What Cardinals Players Are Using Pete Rose As An ‘Advisor’?

Ken Rosenthal broke the story that FOX Sports has hired Pete Rose to be a commentator and guest studio analyst. According to Rosenthal:

Rose will serve FOX as a guest analyst for the MLB on FOX pregame show on FOX and FOX Sports 1 and will also appear on “MLB Whiparound,” “America’s Pregame” and “FOX Sports Live” on FOX Sports 1.

Interesting move by FOX. Can’t wait to see how Charlie Hustle plays on TV.

In his regular sports media column for Sports Illustrated, Richard Deitsch notes that the move may be designed to inflate viewership number on Fox Sports 1 and that people will be curious to hear his opinions on a sport in which he is currently banned.

But here’s where it becomes relevant for Cardinals fans:

Rose told Rosenthal that he regularly exchanges texts with about a half-dozen players who seek out his critiques, including players on the Reds, Padres and Cardinals. (He owes it to the audience to reveal those as an analyst.) 

ORLY?

A (very light) Google search doesn’t reveal any obvious connections between Rose and any current Cardinals players.

Obviously with $0 budgeted for investigative reporting and access to the team that would be classified as ‘we welcome you to buy a ticket if you care to come to the stadium’… all we have is wild speculation until Derrick Goold finds out the truth.

++++

You peeked below the line, so it looks like you’re curious. I know, I am too.

But what do we know? What can we base a guess on?

Rose lives in Las Vegas and signs autographs for money. Pretty much daily. Any Cardinals with Las Vegas roots?

• Tommy Pham is from Las Vegas, NV. Did he make a connection with the ‘Hit King’ while visiting family back home during the off-season?

Rose played in Cincinnati for parts or all of 19 seasons and is still very popular with fans of the team. Any Cardinals with Cincinnati connections?

• Mark Reynolds is from Pikeville KY, about a 3.5 hour drive to Cincinnati. Seems reasonable that he’d be a Reds fan growing up. Doubt he remembers much about the ’86 Rose season. And Pete probably prefers it that way.

I know, VERY thin.

But they’re the leaders in the clubhouse. Some other odds?

• Peralta (8/1) – Both dabbled in things that caused suspensions?
• Lackey (12/1) – Seems like someone Rose would enjoy.
• Kozma (15/1) – He does it all! Including talk to Rose!
• MARP (20/1) –  No batting gloves = a real man.
• Villanueva (1000/1)

Let’s get on this, Cardinal Nation. I need to know who Rose is texting tips to on the team.

Photo: CBS Sports