Wednesday, April 25, 2018

Class Act

Gautam Gambhir was captain of the IPL (Indian Premier League) cricket team, Delhi Daredevils. Since his and his team’s performance were not to his satisfaction, he decided to relinquish the captaincy. He also decided to play for free of charge this season and decided to forego his salary of Rs.2.8 crore.
 
(To my non-Indian readers:  Cricket is the only game where the captain is the deciding authority on the field and off the field.  In other sports, the coach or the manager is the deciding authority.)
 
That is a class act. As stated in NDTV, he puts pride above everything else. This also shows his love for the game.
 
As I am writing this, my thoughts go out to Pete Rose, one of the greatest professional baseball players.
 
To say that Pete Rose loves playing baseball is quite an understatement. Let me give 2 examples of his love for baseball.
 
1 - He once said in an interview that he will play baseball even if no one paid him any money to play. He loves the game so much that he’ll play for free.
 
2 – During his games, whenever he got a “Ball 4 - Walk”, he would run as fast as he could to first base, instead of just walking to first base. (Non Baseball readers: If you do not understand the game, it is OK). This is just an example to show Pete’s enthusiasm for playing the game. He is like a 12 year old boy, playing a game with friends on the weekend, in the middle of the street.
 
Pete should have been elected to the Baseball’s Hall of Fame. He was denied because he was accused of betting on baseball games. Betting on baseball games is legal in Las Vegas but players are not allowed to bet.
 
What kind of bets did Pete make? He always made bets for his team to WIN. He never made any bets for his team to lose.
 
I think Pete Rose should be in the Hall of Fame. He does not deserve a life time ban from the Hall of Fame.

PS:  Here is a hypothetical question.  If Virat Kohli bets a few dollars that India will win the next T20 World Cup, will you support banning him from cricket forever?

21 comments:

  1. Wow Interesting read SG even for a non sports fan...keep em coming....you are on a roll

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    1. Thanks for your comments Dee. Will do the best.

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  2. Such a contrast you have shown between two players. Well I don’t support players betting on their game when they are playing nationally. They are getting paid well for their job and such betting by the players themselves degrade the sanctity of game! And if such sentiments will be encouraged players may be tempted to bet against their teams as well, to earn an extra sum. I think in this sense he was rightly banned. (Although I had now idea about Pete)

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    1. Thanks for your comments Shesha. I appreciate your frank comment. My question for you is: If Virat Kohli bets one rupee with his lovely wife Anushka that India will win the 2019 T20 World Cup, and somehow it was published to the whole cricketing world, will you support banning him from playing cricket in his life forever?

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    2. Until and unless it is personal and in the family and not a deal with a bookie or something, it seems fine to me! However if you are competing to get a project with other people at your level, this wont cross your mind. Your entire focus will be on making strategy to win.

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    3. Is there anything wrong if you want your team to win and bet on it? Does it call for a life time ban?

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    4. It is not wrong if you want your team to win. But betting has ethical issues. Also sports betting is illegal in many places. This is what I found on wiki: “Ohio's own Hall of Fame baseball reporter, Hal McCoy, have observed that "the major problem with Rose betting on baseball, particularly the Reds, is that as manager he could control games, make decisions that could enhance his chances of winning his bets, thus jeopardizing the integrity of the game.” Also during his course as a manager he was engaged in multiple bets for years and he was also sent for counseling for his betting habits.
      l don’t know if I am making sense to you but in my opinion (I may be wrong) generating additional income through gambling, on your own / opponents performance, where you are a manager and represent a team doesn’t feel right.

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    5. But on the other hand his previous performances can not be neglected either. I have finished reading more about him, he was a great player and hence for his gambling he can be barred from future game still can be remembered for his previous performances amd definitely be included in hall of fame for them :)

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    6. Thanks for all your comments Shesha. My personal view is that his error in judgment does not deserve a life time ban.

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  3. Pete Rose is a class act.
    A degenerate gambler...but a class act.
    He didn't do anything wrong.

    Regards,
    Tim Donaghy

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    1. Thanks for your comments Tim. Look who is talking. You were a basket ball referee and bet on games you were officiating and made calls to support your bets. Shame on you.

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  4. When I heard that Gambhir has quit midway through IPL, I was pleasantly surprised. Not many people own up moral responsibility and leave. A class act, as you rightly said.

    Regarding betting, you have posed a very interesting question. If professional betting is illegal, I don't think there is a choice. Kohli or anyone can't. The person will face law. Still informally, if someone wants to bet, irrespective of on winning or losing, that will be possible. No one will find out.

    Now if it's legal, go ahead and bet.

    Your question I guess is more of a moral one than a legal one. Why should one be punished for wishing good and betting on something desirable for his team?

    Morally, I won't have a problem with him betting. I will support him. But if it's against law, even if I support him, he will face the consequences. I am not quite sure what the law mandates.

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    1. Thanks for your comments Pradeep. You are correct. I was posing a moral question only. Also, in my view, life time ban is too harsh for a guy who bet for his own team to win.

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  5. Oh, has he given up on his salary for the season too?! Wow! Wasnt aware of that, though knew that he had stepped down as captain. Class act indeed.
    Pete Rose is amazing, yes, he deserves to be in hall of fame.
    If Viraat bets for fun, guess, that's ok. But since betting is illegal in India, it would not be considered kindly, even if he is the best!

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    1. Thanks for your comments Shilpa. In my view, life time ban is too harsh for a guy who bet for his own team to win.

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  6. The merit of the player or his passion for the game are not considered while awarding punishment for violations of laws of land. A person who plays in the particular game on which he bets can influence the shar of the game and hence punishable however great he may be.The quantum of punishment falls in the domain of judge.

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    1. Influence the Shape or the outcome of game

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    2. Thanks for your comments Mr. KP. In my view, life time ban is too harsh for a guy who bet for his own team to win.

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  7. There is already so much betting and match-fixing in cricket. But Pete's case seems to be different and genuine.

    Destination Infinity

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    1. Thanks for your comments Rajesh. That is the point. He bet his own team to win. Even if that is legally wrong, the life time ban is a harsh punishment. Me think.

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  8. Betting is enthusiastic for those who live, breathe and hug games.They may not be focusing on the monetary aspect, but winning aspect. But fake game on pecuniary benefit should be banned.

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