Rose recently sat down for an interview with Grantland, and he touched on a number of topics, including baseball’s unwritten rules, which seem to come to light for various reasons each season. Whether it’s throwing at hitters, bunting during a no-hitter or taking an extra base with a big lead, there’s always something that ruffles the feathers of those who consider such “rules” to be sacred.
Leave it to Charlie Hustle to tell it like it is.
“I used to get screwed when we had a seven- or eight-run lead, because I couldn’t bunt for a single or I’m ‘showing up the opposition,'” Rose reportedly said.
“Guys that are home run hitters can continuously just swing from their ass and trot around the bases,” he continued. “I remember one time we had a 7-1 lead in the sixth inning in Houston, and J.R. Richard was pitching. I hit a single to right-center and I went to second. He threw at the next two hitters because I was showing the team up! What am I supposed to do when I got a 10-run lead, just go up there and strike out?”
As mentioned, bunting against a pitcher who’s throwing a no-hitter is considered a big no-no in the minds of many. Perhaps the most well-known instance of someone trying this tactic came in 2001, when Ben Davis dropped down a bunt against Curt Schilling.
“[The unwritten rules] are stupid,” Rose reportedly said. “Who cares if you bunt for a base hit? The only guys who criticize him on that are losers. Now if it had been 10-1, maybe. But down 2-0? I’d bunt, too.”
Well put, Pete.
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