Pete Rose potentially has chance to be ignored by Hall of Fame voters

on 07 28, 2009

Recently, in one of the most significant developments to arise in the MLB since the steroid fiasco, it has been reported that commissioner Bud Selig is considering a potential reinstatement of baseball’s all-time hits leader Pete Rose.

Let me run down Rose’s career highlights (this may take a while):

Rose hit .303 during his time in the MLB as a member of the Reds, Phillies, and Expos. He currently holds the distinction of being baseball’s all-time hits leader with 4,256 base-knocks. Pete won three World Series rings and three batting titles to go along with MVP, Rookie of the Year, and two Gold Glove awards. The man was voted into the All-Star game on seventeen separate occasions at an unprecedented five different positions (LF, RF, 1B, 3B, 2B). Hits are not the only statistic Rose leads in for an entire career, he also has played more games than any other player with 3,562. Other achievements include a World Series MVP Award (1975), Silver Slugger Award (1981), Roberto Clemente Award (1976), Lou Gehrig Memorial Award (1969), Hutch Award (1968), and he was also named 1975’s Sports Illustrated Sportsman of the Year.

Not to mention having won 412 games as a manager. In 1978, Rose made a respectable run at Joe DiMaggio’s record 56-game hitting streak, widely considered one of the most untouchable streaks in all of sports. From June 14th-July 31st, Pete amassed a streak of 44 consecutive games in which he reached base via a base hit. Rose was a part of “The Big Red Machine,” a Cincinnati Reds team that is arguably the greatest team ever assembled. Along with Johnny Bench, Joe Morgan and Tony Perez, the local Cincinnati product was viewed as one of the club’s most respected leaders. During his four seasons at the helm of the Reds, his team never posted a lower finish than second place in the National League West. His 412 wins as a manager currently ranks 5th all-time in the Reds’ organization.

Those are Hall of Fame numbers, there’s no doubt. However, Rose’s impact went beyond the box score. Nicknamed “Charlie Hustle” for his reputation of always going at it full-tilt, Rose was one of the first players to slide head first into first base, something many considered his “signature move.” In a game where many players are often criticized for “lolly gagging” (to quote Bull Durham), Pete made it a point to sprint to first base even following a base on balls. The guy played baseball the right way, the way every manager wants their guys to go about it. Pete Rose loved the game more than almost any other player who has ever graced a field.

In 1989, it was formally reported that Pete Rose bet on baseball. Lawyer John Dowd interviewed bookies amongst others individuals creating a report that he delivered to baseball’s commissioner Bart Giamatti which would later be known as the Dowd Report. Allegedly Rose bet on 52 games in 1987 as the Reds’ manager. Hall of Fame reporter Hal McCoy was quoted as saying “the major problem with Rose betting on baseball, particularly the Reds, is that as manager he could control games, make decisions that could enhance his chances of winning his bets, thus jeopardizing the integrity of the game.” This makes little to no sense to me. As a manager is it not your job that every decision you make enhance your team’s chances of winning games?

Look, betting on baseball was a terrible choice on Rose’s part, I’m not arguing that. However there will come a day when a known steroid user will be inducted into the Hall of Fame. Manny Ramirez and Alex Rodriguez will most likely be admitted following their eventual retirements. Taking performance enhancing substances is more of a crime to the game than what Pete Rose has done. It would be a different story all together had Rose bet against his club and comprised the outcome as a manager, much like the infamous “Black Sox Scandal” in which “Shoeless” Joe Jackson amongst others, allegedly threw a World Series for financial benefit, but that wasn’t the case as Rose simply bet on his team to win every game.

Even respectable players/persons such as Hank Aaron have been on record of saying that they believe Rose should be in the Hall of Fame.

“I bet on my team to win every night because I love my team, I believe in my team,” Rose said. “I did everything in my power every night to win that game.” Rose says he isn’t even worried about gaining access to the Hall of Fame at this point, he simply wants the opportunity to manage again in the MLB. He loves the game so much that he just wants to again be a part of it. Even after being away from the game for two decades, the passion is still there. Give the man a second chance. How can you simply suspend a player who was caught cheating himself and his peers by taking steroids for a few games, but ban a man for life after merely betting on his own team to win games. This just seems a bit much. Any team would be lucky to have this guy tutoring young hitters, even just as a hitting coach.

Bud Selig has been widely criticized during his tenure as baseball’s commissioner, for once he has the chance to do something truly great. Twenty years away from the game is long enough. It’s time to allow Pete Rose, one of the greatest all around players of all-time, his chance on the Hall of Fame ballot.

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