It’s time to get Pete Rose back into baseball!  For several years, one of my hopes has been to be able to sit down with Pete Rose and thank him for all the great fun, thrills and spectacular excitement that has given me and the other fans in the game of baseball.  One of my fondest baseball memories of the 70′s is that of the Big Red Machine and how they ruled the National League from 1970 to 1976.  It was simply amazing to watch true real talent without steroids!

I was in Las Vegas about 18 months ago walking through the Caesars Palace Forum Shops when I spied a line of people outside a sports shop.  I got closer for a look-see and there he was:  Pete Rose signing pictures and talking with fans who sat down with him.

I know what you’re gonna say; “Well, you know, he gets a percentage of what’s being taken in on account of him being there.”  Yes he does and he should!  The Sports Shop gave me a choice of pictures and a frame and I jumped in the long line. Finally, here I was, sitting with Pete Rose and I did it.  I thanked him.  He wrote a line, “Gregg, a great fan.  Pete Rose.”  I walked away on cloud nine.  But I couldn’t stop thinking: “Wow, how great it would be to see him in baseball again.”

I strongly feel, as many others do as well, that Pete Rose should be allowed back in baseball.  The Commissioner of Baseball Bud Selig needs to cut Pete some slack.  It’s been 22 years for God’s sake.  He’s paid for his sins. Actually, he’s more than paid for being in his prison without bars. Come on Bud, cut him some slack.  Pete Rose needs to be on the baseball field.

Why? Pete has just turned 70, but he still has a lot to give to the game, the players and the fans.  He needs Us and we need him.  If you haven’t noticed for the last 22 years, since Pete has been gone from baseball, the game has been stuck in its darkest years of its of history.  I strongly feel we should give him the opportunity to spark us again.  I believe the game, the fans and the players need what he has to offer.  After all, Pete is the spirit of baseball; he is the muse of the game.  Charlie Hustle has the vigor, the drive and the passion that has long been lost in the game.

Outta of my way! Here comes Charlie Hustle!

There is a lot of criticism of Rose: what he’s done blah blah blah.  Not that I’m trying to downplay that but I just feel we need to bring closure to these dark steroidal driven years of baseball.  What Pete did pales in comparison to the last 22 years of steroid record book keeping.  Let’s be real, most of those home-run stats are worthless.  Pete Rose is the genuine article.  He has never been anyone else but himself, warts and all.  What you see is what you got with Pete and unlike many of the players of the last 22 years, Pete earned everyone one of his 4,256 hits.

It was great to meet him in Las Vegas, but, it would be so much better for this fan to see him on the field, in the dugout and involved in the game again… full-time.  Come on Mr. Selig… what do you say?

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