Episode 20: Free Pete! Author Keith O'Brien who recently published the definitive book about Pete Rose - the man, not so much the ballplayer, and why he belongs in the Hall of Fame like other ne'er do wells

We Love Our Team

Keith O'Brien, a New York Times bestselling author, joins Randy and Jack to discuss his latest book on Pete Rose and the glory days of baseball. Keith shares his memories as a Reds fan and his fascination with Pete Rose's story. He talks about the challenges of writing a biography and the importance of looking at Rose's story through the prism of humanity. The conversation also touches on Rose's gambling addiction and the early signs of trouble that were hidden in plain sight. The conversation explores the themes of Pete Rose's relationships, his charisma, his lack of remorse, the impact of Bart Giamatti's death, the changing landscape of baseball, and the unconditional love of Cincinnati fans. The main takeaways include the complexity of Pete Rose's character, the lasting effects of his banishment, and the need for perspective when it comes to athletes and their off-field actions. Free Pete!
Takeaways

• Keith O'Brien's book on Pete Rose offers a fresh perspective by looking at Rose's story through the prism of humanity.
• Rose's gambling addiction was evident early on, but it was often overlooked or dismissed by the media and fans.
• The book explores the glory days of the Cincinnati Reds and the 1990 World Series win.
• Writing a biography requires pushing the subject to discuss things they haven't before and uncovering new insights. Pete Rose's relationships with friends, family, and ex-wives play a significant role in understanding his character.
• Despite his flaws, Pete Rose possesses a natural charisma that makes him charming and likable to many people.
• Pete Rose lacks genuine remorse for his actions and struggles to apologize in a way that feels genuine.
• Bart Giamatti's death had a profound impact on the Pete Rose saga, but it is unlikely that it directly influenced the Hall of Fame decision.
• The landscape of baseball has changed significantly since Pete Rose's banishment, with the sport losing some of its cultural significance.
• Cincinnati fans have a unique and unconditional love for their sports heroes, including Pete Rose.

Sound Bites

• "Looking at Pete Rose's story through the prism of humanity"
• "Pete Rose's gambling addiction was in plain sight"
• "Favorite player from my era was Eric Davis"
• "He is just sort of charming, you know, whether you like him or not."
• "He struggles to do what we want him to do or to do what we need him to do to feel like he has reckoned with it."
• "If Giamatti lives, Giamatti finds a way in the early 90s to coax Rose out of the corner that he has painted himself into."

Titles