FanHouse JohnnyBench

Even though Pete Rose is persona non grata in MLB, that doesn't mean fans from all over the country still don't love the guy. Yeah, he gambled on baseball and proceeded to lie about it for years, but he was still one of the greatest hitters to ever play the game.

Which is why so many people show up to collectibles shows and other events featuring Rose to meet one of their childhood heroes, and maybe get a picture or an autograph. Of course, there's one Pete Rose fan who is probably wishing he never met his hero right about now. Jim Scornerston met Rose on October 4th when he was signing autographs at Field of Dreams inside Caesar's Palace, and he said that Rose not only seemed annoyed by the fact he hadn't bought anything, but also made fun of his lisp.

"I told him how much I used to love to get up Saturday mornings with my sister to watch 'The Baseball Bunch,'" said Scornerston, referring to a syndicated TV baseball show hosted by Rose's former teammate, Johnny Bench.

According to Scornerston, Rose was "clearly annoyed" and responded by mocking Scornerston's lisp, saying, "Did ya thee me on Thaturdayth? With your thithter?' Then just looks away."

When I wrote about Gary Carter openly campaigning to replace Willie Randolph as manager of the New York Mets, I said that I found the move to be somewhat classless and sleazy. It's one thing to publicly state your intentions if the job is open, but when Willie Randolph still has the job, it's just uncalled for.

Apparently I'm not the only one who felt this way, as Carter's former teammate on the Mets and current color analyst, Keith Hernandez, ripped on Gary while on the air during Sunday's game.

"I have great respect for Gary as a player," said Hernandez, now a TV analyst. "He's a Hall of Famer. When Johnny Bench left the game, he was the premier catcher in the National League.

"But that being said, and I've kept quiet for such a long time, but for the people out there listening, just go in the dictionary and look up 'unconscious' and you'll find a picture of Gary Carter.

"I know that's strong, but it just happens too many times and it's just, you're walking around unconscious."

Well, Gary may be unconscious, but Keith Hernandez is a liar. I just went to dictionary.com and looked up 'unconscious' and I did not see a picture of Gary Carter. That being said, I don't think Keith is going to be asking Gary to help him move anytime soon, nor do I think Gary will be willing to help.