Pete Rose: An American Dilemma (2014) - Plot & Excerpts
This review is from: Pete Rose: An American Dilemma (Kindle Edition) This is a very fine biography that highlights the ups and down of an American enigma. The book is an easy read and fortunately doesn't dwell on minutiae as some biographies often do. It focuses on the personality of Rose as influenced heavily by his father Harry but there is no deep pycho- babble analysis of Rose. Indeed it appears that no one truly understands the man; not his brother Dave, his son Petey Jr. and perhaps not even his first two wives. Yet we can all agree from reading Kennedy's book that Rose is crude, coarse, and often a total jerk.(And yet he was never a drinker or one to stay up late) As former Baseball Commissioner Fay Vincent said, " Rose is a man without a moral compass." Money seems to be the driving force behind the man since his 1989 banishment. And yet Rose will treat the average Joe or acquaintance with utmost respect at social events where the elite meet to drink and eat. He is in that sense the common man; a blue collar man of a different uniform who knows how to lick the hard times in life. And as a leader or cheerleader there can be no doubt of his prowess and commitment to his team and to the game of baseball. No man, except perhaps Cobb, ever played with as much intensity and desire to overcome his limited skills to become a living legend. He was so admired that he made the all-century team in 1999 despite his banishment from the game that was his life. Kennedy raises the often debated questions that still occupy Facebook/ Goodreads baseball discussions and provides a balanced take on them. Did Rose gratuitously crush Ray Fosse's shoulder unnecessarily in the 1970 All-Star game or was it a collision caused by Fosse's block of the plate in the 14th inning of a game with few opportunities to win. Was Jim Gray a jerk for his postgame interview(Hint- he still is) or was it newsworthy? Should the man who steadfastly lied about gambling on baseball for 15 years and who was sentenced to federal prison be permanently banned from eligibility to the Hall of Fame, or should a 25 year ban from baseball be sufficient deterrence and punishment? Should an ad hoc committee picked by the Hall of Directors, stacked against Rose at its inception, continue to block admission to one of the greatest players of any generation? I can judge the man morally flawed and egocentric and still find that he belongs in baseball's shrine of honor. To do otherwise is to turn a blind eye to a man who humbled himself before hundreds at the 25th anniversary of his 4,193rd hit and begged for forgiveness for having disrespected the game that he loved. Rose never cheated the game: his numbers are not artificial. He belongs. Thank you again Mr. Kennedy for writing a very fine and timely book.( PS I loved "56" as well. Everyone has an opinion about Pete Rose. I had the privilege of getting to watch him play on an everyday basis when he was with the Phillies, and I can attest that he was the genuine article. There was nothing artificial about the way he played baseball. He ran out every ground ball. made fielders hurry their throw and just played the game like it ought to be played. Yet, he was a deeply flawed individual. In spite of his poor judgement, I found nothing in this book to suggest that he does not belong in the Hall of Fame. Did he bet on baseball? Yes, he most certainly did. Did he bet on his own team? It certainly appears that he did. Did it affect the way he managed? There certainly doesn't seem to be any evidence to suggest the remotest possibility of that being true. He is the all-time hits leader and the possessor of 15 major league records that still stand today. I believe that Pete has been the victim of a personal vendetta that is completely unrelated to his actions on the field.As for the book, it is an interesting read, but somehow lacking in a spark. The author has done extensive research and present the Rose saga in three, inter-woven parts. There is the narrative of his playing and coaching days. There is the story of his continual chase for the almighty dollar that brings him to Cooperstown during HoF week, even though he is barred from all the official ceremonies. And there is the sad story of how his single-minded obsession has affected his family, and particularly, his son, Pete, Jr. It's good, but not great.
What do You think about Pete Rose: An American Dilemma (2014)?
Received advanced copy and happy that I did. I really enjoyed his story.
—delirel
Excellent biography. Should Rose be in the Hall of Fame or not?
—ashangel
