By Steve Knight/editor-in-chief
Dear Commissioner Bud Selig,
There are 4,256 reasons why Pete Rose should be reinstated and allowed consideration for election into the Baseball Hall of Fame.
Twenty years ago, then-Commissioner Bart Giamatti barred Rose, now 68, from the game for reportedly betting on baseball while he was manager of the Cincinnati Reds.
Evidence regarding Rose’s gambling habits as a player for the Reds, Philadelphia Phillies and Montreal Expos never was introduced.
In light of other events that left the game with black eyes and bruises the last several years, it is time to bring this chapter to an end.
A new generation of baseball fans who never witnessed Rose play may want to know why the all-time Major League leader for most career hits (4,256), most games played (3,562), most at bats (14,053) most singles (3,215), most total bases by a switch hitter (5,752), most seasons of 200 or more hits (10), most consecutive seasons of 100 or more hits (23) and most seasons with 600 or more at bats (17) is not enshrined in Cooperstown.
He is also the only player to play more than 500 games at five different positions.
Former home run king Hank Aaron, in a USA Today interview during July’s hall of fame enshrinement ceremonies, said Rose deserved to be in the hall.
“I would certainly like to see him in. He belongs in, really. His career is one that he needs to be right here in the middle of all of this,” he said. “The Pete Rose thing is different than steroids. If I had been Pete, I think I would have asked for forgiveness many, many years ago.”
In an August USA Today/Gallup poll, 60 percent of respondents said Rose should be eligible for the Hall with 35 percent against.
In the same poll, three out of four respondents said the use of performance-enhancing drugs is a more serious offense than Rose’s admitted betting on games of his team.
Mr. Commissioner, it’s time to welcome Rose home.
The real home run king has spoken. The fans have spoken. End this now.
Too many upcoming, embarrassing controversies concerning players’ steroid use will occur to let this go any longer.
