There is no reason in my mind why Pete Rose should be inducted to the Hall of Fame. Even though his career hit total is one of the most staggering achievements in all sports he completely desicrated the game like no other. Pete Rose bet on games while he managed The Cincinatti Reds and threw games or did what was needed to win games based on his own personal financial gain. What Pete Rose did has to be considered the worst possible thing you can do in sports especially when you arein a situation where you are passing yourself off as a leader and role model. Pete Rose let his gambling addiction ruin everything he created for himself in baseball.

There is also much evidence that he gambled as a player. What message does this send about the integrity of the sport of baseball if we let him in The Great Hall. If you go back and watch video-tape of him coaching the Reds you would see a man driven by his addiction to gambling, of course it couldn't be detected back then. If our children see him in The Hall of Fame and ask us what he did wrong what will we tell them. Baseball is a game where as a player or coach you must realize that you are expested to conduct yourself in the highest regard.

Yes, Pete Rose was probably the best pure hitter in the history of the game but he went against his better judgement and betrayed the game which gave him so much. There is no room in The Hall of Fame for cheaters and gamblers. The Hall of Fame represents the goodness and integrity of the game and the great men that came before us. I do not expect that Pete Rose will ever get into Cooperstown and it is a shame but there is a lesson to be learned from this. Listen to your heart and try to do what is right for the sake of dignity and integrity.

Learn more about this author, Micah Olson.
Click here to send author comments or questions.

---

Add your voice

Know something about Deciding whether Pete Rose should be in the hall of fame?
We want to hear your view. Write now!