On Fri, Jul 9, 2010 at 1:24 PM, Bob in Jersey <[email protected]>wrote:
> > Frankly, I thought Gray was a d!ck for asking Pete Rose direct > questions after one of the credit-card brands brought him into an All- > Star event... this seems d!ckier... > > http://ow.ly/29q2s > I am always surprised that people criticize Gray for that Rose interview. There are lots of other things to criticize Gray for, but not this, one of the better examples of sports journalism we have seen in the last 25 years. Pete Rose bet on baseball (given the history of the sport, this is close to the worst crime that can be committed - far worse than the steroid use that has generated so much hysteria in recent years). The evidence that Rose bet on baseball was overwhelming. Rose lied about betting on baseball repeatedly. This was a rare opportunity to ask him about it on national television, and to not allow him to try to rehabilitate his image in the soft glow of what was a feel-good moment for the sport. Rose lied about it again. Four years later, he admitted that he lied. In this incident, Pete Rose is clearly the dick, and I really can't understand those who blame Gray. Here is a transcript, from the unreliable people at Wikipedia, but it matches my own memory of the event: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jim_Gray_%28sportscaster%29#The_Pete_Rose_interview *Jim Gray*: *Pete, let me ask you now. It seems as though there is an opening, the American public is very forgiving. Are you willing to show contrition <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Contrition>, admit that you bet on baseball and make some sort of apology to that effect?* *Pete Rose*: *Not at all, Jim. I'm not going to admit to something that didn't happen. I know you're getting tired of hearing me say that. But I appreciate the ovation. I appreciate the American fans voting me on the All-Century Team. I'm just a small part of a big deal tonight.* *Gray*: *With the overwhelming evidence in that report, why not make that step...* *Rose*: *No. This is too much of a festive night to worry about that because I don't know what evidence you're talking about. I mean, show it to me...* *Gray*: *Well, the Dowd Report says, but we don't want to debate that, Pete. * *Rose*: *Well, why not? Why do we want to believe everything he says?* *Gray*: *You signed a paper acknowledging the ban. Why did you sign it if you didn't agree with it?* *Rose*: *It also says I can apply for reinstatement after one year, if you remember correctly. In the press conference, as a matter of fact, my statement was I can't wait for my little girl to be a year old so I can apply for reinstatement. At my press conference. So you forgot to add that clause that was in there.* *Gray*: *Well, you have reapplied. ... You've applied for reinstatment in 1997. Have you heard back from Commissioner Selig<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bud_Selig> ?* *Rose*: *No, and that kind of surprises me. It's only been two years, though, and he's got a lot of things on his mind. But I hope to some day.* *Gray*: *Pete, it's been 10 years since you've been allowed on the field. Obviously, the approach that you have taken has not worked. Why not, at this point, take a different approach?* *Rose*: *Well, when you say it hadn't worked, what do you exactly mean?* *Gray*: *You're not allowed in baseball. You're not allowed to earn a living in the game you love. And you're not allowed to be in the Hall of Fame<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Baseball_Hall_of_Fame_and_Museum> .* *Rose*: *Well, I took that approach and that was to apply for reinstatement. I hope Bud Selig considers that and gives me an opportunity. I won't need a third chance. All I need is a second chance.* *Gray*: *Pete, those who will hear this tonight will say you have been your own worst enemy and continue to be. How do you respond to that?* *Rose*: *In what way are you talking about?* *Gray*: *By not acknowledging what seems to be overwhelming evidence.* *Rose*: *Yeah, I'm surprised you're bombarding me like this. I mean I'm doing an interview with you on a great night, a great occasion, a great ovation. Everybody seems to be in a good mood. And you're bringing up something that happened 10 years ago.* *Gray*: *I'm bringing it up because I think people would like to see ... Pete, we've got to go, we've got a game.* *Rose*: *This is a prosecutor's brief, not an interview, and I'm very surprised at you. I am, really.* *Gray*: *Some would be surprised that you didn't take the opportunity.* -- TV or Not TV .... The Smartest (TV) People! You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "TV or Not TV" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/tvornottv?hl=en
