On September 30, 2024, Pete Rose, Cincinnati Reds Legend and MLB All-Time Hits leader, passed away due to heart disease. With the buzz about Rose in the air, the question over his legacy has resurfaced: Does he belong in the National Baseball Hall of Fame?
Usually, the stats and major achievements are considered when a player is in the running, but an altogether different argument has prevented Pete Rose from being entered into the hall. Rose was issued a permanent ban from ever being entered in due to his engagement in sports betting. This lifetime ban extends to even after he passed away. Even though the ban remains in place, one thing is unquestionably true: Pete Rose should have been entered into the National Baseball Hall of Fame a long time ago, still deserves to be inducted, but, unfortunately, never will.
The biggest accomplishment in Rose’s career was becoming the “Hit King” when he got his 4,195th hit and broke Ty Cobb’s all-time hits record. Rose ended his career with 4,256 hits, which still holds as the current record and will likely hold for a long time. Rose was a Rookie of the Year, 17 time all star, three time World Series champion, World Series MVP, and National League MVP. Rose easily has crossed the threshold which should bring him into the National Baseball Hall of Fame. However, the league has forever tainted his career and overshadowed his record with his lifetime ban on baseball and the hall of fame. When his name is brought up, the first thought that comes up is unfortunately gambling, not his on field achievements. This is because the MLB ruined his reputation forever.
Major League Baseball has a history of cheating scandals. From George Brett in the controversial Pine Tar Game to the use of steroids, cheating has often snuck its way into the major leagues. The MLB has a very firm rule on their own players betting. Rose received a lifetime ban from the sport in 1989, and later was banned from ever being placed in the hall of fame. The MLB takes their stance on the notion that betting will ruin the integrity of the game. Well, were the juicing stars from the 1990’s upholding that integrity? Stars such as Mark McGwire and Barry Bonds have been on the Hall of Fame ballot repeatedly. While neither of them have ever made the cut, both of them were considered, unlike Rose who never was given a chance. Now, the world of professional sports is advertising sports betting everywhere, as if sports and sports betting were a pair that always go together. The image of Rose has been tarnished for betting, but the MLB now shoves betting wherever they can. The MLB is at fault for putting a stain on his career, and for allowing others who knocked down the integrity of the game to be honored.
Rose played for the Cincinnati Reds (1963-78), the Philadelphia Phillies (79-83), the Montreal Expos (84), and then returned to the Reds (84-86). When he returned to Cincinnati in 1984, he acted as a player-manager, doing both roles simultaneously. From 1987-89, Rose was a manager, but no longer on the roster as a player. Rose bet on sports during this time, and even admitted to betting on Reds games, although he said that he never bet against Cincinnati. Rose had earned the nickname “Charlie Hustle,” for his sense of urgency and try-hard attitude. Rose always played with a chip on his shoulder, as if he was out to prove something.
An argument for Rose to get into the Hall, besides his historically great numbers, is that he never ruined the game since he always bet on his own team to win. Whether he was betting or not, he acted true to his talent as a player and as a manager. Pete Rose had likely never ruined the integrity of the game by betting and deserves his spot in baseball history by being placed in the National Baseball Hall of Fame.
