Like many people in the sport/business, I know Larry a long time-----and for those in the sport/business, everyone knows who Larry was and what he did. When he was training, with his owners-----he was slick, a very good salesman, a good talker, hustler, etc., from day one. As far as the rest of his doings, sure, we all know. I wasn't a fan of his back then, but l don't wish him harm or ill will today. He was who he was, and he is who he is. But what about the countless others and what they did? Do people talk about Ben Webster the same way? Joe Marsh Jr.? Buddy Gilmour? Mike Lachance? I never heard people wishing them dead. This sport and business has been riddled with this type of thing from time immemorial. So people wish Larry Rolla ill will? Wish him dead? This doesn't speak to Larry Rolla and his misdeeds. It speaks to the people who wish this on him.
That being the case, just like many of these people who did these things-----and I've seen it-----Larry shows up to industry events at the track or wherever, and he is welcomed with open arms by people in the sport and business. I wonder if Mike Petrelli can say the same thing. Oh, no, that's right, he doesn't care.
I met Larry Rolla as a teenager when he was on the Monticello Raceway Track softball team. They played all the local bungalow colonies, including ours. I believe he was their team's pitcher. Lou Gigante played 3rd base. And while I have read many bad things that he did in harness racing, i'm sure he's not the only one whose cheated. As you have said here. I'm a believer in "karma", so I won't wish bad on him. There's little doubt he's a self-admitted cheat. So I understand the hate. It's so sad how he will be remembered by so many harness racing.
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