One time in 2005 I was with some friends in Las Vegas on Spring Break. We walked past some venue on the strip and Pete Rose was inside offering $50 for a pic and an autograph. Nobody was in line and I could not resist, so I made everyone go in with me. (This was an all girl crew from my college, nobody knew who Pete was except for me.) I'm a Red Sox fan, but I was living in DC at the time and the Nationals had just moved from Montreal as the Expos, and they became my NL mistress team for the next few years, so I had a new curly W Nats hat on. I paid and made him sign his famous hit king pic "Yankees Suck, Pete Rose." He was confused but did it. Then he asked what the W on my hat was and said he had never heard of the Nationals as he posed for a pic with me and all my girlfriends. What a treasured memory. Anyway, a dumb baseball story for your lockout enjoyment. Pic is long gone but I could go dig up the Yankees Suck signature, it's in my shed somewhere.
I picked up a gold-plated Omega Constellation Time Computer ref. 3883 (Digital 1 Omega LED caliber 1602) with an engraved buckle. Could this have been a gift from Pete Rose to Joe Morgan in celebration of their 1976 World Series win?
- The wording indicates that it was given in celebration of a great achievement in 1976
- The MSRP on this watch in 1976 was 980 CHF (400 USD - about $2,000 today adjusted for inflation) -- a significant gift purchased by someone of means
- No reference to corporation on engraving indicating that it was a personal gift rather than a corporate reward
- First names on engraving indicate a personal relationship between Pete and Joe
- Style of watch is bold and indicates a buyer with bold (versus conservative or traditional) taste in fashion
It is well known that Pete Rose and Joe Morgan were very close friends. When Joe Morgan passed away (Oct 2020) Pete Rose said that news of his passing brought him sadness only second to news of his own father's passing.
The Cincinnati Reds "Big Red Machine" won the World Series in 1975, and Pete Rose was the series MVP (Joe Morgan was the NL MVP in 1975 and 1976). In 1976 Pete Rose's statistics in the 1976 World Series were quite average (that is generous). The 1976 World Series MVP was Johnny Bench, but Joe Morgan had a decent series. I could see a gift like this being something of a tacit acknowledgment from Pete to Joe that Joe's contributions made it possible for Pete to earn another ring.
I was able to contact Joe Morgan's daughter, Lisa, and she said that she was only 7 in 1976 and doesn't remember the watch, but said "it was likely" that Pete Rose would give her father a gift like that. She also showed her mother the pictures, and she said she didn't recognize it. But I could see this being a gift more in style with Pete Rose's edgy fashion and personality -- something that Joe Morgan only wore a few times, and then when the battery died it went into a drawer. It certainly has very little wear. Also, there was a lot going on in 1976, this trinket might not have been significant in comparison.
All of my attempts to reach out to Pete Rose have generated no response. I also reached out to Johnny Bench's management to see if he remembers anything like this. But I believe there is bad blood between Pete and Johnny, so I don't expect to get much help there.
Any recommendations...
- How can I get confirmation from Pete Rose? (yes or no)
- Any other successf
Charlie Hustle
On what world is it right that Pete Rose is still banned from baseball for betting...
BUT
Now we see commercials about certain companies that you can place bets with and their affiliation with MLB being MLB's betting partner.
Also, announcers saying...well if you bet 10 bucks on that then you would have won $44
You know...
In NY state marijuana was once illegal, now it is legal. If you have a marijuana related crime on your record, there is a process to have that once upon crime removed from your record.
Howard has affectionately referred to Jimmy McGill as "Charlie Hustle", after the legendary baseball player, Pete Rose. Rose, like Jimmy, was a guy who busted his ass, played hard, and got results. But that's not where the similarities end.
Pete Rose was permanently suspended from baseball for gambling. James McGill was suspended from being a lawyer due to misconduct.
Pete Rose has since been denied reinstatement. A lack of sincerity is thought to be a key driver in him not being reinstated. James McGill was initially denied reinstatement, due to a question of sincerity.
Pete Rose has been accused of tax fraud. Saul Goodman has committed tax fraud.
Pete Rose has been accused of money laundering. Saul Goodman has laundered money.
Pete Rose has been accused of trafficking amphetamines. Saul Goodman helped build a methamphetamine empire.
And, this oddly ties back to Breaking Bad a bit too...
Pete Rose played in Philadelphia in the late 70s, early 80s. Around that same time, a Philadelphia area chemist with an everyday, safe, boring career began working with local gangs to produce and distribute meth. His product was of such quality, that he quickly became a kingpin. The man's name? Ronald Raiton.
"R.R.... what do you suppose that stands for? Roy Rogers? Ronald Reagan? Ralter Rhite?"
Makes me wonder if Gilligan, Gould, or some other writer has a connection to Philadelphia, home of Mike Ehrmantraut.
MLB needs to officially cut the whole holier than though attitude. Gambling is advertised throughout every park. Shows give advice for your daily fantasy bet. The odds for what team is going to win the world series are easy to find. That is all thanks to Pete. He stood tall in the face of constant ridicule and insults. He had the bravery to admit he did it. He set up shop in vegas promoting the sport. A true hero. Now he has his own betting podcast. All hail.
Not only should Pete Rose be in the hall of fame, he should have his own wing. Every player today should be thanking Pete for the doors that he opened. Without all the gambling dollars, where would MLB be today?
There should never be another player to wear #14 except the king himself. Every park should have the number 14 right next to 42.
