Hmm, I believe I may stand corrected, if Wikipedia is correct:
“However, Giamatti granted Rose one concession: Rose could apply for reinstatement once a year for as long as he lived after ten years. Rose has subsequently applied for reinstatement four times; all four reinstatement requests have been rejected.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_people_banned_from_Major_League_Baseball
I still don’t think he deserves it. He knew the rule.
I don’t know if he should go into the Hall posthumously, but he shouldn’t go in while he’s still breathing. I don’t want to see him capitalize from this honor.
Actually, that is a good way to put it. It is a honor to be in the Hall, and he dishonored the game by violating one of the rules posted in every club house.
Yes, other people have dishonored the game, and some may be in the Hall. But bad behavior of others is not a viable defense. He knew what he did, and accepted the sentence. By his admission, he dishonored the game, and made himself unworthy of its highest honor.
I guess why I get so riled up about this is that he belonged to one of the best teams in baseball when I was a kid. But now, instead of talking about how great the combined talent on the Big Red Machine was, it is “Pete Rose” this, and “Pete Rose” that. He may have been Charlie Hustle, but it was for his own benefit, and not in the spirit of team. I may be old-fashioned in my belief, but his attitude that he is bigger than the game rankles me.
Also, I still believe that he is not contrite, he is just sorry that he was caught.
Well, I have wasted enough of the forum’s and my time with this rant, but that’s what I think about the subject. YMMV.
Here’s a little fun fact for you. Bart Giamatti’s son is actor Paul Giamatti.