It's 2010, and the player with the most hits in MLB history still isn't in the Hall of Fame! Pete Rose compiled 4,256 hits in his days with the "Big Red Machine" in Cincinnati, but he is kept out of the "Hall" by gambling on MLB games. So, the question is should the fact that he shined on the field be looked at more than what he did off?
Pete Rose, came by the nickname "Charlie Hustle" not by hustling bookies out of money, but by his play on the diamond, where he never took a play off. How can "Hall" voters sit back and let one mistake keep the "MLB Hit King" out of the MLB Hall of Fame.
I know this is a touchy topic to some, and yes, he did make the mistake of gambling on MLB games; but it has been ages since this happened, and he has admitted to it and feels like he let the game down. People make mistakes and get addicted to things. (Drugs, Alcohol, Gambling, etc.) That being said, I believe that players voted into the "Hall" during the "steroid era" isn't the correct move. If your going to punish Rose for his crimes, you should punish players for taking illegal drugs as well.
Once again, i'm not condoning Rose's actions. I am simply stating that Pete Rose always left it on the field, help the reds win numerous championships in the 1970s, and like I said before, he is the all-time leader in hits!
His level of play on the field should be looked upon as reason enough to put Petey in the Hall of Fame. People make mistakes, just like the "Hall Voters" have for years not putting Rose in the Hall!
Until Next Time, Adios!
Rose compromised the integrity of the game and therefore I agree with the banishment. I'm deeply troubled by the steroid scandal. When I was young my hero was Mickey Mantle who spent the latter part of his career crippled to the point he barely played. I can't help but wonder what his career stats would have looked like had he had the benefits of steroids.
ReplyDeleteYour right, he did compromise the integrity of the game.....but hasn't he paid enough dues, look at his numbers.....the hall of fame, is about the best of the best ever step foot on the diamond, not about a bookie who didn't get his cash....Rose shined on the field and deserves to be in Cooperstown...
ReplyDeleteHere's the deal...you cannot have a Hall of fame without Pete Rose. The problem is, Peter Edward is banned from baseball and is not elegible for a vote. The weenie baseball writers who do have a vote wouldn't support him any way because they have control issues. You are right, Brandon, Rose left it on the field. He was the epitome of what a baseball player should be. And he proved that effort, hustle, passion, and hard work can turn a little man into the most successful baseball player of all time. That's the beauty of the game of baseball as well. It gives everyone a change. You don't get that from the minor sports of basketball and football.
ReplyDeleteI agree, Pete Rose was what a baseball player should be, someone who gave it 110% every single game. Rose was not the most talented player, but he was most certainly the most passionate. Although he did do something that is most certainly frowned upon, we should look at his achievements, what he did on the field and what his play meant to the game of baseball.
ReplyDeleteSpot on with this post!!
Agreed!
ReplyDelete