Will Pete Rose Be Remembered as a Champ or a Chump?

What will Pete Rose be remembered for? He is the All-Time Hit King with 4,256 hits. He surpassed Tyrus Raymond Cobb. But Pete still has never been voted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown because he manipulated games when he was Manager of the Cincinnati Reds.

His story has been told a million times over. For people who feel that he should be in the Hall, just read the Dowd report. Rose admitted in 2004 that he bet on baseball. He also was banned permanently from baseball.

I spoke with the late great George “Sparky” Anderson on the Mad Dog Show years ago. He told me, "David, my boy, someone got all those hits and it was Peter Edward Rose." There is no doubt he was right, but Rose bet on his team and that was proven. That's a no can do in baseball; it’s a rule and unwritten rule too.

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There are people in this country that feel Pete Rose should be in the Hall of Fame. Ok, then put in “Shoeless” Joe Jackson, Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens, and A-Rod too. I am 62 years old and I’m sick of this pointless debate.

But, just remember this, Pete Rose hasn’t helped himself with his brash attitude and lying so many years to the public about his innocence. These guys need 75% of the vote and we’ll see if they ever get into the hall. This is a very touchy subject with many, but to me it’s pretty clear cut. I won’t lose any sleep one way or another!