First... Pete was never a favorite player of mine but those Red Teams WERE... at least with respect. They were amazing... now about Pete:
As you know his nickname was/is "Charlie Hustle". Here's one example of why - - - - don't remember the game but I do "think" it was a World Series Game. High fly ball.. Pete and another player, (can't remember who) are after it.... it's routine.... sky high for like 10 seconds... Pete and the other player are there.... there other player calls for the catch.... ball comes down and.....
He muffs it.... bounced straight up out of his glove.... a muff you'd scream at an 8yr old for missing (hehehe, kidding).... Charlie Hustle, (Pete), simply quickly steps forward and catches the ball before it hits the ground for the out. He didn't flinch... didn't make any sign that the play was anything other than routine. Didn't say a word to the player who muffed it. For Pete... "you're out. Next batter"... that was it. HUSTLE.
I saw Pete play a lot.... for two reasons - my brother-in-law loved the Reds AND.... they were very, very, very good. A joy to watch for baseball fans. Never saw any player give more for his team. Sounds like I'm 'worshipping him', doesn't it? Well... no, I respected the guy but he was not a favorite player of mine. With his stats I just can't get over him having a lifetime ban for betting his own team to win... which was WRONG.... but "Lifetime Ban"? And how does that work anyway?
His records are there... due to his ban we're supposed to just ignore them? How the hell does one do that? Say Nacua did something that got him banned... minor or for that matter even major.... then his record this year disappears? - JamesJM
