I've been pretty disillusioned with pro sports, mostly because of the tendency for bad/illegal behavior to go unpunished. Now the Pete Rose scandal is in the news again.
So here's a chance to teach young people--impressionable sports fans--a valuable life lesson. Commissioner Selig should stick by the MLB's lifetime ban on Rose. Reinstating him would negate the punishment they have levied against him.
All kids need is to see another "important" person getting away with something because they are well-known.
Granted, Rose makes a good point by saying that if he had been dealing with a drug/alcohol addiction, MLB would have paid for his treatment, not punish him for gambling. But I don't see that as an air-tight comparison...
What Rose did was wrong. There is a punishment. That punishment should stick. Do the right thing, commissioner.
Posted by JRC at January 5, 2004 10:41 PM