October 1st, 2024 at 8:00 am 
by Ron Cervenka By now every baseball fan on the planet is aware that Pete Rose, the single best hitter to ever play the game, passed away on Monday in Nevada at the age of 83.
Like him or not (and most Dodger fans did not because of that ‘single best hitter to ever play the game’ thing), he was not a cheater, unlike several others that we know of.
He did, however, break a well-established rule by betting on baseball, charges which he initially (adamantly) denied but eventually admitted to and for which he received a lifetime ban by then MLB commissioner A. Bartlett Giamatti in 1989 – a ban which, to this day, has prevented Rose from enshrinement into the sacred Halls of Cooperstown.
“One of the game’s greatest players has engaged in a variety of acts which have stained the game, and he must now live with the consequences of those acts.” Giamatti said of Rose upon issuing the ban. Ironically, Giamatti died two weeks after imposing the lifetime ban on the man affectionately known as “Charlie Hustle.”
(MLB)
What’s your take, Dodgers fans? Although he wouldn’t be around to enjoy baseball’s most prestigious honor, should Pete Rose be enshrined in the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum posthumously?
Fire away.
Play Ball!
* * * * * *
Posted in 
There is more than one way to cheat and Pete DID cheat. He cheated himself first of the one thing all his talent and hard work should have ensured for him – entry into the Hall of Fame. He stole that FROM himself, secondly to the Reds fans that revered him as their hometown boy made great and last to the world of true baseball fans to have his accomplishments forever tainted.
Only a very few years from now there won’t be many who ever saw him play. They’ll only know the scandal and will assume he cheated ON the field or as manager.
Yes, he should be in the Hall. It’s a museum and his on field accomplishments merit his inclusion. I think waiting 5 years from his death to attempt a reckoning with the game would be appropriate.
HOF or not, he will always be the “Hit King”. Unlike Bonds, Clemens, and PED users his numbers are legit.
Growing up in the 60’s and 70’s, Pete Rose was without a doubt a baseball icon. Of course being true blue, and my best friend was a Red’s fan, he even named his dog PJ for Pete Junior, I hated Pete Rose, and Joe Morgan, and Johnny Bench and all the rest. Those guys were great! But this is about Pete Rose, HOF? Justice cannot take away from what Pete Rose meant to the game. I more want Shoeless Joe in the Hall of Fame, I vote yes on Rose only if Shoeless Joe gets in.
There are two hurdles that keep Rose out of the HOF: first, “voting shall be based upon the player’s record, playing ability, integrity, sportsmanship, character, and contributions to the team(s) on which the player played” and, he cannot be on the MLB ineligible list. Unless the Baseball Writers Association changes its eligibility requirements, Rose should not be considered. All of Rose’s records are already in the HOF for all to see and appreciate. I vote no to Rose.
perfectly stated Jesse.
additionally, it was not a lifetime ban but a permanent ban so his death changes nothing.
the most important issue for me is that he preferred this ban to the ongoing investigation. his choice, why are we debating it?
many people want to say, it wasn’t so bad” or “he only…” truth is we don’t know what he did because he would rather be banned than investigated.
Not likely he will ever get into the HOF. But he will always be the “Hit King” and he did it fairly.