Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by terrier8HOF on February 20, 2012 at 5:39am

or this?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/PETE-ROSE-AUTOGRAPHED-SIGNED-MLB-BASEBALL-S...

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Steve Cyrkin, Admin on February 20, 2012 at 8:14am

I'm not a Pete Rose fan, but actually...I like these. Rose has spent decades with the ban for betting on baseball hanging over his head. I think he's paid the price and it's time not to forget, but to forgive. These balls just show how ridiculous it's all become.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Steve Zarelli on February 20, 2012 at 9:55am

 

Obviously a sarcastic riff on the "I'm sorry I bet on baseball" balls. It could be interpreted as if he feels he is being victimized, which I'm not sure is a wise tact for him to take.

Ironically, there is something totally appropriate that he won't inscribe -- "Charlie Hustle."  Several years ago I asked him to inscribe this and he would not.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Steve Cyrkin, Admin on February 20, 2012 at 10:14am

That's a shame..."Charlie Hustle" would help put him in a more positive light. Why won't he?

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Steve Zarelli on February 20, 2012 at 10:38am

I have no idea. It wasn't just me. I learned after leaving his line that he wasn't signing it for anyone. Maybe he had an exclsuive deal with someone to sign that. Just speculating.

On another note, the image above is from a Mill Creek auction listing. Mill Creek is a terrific dealer with great items and service. I really wish I was able to photograph and crop my signed baseballs as well as they do!!

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by terrier8HOF on February 20, 2012 at 10:47am

no question Mill Creek has great stuff.  But somehow I am missing the point of these balls, the "I'm sorry I shot JFK", and "I'm sorry I broke up the Beatles".  What is next, "I'm sorry I killed Bin Laden".  I just don't understand why anyone would want this garbage in their collection.  His autograph value continues to plummet because he signs so much, I just don't understand what this inscription nonsense is about.  Maybe he doesn't know how to spell "Hustle".  It is a tricky word.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Steve Zarelli on February 20, 2012 at 11:27am

Because he signs so much, he is probably asked to sign weird stuff just because it is less common. I don't really get it either, but my guess is these inscriptions are self pity to me... "poor me... the HOF thinks I am such a bad person... why not blame me for everything?..."

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Rich on February 20, 2012 at 4:11pm

Yeah, I asked him for that one last year.  I settled for his career hot total instead.

• ▶ Reply