Playing to Win Name of the Game for Rose

The Office of the Commissioner of Baseball
Allan H. (Bud) Selig, Commissioner
245 Park Avenue, 31st Floor
New York, NY 10167
(212) 931-3800

Dear Mr. Commissioner:

The Kansas City Royals have something like seven hours left to sign their 2007 first-round draft pick Mike Moustakas to a contract. If a deal doesn’t get inked, the kid will allegedly go play college ball at the University of Southern California.

I find this development (or lack thereof) a bit disturbing in that four of the five top picks from the draft are still unsigned, allowing their agents to barter for more money for them. I don’t want to get into all that I dislike about the systems and financial aspects of today’s game. Media sources keep reporting, though, that this kid is eager to play pro ball, and is excited about being a Royal. I can’t really think of any athlete in any market in any similar situation saying anything different, but Moustakas’ alleged attitude, coupled with General Manager Dayton Moore’s confidence regarding getting a deal done equals one more reason to be excited about Royals baseball in the immediate future.

The only attribute I can finger as the common denominator in all of this is the desire to win. Moore wants to win. I have to imagine Moustakas wants to win. And we all know Scott Boras, Moustakas’ agent, wants to win himself some American dollars. Lots of guys in baseball say they want to win. One guy proved it. Pete Rose was and still is he ultimate example of wanting to win.



Let’s make today a milestone day. Let’s show the kids the model for wanting to win. Please, Mr. Commissioner, for the kids. Lift the ban.