Pete Rose was a great ball player, and his Charlie Hustle reputation is iconic. He also is a gambler. To my knowledge, he didn't bet against his team, nor has any evidence surfaced that he influenced outcomes vis a vis gambling. Let him into the BBHoF.
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I went off to college from southern Ohio before Pete Rose started playing for the Reds. They traded Frank Robinson to Baltimore the year before I left which made it easy for me to stop rooting for them. (See Wade and KO below.)
But I was around enough to know that it had taken Pete 5 years to do 4 years of a jock HS in Cincinnati. At the time he started as a player I thought that meant he wasn't very bright. Later I saw that it's likely he is one of those people who puts extreme effort into the things that matter to him; not so much things that are in his opinion irrelevant. He also had a temper; a memorable image is then-coach and other Reds hero Ted Kluszewski's massive arms rapped around Pete holding him back from beating on someone on the field.
All that said you might think I wouldn't want him in the Reds' HOF, let alone Cooperstown. No, I think he belongs in both. The only player who comes close to his ability, determination, longevity and, especially, understanding of his own baseball strengths and weaknesses who I have seen for myself is Ichiro Suzuki. These institutions aren't and should not become character evaluation bodies. Pete Rose should not be allowed anywhere near the game itself - but he was a great player and it doesn't hurt to recognize that.
But I was around enough to know that it had taken Pete 5 years to do 4 years of a jock HS in Cincinnati. At the time he started as a player I thought that meant he wasn't very bright. Later I saw that it's likely he is one of those people who puts extreme effort into the things that matter to him; not so much things that are in his opinion irrelevant. He also had a temper; a memorable image is then-coach and other Reds hero Ted Kluszewski's massive arms rapped around Pete holding him back from beating on someone on the field.
All that said you might think I wouldn't want him in the Reds' HOF, let alone Cooperstown. No, I think he belongs in both. The only player who comes close to his ability, determination, longevity and, especially, understanding of his own baseball strengths and weaknesses who I have seen for myself is Ichiro Suzuki. These institutions aren't and should not become character evaluation bodies. Pete Rose should not be allowed anywhere near the game itself - but he was a great player and it doesn't hurt to recognize that.
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I worked in casinos for 20 odd years and met "Pete" many times in the poker room at Resorts casino. Pete was friendly, funny, jolly and all things positive. Pete is a competitor and competes, he did this as a ball player and I imagine that he never "threw" a game for a few bucks. Pete Rose was one of the best ball players of his era, let him in to the so called Hall of Fame. He deserves to be there.
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Wade, Frank Robinson was also a much better ballplayer, to boot!
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He's one of the greatest MLB players of all time. Deserves such honors, including Cooperstown.
Besides, it may be that Rose's gambling was a true behavioral addiction .Pathological Gambling is a recognized psychiatric disorder today deserving treatment instead of scorn. Just like the at least 15% of Americans right now with chemical addictions (mainly alcohol and opioids).
I'm not saying Rose is a good example as a person, just as a ballplayer. Not all greats are Jeter.
Besides, it may be that Rose's gambling was a true behavioral addiction .Pathological Gambling is a recognized psychiatric disorder today deserving treatment instead of scorn. Just like the at least 15% of Americans right now with chemical addictions (mainly alcohol and opioids).
I'm not saying Rose is a good example as a person, just as a ballplayer. Not all greats are Jeter.
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Good for them, and good for him.
In the end the question is, is the Hall of Fame honoring upstanding character and a flawless criminal record, or is it honoring outstanding achievements in baseball? (Or both?)
Sorry, but personally I don't care if a player is a nice guy or not, I don't watch games and root for my favorite teams based on what I consider to be the players human strengths and weaknesses, in fact I think people who continually judge others are the most suspect of all. Baseball is simple. You play the game, you win or you lose, and the best players are admired for the great athletic spectacle they give us, and the greatest should be remembered for that, not for somebody's opinion of their morals.
In the end the question is, is the Hall of Fame honoring upstanding character and a flawless criminal record, or is it honoring outstanding achievements in baseball? (Or both?)
Sorry, but personally I don't care if a player is a nice guy or not, I don't watch games and root for my favorite teams based on what I consider to be the players human strengths and weaknesses, in fact I think people who continually judge others are the most suspect of all. Baseball is simple. You play the game, you win or you lose, and the best players are admired for the great athletic spectacle they give us, and the greatest should be remembered for that, not for somebody's opinion of their morals.
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Your home town gets to overlook your imperfections; in some ways they're expected to. You should, in the end, always be able to go home.
But Cooperstown: Never.
But Cooperstown: Never.
This says more about the Reds's HoF than it does about Rose...
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And that would be...
Rose knowingly and admittedly broke MLB's Rule 21:
MAJOR LEAGUE RULES
Rule 21
MISCONDUCT
(d) BETTING ON BALL GAMES.
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.
Rose may or may not have a gambling jones. The Reds HoF is an enabler...
MAJOR LEAGUE RULES
Rule 21
MISCONDUCT
(d) BETTING ON BALL GAMES.
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.
Rose may or may not have a gambling jones. The Reds HoF is an enabler...
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I grew up in Cincinnati and if Frank Robinson did what Pete Rose did he would still not get into the Reds hall of fame.
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Right, gambling AND black? Probably not.
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Dear Mr. Press - I'm so glad Pete Rose will be inducted to somebody's Hall of Fame this year. How could we live with ourselves if Pete wasn't so honored? It's clearly important to him, so we should do our best to make sure he feels good. After all, he only gambled on the Reds while he was the manager. You can bet he never gambled when he was a player, because he was so driven and all he wanted to do was win. He wasn't in it for the money or the glory. He was just a hard working guy, and we can forgive him, because time always makes forgiveness the right thing. I wish I could write for days on end how I admire Mr. Rose for his honesty and integrity, values that the Cincinnati Reds and all of America stand for. But, really, why even say it? We can take for granted that Pete Rose is more mature than ever and will be so grateful that other people validate his great career. Trump-Rose 2016!
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