I've been watching ESPN's presentation of baseball's "Hometown Heroes." Sponsored by DHL, this 3-part series recapped the votes of more than 15 million baseball fans for the single greatest player from each of the 30 major league teams. Of course, the ballots were limited to 5 players per team before the voting even began. In some cases, this was unnecessary. I mean, really, who is going to be the Chicago Cubs' "Hometown Hero" except for Mr. Cub himself, Ernie Banks?
In some cases, however, it was downright necessary. I know perfectly well that Babe Ruth must get the nod (and indeed, does) as the Yankees' "Hometown Hero," but consider the sheer number of great players on the Yankees throughout the franchise's history. No one would win. The votes would have been split among so many players that none of them would have received a plurality, let alone a majority, of the votes cast. [I am no Yankee fan; I'm a National League girl. But facts are facts, and the Yankees, player for player, probably have had more truly outstanding players than any other franchise in baseball history. That's why the Yankees have won all those championships, and why the rest of us, especially Dodger fans, hate the Yankees so. That, and George Steinbrenner's mere existence.--Ed.]
The interesting thing is how much the players for the various teams were cited by the fans for their contributions to their communities off the diamond, as well as on it. As one fan said, the players who are the best are "doing things the right way on and off the field (emphasis added)." Virtually all of the players chosen as "Hometown Heroes" were chosen by the fans as much for their involvement in their communities--even after they retired from playing the game--as for their prowess as players.
Consider Pittsburgh's "Hometown Hero," Roberto Clemente. He lost his life transporting food, water, blankets, and clothing to the victims of an earthquake in Central America. Or Ted Williams, "Hometown Hero" for the Boston Red Sox. He gave up over 4 of the most prime years of his baseball career to serve in the US Marines in both WW II and Korea (where he flew with John Glenn, in case you didn't know). Or Ken Griffey, Jr., the Seattle Mariners' "Hometown Hero," who spent long lengths of time (often on the days of critical games) giving his time, energy, and attention to "Make A Wish" Foundation kids. And who then went out and played great baseball.
Not to mention Jackie Robinson, "Hometown Hero" for the Brooklyn/Los Angeles Dodgers, who gave the greatest gift of all to our entire nation by holding his temper and maintaining incredible dignity in the face of truly execrable treatment by morons who didn't like his breaking the color line in the majors.
But Cincinnati voted for Pete Rose!?!?!?! An admitted gambler and liar who bet on baseball while playing AND managing a major league team. A man who has been banned from baseball for life and who, despite his feats on the field, will never be voted into the Hall of Fame in Cooperstown. "What a role model he is," she said, sarcasm dripping from every pore.
Cincinnatians had many other choices that would have been much more positive: Johnny Bench and Joe Morgan, just to name two. Heck, Ken Griffey, Jr., now that he's back in his real hometown. Or Ken Griffey, Sr., for that matter (who played in Cincinnati himself, which is the reason Junior is from Cincinnati in the first place). Indeed, just about anyone on the great Big Red Machine teams of the mid-70s . . . except for Pete Rose.
Nearly everyone on the list of 30 is already in the Hall of Fame, or will be, once eligible (a few of them are still playing, so their beginning eligibility is more than 5 years away). Now Cincinnati has a strong image as a blue-collar, working class kind of town, and I will admit that Pete Rose is the dictionary definition of "work ethic." He says it himself: he didn't have the most talent, but he worked harder than anyone and wanted success more than anyone. Being from the same sort of blue-collar background myself, I admire that kind of drive. But I do NOT appreciate how in anyone's mind that that can eclipse Rose's bad behavior off the field. He knew better. He wouldn't have lied about it for so long if he honestly hadn't known better. Rose simply does not belong in the "Hometown Heroes" company to which Cincinnatians have voted him. Talk about giving your city a baseball black eye!
Maybe I should have titled this post "One Of These Things Is Not Like The Others, One Of These Things Is Not The Same."
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