Former professional baseball player Pete Rose was a recent guest on the popular talk show, David Letterman. The lively conversation between the two covered a range of topics, from Rose’s playing days to his opinions on the current state of baseball.
Rose, known for his time with the Cincinnati Reds and being a part of the famous “Big Red Machine,” shared his thoughts on his former team. He described them as the most entertaining team ever, attributing their success to their diverse roster of white, black, and Spanish stars, as well as their flamboyant manager, Sparky Anderson.
Letterman couldn’t help but comment on Rose’s appearance, jokingly asking him about his grooming habits. The conversation then transitioned to Rose’s love for the game of baseball. Although he can no longer participate in it directly, Rose revealed that he still watches about three games a day, showing his unwavering passion for the sport.
As the discussion turned to the upcoming playoffs, Rose didn’t hold back his opinions. He mentioned that he likes the San Diego Padres and the Minnesota Twins as his top picks. However, he acknowledged that baseball might prefer more prominent teams like the Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Yankees to make it to the finals.
One topic that couldn’t be avoided was Rose’s history with betting on baseball games. Letterman confronted Rose about his past gambling habits, particularly during his time as a manager. Rose admitted that he couldn’t wager on games anymore due to his extensive knowledge of baseball, which would be unfair.
The conversation then took an unexpected turn when Letterman pulled out baseballs with Rose’s autograph that read, “I’m sorry I bet on baseball.” Rose explained that he had originally signed these balls for a friend, who was planning on holding onto them for several years. However, they ended up on auction, prompting Rose to sell them on his website to prevent others from profiting off his signature without permission.
Despite his controversies, Rose remains a popular figure in the world of sports. He spends time signing autographs for fans at events and working in Las Vegas. He clarified that his gambling interests now primarily revolve around horse racing.
Throughout the interview, Rose expressed his love for the game and his desire to see it thrive. While he may be currently banned from Major League Baseball, he still considers himself the best ambassador for the sport. Rose highlighted the importance of fans and their continued support to ensure the game’s success for future generations.
Overall, Rose’s appearance on David Letterman‘s talk show provided a lively and engaging discussion about his baseball career, his insight into the game, and his unwavering passion for the sport. Regardless of his controversies, Pete Rose remains a fascinating figure in the world of sports.
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