Pete Rose met with Bud Selig on Tuesday, December 10th, in Milwaukee to discuss the possibility of Rose’s being reinstated in baseball and the possibility of his name appearing on the ballot for the Baseball Hall of Fame. He is currently ineligible to enter the Hall of Fame, and he is not allowed to be a part of baseball, because of his gambling issues when he was the manager of the Cincinnati Reds. He has denied up to today that he ever gambled, but there is a lot of proof that indicates Rose did indeed gamble. Although Rose applied for reinstatement in September 1997, he and Selig had, until now, never met to discuss his status. The first step that Major League Baseball wants to take in Rose’s reinstatement is for him to admit that he did gamble. But even if he admits it, there is still a question of whether he will be reinstated. Some people think he shouldn’t be allowed back into baseball because he hasn’t admitted or apologized for his crime, and because gambling is the most serious offense you can commit in professional sports, since it puts into question the integrity of the sport.
Pete Rose was kicked out of baseball in 1989 because he gambled on Cincinnati Reds games when he was their manager. He is not allowed to be on the ballot for the Hall of Fame, and he is not allowed to be a part of baseball as a manager, coach, or in any other capacity. Pete Rose has asked many times to be allowed back into baseball, but he hasn’t been successful yet, mostly because he has never apologized for what he did, and he has never even admitted doing it. Many people think he should be allowed into the Hall of Fame because of his great numbers. He is the all-time hits leader, with over 4,000. The ovations he received at the Baseball All-Century ceremony in 1999 and at the World Series pre-game ceremony this past October at Pac Bell Park were heard loud and clearly by Commissioner Bud Selig. It is possible that Selig wants to please the fans in order to stimulate more interest in baseball. That is why he agreed to meet with Pete Rose at his office in Milwaukee on Tuesday.
I don’t think that Pete Rose should be allowed back into baseball. It would be an insult to baseball if Pete Rose, as arrogant as he is, were to be reinstated. He lied many times when he was asked if he bet on games. He agreed to a lifetime ban. What part of LIFETIME does he not understand? He doesn't understand how to tell the truth. He was in the position of manager/player, which most players don't have the opportunity to do at the same time in their careers. As manager, he could easily manipulate the game with putting in and taking out pitchers and other position players, depending on which team he placed his bet on. He committed the CAPITAL offense of betting on games in which he played and managed, which puts the integrity of baseball in jeopardy. This is the ultimate “no-no” in sports. I also don’t think that he should be allowed in the Hall of Fame. Would you want someone who has been convicted of murder in the Hall of Fame just because he batted .350 lifetime? It shouldn’t be just the stats. They shouldn’t admit a player just because he has good numbers. His qualities and value as a person should also be considered. There should be certain moral character that goes along with the Hall of Famer. Pete Rose does not have character. He is not a stand-up guy. He lies and he is addicted to gambling. In addition, he spent time in jail for tax evasion. A Hall of Famer should be someone you can look up to- someone who players can look up to, and aspire to. I think a Hall of Famer should also be a role model for kids. Pete Rose is not someone to look up to. He is not a good role model. He is a selfish, arrogant person who thinks he can break the rules and get away with it because he’s above baseball and everyone else. Even if he apologizes, how sincere would that apology be? I think he needs to change his attitude big-time before MLB can even consider reinstating him or allowing him on the Hall of Fame ballot. He also needs to get serious help for his gambling addiction before anyone can believe that he won’t do it again if he has the opportunity.
Written by Jesse Bentert All Original Content May not be copied without the consent of The Unofficial Website of the New York Yankees
