A new autobiography by Pete Rose hits the bookstands today. In it and during interviews leading up to the release, Rose finally admits to betting on baseball while he was a manager. He even admits to betting on games played by the Cincinnati Reds.

Rose, nicknamed Charlie Hustle for the hard-nosed and all-out way he played the game, holds the record for the most hits in a career, 4,256. Rose is a legend on the field, and, unfortunately, off.

In 1989, Rose accepted banishment from baseball rather than contradict the findings of an investigation into his gambling activities. Now we know for sure why: He did it.

Compiled by lawyer John Dowd, that report found convincing evidence that Rose had broken one of the cardinal rules of baseball by betting on the sport and even on games in which he played or managed.

In his first autobiography, published in 1989, Rose denied he bet on baseball and disputed the findings of the Dowd report. For years, he has waged a guerrilla war for reinstatement.

Perhaps everyone who bought Rose’s first book should have the purchase price reinstated into their wallets. They bought a package of lies.

Fans are very forgiving, and there is broad support for Rose to be allowed back into the game, especially if he admits wrongdoing and apologizes. He would become eligible for election to the Hall of Fame and could manage or coach again.

No doubt, some desperate team would give Rose a chance, but could his decisions ever be trusted? If you think Grady Little deserved to be fired for leaving Pedro Martinez in too long, imagine the questions if Rose had made the call.

Of living Hall of Famers, who would want to share their induction into Cooperstown with a fraud who allowed his own compulsive behavior to undermine the integrity of America’s pastime?

Rose did real damage to the game he professes to love. He shouldn’t be allowed back.


Standing ovation


Turn down the lights and get ready for the show. The Midcoast Symphony Orchestra is coming to town.

During his inauguration speech Monday night, Lewiston’s new mayor, Lionel Guay, made the announcement that the 52-piece orchestra is moving, at least part time, into the Franco-American Heritage Center at the former St. Mary’s Church.

This is a step forward for the city and great pairing of a facility with a group looking for a stage. The orchestra was founded 10 years ago and has been playing on the road since, with many concerts at the Mount Ararat Middle School in Topsham. Now it will split its concert season between the two venues.

You don’t have to be a classical music fan to applaud this news. We think it deserves a standing ovation.
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