This was the year that pitchers took over the game. Pitchers that you and I would consider ordinary put up staggering numbers, while a great pitcher, Bob Gibson, had among the most amazing seasons ever, recording a 1.12 ERA and throwing 13 shutouts, leading the Cardinals to the pennant. He was the MVP; the runner-up was Pete Rose.

         Rose and Willie McCovey were the best hitters in the league, and I think that Rose deserved to be the MVP. I'd like to make a few comments Rose, but so much has been said about him, that I'm not even sure where to begin. I think a complete evaluation of the Life Of Pete Rose, from his early days as "Charlie Hustle" to his years with the Big Red Machine to his chase of Cobb's record to his managerial career to the Dowd Report and Giamatti to his current situation would probably require a tome the size of War And Peace.
        Rose's durability is one of the most striking features of his career record. He had ten seasons in which he played 160 or more games. That's not a record, but Rose also had eighteen consecutive seasons with at least 148 games played (I include the 1981 season in the streak). He did not hit for exceptionally high averages; he won three batting titles, and his career high was .348 in 1969. But he led the NL in hits seven times, in runs scored four times, in doubles five times. As he aged he learned to draw walks and get on base more often.
        Pete played in more games (3562) than any other player in baseball history, and holds the record for most at bats (14 053). He also holds the record for most career hits (4256); he is second all-time in doubles (746), and fourth in runs scored (2156). Rose is also among the top 15 in career walks, and the top 100 in RBI. It is hard to rate him as a player, because he was so different from everybody else. He didn't even have a position, spending a number of years at first, second, third, and the outfield. The most similar player ever was probably Paul Molitor, except that Pete was much healthier.
        So, should he be in the Hall Of Fame? His career was unquestionably Hall Of Fame quality; I do believe, however, that players who have been banned from the sport should not be in the Hall. The question, then, is whether Pete should be reinstated. There is no doubt that he gambled heavily on sports, and the Dowd Report presents formidable evidence that he bet on baseball. My feeling is that if Pete bet against the Reds, he should be banned for life; if he didn't, and there is some confusion about whether or not he did, then I would like to see him inducted into the Hall. I know the rules say that it doesn't matter who he bet on, but what the hell; there surely must be a more satisfactory resolution to the affair than the one that exists now.
        I should also add that I'm not interested in a full reinstatement for Pete; the man should not work again in professional baseball. The Hall Of Fame is enough. Whatever baseball decides, I also believe that Pete should be left out of the decision-making process. There is a growing sentiment that Pete should only be let into the HOF after he apologizes to the fans; personally, I don't care for putting any terms on Pete's status. While we're at it, why don't we demand that Pete perform 200 hours of community service as well? That, to me, would be more useful than an apology that's been extracted against the man's will.
        Rose and McCovey were followed closely in the vote by Hank Aaron and Jimmy Wynn. Wynn was a tremendously talented player who came up at the wrong time (the late 60's) and in the wrong place (the Houston Astrodome, a park that stifled his power). While he was never able to utilize all his talents in one season, he did occasionally produce some eye-popping numbers: 37 HRs in 1967; 43 SBs (and only four caught stealing) in 1965); 148 walks in 1969.
        This was Johnny Bench's rookie year; he played in 154 games, all at catcher. That's an incredible total for a catcher; like his teammate Rose, Bench would remain incredibly durable for much of his career.
     I think the MVP race was pretty open this year. The top vote getters among the players were Rose and McCovey, and I'll agree with that. After them came Curt Flood and Lou Brock, but I think Hank Aaron and Bench were better.