Does Urban Meyer Need to Talk to Charlie Hustle?

It is reported by Matt McCoy of 610 WTVN in Ohio that Pete Rose will be in Columbus.  Why may you ask?  Well, on Tuesday, the hit king met the current king of Columbus in Urban Frank Meyer. Is Rose coming to speak to OSU football players? Is he coming up to talk more with Meyer?  Is he coming up to speak at a charity event or to help out youth baseball?  Unfortunately, none of the above applies.

McCoy writes, “On Tuesday June 19, Scioto Downs will have the official grand opening for its $152 million gaming venue featuring 1,700 video lottery terminals, slot machines and more. And who will be on hand to cut the ribbon? Yep...Charlie Hustle himself.”

McCoy goes on to write, “I can't say I'm surprised. Rose has spent the last two decades hocking merchandise, signing baseball cards and making public appearances that would make any PR professional squirm. Unfortunately, it's who he is.”

One would have thought Peter Edward Rose was on the way up. Recently, he made some steps to try to reconcile with former teammates, like Johnny Bench, whose Hall of Fame induction was over shadowed by Rose’s betting allegations.

But this may not be a wise move for the hit king who is still banned from baseball and was not allowed to go into the clubhouses during Tuesday night’s game with the Indians where Urban Meyer and his son, Nate, threw out the first pitch.

I once asked a radio personality, during Spring Training 2004, about Pete Rose (his name will remain anonymous). It was at a time when Rose was admitting he bet on baseball and it looked like the public was turning toward his favor.  I, along with other fans, was listening to the answer about a question on Pete Rose’s chances of getting into the Hall of Fame. His response, “ I am tired of talking about it. He will do something to mess it up.”  And like a prophet, Rose did.

Is Rose messing up again?  Is it wise for him to be associated with Scioto Downs in Columbus? I guess since he works in Las Vegas, this environment is already all around.  The reality is, Rose needs to support himself, and if all he can get are gigs like Scioto Downs, Rose will just have to accept that his name will be synonymous with gambling and not as one of the greatest baseball players that ever lived, as Urban Meyer recently stated in the media. 

Martin Luther King Jr. said, “The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.” Where does Rose stand?