A few years ago if I was asked the question does Pete Rose belong in the Hall of Fame I would have answered with a resounding yes. Before Pete released his book admitting betting on the game I would have supported it because there was always that doubt in my mind of if he actually bet on baseball. But with the release of the book and his subsequent admittance to betting on baseball and not just other teams but his own any support I had for Pete was gone. If it had just been gambling on other teams not directly affected by his managing the situation may have turned out different. But when you as a Major League manager are placing bets on your own team, even if it is to win, you set yourself up for a lifetime ban. I've heard Pete himself say that he never bet on his team to lose. And that's fine but what about the games during a season he didn't bet on at all. Wasn't that just as bad as betting on them to lose. As a manager if you are starting a certain pitcher you yourself deem as not work the risk to put your own money on aren't you doing the franchise you work for a disservice. Besides the fact if you are managing a game, and you have say two thousand dollars riding on the game, wouldn't you manage the game a little differently. Aren't you more likely to keep you top pitcher in the game just a little bit longer, even if it may affect him the next start. Which by the way may be one of the games you don't place a wager on. Or maybe you put Eric Davis in the starting lineup tonight even though he was in the training room earlier in the day with a sore knee, but if you've got a couple grand riding on the game you want your best player on the field.

Pete knew the possible consequences when he laid the bets. Since the 1919 Black Sox scandal during that World Series when ironically enough the Reds played the White Sox and the Sox threw the series for payouts from gamblers players and all employees of baseball have known the penalties for gambling. What makes it worse in my opinion is that Rose had a direct affect on every game. From who was pitching, who was hitting, what position they were playing, every nuance of any game.

Should Pete's accomplishments be respected? Of course, does he belong in the Hall? Maybe, but in my opinion no. But even with that I still have a soft spot in my heart for Rose. If Shoeless Joe Jackson were allowed in the Hall then Pete would have to surely follow. Until that happens my stance shall remain the same.

Learn more about this author, Everett Cox.
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