Outside Oberlin

Rose blooms new petals; Series wrap-up

Pete Rose was in the news again this week. No, it wasnıt about his ban from baseball, but rather his inclusion on the roster of the Greatest Baseball Players of the 20th Century (presented by MasterCard of course). Thatıs right folks, old Charlie Hustle was standing on the podium next to Hank Aaron, Willie Mays, Stan Musial and the venerable Ted Williams. It seemed like a celebratory atmosphere. Rose got the loudest ovation from the Turner Field crowd - he had to tip his cap twice, and he even drew more cheers than former Braves superstar Hammerinı Hank Aaron.

It wasnıt until after the celebration, after the hoopla, after all the members of the team had filed off the field and the real game was about to begin that the fireworks started. At that time, NBCıs sideline reporter Jim Gray immediately flocked to Rose, spotting a chance to prey on the would-be Hall of Famer before he returned to his seat.

Now before I get into details, let us all remember my colleague Rossiter Drakeıs column a few weeks back, commemorating Rose for his accomplishments on the field ‹ accomplishments that should have by now clinched his place in Cooperstown. Let us remember that this man holds the major league record for most career hits with 4,256. Also recall that he was a 17 time All-Star with three World Series rings, two coming as a member of the Big Red Machine.

So, after the cheers had died down and the fans began settling in for what would turn out to be another Yankee victory, Jim Gray, the sideline lackey, hunted down his prey, alerted his cameraman and made his move.

Grayıs first question was why Rose hadnıt admitted that he had indeed bet on baseball given the overwhelming evidence presented by the Dowd report. Roseıs tacitly replied that he wouldnıt admit to something that never happened. "Itıs too festive a night to worry about something like that," he responded coolly.

Gray got the answer he wanted and then tried to cross Rose up with his next question. "Why did you then agree to a lifetime ban from the game?" asked the slimy reporter. "It also says I can apply for reinstatement in one year. I was looking forward to that day," said a still composed Rose.

Rose was even more polite when Gray asked him what he planned to do about his ban. He stated that he had sent a letter to Commissioner Bud Selig two years ago, but had not heard back. "Heıs got a lot on his mind," said Rose.

When Gray refused to change the subject or to modify his fierce tone, Rose stopped being polite and put Gray in his place.

"You know, Iım surprised youıre bombarding me with this. Iım here to do an interview with you on a great night, a great occasion. Youıre bringing up something that happened 10 years ago," he said.

Truer words were never spoken. This interview was flat out wrong on too many levels. First of all, we have the second game of the World Series, featuring the best teams of the 90s in a showdown to end the millenium. We also have a ceremony commemorating the "best" players (chosen by fans, mind you) of the 20th Century: legends such as Cobb, Ruth, Dimaggio, Wagner, Mathewson, Aaron, Mays, the list goes on. This night had been hyped for a long time, but the only thing I can remember now is one the most embarrassing interviews I have ever witnessed.

Finally, who the hell is Jim Gray? Where does he get off speaking to one of the best hitters of our time like that? For once in ten years, the time elapsed since his ban, Petey gets some publicity other than recycled garbage about his ban, and little Jim Gray has to go and ruin his night. Frankly, Iım surprised that Rose kept his cool for so long. But that tells me something: it says that Rose was the better man. Iım sure he has dealt with hecklers and critics wherever he goes, so heıs used to that line of questioning.

Jim Grayıs feeble attempt to "make light" of the situation regarding his ban blew up in his face. Not only did he fail to gain ground in that respect, but he actually convinced many viewers to sympathize with the fated superstar, to feel sorry for Charlie Hustle, given Grayıs harsh questions.

If anyone happened to catch Grayıs "apology" before game three on Tuesday night, it was almost as pathetic and insensitive as the actual interview.

Obviously reading from cue cards beside the camera, Gray took a few minutes to offer his side of the story and apologize if his questions were misconstrued. The gameıs hero Chad Curtis, who belted two home runs (including the walk-off winner in the bottom of the tenth inning) in the game, refused an interview with Gray after the game stating, that the team had decided to boycott any interviews by Gray. It goes to show that the most successful and fundamental team in the game is also the most respectful. By refusing interviews from the NBC lackey, they showed support for Rose in a most unconditional way.

Speaking of those bad boys from the Bronx, the New York Yankees capped off the millenium by winning their 25th World Series, exactly one-quarter of the Fall Classicıs played this century.

While watching the series-clinching game four, I was pacified as the Yankee team mobbed one another on the mound. Who else deserves to close out the millenium? The series also served as a microcosm of the professionalism and fundamental baseball that New York brings to the table.

Game one was a pitcherıs duel (4-1, Yankees), and they figured out how to get to pitcher-of-the-decade Greg "I Used to Teach High-School Physics" Maddux late in the game. Game two was a blowout (7-2, Bombers), but the big innings came with a single here, a groundout and then a big double. Nothing fancy at all.

Game three, no doubt the definitive game in the series, showed the resiliency and confidence that this particular Yankee team has shown throughout the year. They were down early, then picked one run at a time to get back in the game. They knew that if they were to come back from a four-run deficit, they would need the long ball, albeit against last yearıs Cy Young winner Tom Glavine.

So, a Tino Martinez poke into the seats here, an opposite-field job by Chad Curtis to close the gap there and a pop-fly, wind-aided two-run jack by

Chuck Knoblauch in the eighth to tie the game. Now itıs a new game. Curtis finished the job by leading off the top of the tenth with a bomb over

the left-field fence. The cheers erupted into the cool air as ŒOl Blue Eyes belted out "New York, New York" (a tradition after every Yankee win) and escorted the fans home with a 6-5 New York win.

At that point, the Braves were done. They probably didnıt feel so confident coming into the series from the start, but the comeback put the champagne on ice, or to use a baseball analogy, taped up the plastic sheets in the clubhouse.

Game Four displayed that the Yankees can do their bare minimum and still win. They took advantage of Atlanta errors and Roger "the Rocket" Clemens did the rest, not allowing a runner past second until the eighth, his final inning of work. The bullpen did the rest as the team of the year, decade and century took the final game, 4-1 to clinch their second straight World Series sweep.

World Series MVP Mariano Rivera made three appearances resulting in a win and two saves for the young Dominican. He and his fellow bullpen compatriots shut down the Braves when they needed to. But the Series game balls must go the starters. David Cone, Orlando "El Duque" Hernandez and Clemens gave up a total of five hits and two runs in their combined 21 and two-third innings of work.

Although this team might not have had the "magic" and record-breaking mystique that will be forever associated with the 1998 campaign, this yearıs repeat only affirms the mini-dynasty of the late 90ıs. This group is now drawing comparisons to the Murderersı Row teams of the late 20ıs and early 30ıs. The current Yankee team has now won 12 straight World Series games equaling a record set by Murderersı Row.

If George Steinbrenner can hold onto those up for free agency and arbitration (Joe Girardi, Cone, Paul OıNeill, Derek Jeter and Rivera), we may be looking at a dynasty for many a year to come.

The leaves turn orange and brown, the wind begins to pick up; this can only mark the end of the beloved baseball season. Now there is only filler until spring training. Winter meetings, arbitration hearings and free-agent signees merely pass the time until pitchers and catchers report in late February.

Itıs been another great year folks.