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Pete Rose criticizes Blue Jays players for not playing through playoff injuries

Pete Rose criticizes Blue Jays players for not playing through playoff injuries

Pete Rose earned the nickname 'Charlie Hustle' during his remarkable baseball career because of how hard he played the game and the toughness he showed on numerous occasions. Running over Ray Fosse at home plate to win the 1970 All-Star game is probably the most famous example of the grit and determination that helped him become the all-time leader in hits.

[Related: Rangers get to David Price and take a 5-3 victory in Game 1]

So maybe we shouldn't be surprised that Rose seemed so perplexed by two Toronto Blue Jays players leaving Game 1 of the ALDS with what he perceived as minor injuries. The Blue Jays lost to the Texas Rangers 5-3, prompting Rose to ask, "does everybody know what we’re playing for now?"

Rose didn't understand why Toronto sluggers Josh Donaldson, the favorite for the MVP award in the AL, and Jose Bautista were removed from the game for precautionary reasons. He did not question why Texas third baseman Adrian Beltre left the game in the third inning. Beltre could barely run and left the contest in tears.

(AP)
(AP)

Donaldson was kicked in the head while sliding into second base and later became light-headed. So he was removed and underwent the necessary concussion protocol. Bautista left late in the game with hamstring tightness. Both will be evaluated Friday but neither is expected to miss Game 2.

Rose, who is serving as an analyst for Fox Sports 1 this season, shared his thoughts in the postgame show. Part of his comments were directed to fellow analyst and former big-league tough guy Frank Thomas.

“I just don’t understand,” Rose said. “I mean, does everybody know what we’re playing for now? I mean, you get a tweak and you got to leave the game. You get a knee on the head and you’ve got a helmet on and you got to leave the game to go take a test that you pass. I mean, cause you’re a little light-headed? I got light-headed how many times in my career. I still went out there and played. I guess it’s just different from when I played to when they’re playing today, Frank. I can’t see you sliding into second there and leaving the game. I really can’t. And this guy is the MVP.”

A few minutes later, Raul Ibanez, the third analyst on the show told Rose that sometimes in today's game players aren't allowed to make the decision about whether they stay in the game, particularly when it involves a possible head injury, such as when Donaldson was hurt.

[Related: Adam Wainwright calls out Fox for erectile dysfunction ads during playoffs]

Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Brandon McCarthy also chimed in with some perspective on Twitter. McCarthy was hit in the head with a line drive in 2012 while pitching for Oakland and underwent surgery to relieve pressure from a hemorrhage and skull fracture.

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Kyle Ringo is a contributing writer to Big League Stew on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at kyle.ringo@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter! Follow @KyleRingo