No one man is superior to the game

No one man is superior to the game

"No one man is superior to the game" is a famous quote by A. Bartlett Giamatti, the former commissioner of Major League Baseball. This statement encapsulates Giamatti's belief in the purity and integrity of the game of baseball, and the idea that no individual player, coach, or executive is bigger than the sport itself.

Giamatti was a passionate advocate for the game of baseball, and he believed that it was more than just a sport – it was a reflection of American culture and values. He saw baseball as a metaphor for life, with its ups and downs, its triumphs and failures, and its sense of fair play and sportsmanship. Giamatti believed that the game of baseball was bigger than any one person, and that it should be respected and revered for its history and tradition.

In his role as commissioner, Giamatti worked tirelessly to uphold the integrity of the game and to ensure that it was played fairly and honestly. He was not afraid to take a stand against players, coaches, or owners who violated the rules or tarnished the reputation of baseball. Giamatti understood that the game of baseball was a sacred trust, and that it was his responsibility to protect and preserve it for future generations.

Giamatti's belief that "no one man is superior to the game" was put to the test during his tenure as commissioner, particularly during the infamous Pete Rose scandal. Rose, a legendary player and manager, was banned from baseball for life for gambling on games, a violation of the sport's most sacred rule. Giamatti's decision to ban Rose was controversial, but he believed that it was necessary to protect the integrity of the game.