January, 28, 2004 9 Pete Rose, by any other name, is still a jerk

By Christopher

Argosy SACKVILLE, N.B., (CUP) — The

Goodwin,

Pete Rose saga continues. How long -

must sports fans across the world listen to this convicted criminal whine and moan about how his actions were not his fault? When will he cease his con- stant badgering about deserving a position in the Hall of Fame?

Rose's new book, My Prison Without Bars, came out last week, to both applause and harsh criticism. Applause, because Americans enjoy reading about baseball. Criticism, because Rose completely contradicts what he wrote in his first book, which came out in 1989, shortly after his life- time ban from baseball was announced. I spent the weekend read- ing Pete Rose's new book. I also had to go to the dentist for emergency surgery. Looking back on the past two days, if I had to give up one of these activities it would have been reading the book.,i says Sports Writer Audrey West. Clearly, Rose is not getting the overwhelming support he had hoped for.

We know two things about Pete Rose. Number one, he bet on baseball while he was managing the Cincinnati Reds in the 1980s, a big no-no in sports circles, as it jeopardizes the integrity of the game. Number two, he lied and covered it up. We also know that Pete Rose lied on his tax forms, cheated the government out of thou- sands of dollars, and spent four months in prison. He is a stubborn, rude, crude man who mimics the

famous attitude of one Ty Cobb. He seems to think the world revolves around him, that baseball owes him for his longevity and dedication to the game. However, sports pundits across the United States, Canada and abroad disagree. They see Rose as a liar and a cheat, a man who has tar- nished the game and should never be allowed back into its circle.

Lost in all of this is the sad story of Shoeless Joe Jackson. Immortalized in Kevin Costner's acclaimed film Field of Dreams, Jackson was one of the seven Chicago White Sox players

banned for life from baseball due to Me

allegations that they took money to purposely lose a World Series game. Costner presented the public with a forgotten story, and aroused doubts about Jackson's supposed crimes. In Jackson's case, no evidence was ever found, and he adamantly professed his innocence. The ban from baseball stuck, and Jackson was heartbroken, forever banned from a game that he dominated.

With no evidence against him, and any discoveries since pointing to his innocence, Jackson, not Rose, is the one who deserves Hall of Fame recog- nition. Pete Rose should shut up and live with his mistake. Already, one of Rose's friends who gambled with him has stated that Rose still isn't telling the truth. He says Rose placed bets from the clubhouse routinely, and has even released the code names Rose used for each team. However, Rose denies all of this, saying It's made up, simply a strategy to further tarnish his name.

For baseball's old guard, on the other hand, it is simply another reason to ban the man once known as Charlie Hustle for his supreme devotion to the game he loved.

Pete Rose is baseball's hit king. He has over 4,000 career hits, He is also a liar, a cheat, a fraud, and an arrogant, self-absorbed man. Chances are, in another ten years, Rose will release another book, make more money for himself, and recall more events that he seems to have forgotten, or denies ever happened in the first place. Bud Selig and baseball don't often do things well; in fact, most of the time, they make horrendous mistakes (see the Montreal Expos, the 2002 All Star game). With Pete’Rose, however, Selig has definite- ly hit the ball in the right direction.

Pilates: workout for the body and mind

With the current cult-following of popular culture fitness, I have decided that it is time for a new section, in which

athletics that offer the solitude and relaxation aspects of fitness can be revered. This is especially suitable consider- ing the season, when everyone who lives for the long days of running, hiking, or biking start to lose the sparkle in their eyes; which only an hour of personal exertion can provide.

There is hope for these people yet. Before the dreariness of winter overtakes you, consider something different. Many people are looking for alternatives to the high intensity cardio workouts that have been stressed in the past as the best thing you can do for your body; it was only a matter of time before new, innovative ways of keeping fit and healthy came to the forefront of fitness.

Pilates is one of these forms of exercise that is becoming more and more popular, as it promises a gentle alterna- tive to getting fit. This exercise is definitely low-intensity and puts little strain on the body, making it great for pcople of all ages and levels. A common misconception of Pilates is that it cannot be that great of a workout since it is so low impact, and truthfully, stamina is not a reward of this excrcisc. However, the benefits go well beyond that, aid- ing not only your body, but your soul and mind.

Pilates focuses on the idea that the mind and the body need to work togethcr in order to complete perfectly har- monious physical movements. Its main aim is to create a well-conditioned and toned body, without the muscle bulk, but after practicing the right techniques, Pilates also serves to correct posture and breathing; relieve stress and fatigue, as well as improving flexibility and strength.

A wide varicty of books and videos are available to teach intcrested people basic Pilates motions, but it is strong- ly suggested to take lessons at a local gym to avoid any risk of injury. As with any cxercisc, pcople practicing Pilates need to follow the same rules: wear comfortable clothing, make sure to do proper stretching and warming up, and of coursc, remember to drink plenty of watcr. Also, even though Pilates puts very little impact on the body, going slow at first is essential to avoiding unnecessary strain.

Since Pilates has actually been around for quite a long time, there are now many different variations of the actu- al exercises. Originally, equipment was an essential part of the routines to assist the body movements, but now there arc plenty of excrciscs that don’t require anything but a towel, mat, and good spirit, which makes it casicr to be done right from home.

If Pilates sounds like something that would suit your lifestyle, now is the time to give it a try, while the demand is there to make gyms everywhere offer classes. It is important to remember that with exercises such as these, though, results do not appear overnight. Sometimes it takes a long time of focusing and practicing the movements before you notice any changes. But the bencfits can be well worth the time and dedication.

UNBC BASKETBALL Men’s January 17 Results

UNBC 67 UCC 94 High scorer B. Stewart 17; B. Beswick 17

Women’s

January 17 Results

UNBC 41 UCC 53

High scorer C. Hicks 12

Next Home: Men’s Exhibition Jan. 30 vs. Coquitlam

UNBC HOCKEY - PGRHL

Rec. A - UNBC Timberwolves GP W L T G A 24 12 8 4 167 268 January 6 Results UNBC 3 BX PUB VIPERS 4 January 7 Results UNBC 5 LUMBER KINGS 5 January 11 Results UNBC 9 NOR-SPEC 6 January 12 Results UNBC 7 LABATT BLUES 7 Next: February | 8:15pm Kin | Vs. Labatt Blues

Rec. B - Greywolves GP W L T G A 26 12 13 1 143 215 January 9 Results GREYWOLVES 7 ADMIRAL/ROADHOUSE 5 January 11 Results _

GREYWOLVES 13 PINESTAR/KAL-TIRE 5 January 17 Results GREYWOLVES 4 JC AUTO/PINEDALE 2 January 18 Results GREYWOLVES 6 U GRAD WOLFPACK 2 Next: February | 5:30 pm Quesnel R1

Vs. Snaking River Cobras

Rec. B - U Grad Wolfpack

GP W L ay G A 26 12 10 A 14] 212 January 8 Results WOLFPACK 10 ICE HAWKS 3 January 11 Results WOLFPACK 4 REIDS RX 4 January 16 Results WOLFPACK 6 5 SEASONS/MOXIES 10 January 18 Results WOLFPACK 2 GREYWOLVES 6 Next: February 1 7:45pm Kin 2 Vs. Pinestar/Kal-Tire

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