Bernell DorroughOn April 8, 1963, a wiry 22-year old kid broke into the major leagues at second base. Over the course of 24 seasons and 14,053 at-bats, he rewrote the record book.
He batted over .300 15 times, made 17 trips to the All-Star game, won an MVP award in 1973, and hustled his way to 4,256 hits, the most in baseball history. Oh yeah, and he did one other thing.
Pete Rose bet on baseball.
According to the Dowd report, a thorough investigation of Rose’s gambling activities as a Cincinnati Reds’ manager underwritten by Major League Baseball, Rose did not just bet on baseball, but he bet on his own team.
As a result of this damning investigation, commissioner Bart Giamatti found Rose in violation of Rule 21d of the MLB handbook, which states, “Any player, umpire, or club or league official or employee, who shall bet any sum whatsoever upon any baseball game in connection with which the bettor has a duty to perform shall be declared permanently ineligible.”
On August 24, 1989 Giamatti banned Rose from baseball for life.
These are the facts. While many have argued the finer points of the case, the facts are not the issue.
I do not condone Pete’s actions. He bet on baseball and tarnished the game. However, I take issue with the fact that Pete’s lifetime ban restricts him from entering the Hall of Fame.
I take issue with the fact that Pete the player is being punished for the transgressions of Pete the manager.
Sure, Pete should admit that what he did was wrong, but the Hall of Fame is not a shrine for just the nicest guys in baseball. The Hall of Fame is not reserved for the most ethical players.
The Hall of Fame is for the best players-pure and simple. Last time I checked, Ty Cobb, who one time beat up a fan in the stands, is still in the Hall of Fame. Cobb was a horrible person, but he was a heck of a player.
What Pete did was not moral, ethical, or even logical-it was stupid. But Pete Rose, like him or hate him, is still a Hall of Famer. He was one of the best that ever played the game. He was a latter-day Roy Hobbs.
Pete remains in exile, a pariah cut off from the game he loved. But why?
What will his enshrinement do to further tarnish baseball?
Some have argued that since the Black Sox were banned for life for fixing the 1919 World Series, Pete Rose should endure the same fate.
While the Black Sox took money to lose, there is no credible evidence that Pete ever bet against his own team. The differences are subtle, but large enough to justify treating Pete differently.
If baseball allows Pete into the Hall, they do not have to let him off the hook. Giving Pete a Hall of Fame plaque does not mean that his ban has to be lifted. There is no doubt that Pete should never manage again. But he is worthy of the chance to have a bronze bust in Cooperstown.
Bud Selig should end this fiasco. Bud Selig should allow Pete to get his proper due for what he accomplished on the field. Pete deserves recognition for his records. We owe Pete that much after all he gave to the game.
He put everything into every play. He hustled out every ground ball. He slid head-first. He dove for every sinking line drive.
Pete is not a great person, but his 4,256 hits should not be forgotten. He was a great player and he deserves to take his rightful place in the Hall of Fame.