When I go watch my Chicago Cubs at beautiful Wrigley field I am concerned with the game and what is in front of me, not what is going on off the field. I go to enjoy the game and the talent of the athletes that play. I could care less about what Sammy Sosa is doing off the field, he is the man because of his skills on the field and what he does for Americas’ past time.
Last time I was sitting on the third base line and Sammy stepped up to the plate I did not think to myself “I wonder if he hits his wife like he hits a baseball,” or “he looks like a big time gambler,” I was shouting his name and clapping in support for hope of another homer being sent over the ivy covered wall. My enthusiasm was booming for this mans talent and what he brings to the table to help my cubbies win. Now would you not think that a baseball player in the Hall of Fame should be looked at the same way?
Should a hall of famer not be jugged based on his baseball skills and what he did on the field? Well that does not seem to be the case when it comes to Pete Rose. Since being banned from baseball in 1989 for off field actions he denies, he has repeatedly been denied access to Cooperstown. Pete Rose was one of the greatest baseball players ever and should be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame because of it. Pete was placed on the ineligible list of baseball players in 1989 for allegedly betting on baseball, the worst baseball “sin” you can commit.
He was reported to the FBI by one of his bookies, Ron Peters. “Peters testified that Rose also bet on his own Reds (only to win, allegedly), even placing calls from the stadium” (Goldman 23). Rose claims that he never bet on baseball only other sports, but various bookies say otherwise, claiming that Rose started betting on baseball after losing largely on other sports. Checks received by bookies had been linked to Rose through finger prints and handwriting further incriminating him.
With no direct proof that he bet specifically on baseball Pete Rose was still banned from the game. “I can’t say if Rose bet on baseballI don’t know. But he has paid his dues. The guy deserves to be back [in baseball] and in the Hall of Fame,” former Cincinnati Reds player Tommy Helms told newspapers. In 1991 one year before he would be eligible to be inducted into the Hall of Fame, players banned from the game coincidently became ineligible for Hall. Some say this happened to directly block Rose from Cooperstown. If you look at Pete Rose the ball player he was amazing.
To fans everywhere he was [] the guy who swung his heart out, ran as fast as he could to get on base, and didn’t bat an eye before diving headfirst into a slide (Current Events 3). Rose is a seventeen time all-star and a World Series Most Valuable Player. He holds over seventeen major league records ranging from all-time record for most career hits-4,256, to being the only player to play more than 500 games at five different positions, first base (939), second base (628), third base (634), left field (671), and right field (595).
Not only did Pete Rose play for three teams, he managed his hometown Cincinnati Reds as well. Rose was simply “Mr. Baseball” in his time. Many people believe strongly that Pete should not be admitted into the Hall of Fame. Ballplayers who deal with professional gamblers jeopardize the whole game of baseball (Sowell 24). It could be said if you do not want people to follow rules, then do not bother enforcing rules. Betting on a game is one of the few things strongly frowned upon in baseball. Not only did Pete bet on games, he had connections with interesting individuals like bookies, druggist, and tax evaders.
Pete also denies betting till this day, fourteen years after this alleged activity. “I believe he bet on and against his team. He is an unrepentant hyena who should be horsewhipped” said Ray Ratio of Sportswriting Oracle. Still what does all this have to do with his performance on field as a player? “Look at his credentials as a player rather than his sins as a manager[]there’s no proof Pete Rose ever did anything to affect the outcome of a game except try 4,256 ways, if necessary, to win every time he put on a uniform” (Reed 13). Rose has many supporters.
Former President Jimmy Carter, along with old teammates and endless fans make up his backing. The basic message is that one of the greatest players has done his time and some; an old mistake should not bar him from credit he earned time and again on the field. Yet another sportswriter also questions “What have Pete’s personal shortcomings got to do with the fact that he had a great career on the field? ” (Sowell 3). Although being banned from baseball he made an appearance at last years World Series in San Francisco as part of baseballs most memorable moments.
This further shows his continuing acceptance and points out once again how well of a player he was. Pete has made strides in his fight too. Baseball commissioner Bud Selig has a plan to left Rose’s lifetime ban. The catch is Pete would have to officially admit that he bet on games, something he refuses to do. Although everyone “knows” Rose supposedly bet on games, there has never been direct incriminating proof. Rose was deeply respected by other Major League ball players. When he hit number 4,192 it was a flittering way for Rose to take the record from Ty Cobb.
Bob Costas said it best when reflecting on that magical day in sports history, “Joy washed over him as his teammates embraced him. Padres first baseman Steve Davery shook Rose’s hand and reds Davey Concepcion and Tony Perez hoisted him on their shoulders, treating their manager like a football coach who had just won the Super Bowl”. Not many men could bring that type of pandemonium to the diamond. The only ones I can think of are in the Hall, and not many of them where saints themselves.
When I sit back and think of my day at Wriggly watching Sammy Sosa step up to the plate amidst the crowds roar, I can only imagine what the suspense must have been like when Rose tied the all-time hit record in the windy city, a game before his home crowed in Cincinnati. What Pete Rose did for the game is undeniable. Alleged actions should not restrict one of Baseballs all-time greatest players from being inducted into the Cooperstown Baseball Hall of Fame. Rose’s records will continue to stand further on reminding us all of his greatness!