Tuesday, October 26, 1999
Readers reaction: Throw the bum out
Here are a few of the hundreds of emails we received in reaction to Jim Gray's interview with Pete Rose:
A FIRST-RATE, memorable ceremony was ruined by one of the most classless, ugly pieces of so-called "journalism" I have witnessed. That's what I think of NBC's production of Major League Baseball's All-Century Team.
I had goosebumps watching the ceremony honoring baseball's greatest players. My wife had tears in her eyes watching Ted Williams acknowledging the crowd's cheers from his chair on the stage. And in the city where Hank Aaron ended his career, the loudest and longest ovation belonged to Pete Rose. Yet every positive experience from this event was wiped out by Jim Gray's tabloid-like interview.
Pete is no saint, and he was not smart enough to ignore Gray's baiting questions. I do believe Pete belongs in the Hall of Fame and that his off-field actions should not negate recognition of the on-field excellence he brought to the game. But whether or not he bet on baseball, whether or not he belongs in the Hall of Fame, this interview was way below the belt.
Some might say that the public has a right to know the answers to the questions posed by Gray. However, this was far from an appropriate setting. The night was a celebration of baseball's best and Gray, with NBC's blessing, caused it to be tarnished. Shame on them.
BOB PEARSON
Madeira
ON A NIGHT that brought baseball back into the fans' hearts, we saw an example that brings sports reporting to a new low. Bud Selig, the fans around the nation have spoken, please listen! NBC, the fans have spoken, please listen! Until then, boycott a classless company that employs tabloid reporters.
DON HUESMAN
Denver
DISGRACE. Gray should apologize.
VINCE DiMEZZA
Philadelphia
I REMEMBERED the years when I listened to the Cincinnati Reds games with my dad on the radio. So after the brutal attack on Pete Rose from Jim Gray, I turned the radio on to listen to the game, and will not watch NBC again.
PAT WALTAMATH
Atlanta
THE ROSE SAGA is one of Biblical proportions. Taking away all a man's accomplishments, his name and reputation is similar to the suffering Job went through. Of course the fans are angry. Let's rename the stadium Pete Rose Park. I'm tired of "Holier than thou" justice. Give baseball back to Pete.
BRUCE HEIDT
Pensacola, Fla.
NBC SHOULD institute a new award of its own -- unsportsmanlike conduct. "Award" it to Jim Gray and then retire the "honor." No one can even attempt to reach his level of unnecessary roughness again.
I think Gray owes Rose and baseball fans an on air apology. Tonight in New York would be the appropriate venue.
GLENNA KINARD
Atlanta
I WILL NOT get into why I am not a Pete Rose fan and why I do believe he bet on baseball and should apologize before being admitted to the Hall of Fame. I will say that the ambush interview by NBC reporter Jim Gray was the most inappropriate, disgusting, and ill-timed effort I have ever seen on national TV. NBC might want to consider giving up baseball in exchange for professional wrestling.
ROBERT E. GOLINSKI
Riverside, Calif.
RIGHT AFTER John Gray's interview/cross-examination of Pete Rose, I was irate enough to call NBC in New York. I did not know the number, so I called New York information. The phone rang many times before anyone answered. When an operator did answer, a male voice said, "What city?" I said, "New York."
The voice said, "NBC news?" I said, "Yeah." The voice said, "Pete Rose?" I said, "Yeah." The voice said, "Here ya go" and gave me the number.
I have never seen so many people react so quickly to something that was just not right. John Gray crushed a golden moment.
GEORGE CORNELIUSSEN
Montgomery
I WITNESSED a beautiful event the announcement of the All-Century Team. But with a tear still in my eye, I soon sat aghast as Jim Gray lambasted baseball's all-time hit king.
This event was not about Pete Rose it was about the All-Century Team. Jim Gray turned it into a show about Jim Gray trying to get Pete Rose to admit he bet on baseball. Why didn't we see Jim Gray asking Darryl Strawberry why he snorted cocaine again?
LEE CLARK
Kings Mills
I HAVE NO problem with the first question Jim Gray asked, but after Pete gave his answer, he should have moved on to the next question. Why was there not at least one question on how Pete felt about being back on the field as a part of the All-Century team? Would Gray ask Bud Selig why baseball allowed Rose to sign an agreement that states there was no finding that Rose bet on baseball? Why does baseball allow casino sponsorship of the game if gambling is taboo? Why was Rose allowed to be a part of the All-Century team? Because of his accomplishments on the field. Isn't that why they put players in the Hall of Fame?
Yes, the evidence against Rose is overwhelming, but the only legal, binding document on the subject states that there was no finding that he bet on baseball. The evidence against O.J. Simpson was overwhelming, but not guilty means not guilty.
MARK WILLIAMS
Piketon
I WAS STRUCK by two observations: a) the repeated vulture-like nips of the rapacious Jim Gray, and b) the unusually calm and gracious reaction of Pete Rose, who concluded the interview by softly stating: "I am really disappointed in you and NBC."
FRANK A. IACOBUCCI
Covedale
JIM GRAY'S pathetic interview was a disgrace. The guy gambled that he could become famous by getting Pete Rose to repent on national TV during his interiview. Mr. Gray lost his bet, and he ought to be fired. It was embarrassing to watch a TV journalist make such an ass of himself. I was insulted by his implicit notion that I wanted to watch that kind of squalid, yellow journalism on my TV.
ED VOCKELL
Hammond, Ind.
DESPITE THE INTENSE feeling that I needed to communicate my disgust with the way Jim Gray handled the Pete Rose interview, I was somewhat pleased with not being able to immediately access the MSNBC.com web page. The response "not able to connect due to busy conditions" tells me that they are being inundated with similar messages. I find that somewhat gratifying. I will get my message through, though. This is one time I won't mind having to wait a little bit.
DARIN SIMPSON
Finneytown
MY FAMILY and I were shocked and appalled at the unprofessionalism exhibited by Jim Gray during his "interview" of Pete Rose. We were enjoying the moment with our 7-year- old son when a wonderful, historic event turned suddenly mean-spirited and sour.
What a shame to let someone like Jim Gray spoil such a monumental moment in sports history. His poor demeanor epitomized all that is negative with broadcast media. Shame on NBC. The public deserves to see this man fired, and Pete Rose deserves a public apology.
TINA ERNST
Anderson Township
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