I haven’t read, obviously, Pete Rose’s discussion of his gambling in his upcoming book. He does say he feels it’s time to admit that he gambled and take responsibility for his actions, and sections of it were quoted in news reports.
I dunno. I’d probably be much more impressed with his responsibility-taking if:
A) He had made the admission in relation to nothing other than feeling the need to clear the air, rather than as the centerpiece of an autobiography which stands to sell more copies as a result.
B) He didn’t make such a point of saying that he hoped his admission would get him back into baseball and a shot at the Hall of Fame.
C) He didn’t seem to blame the organization of baseball so much, stating that he would have received far better treatment if only he’d had a drug or drinking problem or something acceptable like that.
I tend to agree with Kathleen on this: The only way they should lift the ban on Pete Rose is if they lift the ban on Shoeless Joe Jackson and induct him into the Hall of Fame first.
PAD
• 
Shoeless Joe’s numbers in that World Series show that he played to win. There is no proof that he did anything to hurt his team’s chances, regardless of whether he took the money or not. He was unfairly blacklisted before all the evidence was seen.
Only some of the games were supposed to be thrown. While it’s a small sample set, Jackson’s numbers are worse in those games and there are reports of his lacksadaisical defense. For many people, that’s enough to confirm he did indeed attempt to lose.
**I don’t see why MLB isn’t looking at its own syntax.
“Anybody caught betting on baseball shall be banned for life.”
Shoeless Joe Jackson is dead. He’s served his time.
Pete Rose is alive, and he’s still being an excuse-making áššfáçë about his crime. Admission is one thing, but contrition is expected.
I agree with PAD. Let Jackson back in first, and I’ll accept Rose. **
Unfortunately, that’s not what the rule says:
**Major League Rule 21. Rule 21(d) provides:
Any player, umpire, or club or league official or employee, who shall
bet any sum whatsoever upon any baseball game in connection with which
the bettor has no duty to perform, shall be declared ineligible for one
year.
Any player, umpire, or club or league official or employee, who shall bet any sum whatsoever upon any baseball game in connection with which the bettor has a duty to perform, shall be declared permanently ineligible.**
Permanent ineligibility is longer than “for life.”
They have it out for Rose anyway just cause he admits it now doesn’t mean he’ll get in the Hall of Fame, even though, I think he should. Its such a petty thing really. They didnt boot O.J. out of the Hall of Fame for killing his wife did they???
Neither Shoeless Joe nor Charlie Hustle belongs in the Hall of Fame. Baseball is a business like any other, they sell competition. Without competition they have no product. Allowing players to bet on games puts doubt to the competition, and leaves baseball with no product to sell. This is why gambling is the first deadly sin in the baseball world and why even the appearance of impropriety cannot be tolerated. The rules were clearly posted and well known, and Rose broke them anyway. He should not be allowed back just because he said he was sorry to sell a few books.
It just isn’t fair! Here Pete goes and writes a book telling the world that, as we all suspected, he bet on baseball. He’ll still dodge the questions asking if he bet on the Reds stating “I’m here to tell you that I bet on baseball, and who cares if I bet on so and so”. Hey Pete, it makes a big difference.
My second point: To me his betting as a manager has nothing to do with him as a player. Keeping him out of the HoF as a player is like taking away a Heismann because of a player’s actions in the NFL, they are two seperate times. I do think he needs to stay banned from being a manager and that he should never get in the HoF as a manager, but IF his “crimes against baseball” did indeed happen after he retired as a player then he should still be in.
What I find funny is the two-faced nature of the world in general when it comes to Pete Rose.
Here’s a situation where, for the last 14 years, the only person who denied his betting on baseball was Rose himself.
If this were anybody else, people would be supporting the guy, even though he’s in denial, because admitting you have a problem is the first step toward correcting it.
Yet, Rose, even though it took 14 years, is just another ášš for doing it, regardless of his attitude. I guess I’m scratching my head here.
He says he bet, he’s not a cryer, not the type of completely break down in shame of what he did. That’s just the type of person he is.
But, again, because he isn’t anyway, he’s an arrogant ášš.
Hëll, things would be worse if he did break down because people would still say he’s faking it.
At this point, he can’t win.
Granted, it’s a situation of his own making, but everybody is certainly giving him both barrels.
Well, I have had a number of heated discussions with acquaintances pertaining to Pete Rose’s admittance to the Hall of Fame. Here are my points: (1) His records are intact: no discussion!
(2) The player contract states – that if you are caught betting on baseball (not your team’s game)- then you are banned from baseball for one year. If it is found that you bet on your own team’s game (doesn’t matter if you bet to win or lose that game) then you are banned for life!
(3) The Hall of Fame committee has stated that any person banned from Major League Baseball cannot be admitted into the Hall of Fame.
(4) When is the punishment enough? (Some people actually ask this question).. What part of LIFETIME BAN do these people not understand.
There are also discussions debating other players that beat their wives or use drugs. If their contract says they will be banned for doing these things, then they belong in the same boat as Pete Rose. However, until then, save the argument for someone that cares. Anyone who bets on his own team’s games, is GONE… like .. BYE BYE!
Also, Major League Baseball – has ALWAYS sent a special contingent around to EVERY SINGLE SPRING TRAINING facility to reiterate these specific points on gambling. There are warnings about drugs (nothing about beating your loved ones!) but they go over the points of the standard player contract pertaining to betting on baseball.