Pete Rose at Coca-Cola Park – Yes he can!

First, I urge you to read Dan’s post  -> Pete Rose Missed Out on Coca Cola Park – it’s quite poignant and frankly I couldn’t have said it better myself.

Much like our esteemed editor I too am a lifelong Pete Rose fan (without the sweet Jersey). What happened with Rose is certainly unfortunate and debatable until the end of time but not really the point of this post.

Rule 21 – posted at every MLB venue
(photo courtesy Bryan Sargent)
(click to enlarge)

Let’s not fret for Pete though since according to The Wall Street Journal  Rose makes $1 million a year signing autographs in Las Vegas (ironically enough).

Certainly there is no blame to place upon the IronPigs and kudos to whomever came up with the idea and for GM Kurt Landes for going along with it. While it didn’t turn out the way we all hoped a google search of Pete Rose IronPigs resulted in over 140,000 results while IronPigs Urinal Games only resulted in just over 21,900.

Regardless of all that…

As Dan mentioned in his post, Pete has appeared twice (in an official MLB capacity) in 1999 before a World Series Game (the Jim Gray interview) and again in 2010 at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati to celebrate the 25th anniversary of  his 4,192nd hit when he passed Ty Cobb. (Rose’s lifetime hit total – the best ever is 4,256.)

Wait? What? Lifetime ban – huh?

So it seems when convenient the commissioner does make exceptions or at least follows the rules. (see below)

As announced by the IronPigs, advanced ticket sales will be refunded to those who purchased them with the chance to meet Baseball’s all-time hit leader.

You see folks, there’s the rub…

Rose simply cannot be advertised as appearing at Coca-Cola Park on behalf of a MLB affiliated team such as the IronPigs, can’t charge $20/autograph and his signature cannot appear on an IronPigs’ baseball.*

However, Pete has attended MLB games as a ticket purchasing customer. Hmmm, one might say.

Furthermore, according to Wikipedia:

A person who has been banned from Major League Baseball is barred from:

• employment with MLB or one of its franchises or affiliated minor leagues as a player, coach, or manager, or in the front office
• acting as a sports agent for an MLB player, coach, or manager
• *maintaining business ties with MLB or one of its franchises [the cancellation reason], e.g., a banned person must purchase a ticket in order to attend a game [OK]
  • The exception to this is if MLB or one of its teams invites the banned person to participate in an event such as a public recognition ceremony. [the solution]
• induction to the Hall of Fame, whether the person is living or deceased

So, Pete could in fact make that appearance at Coca-Cola Park after all and here’s how:

First, the IronPigs hold a “Phillies Special Player Recognition Ceremony“.  For kicks we’ll simply call it 4256 night. Next, let’s say the first 4,256 people through the gate get a special (sponsored) “Recognition Baseball” with the number 4,256 written on it along with a random chance to have it autographed by Pete Rose himself!  The sponsor takes care of Pete’s ‘travel arrangements’ and there is no business ties to the IronPigs.  No harm – no foul… Right?

If not, just sell Pete a bloody ticket – he could sit at a table in the Red Robin Tiki Terrace – then what could be the problem? Right?

The whole thing is just silly. Right?

Will this ever happen?

The Magic 8 Ball just revealed – Don’t count on it.

But it sure would be fun to give it a shot if the IronPigs have the (Base)balls to do it!

Pete Rose to Coca-Cola Park!

Wishing Dishing