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

Former Cincinnati Reds' great Pete Rose stands on the field at Great American Ball Park before a baseball game between the Cincinnati Reds and the St. Louis Cardinals, Saturday, Sept. 12, 2015, in Cincinnati. During a brief ceremony, the City of Cincinnati declared Sept. 12, Pete Rose Day. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)

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 homeplate 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.

So maybe we shouldn't be surprised that Rose seemed so perplexed by players leaving after seemingly minor injuries Thursday following the Texas Rangers 5-3 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays in Game 1 of the American League Division Series.

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,

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 niether is expected to miss Game 2.

Rose, who is serving as an analyst for FS1this season, shared his thoughts postgame. 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 the play in which Donaldson was hurt.

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.