You do realize I separated the character flaws - "Setting aside . . .", from the hollow on-field accomplishments - "he used corked bats for years, so his numbers are tainted", right?

He was a scumbag off the field, and a dishonorable cheater on it.

Do you think Rose intended to hurt him? Was Fosse blocking the plate? Was Fosse trying to win a meaningless exhibition game? Who had more protection? A catcher or a base runner? Rose could have been injured as easily as Fosse and we might never have heard of Rose.

I have seen collisions at the plate in high school games which are meaningless.

And years ago, I was playing in a coed softball league. I was covering home plate (with no protection) and a girl was trying to score. I had the ball when she was about 20 feet from home plate. I expected her to slow up and be tagged. Instead, she kept coming full speed, lowered her shoulder, and ran into me. She knocked me down (but I held onto the ball). That was a meaningless exhibition game.

I’m not defending his character....the only thing he’s been sanctioned for ...was as a manager, for gambling. If you want rumors, hearsay and the unsubstantiated to be the standard, then you have a lot of evictions to effect in Cooperstown. If ‘scumbaggery’ was the standard, the place would be nearly empty!

His ‘Charlie Hustle’ persona extended to ‘meaningless exhibition games’ as well. I was too young to remember the incident but have since watched the videos of it. I admire any athlete that plays with that type of intensity, sports blind....because that’s what made those eras in all sports so special. These All Star games are embarrassing today. They are all just corporate picnics ...the athleticism, competitive spirit and significance have all disappeared

I usually disagree with Stephen A. Smith. But even he got this one right!!

Your browser is not supported | cincinnati.com

Roger Clemens started the pay for autographs

Joe DiMaggio as to why he always gave his best.

"There is always some kid who may be seeing me for the first or last time, I owe him my best." Source: The Sporting News (April 4, 1951)

Why? He didn’t deserve it when he was alive and doesn’t deserve it now.

I met him at a store where he was signing baseballs. He wanted $350.00 got his autograph. No thanks.

He was also extremely arrogant and wouldn’t even have a conversation with anyone. I guess he was not happy that nobody was paying for his worthless autograph.

Of course not....why would you put the all time hits leader (a record that still stands and may never be eclipsed)....in Cooperstown? :1rotfl:

It is easy to like a person with an attitude like Joe DiMaggio's. But pro athletes don't achieve megastar success based on their personality. They achieve it through excellence in their chosen sport. Many "superstars" were and are pretty dislikeable as human beings.

You can respect the accomplishments without respecting the person.

No, he doesn't belong in the HOF. for the same reason he didn't belong when he was alive.

See Post No. 39.

No. Baseball is based on honest statistics, and liars & cheaters have no place.

Oh I see now. Athletes now have to give in to requests for free autographs at card shows....which the recipient will then sell off at a collectible show or EBay for a healthy return....but do so with some faux mutual admiration?!
It’s been used before but people really need to find new moral compasses in life....if athletes are that to so many I remind you, athletes, actors, politicians and yes even some ToTV members will always disappoint. Btw...feel free to visit my SUTB merch site on Amazon. Link withheld :1rotfl: