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I’ll never forget the moment I realized just how much Cincinnati Reds fans loved Pete Rose. Walking with my dad toward Great American Ball Park one summer day, I passed a T-shirt vendor selling red t-shirts with white font that read, “I’m with Pete. Give me $200 on the Reds.”
We laughed, and as I walked into the ballpark that day, I remember thinking it had been so many years since Pete was around, and those shirts were still being sold.
I was a kid then and didn’t really understand the depth of Pete Rose and his story. As I got older, I began to understand that Rose wasn’t just being held out of the National Baseball Hall of Fame and any job in MLB because he placed some wagers. I learned that Pete gambled constantly, lied about it repeatedly, and even told Bud Selig that he did it because he didn’t think he’d get caught.
It was at this point that I started to get angry. See, I was born in 1995. I wasn’t around for the Big Red Machine. I never saw Pete Rose play. I had never witnessed the head first slide or the record breaking hit that happened 10 years before I was around.
Yet I saw how beloved Pete was by everyone in this city and by Reds fans all across the world. I wondered how they could love him so much, when he embarrassed the organization so badly with this scandal. I couldn’t figure out why he didn’t get more blame from the fans. It didn’t make sense to me.
How could someone who famously said he’d walk through hell in a gasoline suit to play baseball, knowingly and willingly jeopardize its integrity by betting on games?
That seemed hypocritical to me. I no longer felt sorry for Rose. I felt sad that a beloved Cincinnati son had brought such shame to the game and embarrassed a franchise that he was so instrumental in turning into a machine.
For years, working in sports talk radio, I’d roll my eyes whenever the topic of Pete Rose was brought up. Without a shadow of a doubt, he deserves to be in Cooperstown. He was one of the truly greatest players the game had ever seen, and he did it with determination, dependability, and a remarkable ability to hit.
Charlie Hustle.
— Cincinnati Reds (@Reds) October 2, 2024
The Hit King.
Cincinnati's own,
Pete Rose. pic.twitter.com/G6TzI4N02z
But Rose made choices over and over again that would keep him from that enshrinement, and he benefitted quite a bit personally and financially from never getting that call.
So when I heard the news this week that Rose had passed away at the age of 83, I felt a lot of emotions.
I felt bad that an all-time great player never got the recognition he deserved.
I felt angry that he brought that on himself, and didn’t realize it until it was too late.
I felt sad for the scores of fans who lost their favorite player, a huge chunk of their childhood, and an integral cog in The Big Red Machine: the best baseball team ever.
I felt disappointed that there was never a resolution.
I felt sorrow for Rose, a gambling addict that never got the help he needed. I felt sorry for his family and friends and teammates, some of whom had just seen him hours before his death.
I felt for the City of Cincinnati, who lost one of their own. The outpouring of support for Rose speaks volumes about how respected he was. The Reds are interwoven into the fabric of the Cincinnati community, and Rose is a huge part of that.
It says a lot to me about how great of a player Pete Rose is that despite all of his off the field issues, people never wavered in their support of him and his case for Cooperstown.
His accolades, records, and championships speak for themselves. He’s done things no one else has, and no one ever will do again.
I’m conflicted in the way I feel about the legacy of Pete Rose and I hope that one day he gets the recognition he deserves, I wouldn’t bet on it.
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TODAY'S BEST
MLB playoff takeaways: Yankees stay alive; Mariners inch closer to ALCS
The 2025 MLB playoffs continued on Tuesday with both American League Division Series matchups in action. The Seattle Mariners dominated the Detroit Tigers with an 8–4 victory, taking a 2–1 lead in the series. The New York Yankees stayed alive against the Toronto Blue Jays, rallying from a five-run deficit to win 9–6 and trim the series gap to 2–1. Here are key takeaways from Tuesday's games: Mariners jump out early and never look back The Mariners wasted no time taking control in Game 3, plating four runs in the first two innings, immediately putting the Tigers on their heels. J.P. Crawford opened the scoring with a third-inning single that brought home Victor Robles, aided by a throwing error from Riley Greene. Detroit never recovered from the early miscue, as Seattle set the tone for a commanding offensive performance — posting its highest run total in a road game since Sept. 17. The long ball was present in the win for the Mariners, with Seattle launching three home runs. Eugenio Suárez struck the first homer with a solo shot in the fourth inning, and Cal Raleigh capped Seattle's scoring with a ninth-inning blast that landed in the hands of a Mariners fan. On the mound, Logan Gilbert was sharp, tossing six strong innings while allowing just one run and striking out seven. With the win, Seattle takes a 2–1 lead in the series and moves within one victory of its first AL Championship Series appearance since 2001. Aaron Judge earns his moment in historic comeback win Facing elimination at home, the Yankees roared back from a five-run deficit — the largest comeback in franchise history in a postseason elimination game, per Fox Sports — to stun the Toronto Blue Jays, 9–6. Trailing 6–1 after the top of the third inning, the Yankees ignited a rally with two runs in the bottom half to narrow the deficit to three. In the fourth, Judge delivered his long-awaited postseason moment, blasting a three-run home run off the left foul pole to tie the game at 6–6. New York tacked on three more runs across the fifth and sixth innings to grab a 9–6 lead, sealing the comeback. David Bednar slammed the door with a five-out save, ending Toronto’s attempt at a late push. With the win, the Yankees narrow the series gap to 2–1 and head into Wednesday’s Game 4 with a chance to send the series back to Toronto for a winner-take-all Game 5.
North Carolina reportedly considering nuclear option with Bill Belichick, and that's justified
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The Montreal Canadiens are ready to start the 2025-26 season, with high expectations around the team with a reinforced young core. On Wednesday, Heavy.com proposed a trade between Columbus and Montreal. The Canadiens would acquire Yegor Chinakhov, with a cap hit of $2.1 million, and the Blue Jackets would receive Patrik Laine, with a cap hit of $8.7 million. The outlet had previously proposed an alternative, where the Canadiens obtained Chinakhov for a package of Josh Anderson and Arber Xhekaj, freeing up $4.7 million in cap space. The Columbus coach confirmed that Chinakhov will be a healthy scratch in the Blue Jackets' season opener. Chinakhov requested a trade in July, so a change is not seen as improbable. Blue Jackets' Yegor Chinakhov would fit in well with the Canadiens This trade pitch makes sense because Chinakhov needs a change to get stable minutes on a top-nine team. In Montreal, he could benefit from an environment that maximizes its young offensive players. The Russian's profile would also fit Martin St. Louis' system, as he shoots well and plays well without the puck. In a system that prioritizes possession, the volume and quality of his shots should improve. As he is a restricted free agent (RFA) in 2026, Montreal could maintain contractual control if his production improves. It is a buy-low with upside, as he has recorded a season with 16 goals. This would reduce the risk in relation to larger contracts. The Canadiens could offer a development environment without demanding immediate results. He would not have pressure to be the "savior." Furthermore, not all benefits would be for the player. The Habs are looking for more talent for their wings and scoring depth without sacrificing their defensive structure. The Russian would add shooting threat and quick transitions, especially with centers who gain the zone of control, which could be Suzuki or Kirby Dach.
Rangers must address these details after season-opening loss to Penguins
The New York Rangers started the 2025-26 season poorly, as the opening night at Madison Square Garden ended with a 3-0 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins. This result overshadowed the official debut of Mike Sullivan as coach of the Rangers and the first game of J.T. Miller as captain of the franchise. That said, two empty net goals at the end masked a game that was closer than the score reflects. Justin Brazeau scored near the end of the first period, and then there were two empty netters in the final minutes, from Brazeau and Blake Lizotte. Igor Shesterkin saved 27 of 28, keeping the Rangers alive for a long period. The match was stuck and there were few clear chances, remaining at 1-0 for almost the entire game. Sullivan's team fell into the defensive pace proposed by the Penguins. What went wrong for the Rangers in their loss to the Penguins It was not a total tactical disaster for the Rangers, but there were specific details that can be linked to the result. There was a lack of offensive interiority from the Blueshirts. New York lived on the perimeter, without traffic, without second chances, and without backdoor runs. It became evident that a goaltender in rhythm, like Arturs Silovs, sees everything and shuts you down. Although Zibanejad and Lafreniere generated volume, the team did not produce the type of danger that moves the scoreboard. There were also misalignments in the defensive pair made up of Adam Fox and Vladislav Gavrikov. The idea of Gavrikov operating as a physical stabilizer to free up Fox did not materialize. Whenever the first breakout fails, the team plays uphill, and the offense becomes more predictable. On the power play, there was a lack of timing and triangulation in the slot. And although on the penalty kill, new rotations were shown that worked in stretches, the defensive zone at five-on-five offered second chances that Shesterkin saved until he could no more. Decision-making under pressure is also an area of opportunity for the Rangers. In the final minutes, the pinches without backup showed anxiety more than an organized aggressiveness. Brazeau's goal came as a result of a lost face-off that was managed poorly, without clear guidance and roles. An elite team cannot afford to have that lack of synchronization. The goal resulted from a disorderly collapse toward the puck carrier, which led to a lost coverage and an open man in the slot. Had there been communication, a high F3, a quick switch to the netfront, and active sticks, that same pattern would have died in an outside shot without danger. It was many small details together that led to this defeat.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. reacts to NASCAR playoff standings heading into Round of 8
Dale Earnhardt Jr. is excited about the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs Round of 8 after looking at the standings. On Dale Jr. Download, Earnhardt revealed what the playoff standings look like heading into the three Round of 8 races. The top eight remaining drivers are Denny Hamlin (+8), Ryan Blaney (+6), Kyle Larson (+4), William Byron (+4), Christopher Bell (-4), Chase Elliott (-14), Chase Briscoe (-14), and Joey Logano (-24). Earnhardt said he was surprised to see Bell below the cut line since they “had him as an early favorite.” He also pointed out that Elliott and Briscoe “got a little work to do,” but he also said that “any of these guys can do it.” Earnhardt then revealed how the standings would look in the old Cup points system. He said Byron, who won this year’s NASCAR Regular Season championship, would be the points leader. Byron would be followed by Blaney (-27), Larson (-35), Bell (-46), Elliott (-64), Hamlin (-78), Briscoe (-100), and Logano (points not revealed). Earnhardt is right when it comes to any one of the drivers winning it all. The point differential between the drivers is not big, meaning that all eight will have to be locked in for the next three races to give themselves the best chance to secure a spot in the championship race at Phoenix. More on the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs Round of 8 BetMGM Sportsbook recently released its lastest NASCAR Cup Series Championship odds, and Blaney is the favorite at +400. He is followed by Bell (+450), Hamlin (+475), Larson (+475), Byron (+550), Elliott (+900), Briscoe (+900), and Logano (+1400). Of the eight drivers remaining in the playoffs, four have won the Cup Series title. Blaney won it in 2023, Larson won it in 2021, Elliott won it in 2020, and Logano won the championship three times (2018, 2022, and 2024). Logano came close to not making it to the Round of 8. On Sunday, he battled Ross Chastain for the final spot and got past him by four points. “Such a close finish there. Yeah, knew it was within a point there,” Logano said after the race at Charlotte. “I knew we were going to be tied there at the end, and Ross was going to do whatever he had to do to make it happen. Geesh, just wasn’t quite fast enough today with our car.”
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