They're as stupid as the unwritten rules of hockey.

Oh you checked our best player, now you must grab my shirt and fall down to pay for your actions.

Like the one that says you do what you can to try to avoid basically ending someone's career in an All Star Game?

Stupid unwritten rule.

Pete Rose walked by a sign in his locker room for over 20 years that said in great big letters "IF YOU BET ON BASEBALL, YOU WILL BE BANNED FOR LIFE", then he bet on baseball. Very sad. He should have been the poster child for the HOF, but he has only himself to blame.

Well, he is right.

You wanna bet on that, Pete?

Hard to feel sorry for a douchebag that big. Man played with as big a heart as anyone, but he had to in order to compensate for a tiny brain.

Pete Rose walked by a sign in his locker room for over 20 years that said in great big letters "IF YOU BET ON BASEBALL, YOU WILL BE BANNED FOR LIFE", then he bet on baseball. Very sad. He should have been the poster child for the HOF, but he has only himself to blame.

This.  I was a huge Big Red Machine fan when Pete Rose played for the Reds.  Finding out how much of a douche he became when the betting on baseball scandal first broke was heartbreaking.

browneye: Pete Rose walked by a sign in his locker room for over 20 years that said in great big letters "IF YOU BET ON BASEBALL, YOU WILL BE BANNED FOR LIFE", then he bet on baseball. Very sad. He should have been the poster child for the HOF, but he has only himself to blame.

This.  I was a huge Big Red Machine fan when Pete Rose played for the Reds.  Finding out how much of a douche he became when the betting on baseball scandal first broke was heartbreaking.

He became an even bigger one when he released his "tell-all" book, and assumed that baseball would welcome him back like some sort of prodigal son simply because he finally admitted it.

ongbok: Like him or not what he said in that article is true about the "showing up the other team" crap.

Agreed.  It isn't little league for fark's sake.  If you are losing 15-0, you damn well best not whine when someone steals a base.  Get them out.  Stop them.  Do anything to end your own humiliation.  Expecting the team that is leading to roll over is so childish.

*looks at calendar*

Yup, its about that time of the year for Pete Rose to bad mouth the game he loved so much he broke its only iron rule.

Do we not treat gambling as an addiction? Alcoholics will know taking another drink could cost them their jobs and families and still choose to drink. Coke addicts will do the same. Pete Rose is banned from baseball for suffering from an addiction. Daryl Strawberry was suspended for cocaine 4 times, arrested for beating 2 different women, soliciting a prostitute, and cocaine possession. Guy was high during games and just didn't show up to the park for others. Yet somehow Rose is looked down upon?

No, Pete, this is stupid.

srhp29: Agreed.  It isn't little league for fark's sake.  If you are losing 15-0, you damn well best not whine when someone steals a base.  Get them out.  Stop them.  Do anything to end your own humiliation.  Expecting the team that is leading to roll over is so childish.

You could kinda make this argument in games with a timer. But in baseball, it just makes the game take even longer.

DaintySavage: Do we not treat gambling as an addiction? Alcoholics will know taking another drink could cost them their jobs and families and still choose to drink. Coke addicts will do the same. Pete Rose is banned from baseball for suffering from an addiction. Daryl Strawberry was suspended for cocaine 4 times, arrested for beating 2 different women, soliciting a prostitute, and cocaine possession. Guy was high during games and just didn't show up to the park for others. Yet somehow Rose is looked down upon?

If you can point out the "don't snort coke" signs posted clearly in every MLB clubhouse, I'll raise my respect level for Petey Baseball just a wee bit.

IAmRight: srhp29: Agreed.  It isn't little league for fark's sake.  If you are losing 15-0, you damn well best not whine when someone steals a base.  Get them out.  Stop them.  Do anything to end your own humiliation.  Expecting the team that is leading to roll over is so childish.

You could kinda make this argument in games with a timer. But in baseball, it just makes the game take even longer.

The Reds lost 2 games going into the bottom of the 9th with 6 run leads. No lead is safe, and if you can't perform, don't cry when you get beat by 15 because your ego takes a hit.

DaintySavage: Do we not treat gambling as an addiction? Alcoholics will know taking another drink could cost them their jobs and families and still choose to drink. Coke addicts will do the same. Pete Rose is banned from baseball for suffering from an addiction. Daryl Strawberry was suspended for cocaine 4 times, arrested for beating 2 different women, soliciting a prostitute, and cocaine possession. Guy was high during games and just didn't show up to the park for others. Yet somehow Rose is looked down upon?

Sorry man, the Pete Rose hate train has left the station.

IAmRight: srhp29: Agreed.  It isn't little league for fark's sake.  If you are losing 15-0, you damn well best not whine when someone steals a base.  Get them out.  Stop them.  Do anything to end your own humiliation.  Expecting the team that is leading to roll over is so childish.

You could kinda make this argument in games with a timer. But in baseball, it just makes the game take even longer.

I'm not saying the team with the lead doesn't let up.  I'm sure they want to get out of there too.  I'm just saying, it's their choice.  If they want to lay it on heavier, sucks for the team having a bad day.

What I've always disliked (in any sport) is how the "unwritten rules" always pertain to running up the score. I'm sorry, but I've been beat with a harsh deficit before and you'll still feel that sting but those are times where you're getting beat one way or another. If you can rally back that's fantastic, so long as that team you play is still putting up the effort. Do you want them to go easy so you can come back or just so you don't have to watch their points run ever higher? Either way you're passing up on competition in a weak effort to lighten the bruising on that ego of yours. So long as injuries aren't a major risk you either suck it up and play to the bitter end or you may as well not be playing at all.

DaintySavage: The Reds lost 2 games going into the bottom of the 9th with 6 run leads. No lead is safe, and if you can't perform, don't cry when you get beat by 15 because your ego takes a hit.

Yeah, that's the other side of that coin.

/Mariners blew a 12-run lead on my birthday once
//the year they won 116 games, even

zarberg: DaintySavage: Do we not treat gambling as an addiction? Alcoholics will know taking another drink could cost them their jobs and families and still choose to drink. Coke addicts will do the same. Pete Rose is banned from baseball for suffering from an addiction. Daryl Strawberry was suspended for cocaine 4 times, arrested for beating 2 different women, soliciting a prostitute, and cocaine possession. Guy was high during games and just didn't show up to the park for others. Yet somehow Rose is looked down upon?

If you can point out the "don't snort coke" signs posted clearly in every MLB clubhouse, I'll raise my respect level for Petey Baseball just a wee bit.

I'm going more along the lines that the punishment for one known addiction pales in comparison to the punishment for another addiction. Pete had an addiction which he couldn't stop, even knowing the consequences.

srhp29: If they want to lay it on heavier, sucks for the team having a bad day.

And everyone who goes to the game.

GlobalStrategic MapleSyrup Reserve: What I've always disliked (in any sport) is how the "unwritten rules" always pertain to running up the score. I'm sorry, but I've been beat with a harsh deficit before and you'll still feel that sting but those are times where you're getting beat one way or another. If you can rally back that's fantastic, so long as that team you play is still putting up the effort. Do you want them to go easy so you can come back or just so you don't have to watch their points run ever higher? Either way you're passing up on competition in a weak effort to lighten the bruising on that ego of yours. So long as injuries aren't a major risk you either suck it up and play to the bitter end or you may as well not be playing at all.

And if the opponent wants to run up the score and you know your team can't stop 'em, you should be allowed to help 'em by hitting every batter they bring up to the plate. Why not? At least have fun with losing.

/not illegal to hit people with pitches, after all

DaintySavage: Do we not treat gambling as an addiction? Alcoholics will know taking another drink could cost them their jobs and families and still choose to drink. Coke addicts will do the same. Pete Rose is banned from baseball for suffering from an addiction. Daryl Strawberry was suspended for cocaine 4 times, arrested for beating 2 different women, soliciting a prostitute, and cocaine possession. Guy was high during games and just didn't show up to the park for others. Yet somehow Rose is looked down upon?

Do people look up to Strawberry? What's your point?

BTW, the difference is that gambling damages the sport; drugs damage the individual.

DaintySavage: I'm going more along the lines that the punishment for one known addiction pales in comparison to the punishment for another addiction. Pete had an addiction which he couldn't stop, even knowing the consequences.

I hear ya, I'm one for seeing addiction treated as a disease.

That being said,  Wellon Dowd phrased it perfectly a few posts above. Even after being exposed, banned, and thrust under the public spotlight, he didn't admit it until it was to his greatest benefit.

Although ... I suppose you could say he was playing the odds.

Dr Dreidel: Which do you think feels longer - watching the last 3 innings (9-0, 13-0 and 15-0) of a walkover, or playing the last 3 innings on the losing side?

Alternatively, the losing team could totally f*ck up all of baseball's stats by having a BP pitcher come out and no one bothers fielding. Just throw every baseball into the crowd.

Dr Dreidel: Which do you think feels longer - watching the last 3 innings (9-0, 13-0 and 15-0) of a walkover, or playing the last 3 innings on the losing side?

Oh, and to answer your question, I wouldn't know - not like I'm sticking around to watch that sh*t if my team's losing. I have better things to do than watch stuff I like fail.

IAmRight: Dr Dreidel: Which do you think feels longer - watching the last 3 innings (9-0, 13-0 and 15-0) of a walkover, or playing the last 3 innings on the losing side?

Alternatively, the losing team could totally f*ck up all of baseball's stats by having a BP pitcher come out and no one bothers fielding. Just throw every baseball into the crowd.

While that would be highly amusing, I have zero doubts there would be harsh penalties imposed by the commissioner's office for doing that sort of thing.

/integrity of the game, blah blah blah.

GlobalStrategic MapleSyrup Reserve: What I've always disliked (in any sport) is how the "unwritten rules" always pertain to running up the score.

baseball specifically has a bunch of unwritten rules that aren't directly about running up the score.  stealing signals, batter watching where the catcher sets up, bunting in no-hitter situations come to mind.

curt schiling, for all his blowhardy-ness and post-retriement assjackery, he was throwing a no-hitter versus the padres or dodgers once, and this young kid bunted in like the 7th inning, broke up the no-no.  afterwards, there was a lot of discussion about whther that was bush league or legitimate, the consensus answer being obvious.

lunchinlewis: Perhaps the most well-known instance of someone trying this tactic came in 2001, when Ben Davis dropped down a bunt against Curt Schilling.

rickythepenguin: curt schiling, for all his blowhardy-ness and post-retriement assjackery, he was throwing a no-hitter versus the padres or dodgers once, and this young kid bunted in like the 7th inning, broke up the no-no

aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaand that's what i get for not reading the thread.

IAmRight:
Do people look up to Strawberry? What's your point?

BTW, the difference is that gambling damages the sport; drugs damage the individual

How did Mark McGuire, Sammy Sosa, and Barry Bonds not damage the sport?

DaintySavage: Pete had an addiction which he couldn't stop, even knowing the consequences.

Sure, but there's a gazillion methods of gambling in the world, and MLB only really cares about one. I find it hard to believe Rose couldn't immerse himself in the world of cockfighting rings in South American slums or something to distract him enough to ween him off his baseball betting.

Addiction? Certainly, but Rose's story smells just as much of arrogance and defiance.

Killer Cars: Addiction? Certainly, but Rose's story smells just as much of arrogance and defiance.

No defiance, pure arrogance on his part. Charlie Hustle made his name by being the ultimate "me-first" player (and to a lesser extent, manager)

DaintySavage: How did Mark McGuire, Sammy Sosa, and Barry Bonds not damage the sport?


for years i've said the sportswriters bear an equal measure of blame.  they're in the clubhouse, on the plane, talk to "sources", no way theyd didn't know folks were roiding up.

i've told the story about a thousand times here of how, from the stands, my dad said bobby estalella was roiding up.  my dad coahced high school sports for 15-20 years.  guess who was a witness in the original bobby bonds / BALCO grand jury investigation?  bobby freaking estalella.  so if my dad can spot it from the stands, where were all the sportswriters?  and wha tdo many of them say now?  "gosh, i just had no idea how prevalent it was, in retrospect, i should have paid more attention...."  bullshiat. the ones who should have been asking the question are the same that castigate the roiders.

remmeber how much shiat that guy got circa 2002, 2003, when he called Sammy Sosa on his, "i'll take any test, any time" stance? telander or old whats-his-nuts.  the sports media was mroe upset with him for his "ambush" tactic when in retrospect, he was trying to fight the good fight.

DaintySavage: IAmRight: srhp29: Agreed.  It isn't little league for fark's sake.  If you are losing 15-0, you damn well best not whine when someone steals a base.  Get them out.  Stop them.  Do anything to end your own humiliation.  Expecting the team that is leading to roll over is so childish.

You could kinda make this argument in games with a timer. But in baseball, it just makes the game take even longer.

The Reds lost 2 games going into the bottom of the 9th with 6 run leads. No lead is safe, and if you can't perform, don't cry when you get beat by 15 because your ego takes a hit.

I seem to recall watching a game that was 13-0 going into the 7th about 10 years ago. The team with 13 at that point lost.

Dr Dreidel: Also, the game would never end (you need 3 outs per half-inning for that to happen).

Oh, they'd run out of baseballs and call the game.

/would really like to see the procedure for if that happens

DaintySavage: How did Mark McGuire, Sammy Sosa, and Barry Bonds not damage the sport?

By making it temporarily enjoyable to watch?

DaintySavage: IAmRight:
Do people look up to Strawberry? What's your point?

BTW, the difference is that gambling damages the sport; drugs damage the individual

How did Mark McGuire, Sammy Sosa, and Barry Bonds not damage the sport?

LOL. You mean saved the sport. Baseball was dying before McGuire and Sosa's HR chase. The PED scandals didn't hurt the sport at all.

rickythepenguin: curt schiling, for all his blowhardy-ness and post-retriement assjackery, he was throwing a no-hitter versus the padres or dodgers once, and this young kid bunted in like the 7th inning, broke up the no-no.  afterwards, there was a lot of discussion about whther that was bush league or legitimate, the consensus answer being obvious.

Kid's trying to win. Bunting is hard. Give him his due man. Don't want bunts, bring the fielders in...

So questioning the legitimacy and reputation of any player having a great offensive season and the breaking of the most cherished records in a sport where history is such a major component of the enjoyment is saving baseball? I fail to make that connection.

DaintySavage: So questioning the legitimacy and reputation of any player having a great offensive season and the breaking of the most cherished records in a sport where history is such a major component of the enjoyment is saving baseball? I fail to make that connection.

You're the one questioning the "legitimacy." That's on you.

zarberg: Hard to feel sorry for a douchebag that big. Man played with as big a heart as anyone, but he had to in order to compensate for a tiny brain.

To be fair, most baseball players are tremendous jug-heads.

olddeegee: When are they taking Ty Cobb out of baseball for being a violent racist during games? The HOF is a joke unless they remember that you get into the hall because you're a great ball-player, not a good human being.  I side with former/future hall of famer Pete Rose. I think he's an idiot and a verifiable jerk, but he was a great ball player

I still say he was not a great ball player - he was an above-average player with amazing longevity and ability to withstand day-to-day injuries.

IAmRight: Oh, they'd run out of baseballs and call the game.

/would really like to see the procedure for if that happens

The umps would call it a forfeit and then Selig would fine the shiat out of the losing team/manager/maybe players.