This past week marked the 20th anniversary of Pete Rose being banned from baseball for life. Pete broke the cardinal rule...gambling on the game. I remember that day very well in 1989. It was crushing, Charlie Hustle was my favorite player, I was the kid that always had to wear number 14 during baseball season.That year Commissioner Giamatii hired an attorney, John Dowd, to investigate Pete and the rumors he bet on Baseball while the manager of the Reds. Recently Dowd talked with Mike and Mike in the Morning. He has some fascinating things to say about how the whole ordeal went down. It seems that Dowd had everyone involved, from baseball to the US Attorney, ready to give Pete a pass if he would admit to the gambling and become the "anti-gambler" spokesman. No trial and no jail time. But, as we all know, that didn't happen and here we are today. Sports Radio Interviews has the entire story and audio from the Mike and Mike interview with Dowd...
Lawyer Who Investigated Pete Rose's Gambling Tried to Cut Him a Deal
Speaking of Rose...Darren Rovell and his SportsBiz blog recently wondered what Pete being banned from baseball cost him. I'd say hookers and liquor stores are feeling the most pain...
Rose Has Potentially Lost Millions From Ban
Speaking of Cincinnati...it's almost football time for the Bengals. So far the "Hard Knocks" show on HBO, detailing the Bengal's training camp, has been interesting. Carson Palmer critiquing the Gatorade and explaining his high standards for the perfect sports energy drink mix has been the highlight so far."I've always been a Gatorade snob. Sometimes guys (who mix the drink) half-ass it. They don't really put the right mixture of the Gatorade powder and water to create the best taste. Some guys mix is watered down. Some guys is too sweet. But (team athletic training staff member) Lemar (Mosley) has a wild-berry fruit punch mix, mixing three or four flavors, and it's fantastic. That is an A-plus right there."
But what does this season hold in store for my beloved Cincinnati Bengals? I'm sure it will be continued heartbreak.
Elizabeth Merrill over at the WWL has a great article about the Bengals franchise in this aptly named piece...
Bengals Mired in Mediocrity
