Pete Rose and Dikembe Mutombo died on the same day. It would be difficult to come up with two different sports stars. Rose was the quintessential American baseball star. Bill James accurately described Rose as the least talented superstar in MLB history. That’s the perfect description. If you want an example of someone wringing out all of their talent - leaving nothing on the table - Rose is your guy. The press loved him. Finally, here is a guy who is showing everyone how the game is supposed to be played.
Then, when it turned out that Rose had feet of clay, the press turned on him like a pack of wild dogs. There’s a lesson there for sure.
Mutombo, unlike the virtue signaling NBA players today, built a hospital outside of Kinshasa. Without constant self promotion, hashtags, or social media hype, Mutombo did something tangible that made a difference. He saved lives. Born in the Congo, he gave back in a way that cost him materially. In the NBA, Mutombo did the dirty work in the lane, blocking shots, rebounding, and protecting the rim. Current players should use him as a role model, instead of the ‘load management’ softness that passes for NBA play today.
That these two men go on the same day makes you wonder.
We Are All Pete Rose