Ray Fosse’s fame was always borrowed. He was a promising young catcher whose promise began and ended at the ’70 All-Star Game. Pete Rose exploded him in a collision at home plate, altering Fosse’s career path and defining forever his legacy. (And in some ways, Pete’s.) Fosse was all of 23 years old. It lingered like the permanent soreness Fosse endured until his death yesterday at 74, after a 16-year fight with cancer.
That’s not the most compelling thing about the late catcher.
At the very least, the collision blunted a promising career. More, it asked essential questions: What defines toughness? Who gets to decide? Was baseball Better Back Then, before more attention was paid to player safety? Was any sport “better’’ in ’70 than it is today, for its adherence to some vague macho code?
Players can’t do what Rose did that night in July ’70. Catchers aren’t allowed to put their bodies across the plate now. Even that change wasn’t made until more than 40 years had passed since Pete’s “slide’’ at the All Star Game.
Fosse always said Pete never apologized. Very likely because Rose never thought he did anything wrong. He lived by an ethos most now see as dated and extreme. It’s an exhibition game, Mr. Hustle.
How you feel about Pete and Ray probably depends on how old you are. The older, the more likely to defend Rose. He’ll tell you he played in more winning games than any player in baseball history. The way he played was why. Fosse was an impediment to Pete’s success. That’s all.
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So, the eternal and existential question:
Was sports Better Back Then? If Rose-Fosse happened again tomorrow, might your reaction to it be different?
Mine would be. I would see Pete’s side far less clearly. The definition of courage, bravado, whatever has evolved. Equipment is far better, fewer football players are getting concussed. The rules have changed significantly. We don’t live in The Age of Butkus. Killing QBs in no longer permissible. Being Ok with being killed is no longer a sign of “guts.’’
Courage isn’t defined by the number of surgeries you’ve had. That’s good.
And yet, maybe something has been lost in the exchange. Rose never would have stood over Fosse and preened. The celebration of We over Me was in better shape back then. Rose didn’t KO Ray for personal glory. He wanted to win the game. He needed to win the game, in an existential way.
AP:
Ray Fosse told the AP in 2015 that he had pain and arthritis, endured five knee surgeries, had two bum shoulders he never had fixed and a stiff neck.
Of course, he knew that wasn't all from Rose's blow at the All-Star Game. A lot of that was a result of the rigors of being a catcher.
"My body hurts. My shoulder still hurts," Fosse said. "There was not anybody at the time to say, 'Don't play.' I continued. That's something that I take with a lot of pride."
Your take, please.
Now, then . . .
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UC IS COMPETING AGAINST ITSELF SATURDAY, when it hosts formerly formidable Central Florida. Its own standards, its own criteria. How high is our bar? How good can we be? Now that Indiana and Notre Dame are off the board, no one in the American has the talent needed to beat the 3rd-ranked Bearcats. All UC has to do the rest of the way is be perfect.
Unfair? Yeah, a little. The system is rigged. Several schools can afford a loss and remain inside the playoff door. Not only does UC have to be perfect, it has to be convincingly perfect. Every game comes with an element of running up the numbers. The Bearcats will win, but if they don’t win by at least 20 points (the current betting line) well, something must be wrong with them. Maybe they’re not as good as we thought.
That might change, some day. Until it does, the Bearcats will have to be even better than they’re perceived to be.
Meantime UCF is not what it was when the Knights were competing with the Bearcats at the top of the AAC. They lost their all-conference QB Dillon Gabriel a month ago, with a broken clavicle. They avoided a three-game L streak last week by beating a never-good East Carolina team by four. One of their other wins in a 3-3 start was over 0-6 Bethune-Cookman.
UC has one big game left (#23 SMU, home Nov. 20) but even an impressive W over the Mustangs won’t help UC’s national cause.
THE MEN’S FIRST HALF RUN against a mediocre schedule concludes in Detroit Sunday. After the 0-5 Lions, five of Cincinnati’s next six are against the Browns, Steelers and LA Chargers (home) and on the road at Baltimore and Las Vegas.
It’s not coincidence that Detroit hasn’t won. Jared Goff has as many turnovers (7) as TD passes. His sideways passing game has him completing almost 70 percent of his throws. His yards per attempt is 29th-best in the league. Detroit’s passing game relies on Yards After Catch. Tackle well, Bengals.
The Lions also are allowing 28 points a game, but they have recorded 14 sacks.
The composite record of the Bengals first five opponents is 11-14. They’re 0-2 v. teams currently with winning records. Beating the Lions won’t mean much. Losing to them could.
The Bengals are healthy enough and better enough to avoid the upset.
Men 27, Lions 19.
AND NOW. . . Brien finds fun in Fairfield.
Greater Cincinnati Parks and Rec always have great events that sometimes fly under the radar. Fairfield’s department has a slate of fun and interesting pieces of live entertainment. . .
The latest entry in their Wine, Women, and Song Series, occurring this Friday (October 15) is “America’s Sweethearts.” This act features a trio of women singing “selections from the Great American Songbook, classic Broadway, pop tunes from the 1950s, and Jazz.” This throwback captures the beauty of yesteryear. Hors d’oeuvres are included with your ticket ($30) and there is a cash bar.
Then in two weeks (October 29) the EnterAct Family Series is doing a puppet show adaptation of Washinton Irving’s classic tale, “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.” Presented by Madcap Puppets, this all ages show features Ichabod Crane’s confrontation with the Headless Horseman. Tickets are $15 for adults, $10 for seniors, and $10 for children under twelve. As an added Halloween delight, kids that come in costume will receive a special treat. This should be a fun All Hallow’s weekend activity.
For more information on these performances, as well as general goings on within Fairfield Parks and Recreation, use this link: https://web1.myvscloud.com/wbwsc/ohfairfieldwt.wsc/search.html?display=detail&module=PST
Imbiber Dave is gratefully tossing 'em back with buds.
We spend a lot of time here at Imbibe Central considering the What, but when you get down to it, we should be focusing more time on the Who.
The people we imbibe with are critical to our experience. Connections that we make with others tend to be strengthened over a relaxing beer, strong cocktail, or delicious bottle of wine.
Flexibility and creativity have been key for all of us. Who would have thought having a drink with a friend under a heat lamp with your coat and hat on could be so wonderful?
After dipping my proverbial toe in the water at bars and restaurants with family and friends over the last few months, I feel as though the flavors are brighter, the conversation is livelier, and the energy is palpable. I’m reminded of the scene in Pleasantville where everyone’s black and white reality starts to change into color.
My wife took me to see Dave Matthews Band for the first time in a decade, and we had an absolute blast. The crowd was fantastic, albeit a little overwhelming, and the weather was perfect. Of course I owe you some ideas here too, so check out the patio at Local Post in Columbia Tusculum. The burgers were amazing, and the Casamigos tequila tasted sublime on a warm evening.
So this is a thank you to all those closest to me that make imbibing possible. Look around. If you’ve survived the last year plus with other people in your home, then you should buy them a drink, because they’ve put up with you this long too!
Cheers!
TUNE O’ THE DAY. . . Quietly among my favorite singers.
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