Pete Rose

[DeepBall]

But I thought I was AD?

 

I met Rose in 1993.......it was in the sport book area of the MGM Grand hotel in Las Vegas. He had 2 tables pulled together and was betting on every horse race at every track. I went over to him and said hello and asked for an autograph, which he gave me, and I wished him luck with the HOF, he said " Yea right"!

I grew up in Louisville as a Reds fan, I went to the old Crowsley Field and then to Riverfront Stadium and watched him play. A lot of people don't realize he grew up at the horse track, his father used to take him every weekend when he was growing up, it's just part of his life.

 

Let him in.

[Opperman]

But I thought I was AD?

 

I met Rose in 1993.......it was in the sport book area of the MGM Grand hotel in Las Vegas. He had 2 tables pulled together and was betting on every horse race at every track. I went over to him and said hello and asked for an autograph, which he gave me, and I wished him luck with the HOF, he said " Yea right"!

I grew up in Louisville as a Reds fan, I went to the old Crowsley Field and then to Riverfront Stadium and watched him play. A lot of people don't realize he grew up at the horse track, his father used to take him every weekend when he was growing up, it's just part of his life.

 

Let him in.

He isn't banned for betting at the horse track, he's banned for betting on his team, often placing those bets shortly after walking through a door that has the sign saying if you bet on a game involving your team, you will be permanently banned from the game. Not "until you make a half-hearted apology to help your book sales and upstage someone else's Hall of Fame election," permanently.

 

Did he have a playing career worthy of getting in? Yes, but not inner circle like many believe. Does that mean he should be in? No, he is scum. He's a felon who knew the rules of the game, knew the consequence of breaking the rule, and did it anyway. This isn't some innocent guy who made one mistake, this is a felon with mob ties who owed - and probably still does - thousands of dollars to the underworld. Why exactly people make him out to be a saint, I'll never know.

 

He compromised the integrity of the game by betting on his team. Go directly to jail, do not pass go, do not collect $200.

[DeepBall]

I don't recall a push for "sainthood" opperman. It's a good thing you weren't around for the induction of Ty Cobb and the other "saints" in the hall.

[NCS03]

I dont see how anyone can justify what Pete Rose has done.

[sportsradiotn]

For what he has done in the game while playing...yes, put him in the HOF. But, he can't have anything to do with the day to day on field operations of a professional baseball team because of his past transgressions. He's an icon of the 70's and early 80's and for that I say yes to the HOF.

P.S.: I could care less whether or not he's been lying here or there, now or then. I don't look for a baseball player to be a societal role model. I want him to get hits, drive in runs and help my team win...period. My parents were my role models not a ballplayer.

[nuthnbutnet]

HOF-yes, Baseball-NO!

[Opperman]

HOF-yes, Baseball-NO!

So we're supposed to disregard the HOF rule that people on baseball's permanently banned list are automatically ineligible for the HOF?

[sportsradiotn]

The question of whether or not Rose can get into the HOF can only be answered by Bug Selig. If he lifts the ban, then Rose can be considered. I have a problem with major league baseball putting itself in a "holier than thou" light. When the rule about gambling was made, it was illegal in 98% of America. But now we have a lottery in 85% of the country and casinos in Nevada, New Jersey, Mississippi, Missouri, Arkansas...etc. I do agree that betting on the game while being involved with the day to day operations of a team is wrong. But, that was as a manager - not a player. He should be in the HOF as a player, but not involved in the on-field operations of the game in any shape or form. Altough, he would be a good spokesman for the ills of gambling in sports and a good color commentator on the broadcast of games.

Also, with illegal drugs being to prominent in the game, major league baseball makes a half-hearted attempt to "do something about it", which amounts to almost nothing. They turn their heads or make it so those being tested have the opportunity to stop and clean up before testing. Home runs went down last season when testing started for steroids.

How many second chances did Steve Howe, Dwight Gooden, Darryl Strawberry and others receive after drug offenses. Isn't that a bigger problem?

I'm saying give Rose a second chance with stipulations...put him on the ballot so we can see his glorious career honored.

[NCS03]

good post.

[noonesfool]

Every thing he has done good or bad is in the HOF now or in the future. He should not be given the voting rights of other HOFers.

[sportsradiotn]

Every thing he has done good or bad is in the HOF now or in the future. He should not be given the voting rights of other HOFers.

Excellent point! I agree.

[SatchUmp]

What actually qualifies him for the HOF? His accomplisments as a player, not as a coach or manager. When did he gamble on baseball? As a manager. As a player, the all time hit king, he deserves in the Hall. But then I believe he should never be allowed back in as a coach or manager for betting on the game after his playing days were through. The fact Pete has a problem with honesty and people generally don't like him plays a huge part in keeping him out too. If we were talking about Sammy Sosa, whom a great deal of people love, I believe things would be different.