40 something with him in the lineup since his arrival last year. He shows up injured, and hustles(as evidenced by last nights 1st to 3rd charlie Hustle imitated head first slide, which awoke the NL to victory). Votto has had Big hits, but so has this man, but he brings what no other Red does: soemone to look up to, model your approach, and model your work ethic to: All Championship team's have one: See the 1980 Dodgers with Kirk Gibson, see the 1990 Reds and 1990 era Yankees with Paul Oneil. If the Reds are to win anything this year it may very well be on the Bat of Joey Votto. But it will be on the Back of one: 

Mr Scott Bruce Rolen

Michael Buckner/Ghetty Images

We thank you Captain Rolen, for what you have brought to our  Cincinnati Reds!

Ok, Now that thats over, Bring On The 2nd Half and The Revamped Starting 5

Cincy Enquirer File Photo

Congrats World Champs Phils, we didnt unseat you: YET! Halladay and Hamels were 2 runs better than our Rookies, and thats saying much for our future!

2nd Half Starters: Arroyo/Cueto/Volquez/Leake/Wood/Bailey/Harrang weve got somethin' to work with here!

Relievers? Not so much, except for our not so secret wild weapon: Chapman, but what we have: Owings/Masset/Ondrusek/Smith: Not postseason or Division contending stuff there. (Maybe Micah)

Set Up: Rhodes: AllStar: will do!

Reliever: Must I beckon his name: One CoCo Cordero, like I wrote this morning, there are 25 million reasons we are stuck with him: Ugggg maybe that Latino Flair will really be there when we need it!

With all those starters, one cant help but think Reds will be shopping for pitching, and our hitting lineup may look diff if we score a Vet due to a trade of say: Stubbs/Heisey etc...hate to see em go but we need RP'ing!

Have a great Allstar Break 'Nati fans: Stay positive! We are in this! :)

AP Images

Congrats to the 2010 Allstar Redstastic 4: 

Brandon Phillips, Scott Rolen, Joey Votto, Arthur Rhodes

P.S. Folks are asking me why so upbeat after the Sweep by Philly, well MY expectations were .500 in April. This is already a tasty Sundae with whip cream and a cherry on top! So it melted on the floorboard a little we licked most of it! ;) Well see if it all melts by Sept. or we enjoy Sundae after Sundae!  ;)

Reds Rooks Thrill Us At The Mid Way Point

Rookie Mike Leake, Friday night: wow, 7-1 score, complete game into the ninth, Reds lose in Extras. Double wow: Rookie Travis Wood, 3rd major league start, the talk of baseball Saturday as he dueled Halladay, and took a PERFECT GAME into the ninth, Reds lose in extras. Just to type those two epitaphs, wow! A "pending epitaph" is what some are trying to write and say about The current 2010 Reds, fueled by three extra inning losses in a row, Friday nights colossal collapse, almost a mirror image of the comeback by Atlanta earlier this year: The Reds are the first team in MLB history to lose two games in one season in which they led by six or more runs entering the bottom of 9th" compliments @juergenscj. (Thanks for reminding us Chris, sheesh, JK LOL ummm thats our tweet language for those of u still stuck in Fb land)

Of course its to early but awfully foreboding for catastrophic melt downs like those for a team trying to earn league wide respect as contenders and not pretenders . But these meltdowns evidently effect us fans more than the players, as John Fay reminds us: RT @rfeyh04: @johnfaymanQ:  how much does it destroy reds psyche to lose third straight in extras//A: Much harder on fans than players. Lets hope so, as the Reds throw another Rookie out there Sunday: Three rooks in a row! Hasnt been done since 1994 by Cincy, and we have wasted two fine outings by Leake and now Wood, Getting to 50 wins would be oh so sweet pre Allstar break. 

Folks were slamming Dusty, maybe rightly so, for leaving young Leake in there (86 pitches going into the ninth) but what if Leake could have got the job done, we all would have said "Great job Leake" with no credit towards Dusty, the way it should be. The player on the field gets the credit, and should get he blame, but the manager got the blame this time, like I said probably rightly so. These are major leaguers though, young Leake as mature as they come, yes Dusty has to look out for the youngsters but heck its our RP that is much more suspect. The Reds still hold a 2 game lead over the Cardinals who recently seem content in following the Reds in 2nd: neither team making the "Big trade " to prep for the second half, although Reds management is doing their part in trying. 

This season continues to not let any Reds fan get comfortable, especially if the relief pitching has anything to say about it. Our sticks will be there, barring injury (Capt Rolen, that back ok?) Its folks like CoCo and aging Allstar Rhodes that frankly scare the VuVuzuela right outa' me! There are 25 Million reasons why we are stuck with CoCo (Who I saw Seattle let go years ago after many blown saves and an aging arm) he gets to Cincy and Reds fans go crazy for his latin flair and heart. Now the 23 saves are sweet but his 6 (pace for 12) blown saves will "not get it done" as one HOF'er put it. Rhodes is great but Rhodes is old, he has given up two games of late, and because of his stellar perf so far (40+ scoreless innings earlier) he's got a long leash.

One @jlglitz and I recently pondered 100 mph'er Aroldis 'Phenom' Chapman adding some closer help, and because of his wildness we thought what the heck, even a wild pitch laloosh style, at a mascots head may help at this point!

Were halfway there folks and our team has excited us, we are in this, and our rookies are phenomenal: what a fun first half! Now lets get those Phils on Sunday!