Pete, Not Barry, Should Have Been First

Today, Barry Larkin entered the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown.

Barry played his entire career for the Cincinnati Reds, was a model shortstop and a man of character. Barry went to Moeller High School, a Cincinnati Catholic high school powerhouse for sports. He attended Michigan and endured harassment by football coach Bo Schembechler for choosing baseball over football. After his baseball career, Barry completed an undergraduate degree from Michigan. He continues his career as an ESPN baseball broadcaster. As a devoted husband and father to three children, Barry Larkin is a sportsman to emulate, thus a true baseball hall of famer.

Know what else makes Barry special? Pete should have done it before him.

There’s another Cincinnati baseball player who should have been the first hometown boy Reds player to make it into Cooperstown. Yes, Pete Rose should have been there first. But Pete is not a player to emulate or admire because he broke one of the cardinal rules of baseball: no betting on baseball. And many of us wonder if he’s truly sorry for his betting.

I am thrilled for Barry Larkin and my hometown Cincinnati Reds today. Barry is a man of character because he shows up, does the right thing, lives for others and thus deserves a spot in Cooperstown.

Pete, some of us Cincinnati baseball fans are waiting for your character to kick in.

In our baseball playbook, you have yet to achieve hall of fame status.

About the Author

Barbara Baker

Barbara Baker is Franciscan Media’s Director of marketing, sales and internet. She and her husband work with the Archdiocese of Cincinnati’s Family Life Office at their monthly pre-Cana weekends. Barbara spends too much time with her iPhone.