A story in the New York Daily News suggests that Major League Baseball commissioner Bud Selig is considering lifting the lifetime ban of all-time hits leader Pete Rose. If Selig does allow Rose back into baseball, that most likely, would lead to Rose’s induction into the Hall of Fame.
Rose was banned 20 years ago for gambling on baseball. He has since admitted to doing so, but swore that he only bet on his team, the Cincinnati Reds, and never bet against them.
In this day and age of baseball, does that seem like an incredibly harsh penalty for such an offense? Guy gets caught using performance-enhancing drugs and gets a 50-game suspension. A manager bet on his own team 20 years ago and is banned for life.
If Rose did wager against his team — and made managerial moves to help ensure that he won those bets — then Rose would have to consider himself lucky that he got off with only a lifetime ban from the game. Ex-NBA ref Tim Donaghy went to prison for betting on games he officiated.
But if Rose is telling the truth — this time — Selig should lift the ban and open the door to Cooperstown. No one can dispute Rose’s on-field accomplishments, which can’t be said of so many top players of the last 10 years.
I don’t necessarily like the guy, but I don’t like Rickey Henderson either, and there’s no doubt that, for what they did as players, both men belong in the Hall of Fame.
1 comment:
At face value, I would agree that Rose should be reinstated and voted on for the HOF. I doubt anyone can question his ability, love for the game and overall competitiveness. From what I remember of Pete Rose he was always a hardnosed player who gave it everything he had to win. Which would lead me to believe him that he did not bet against his team. In that scenario I would be in favor of his reinstatement. More players today should have his work ethic and drive. My only hesitation would be is he telling the truth that he never bet another team and never bet against his team. He has not told the truth all of the time so creates that little level of doubt. However, nothing ever proved, to my knowledge, that he did bet against his team. Can't prove it? Didn't happen. so let it go already and let's move on. I'm sure Mr. Selig could find one or two more pressing issues in baseball to focus his attention on.
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