Rose In the Hall? Warriors' Future; Manufactured Victories; A Grift Too Far; ABL Kudos
- Gary Cavalli
- May 19
- 5 min read
Pete Rose and Shoeless Joe Jackson have been reinstated by baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred, making them both eligible for the Hall of Fame years after their careers were scarred by gambling scandals.
Rose’s permanent ban was lifted eight months after his death, at the same time Manfred announced a new policy that MLB bans would expire at death.
Which raises a few questions. First among them: why did Manfred reverse course?
Rose’s attorney and oldest daughter had made heartfelt pleas on his behalf, but pressure from President Donald Trump may have turned the tide.
Trump has been quite vocal in his support of Rose and met with Manfred at the White House last month. Afterwards, Manfred acknowledged that Rose was discussed.
Next question: Now that he's been reinstated, should Rose be inducted into the Hall of Fame?
He will have to pass muster with two Hall committees. The first step is an initial screening by a Baseball Writers Association of America "Historical Overview Committee," which is likely to advance Rose’s candidacy to a full hearing by a 16-member "Era Committee" of Hall of Famers, baseball executives, media members and historians.
To be inducted, Rose must receive 75 percent approval, so 12 committee voters must be willing to overlook his past indiscretions. Including his alleged sexual relationship with a girl under 16 in the 1970s (which he has denied, saying she was 16 at the time). And his five-month prison sentence for tax evasion in 1990. And, of course, his betting on baseball and lying about it for years.
Our position on this issue? No way Rose should be voted into the Hall.
The fact that he has died changes nothing. He still bet on baseball while a player and manager. His other transgressions only bolster the case against him.
But I'd be remiss if I didn't point out MLB's rather stunning hypocrisy.
Rose has been banned for gambling while the game itself promotes betting throughout every broadcast. It's impossible to escape the ad nauseum ads for FanDuel and DraftKings.
As MLB and other sports leagues shamelessly partner with gambling companies, the integrity of the game is in much greater jeopardy today than it was during Rose’s time.
Last year, five players were suspended for violating the league's betting rules. One (Tucupita Marcano) was permanently banned; four others received one year suspensions.
Meanwhile, players throughout the league are being threatened by bettors who blame them for their gambling losses.
By getting into bed with the bookmakers, baseball has only itself to blame.
Warriors Future: So the Golden State Warriors season is history. A season that started with great promise, faltered in the middle, and ended strong with the acquisition of Jimmy Butler.
Count me among those who think the Warriors would've beaten Minnesota with a healthy Steph Curry.
Now the focus turns to the future.
Many are wondering what the Warriors should do about Jonathan Kuminga, who was dropped from the rotation in the Houston series, then played brilliantly the last four games against Minnesota.
To me, the answer is obvious. Keep him.
Do the math. Curry will turn 38 next March, and one must question if he can maintain his electrifying pace without further injury. Butler will be 36 when the 2025-26 season starts, and Draymond Green will turn 36 during the season.
Curry and Butler's health, and Green's self-control, will always be at risk.
The Western Conference is full of young, athletic teams. The Warriors core is very old.
But Kuminga and Brandin Podziemski are both 22. They are the future of this franchise. They'll need to take on increasing roles next season and beyond.
To consider trading or letting either of them go would be sheer folly.
Reversing Course: You gotta love Donald Trump's foolproof method for manufacturing victories.
Step one: create a problem by announcing a ridiculous economic policy. Step two; watch the markets tank. Step three: reverse course or pull back. Step four: the markets rebound. Step five: take credit for being a great dealmaker.
By now, we're all familiar with the president's tariff insanity. Trump made big claims about what the tariffs would accomplish--all nonsense--only to have to back down without other countries giving up anything of significance. It happened with Mexico, Canada, and most of his other "Liberation Day" tariffs.
Consider the China fiasco. Trump’s tariffs on China were so high (145%) they were effectively an embargo on mutually beneficial transactions, including over 70 percent of smartphones, laptops and toys, as well as earth metals used in electronics.
Economists and retailers warned that prices would rise, supply chains would break down, and shelves would be empty. Markets cratered.
The hits to the economy weakened Trump’s negotiating leverage. Unlike previous bouts of inflation Trump could pin on the pandemic or the Ukraine war--or Joe Biden--this time it would clearly be his fault.
So China waited him out. Let prices rise and markets fall, and eventually Trump would have to give in. That strategy worked, and China made no concessions.
Despite Trump's absurd claims to the contrary, America needs other countries’ trade as much as they need ours.
A Grift Too Far: It seems Trump has finally gone too far with his non-stop grifting.
Even his most passionate defenders are having a hard time stomaching the massive bribe of a $400 million plane from Qatar, a country that has supported Hamas and other terrorists who've murdered American citizens.
It wasn't that long ago that President George W. Bush had to turn down the gift of a puppy from Bulgaria, because presidents accepting presents from foreign countries was considered taboo.
No more. Nothing is off limits for the current corrupt administration.
Trump's family is reaping millions from its close affiliation with Saudi Arabian leader Mohammed bin Salman, the man who ordered the killing and dismemberment of American journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
His Trump meme coin is generating millions upon millions from the poor suckers who buy the valueless trinkets.
Even sycophants like Laura Loomer, Rand Paul, Nikki Haley and Ted "Cancun" Cruz, for once, have stood up and said "too much!"
Now that they've acknowledged the unprecedented corruption in the Trump administration, will they also speak out against its cruelty, racism, incompetence, lawlessness and betrayal of our democratic allies?
Surprisingly, Missouri Senator Josh Hawley, a Stanford man who has previously been a dependable lackey, last week opposed Trump's proposals to cut Medicaid in a strong New York Times op-ed.
Is the tide finally turning for some of our Republican "leaders?"
I'm not holding my breath.
ABL Gets Some Credit: An excellent article by Scott Ostler in the San Francisco Chronicle Saturday on the history of women's basketball in the Bay Area gave some credit to the American Basketball League (ABL), the league Steve Hams, Anne Cribbs and I co-founded back in 1996.
It's a long article; our part begins about halfway in. I've attached the link below.
Gary, how you doing. Enjoyed reading your blog. Total agreement, Rose, MLB, such hypocrisy. Warriors must continue to get younger. TACO is the best ACRONYM for the Orange Guy. Sure miss the Bowl Game, will one ever come back to San Francisco?
Take care,
Joe Love
Gary, as always, you have a way of thoughtfully articulating your points which give even those staunchly opposed to your opinion a compelling reason to adjust their attitudes about the topics you take a no-nonsense stand on. That said, I do not agree with your stance on Pete Rose. Pete had an addiction and should be treated no differently than others afflicted with addiction-related maladies. Rose's contributions to MLB baseball were undoubtedly unequalled EVER now or for decades to come. Regardless, your always compelling thoughts prompted me to reconsider my own position, biases & otherwise.
Bravo for another incredible piece, Gary!
Sincerely,
John