Allvoices.com - PETE ROSE SHOULD NOT BE ENSHRINED IN THE BASEBA...

PETE ROSE SHOULD NOT BE ENSHRINED IN THE BASEBALL HALL OF FAME

Major League Baseball in their desperate desire to rid themselves of what has become a major stain on the sport - steroids, are considering the notion of allowing baseball's all-time hits leader, Pete RosePete Rose to find a spot in the Hall of Fame. To me, this can never happen. As long as Pete Rose refuses to admit that he bet on Major league Baseball games, he should never be allowed to set foot inside the Hall. No one can deny his feats on the field as a baseball player. His hustle, his tenacity, his immense hitting skills are all components that make a great baseball player. Pete Rose finished his playing career with more than 4,000 hits. More than anyone in the history of the game. That alone, under any other circumstance would write his ticket directly into the Hall of Fame.

Gambling Problems Abound

But his conduct off the field as a baseball manager, has made many forget about his greatness on the field. By betting on baseball games while as manager of the Cincinnatti Reds, he tore at the integrity of the game. Betting on your team to win or lose as a spectator is one thing, but when you push the envelope to the extreme that Pete Rose did, and placed bets on his own team, that is call for a lifetime ban from any baseball related activities and the Hall of Fame as well. Pete new the consequences. He gambled on his Hall of Fame induction and he lost. For that, Pete can blame no one but himself.

Fay Vincent, Commissioner of Baseball at the time the allegations were made, made it clear by banning Rose from the game he loved so much. No one player or person is above the game. The integrity of the game must be protected at all times even when it means leaving out a great "baseball player". For many years after his ban from the game, Rose has lobbied to ensuing Commissioners for reinstatement without any success until recently.

A possible change of course?

Thanks to the black eye of the "Steroid Era", a move to finally induct Pete Rose may steer the conversation away from all of the illegal substance abuse to a possible feel good story. It will make news for a few days but in the end, we all know that Pete Rose cheated on the game much like all of the Steroid users of this era.

Knowing what an induction into the Hall of Fame would do to his finacial situation, Rose makes no bones about his desire to receive the ultimate show of acceptance and get his ticket to Cooperstown. He needs money and this would open up an entire new income stream for him and give him the closure he has longed for and to regain some of the "Mr. Charlie Husle" legacy.

In my eyes, Pete Rose the player belongs in the Hall with his contemporaries. But Pete Rose was also a manager and a gatekeeper to this great game and under his watch he abused that trust. For that very reason, Pete Rose should never see the daylight inside the Hall of Game.

I would like to see Pete Rose opologize to the millions of fans and admit that he did bet on baseball and let the fans decide his fate.

Reach

Credibility

Related Allvoices Contributions

NASCAR Hall of Fame

By: Sherrill_Fulghum

All other major sports organizations in the United States - National Football League, Major League Baseball, National Hockey League, and the National Basketball Association - all have a Hall of Fame to honour the best in their sport. On May 10, 2010 the American premiere racing association the National Association of Stock Car Auto Racing (...

about 1 month ago

News Stories

ROIDS

News Source: Kansas City Star | 3 months ago

Once again we are made aware of a new name from the 2003 “confidential” list of 104 MLB players who tested positive for steroids. If you think this issue has overstayed its welcome, you haven’t even begun to get bored. Unless the list comes out...
Video game betting site banned in Arizona

News Source: East Valley Tribune | 3 months ago

A new Web site lets video gamers place wagers on their skills, with real money at stake — but it’s not considered online gambling, and it’s legal in 39 states...According to an Associated Press report , this is one of only 11 states that ban...
The News Journal: Despite agreement on games, don't count the revenue yet

News Source: Androscoggin News | 3 months ago

When it comes to expanding gambling in Delaware, it's one step forward and one back. The state and the racinos have come to a tentative agreement on how to split the income from table games the Legislature recently authorized. That's progress. But...
Don't bet on Rose return to baseball

News Source: The Fresno Bee | 3 months ago

We are sympathetic to aging, probably because the rest of us are doing it, too. It's taken a long time for Rose to become a sympathetic figure. He's fought it pretty hard, what with the lying, then more lying, then even more lying. When he did come...
Hall of Famers Henderson and Rice Evoke Special Memories

News Source: Epoch Times | 4 months ago

This year’s baseball Hall of Fame class had only three inductees—Rickey Henderson, Jim Rice, and Joe Gordon. Henderson and Rice bring back some very special memories. The A’s of the early ‘90s featured the big bats of Mark McGwire and Jose...
Commentary: Even with reinstatement, old guard could keep Pete Rose out of ...

News Source: Palm Beach Post | 4 months ago

It will be 20 years next month since Rose was assessed a lifetime ban from baseball for having wagered on games, but that transgression is measured these days against the so-called Steroid Era sins of a different generation. And that's surely what...

More Related Videos

Posted By

Lemin | 4 months ago

Have you read his autobiography "My Life Without Bars"? In it, Rose not only talks about his illustrious career but also about his gambling which started at a young age. He did admit to betting on baseball in the book.

And so what of it? Gambling compared to steroid use is so ridiculous. Should he have not gambled on baseball while managing the Reds? Sure, and the crimes deserves the appropriate punishment.

However, in Rose's case, he has been banned from baseball for years now. So, he has paid his debt to baseball.

How can you deny entry to the Hall of Fame by one of the game's greatest players? Rose has been to prison and is still banned from the game that he played with all of his heart.

Pete Rose deserves to be in the Hall of Fame.

Reply By

Redhanded101 | 4 months ago

Lemin,

I am aware that he admitted to gambling in his book. That is a great first step in the right direction. I just feel that he needs to do in a public venue in front of millions and show some humbleness.
I don't deny he is a great ball player and has many statistics that make him a Hall of Fame Player. But if could get past this last hurdle, I think many people would forgive him. They have forgiven many of todays players for their steroid use, so it woul be only to his benefit. I have always enjoyed Pete Rose the ball player I wish there were more like him today. He is tough, competetitive and a loves to win. That's the kind of attitude he could potentially bring to a Major Club willing to give him chance if his ban is ever lifted.

Posted By

Lemin | 4 months ago

Posted By

ahol888 | 4 months ago

If the MLB reinstates Pete Rose, then they need to reinstate the White Sox that were involved in the 1919 scandal as well. Baseball has always operated under a double standard; that is why the sport that was once America's pasttime is number 3 on the sports food chain behind football and basketball.

Reply By

Redhanded101 | 4 months ago

ahol88,

There are many cases where players have been left out for questionable behavior outside of baseball activities. I think the main thing here is the gambling aspect and how that affects the integrity of the game.There are players in the Hall that perhaps have done equally bad things, but this commissioner would not have any of it. I disagree with you in that baseball is still ahead of basketball. They have had a lot of p.R. issues as well with many of it's players involved in off the court controversies.Even their referees have come under fire for their gambling and game fixing problems. Football has had it's share of players breaking the law as well and down the line some of these players will have to be scrutinized for their off field antics as well when it comes time for Hall of Fame selections

Posted By

melbell | 4 months ago

I am not a big fan of baseball, but when the whole thing happened with Pete Rose the one thing that bothered me is that it did not seem wrong to bet on his own team. As I recall he did not bet against himself or his team which I feel is significantly different than if he had bet against himself & his team. I could be wrong but it seems that it was an issue that bothered me then. In my opinion most professional sporting events are about gambling & while I believe it is wrong to bet against one's self or team as that could be a reason to "throw" the results, it seems right to have a belief in one's self & their abilities to actually win the game. Living in the United States, I see that gambling is a major way of life & it seemed kind of silly to me that so many people found Pete Rose's betting that bad. Both football & baseball are big gambling venues in the U.S. & I understand that it should be wrong to gamble as a professional, but it has always seemed that the whole thing got blown out of proportion; I suspect the amount of money that was put on Pete Rose during his active career was phenomenal & I suspect at some point he might have felt it was unfair that so many other people made money on his career while he was not supposed to be doing so. Recently I saw that the NFL has re-instated Michael Vick & that absolutely disgusts me; I don't like baseball & never really thought much of Pete Rose, but I'd rather see him get into the baseball Hall of Fame than see Michael Vick even get out of jail, much less see him get re-instated to the NFL, people who train Pit Bull dogs to fight are lower than low & I consider Pete Rose's offenses to be minimal in comparison to someone like Michael Vick. All in all, I agree with people that said that Pete Rose has done his time & he was a real force in baseball - I think he's suffered enough & if the NFL can re-instate Michael Vick whose crimes were against helpless animals rather than gambling issues, then Pete Rose deserves his chance. Pete Rose made history in many ways & his mistakes were made many years ago in the grand scheme I don't feel his transgressions were that bad & whether he makes it into the baseball Hall of Fame or not he will still have a major place in baseball history & isn't that what things like Hall of Fames are about?

Reply By

Redhanded101 | 4 months ago

melbell,

Thanks for your input. You raise some interesting points with regards to the issue of whether he bet on hi team or not. To some extent you may be able to rationalize in terms of whether it was hiw own team or not, but the overriding issue remains that any gambling while you are involved in the game is deceiveful and can damage the integrity of the game. It would be in a way like insider trading on Wall Street. You have a distinct advantage over the average person.
I just would like Pete Rose to call a press conference and opologize and admit in front of all his fans, that he did gamble and that it was wrong. I think that would exonerate him to an extent that would garner a lot of support for his induction into the Hall of Fame.
Michael Vick should be banned in much the same manner, although like you said he also has paid his dues. THe labor union will argue that you cannot deny a player the right to earn a living even after he paid his dues to society already. Some teams will give him a second chance. I feel he should be banned from the gaem a little longer.
I always admired Pete Rose the baseball player, they don't come around any better than him. But if you just show some sincerity in a heart felt opology, he may be able to win the hearts of many again.

Posted By

firesisle | 4 months ago

Rose has admitted he bet on the Reds every game...
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2798498

Charlie Hustle has paid for his transgressions, and is now openly talking about it, in detail. He belongs in the Hall, mainly because all of his efforts were his own; no steroids; no enhancers; no corked bats; he never cheated on the diamond; just an abiding passion for the game, and he played it right. With his recent admissions, he also provides a good example of how even the mighty can fall if they choose to disregard the rules. My vote: Put Pete in the Hall.

Reply By

Redhanded101 | 4 months ago

firesisle,

The next question then is, if he is ultimately inducted into the Hall, should he be allowed to participate in baseball related activities. Should he be allowed to manage on any level?
I love Pete Roses style of hard nosed baseball. He put up his numbers in an era where pitching dominated and the parks were all big.
He could play in any era and still be great.
We are a forgiving society in so many other aspects so why the hardline when it comes to basball. I think Pete's ban was also political in the sense that Pete gave the impression that he was above it all. It will be interesting to see which players if any from the "Steroid Era" will be considered for induction when their time comes up. I think Pete may have some leverage there. I think this is why MLB is possibly consideraing Pete's induction because they know down the line if anyone of these steroid era cheats ever gets in, they will have to deal with the Pete Rose question all over again.

Reply By

firesisle | 4 months ago

If I had a team, and he was reinstated, I'd sure give him a ride; he was one of the best managers in baseball. Considering that Paul Hornung, and Alex Karras were suspended from the NFL for a year for betting, I think Rose's penalty was waaaayyy over the top

Posted By

melbell | 4 months ago

I understand your views about Pete Rose & his apology. There is no way I will ever believe that Michael Vick really did his time - maybe you don't understand what people that raise Pit Bull dogs do to make them fight. There is no way a couple of lousy years in prison can pay for the horrible way people that train defenseless animals to fight treat their animals. It's one thing to gamble, but an entirely different matter to take an animal that would be a good companion under the right supervision & guidance & turn it into an attack animal. While there are people that get carried away with gambling that have ostensibly died for it, it was choice they were able to make for themselves, the dogs that Michael Vick fought never had that option & as if what he & others did to his dogs was not enough, he too was an influence on young people that may now feel that exploiting helpless animals & individuals for cash is right & the NFL's re-instatement of Vick into the NFL is a message that reads loud & clear, "it's okay they will forget". Once people believe it is all right to exploit helpless animals, exploiting people will become next step. Thanks again for your thoughts.

Posted By

Just_Playin_Dumb | 4 months ago

Pete Rose should be put into the Hall of Fame. He has more than earned his right to be their. yes he bet on is own team, but honestly what is worse betting on your own team or taking performance enhancing drugs? Even the great Hank Aaron thinks that Pete Rose belongs and should be inducted....strong words from a major baseball influence.

Reply By

Redhanded101 | 4 months ago

Just_Playin_Dumb,

Pete Rose's accomplishments on the field are undeniable. But stats are only one component that goes into the decision making process. The one rule that he violated is probably the one hel with most regard and carries the most influence with basball purists and Commissioners.
Do we set-up two Halls of Fame? One for Outstanding peformance as but tarnished by some off the field incident, and another for clean cut players on and off the field?
This is why it's the Hall of Fame. Not everyone can get in. It is reserved for the best of the best.
I think in time he will get in, but let him go on national television and sincerely opologize first. If he does that, he gets my vote.

Reply By

Just_Playin_Dumb | 4 months ago

I understand why you woulnd't want Pete put in the Hall of Fame, but he has a gambling problem and what better compliment for a team than to be bet on by your best player? I mean I agree he should come out and apologize and I think that would go leaps and bounds with baseball haters, but gambling has always been a huge part of sports

Posted By

SelfMade | 4 months ago

Pete Rose should be able to get into the hall. I get what your saying about the integrity and such but Rose bet only on his own team and he has admitted it. He had a gambling problem but was still one of the greatest players ever.

Reply By

Redhanded101 | 4 months ago

Selfmade,

I still have a problem with the betting even it was on his own team. When it comes to money, you can alway sbe bought off. Who is to say that in years where his team may have been out of playoff contention, he didn't bet against his team? having said that, He is still a great baseball player.

Reply By

SelfMade | 4 months ago

When arguing the facts of the case, he DIDNT bet against his own team so I will not speculate about the future if he hadn't got caught or hadnt been in playoff contention. I can only base my judgment on what DID happen. I think that him gambling period on baseball because it was against the rules is wrong but I don't think it should keep him out of the hall.

Posted By

firesisle | 4 months ago

Betting against his own team, for Rose, would be like a pit bull kissing a chihuahua. It's just not in his nature. I don't think it was ever really about money; it was more about being "in your face" to the other team; he was basically just putting his money where his mouth and heart were.

Reply By

Redhanded101 | 4 months ago

Fireisle,

With all due respect, it was about the money. In those day's, ballplayers did not make a lot of money.Let's not be disengeneous about this. Money was a motivator.
If he just wated to "get in their face" he could have just posted a big sign in the opposing dugout stating "My team will destroy you today". I fhe wanted to put his money where his mouth and heart were, he could have bought the team out right if he believed in it that much.

Reply By

SelfMade | 4 months ago

Good ole Charlie Hustle! Ditto your comment

Posted By

djamm | 4 months ago

I feel the same as others who have voiced, if the NFL can re-instate Michael Vick after serving time for his criminal actions, then Pete Rose has served his time as well. Different entities but professional sports non the less. It seems that the established rules governing professional sports is being changed to accommodate the high profile and much beloved athletes. Well, it is all about the game anyway, isn't it? Bernie Madoff, former Enron and Wall Street executives would agree at least! Back to sports, the more victories that come out of a venue, the more money that goes into it. The more visible an athlete is the more money he or she gets. The fat cats are more than happy to throw a little of the earnings their way. Some other publicized perks include, but not limited to, traffic violations being tossed aside, possession of illegal items being viewed simply as a "no no", and juries often times finding it difficult to say the word guilty. And whether they want to or not, sports figures are role models to the entire community of young wanna be's.

All rambling aside, when will there be more of an emphasis on the integrity of the game? When will we admire and hail the true athlete for their natural (non substance enhanced) ability? When will fun rivalries and good old fashion competition rule again? Will it be after Pete Rose is enshrined, Michael Vick re-instated, or the next big name, big money maker, big time baller is forgiven?

Reply By

Redhanded101 | 4 months ago

djamm,

THis is not about Michael Vick. He will never be considered for the Football Hall of Fame so it is not a good comparison. You are talking about a great baseball player who whuile under his watch, thought it was a good idea to bet on his team. The point that everyone is missing here is that, gambling was illegal and grounds for banishment from the game. Whether his intentions were to show confidence in his team or not, it was illegal.
Has he paid his dues, yes. Does it it make right, no.
He has been his own worst enemy in trying to curry favor with the Commissioner to try and get reinstated.
If he does opologize publicly and admits 100 percent that it was wrong to gamble on his team, I will vote for reinstatement. But, with the condition that he never manages again.

Posted By

pneuhardt | 4 months ago

Redhanded101,

I think my position mirrors your own. I'm in favor of keeping the ban on Rose from participating in any baseball activities due to his betting on his own team. Yes, he always bet on them to win, but that's not good enough for me.

I am undecided on the Hall Of Fame issue, to be honest. I tend to believe that his admission that he did the crime should let him in to the Hall given his career accomplishments. But he did bet on his own team and that is a serious matter in the world of sports.

As for the commentator that said if Rose gets re-instated then the Black Sox of 1908 should also be reinstated, I strongly disagree. Those White Sox players deliberately lost. They threw games for money. They should never be re-instated. If Rose is to be re-instated, I feel that his not betting against his team is the ONLY thing that separates him from those players.

As for Vick, let him try to catch on with a team. What he did wasn't about the game, and he served his time so let him play. He has the same right as any other convicted felon to earn a living, and such people do (and should) have that right.

Frankly, I'm betting that even if Vick is signed, it will be for short money and he won't play much. Two years in a cell will have had an effect on his skills, and he was a very good player (but not great) before. I'm betting he's only fair at best now and that he won't last long anyway.

Reply By

Redhanded101 | 4 months ago

pneuhardt,

Pete Rose made his own bed, now he has to sleep in it.
But I think that MLB is trying to position itself in a way will absolve them from having to exclude the multitude of players from the "Steroid Era" that will begin to become eligible in short time. I think that in that group of players, many people will be upset at MLB if somehow they did not get in. For example, Barry Bonds. Will his exclusion stir any racial issues? So MLB by reinstating Pete Rose now can later on say, listen we let Pete Rose who committed a terrible injustice to the game, why not let Barry Bonds or McGwire in? Afterall, they competed against piichers who were juiced up as well.
So, I have an inkling that this may finally happen, but I would like for Pete to man up in front of a national TV audience and admit that he bet on his team and that it was wrong. If he does that, I will have a change of heart, with the condition that he never manages again.

Reply By

pneuhardt | 4 months ago

I actually thought Rose had done that, but I could be wrong.

I agree: he never manages again. Or coaches, or participates in any team activity for any team.

Reply By

Redhanded101 | 4 months ago

pneuhardt,

According to one of the responses here, he admitted to the gambling in his book, "My Life without bars". he may have opologized somewhere, i am not sure it was a public opology.I may be wrong on this, but I will research this point.

Posted By

pneuhardt | 4 months ago

Posted By

melbell | 4 months ago

I believe Pete Rose paid his dues & you're right it's not about anyone else, but there are similarities that can not be denied. I guess I would have a different opinion if professional sports in the United States was not all about gambling - if it was something else I might feel differently, but Pete Rose has paid more penance than most celebrities that commit crimes & again I still see no real problem when a person believes so heartily on oneself that he want to gamble what turned out to be his professional life on it. I seem to remember hearing the owner of the winning Kentucky Derby horse talk about having made his bet, why is it okay for them to bet on their horses, but not for athletes to bet on themselves? It seems that people that do gamble have a sliding scale about what is wrong.

I never meant to make this discussion about someone else, it just seemed to be a reasonable comparison. I did however address the other issue myself & if you are interested you can check my profile & that story. Give Pete his spot in The Hall of Fame if nothing else as the dope that got caught & killed his own illustrious career.

Reply By

Redhanded101 | 4 months ago

mebell,

I think this is the right time if he is ever going to get in. Bud Selig has to do something to cover up for the Blackeye that baseball has received under his watch as Commissioner. He will be linked with Steroid era and it all happened under his watch. I think in the back of his mind, he has to do something to take that stigma away. Maybe by allowing Pete into the Hall the focus would shift to that decision instead of trying to explain why he was asleep at the wheel when Steroids were running rampant in his sport.
We'll see what happens, I think Pete will get his day.

Posted By

Sherrill_Fulghum | 4 months ago

Pete Rose did what he did on the field clean. Even if he is never allowed to participate in baseball activities again, at least his accomplishments belong in the Hall.
If by some chance ANY of the steroid players end up in the Hall of Fame then Pete Rose not only should be inducted but must be inducted.
How is betting on a game affecting the game's outcome?

Posted By

pneuhardt | 4 months ago

Rose was manager of the team at the time he bet on them. Had he chosen to bet against his own team, he would have been in a position to make a "bad decision" that could have cost his team the game (and won him the bet).