A Life After Death (Pete Rose's Acceptance To The Hall Of Fame Should Be Posthumous)

NY Times ^ | October 27, 2003 | JEFF NEUMAN

[presidio9]

Now that the World Series is over, baseball can turn to its perennial off-season obsession: whither Pete Rose and the Hall of Fame?

Rose, of course, accepted in 1989 a lifetime ban from baseball for gambling. In recent years, though, Bud Selig, the baseball commissioner, has opened the door to the possibility that he might cut a deal with Rose. Rose would presumably apologize — and in return he would be eligible to take his place in Cooperstown.

But what's the point of making such a trade? After all, what good is a public admission of guilt after 14 years of adamant denial? An 11th-hour apology would only underscore the unreliability of Rose's utterances. At the same time, how much longer should baseball punish its all-time hit leader? (And aren't we ready for another November-to-February discussion topic?)

There is a solution — one that just might finally put the matter to rest. Bud Selig should inform Pete Rose that his accomplishments as a player are indeed worthy of recognition in the Baseball Hall of Fame. Working with the Baseball Writers Association of America, whose members govern election to the game's holiest of holies, the commissioner should inform Rose that he will be reinstated to the game, and will become eligible for election into the Hall.

Posthumously.

With one stroke, Selig would deliver the message that it is folly to ignore 4,256 hits, Rose's regular-season and World Series most valuable player awards, three batting titles, and participation in more winning games than any player in baseball history. Rose's likeness will adorn the Hall of Fame Gallery, alongside men of dubious character like Ty Cobb (vicious), Cap Anson (racist), Babe Ruth (gluttonous), Orlando Cepeda (convicted marijuana importer), and many others whose deeds were covered up by the boys-will-be-boys reporters of their day. But Rose will not have the opportunity to stand before the baseball world in full glory, or hobnob with his fellow immortals, in the face of so much evidence that he broke the one unbreakable rule in sports: the prohibition against gambling on one's own games.

If this would cast Rose as Moses, standing on Mount Nebo with a view of the Promised Land he will not enter, so be it. The life of Pete Rose should not be crowned with an undeservedly redemptive ending, whatever public admissions he might choose to make at this too-late date.

[NYCVirago]

I should have read your post before responding -- you summed up the ridiculousness of this article much better than I did!

[Denver Ditdat]

Betting ON one's own team might bring managerial judgment into question, but it does not taint the game in any way.

I disagree. Unless he was betting on every game his team played, and betting that they would win each game, his gambling habits could be construed as an insider's "signal" as to how he perceived the team would perform on that day. Anyone in his position had no business betting on is team, either for or against.

[tdadams]

I fall into the 'keep him out' camp, but it is awkward to not acknowledge his accomplishments. This is a deal I could live with. Recognize him at the Hall of Fame. His accomplishments deserve recognition. But don't give him the satisfaction of ever seeing it himself.

[Mr. Bird]

First of all, the author's proposal is philosophically untenable. He is either deserving of HoF entry or not. I'm pro-Rose and pro-Shoeless Joe. I am pro-Rose emotionally because I grew up with the Big Red Machine, intellectually because his records are so singular. His hit record is likely to stand forever. I also think there exists a distinction between actions as player and actions as manager. Joe Torre will not be in the Hall as a player, but will likely make it as manager, for example.

I'm pro-Jackson because he apparently had the brain of a gnat and was duped by men of lesser virtue than he. The 1919 World Series stats support him.

[Jumper]

Denail, The Nile River, all symptoms of failer arguements....

[Major_Risktaker]

From my experience girls are mostly right and Xenalyte you are 100% right about Pete Rose.

This is how I remember Pete now with similar company.

Pete Rose made a mistake and that mistake should
be displayed at the hall to set an example of what
gambling, treason and insider trading all have
in common.

What Pete Rose did was wrong. To keep him out of basesball when other athletes and politicians are given free passes is more outrageous than Pete's wagering on baseball games. (This sentance is sourced below.)

__________

Now this is the Pete Rose I remember as a kid.

WOW! Look at that head first slide into 3rd base.

WOW! Taking out the catcher for the score.

Pete's great hitting career before the pitching mound
slope was shaved off making it flatter helping
those millionaire wussie steroid players of today's
game hit pitchers over the fence. Anything to help
get attendance and TV ratings up in the 90's thru today!

Great story about Pete Rose's 3,000th
Hit & nice poster by the way!

When comparing the punishment Pete Rose has received to that of Bill Clinton, it is clear that there is "Unequal Justice Around Law" when it comes to Democrat politicians.

BILL & BUD!

Pete "Charlie Hustle" Rose should be in Hall of Fame and open a NEW "Hall of Shame" in the next room over for guy's like Perdo "The Old Man Hitter" Martinez, Roberto "The Spitter"Alomar, Sammy "The Cork" Sosa along with Pete "The Fixer" Rose to show the disgusting side of baseball.

In conclusion if anyone thinks that point shaving players and official's making bad calls don't happen today, your living in a dream world. In all contests it is possible to see who is in the tank if you watch close enough and it only takes a few sublties to change the outcome an event.

By the way, anybody know the over & under of tonight's Miami vs. San Diego game? (hehehe)

[Xenalyte]

Holy crap, that headfirst slide is a GREAT pic! Thanks!

[Arpege92]

I guess pro athletes getting mixed up in drugs time after time is more acceptable than gambling.

[EchelonDave]

RE: Pete Rose -- A Life After Death
Although hardly qualified as a keen observer, I was a witness to the uniform number retirement ceremonies at Campbell's Field in New Jersey during May of 2003, hosted by the Camden Riversharks minor league organization, to honor Pete Rose. I am also a parent of a participant -- whom I trust to pass along the spirituality of our national pastime to my future grandchildren -- in the most recently completed Babe Ruth World Series Tournament for 14-year-olds held this summer at Adams Field in Quincy, Massachusetts. Regarding the article published October 27, 2003, I would prefer, instead of posthumous induction, as suggested by Mr. Neuman, bathed presumedly in a revisionist light, that the Baseball Writers Association of America assure that the achievements of Charlie Hustle only will be displayed within an Infamy Wing at Cooperstown. For example, the commemorative plaque for Mr. Rose could feature most prominently that he disgraced the sport and that he disappointed his fans by failing to acknowledge his misdeeds in a timely and forthright fashion. This legacy overshadows his accomplishments on the diamond.

By the way, Pete, I am willing to extend to you nine-to-five odds in the event you are interested in wagering in favor of the proposition that the Hall of Fame will end your lifetime ban.