Is he one of the best players in MLB history? Yes, he is.
Did he embody exceptional character? No, he did not.
Is he a Hall of Famer?
One of the biggest controversies in baseball surrounds the legendary Pete Rose and his eligibility for the Baseball Hall of Fame. This is not a new story, but one that has been debated for decades and will be talked about for many years to come. This is one of my favorite topics to discuss, but, first, I must say my side of the story. I believe that Pete “Charley Hustle” Rose deserves to be inducted into the Hall of Fame.
The Hall of Fame is for the best players in baseball history. Let’s be honest, Pete Rose is truly one of the best players to play the game of baseball. He retired with a career average of .303, 14,053 at-bats, played for 24 years, and had 4,256 hits. 4,256 hits is phenomenal and it earned him the title of all-time hits leader. He also won three World Series rings, three batting titles, one MVP title, two Golden Gloves, the Rookie of the Year Award in 1963, and played in 17 All-Star games. How can he not be in the Hall of Fame?
Well, it's because this member of the Big Red Machine bet on baseball in the 1980′s. In 2004, Pete admitted to gambling on games when he was a coach. He admitted to betting on the Reds, but never against them.
The reason why Pete Rose, one of the greatest baseball players of all time, isn’t in the Hall of Fame is because he bet on baseball. Sure, what he did was wrong and I’m 100 percent against it, but this shouldn’t stop him from getting into the Hall of Fame. The Hall of Fame is for the best players in baseball. In my opinion, the qualifications for entrance into the Hall of Fame shouldn’t have to do with your character. Sure, Pete Rose shouldn’t get a Good Samaritan award and he is not a good role model, but the man could play baseball. Gambling on baseball has to do with his character and has nothing to do with his ability to play the game. His gambling on baseball didn’t affect his statistics. I’m a big supporter of steroid users not being inducted into the Hall of Fame because their record is tainted. Their statistics aren’t due to their God-given talent and hard work. They put something in their body to help them. What Pete Rose did is different. His 4,256 hits are purely from natural talent, consistent training, and nothing artificial. With that being said, Pete Rose’s records are clean and the Hall of Fame is waiting for him.
If a good character is a measure for entrance into the Hall of Fame, there are many players who should be kicked out immediately (e.g. Ty Cobb).
It’s about time that we see a plaque of Pete Rose wearing a Reds cap in Cooperstown.
