It’s been 25 years, and it’s high time to free Pete Rose and his fans. It’s time to let him back in to Major League Baseball for eligibility in the Hall of Fame. In August of 1989, Rose agreed to a lifetime ban from MLB while accusations of his gambling on the game swirled all through every media outlet. These baseball games were ones that he had played in and managed with the Cincinnati Reds. He had been retired as a player for three years, and he had built one of the greatest MLB careers we had ever seen. ‘Charlie Hustle’, as Rose had been affectionately known as, was one of the hardest playing athletes of all time. He gave it his all, no matter the score. That mentality and tons of natural talent rewarded Rose with one heck of a career:
- 17 time All-Star (1965, 1967–1971, 1973–1982, 1985)
- 3 time World Series champion (1975, 1976, 1980)
- NL MVP (1973)
- World Series MVP (1975)
- NL Rookie of the Year (1963)
- 2× Gold Glove Award (1969, 1970)
- Silver Slugger Award (1981)
- Roberto Clemente Award (1976)
- 3× NL batting champion (1968, 1969, 1973)
- MLB All Century Team
He also owns a number of all-time records:
- 4,256 career hits
- 3,215 career singles
- 3,562 career games played
- 14,053 career at-bats
- 15,890 career plate appearances
It’s probably fair to say that if Pete Rose was a mediocre player, there would be no reason for this article or even a murmur. This is not just for Pete Rose, it’s for the loyal Cincinnati Reds and other MLB fans that have endured this punishment for 25 years as well. Guys are out in less time for murder. The man made a mistake and has paid dearly. We are a nation of second chances, and we can’t give the all-time hits leader one? Alex Rodriguez continues to break the PED policy, and he’ll be back in pinstripes next April. None of the steroid era players that really cheated the game are banned for life. Once the popular opinion of whether one should vote for them sways, Mark McGwire and Barry Bonds will be in Cooperstown alongside Roger Clemens and Andy Pettite.
Gambling is a very serious offense in the world of sports. It threatens the integrity of the game. However, it was never proven that Rose bet against his team, always on it. Sure, he may have and that would be a horrible crime against our great game. However, he’s served 25 years out of the game. When Rose was last in the game it was very different. Players didn’t make near the money that would be at stake if caught today. Big TV contracts makes this threat almost null and void. They also were about to enter the steroid era.
25 years later, we’ve endured the steroid era and the offenders have paid the price. We’ve seen countless real criminals go in and out of prison and get a new lease on life. It’s time to free Pete Rose and his fans, from 25 years of shame. And while we’re at it, induct the second greatest hitter not in the MLB Hall-of-Fame. It would be fitting to send Shoeless Joe Jackson in this year as well. Field of Dreams is also 25 years old.
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