(Writer's Note: This is controversial. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. Please respect mine just like I will respect yours.)
Peter Edward Rose. Charlie Hustle. The Hit King. Pete. Whatever name you call him, you know he could be the most controversial man in baseball. Pete Rose bet on baseball, as a player and manager. Pete Rose was also a fantastic player and you can't deny it. Rose was a switch hitter, is an all-time Major League leader in hits (4,256), games played (3,562), and at-bats (14,053). Rose also has three World Series rings under his belt, along with a Rookie of the Year award, three batting titles, two Gold Glove awards, and 17 All-Star appearances at FIVE different positions. When people hear Pete Rose's name, this is what I want them to hear.
Pete Rose is a hometown Red. He grew up here, graduated from Western High School, and spent most of his career playing for and managing the Cincinnati Reds. He is loved by most Cincinnatians; it is simply hard not to. A 13 year-old girl from Ashland, KY loves him so much she wrote a book about him titled 4,256 Reasons Why Pete Rose Should Be in the Hall of Fame. Many others have a strong distaste for him. People are entitled to their opinions and here is mine:
"Commissioner Manfred, GIVE PETE A CHANCE. We, the supporters of Pete Rose, ask you to look past his indiscretions. I think if there is one thing you can sense from Pete it is that he is sorry. He never threw a game and if he did, this would be a whole new ball game with a very different opinion. Did he put the game's integrity, as well as his own, up for question? Yes. Does that mean he's not sorry about it? No. Pete wants to be reinstated. We want him reinstated. I think he has done his time. It is 2015, things are changing left and right, why can't this? Let Pete be the example. Look at his stats and phenomenal career. It's hard to ignore."
I understand this is a very sensitive topic for a lot of people, and many will have a very different view than mine. That is okay. I just know what it would mean to a lot of baseball fans out there, especially in Cincinnati, if baseball gave him a second chance.
