Pete Rose: HOF Hit or Miss?

                                                  




  When you think of  Pete Rose, what is the first thing that comes to mind when you hear his name? All Time Hits King? Big Red Machine? Gambling? The debate has been going on for the past 25 years, should Pete Rose be reinstated and voted into the Baseball Hall of Fame? He is the all-time hits leader with 4,256 hits! He has 10 seasons of 200 plus hits and a .303 batting average(BaseballAlamanac.com).

   We all know that in 1989, while MANAGING the Cincinnati Reds, it was brought down that he was gambling on his team to win! Even though he was a "Player/Manager" for over 2 years, he retired as a player and became full time manager in 1986. It was brought down that he only gambled as a manager of the Reds. Rose should be reinstated to baseball, but not as a MANAGER. He should be allowed to participate in activities, have his number retired, and voted into the Hall of Fame as a PLAYER. He should not be allowed to manage or coach in the big leagues, but to attend an All-Star Game or other events honoring baseball.

  Not only is Pete Rose the all-time hits leader, he also has played in the most games ever(3,562), had the most at-bats(14,053) and singles(3,215). He also has 3 batting titles(1968,69, and 73), an MVP(1973), 2 gold gloves(1969 and 1970) and Rookie of the Year. He also has 17 All Star appearances at 5 different positions(2B, LF, RF, 3B&1B), a 44 game hit streak, and at least 500 games at 5 different positions(Baseball Almanac). All of this makes him more than just a hit for the Hall of Fame as a player.

  As mentioned earlier, a proper punishment would be not to allow him to manage or coach ever again in the major or minor leagues. Why do we have to  punish a players accomplishments for something they did after their playing careers? Not allowing any of the players from the "Black Sox" scandal to play again is proper punishment since it happened while they were players. Pete Rose is absolutely a hall of fame player, who did not gamble on his teams while playing for them. Even though it is past his eligibility on the ballot, he still has the Veteran's Committee to lean on if he is reinstated.

   Before Bud Selig retires in January, he should sit down first with Pete Rose, then a committee to discuss this matter. At that point, it should be overturned and Pete Rose should be reinstate to baseball. Pete Rose  gambling on his teams is one thing, but to let the All Time Hits leader have some gratification knowing hes been somewhat forgiven is another thing. Let him be semi-reinstated and go where he truly belongs: Cooperstown, New York!!!