Should Pete Rose Be In The Hall of Fame?

May 10, 2011

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Johnny missed his normal Tuesday article last week as he was vacationing with Mrs. Goodman in the lovely town of Las Vegas Nevada. As surprising as it may be, yours truly ran into none other than Peter Edward Rose at the sports book at the Mirage Hotel and Casino.

Pete was making an appearance somewhere at the Hotel or a nearby hotel doing an autograph session, as I saw a number of folks walking around later that day wearing autographed jerseys and hats or carrying photos. I for one did not bother asking for an autograph from Pete Rose, as I have heard countless stories about him charging for his signature no matter what the venue or occasion, however I did break the ice with him by offering him one of the multitude of my free drink tickets, which he accepted.

We spoke about baseball for a few short minutes – he even mentioned that one of his favorite hitters in the game today is Troy Tulowitzki, and then I was rudely interrupted by an East Coaster who just barged into the conversation like he had known Pete Rose since he was three years old (shocking I know).

Many thoughts crossed my mind in this short time speaking casually to the all-time hit leader of major league baseball. Are you pissed off that you are banned for life? Do you wish you would have admitted you gambled on baseball right out of the gate instead of admitting it years later? Do you miss the limelight that you could have gotten if you would be able to display your Hall of Fame ring wherever you go?

I am sure Pete as some regrets. The saga around his banishment from baseball basically became a grudge match between the Commissioner Bart Giamatti, and Rose when the details of his gambling came out. I still feel strongly that if Pete would have admitted to all his indiscretions right away that the result today would be different. There is no doubt that his credentials or the way he played the game (he is known as Charlie Hustle for cryin’ out loud!) would have been more than enough to get him a guaranteed first ballot vote into the Hall. Some argue that once Pete is gone from the earth, the Commissioner at that time may elect to remove his ban, as it is doubtful that no one has been more hotly debated about getting into Cooperstown, with the possible exception of Shoeless Joe Jackson.

As we move away from the so called “ Steroid Era “ in baseball it will be interesting to see how the likes of Mark McGwire, Sammy Sosa, Barry Bonds, and others are viewed. Baseball writers are a fickle bunch, many having a holier than thou attitude and the thought that they are the gatekeepers of the National Pastime.

This I know for certain, all the baseball issues for Pete Rose are in his past, he still is a person that likes to gamble, and I hope he enjoyed the free drink from Johnny Goodman.

What do you think, readers?  Should Pete be in the Hall of Fame?  What about the guys from the steroid era?

Until next time, Stay classy Cincinnati!

5 Comments (+add yours?)

  1. kosmo
    May 10, 2011 @ 11:05:35

    Rose definitely raised his stock in my eyes by recognizing the inherent greatness of Tulo.

    I often wonder how much his HOF snub really bothers Rose. he undoubtedly makes more money as the inconic outcast of Major League Baseball than he would as a Hall of Famer. If he were simply the hits leader and a Hall of Famer, he’d be in much less demand from autograph seekers (though he’d still be quite popular). Sure, he had a great career, but the a big factor in this hits record is playing a ton of games (14,053 at bats, a Major League record). Compare his career to that of Hank Aaron, for example.

    I’ll point out the fact that the Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum is not actually under the control of Major League Baseball and that they could reverse course and make Rose eligible if they wished.

    Would I let him in? Probably. 23 years of punishment seems harsh enough to me.

    Reply

  2. Squeaky
    May 10, 2011 @ 14:06:46

    I think Pete should be in. His indiscretions were bad but they couldn’t make him a better player (physically) like the roid users. His abilities were his true abilities.

    The roid users should not be allowed in because of the edge they used. We don’t know what was their true ability and what was an enhanced chemical ability.

    Hope you had fun in sin city Johnny. Don’t you know that was happens in Vegas is supposed to stay in Vegas? The A-H East Coaster is probably the nicest, most caring and polite person in the world when outside the Vegas city limits. They just thought that since they were in Vegas they could be an ass it and wouldn’t matter. =)

    Squeaky…

    Reply

  3. Zarberg
    May 12, 2011 @ 11:31:46

    There is 1 common rule written on every single baseball clubhouse wall. No Gambling. Rose knowingly broke it, and evidence points towards him not only betting on baseball, he bet on his own team. Even if he bet on them to win he could burn out a young closers arm or take huge risks for one game, thus damaging the integrity of the game. He denied betting on baseball for years until 2004 when he thought it politically expediant to come out and admit it, thinking he’d be welcome back with open arms, and then only in his book. On more than one occaision he’s parked himself just outside Cooperstown selling autographs and copies of his book on HoF induction day, stealing a bit of a special day from the inductees.

    He’s a scumbag, he’s a liar, he’s a cheat. Yes, Ty Cobb might have been worse, but Pete broke the rules and got caught.

    Finally, take a look at his stats – the last year and a half of his career, after he was released by the Phillies for such poor production, he was a “playing manager” and kept himself in the lineup when better players were around. The man had amazing longevity, but his 162 game average is at BEST on par with Keith Hernandez, a man known far more for his defense than his offense.

    Reply

  4. Onij
    May 12, 2011 @ 22:02:03

    Yes.

    Reply

  5. James
    Jan 25, 2012 @ 18:10:23

    Sure Pete Rose is a lousy person I agree, but he was the best hitter in baseball history and that is the reason he should be in the baseball hall of fame.

    Reply

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