Pete Rose put up Hall of Fame numbers from any perspective. He captivated the interest of the American public in his pursuit of Ty Cobb’s all-time hit record.
On September 11, 1985 Rose stroked a single to left-center field off of Padres hurler Eric Show and stood on top of the baseball world. Rose’s induction to the Baseball Hall of Fame was thought to be a sure thing until evidence came to light that he broke baseball’s Cardinal Rule.
Investigator John M. Dowd interviewed many of Rose’s associates, including alleged bookies and bet runners. The Dowd report documented Rose’s alleged gambling activities in 1985 and 1986 and compiled a day-by-day account of Rose’s alleged betting on baseball games in 1987. It documented his alleged bets on 52 Reds games in 1987.
On August 23, 1989 Bart Giamatti was the central figure in the agreement with Pete Rose that banned the career hits leader for life.
Shown here is a check signed by Giamatti in his role as NL chief. Rose has autographed the check just above Giamatti’s signature.
Interestingly the check is made out to umpire Charles Williams, the first African-American to work the plate in a World Series. Williams has endorsed the check on the reverse as has Hall of Fame announcer Jack Buck.
Nine days after Rose signed the agreement Giamatti had a massive heart attack and died at his summer home in Martha’s Vineyard in Massachusetts.
Got on base. Key spark plug in the engine known as the Big Red Machine. All-Star at five positions; natural right-handed hitter, but more than 3000 of his hits were as a left-handed batter. Hard nosed, definitely earned the nickname “Charlie Hustle,” and showed the world that you did not have to be flashy or have “five tools” to have an effect upon the game.
He belongs in the hall, I’m an orioles fan but there was only one Pete rose, I
Other players in the past have done similar things and are in the hall, ty Cobb is a prime example
He’s a permanent stain on the game. He knew the rules and felt he was above them. He is also a liar and a pedophile. He agreed not to press for any reinstatement. He agreed to his lifetime ban. Hell no to his induction while he’s alive.
If anyone deserves to be placed into the baseball Hall of game, it should be Buck O ‘ Neil 1st Black coach, player and coach in the negro league, inducted negro league players into the mlb hall of fame knowing he should have been included yet humble enough not to be troubled by it! Mlb made him an ambassador to the hall. He should have his rightful place in the hall of fame!!! A pleasant man and a class act!!! I say get him in the hall !!!
Obvious Hall of Famer – denying him membership is ridiculous!!
Best ever.
Bet on games including his own games and GOT CAUGHT! Lied about it!
BEST EVER!
Don’t believe he should get in!
BEST EVER!
It’s shameful that he is not in the hall of fame. I think he has paid his dues. Put him in the hall.
Put Pete in already.
Honestly, the rules were very clear and he broke them. I don’t see any way around it. My take on this is in regards to “Shoeless Joe Jackson”. Pete Rose was clearly guilty. Yet, what eveidence on Joe was mostly circumstantial and he was labled guilty by association with the other guys. Joe has to get a plaque in the hall first BEFORE I’d even concider Rose eligible. (Let me also point out that Joe passed away years ago. If i understand the word of the law correctly, The ban was for life, not all eternity)
I’m sure all of you are perfect. If you want to go by morals many of the all time greats would be banned. Put him in the Hall because of what he did as a player. It’s not a legal or moral thing. It’s a performance thing and for exactly this reason.
Pete CHOSE the ban in an agreement he signed to avoid a trial. He apparently knew what the evidence would be and it wasn’t good.
Belongs in the Hall of Fame his hit record will never be broke guys can’t even get 200 hits anymore
I think he’s been punished enough … make him work w/ young players w/ betting … and allow him in the hall it’s time
4,256 hits
Rookie of the Year
Silver Slugger
Most Valuable Player
Two Gold Gloves
Three Batting Titles
44-Game Hitting Streak
World Series MVP
Three World Championship Rings
17 All-Star Games
‘Nuff said.
I would DEFINITELY reinstate Pete Rose !! After all that baseball is doing now, not having him in the HOF is just totally disrespectful !!