Before I get into the meat and potatoes of the issue, let me offer a mild apology to fans of the Cincinnati Reds. I know that Rose is yours. Everyone in Philly knows it. He spent five years with us. He spent 19 seasons in a Reds uniform. We acknowledge the facts, and respect them.
But you also need to acknowledge the influence that the man had on our organization as the key final piece in helping the Phillies to their first World Series crown in 1980, after 97 seasons of falling short. Now, back to addressing the issue of today’s announcement.