Before he was the NL Rookie of the Year in 1963 and became known as Charlie Hustle, Pete Rose was a former high school student who got held back due to being a top baseball prospect. Before Charlie Hustle was banned from baseball in August of 1989, he had a career as arguably the greatest hitter of all-time, while breaking Ty Cobb’s hit record with 4256 total base hits. Now some 26 years later, Rose has asked the new commissioner of baseball to re-open his case of possible reinstatement. The reason that Rose was placed on the ineligible list in the first place was in result to his 30-day suspension as a manger after shoving an umpire, then the following of the investigation on his lying about cheating/gambling as the Red’s skipper. His ban from baseball includes all activity affiliated with the game, that also means not being eligible for induction into the Hall.
Even though Rose has expressed high integrity in wanting to come off of the baseball ineligible list, to manage again may not may not Rose’s intentions, but just being part of the game such as analyzing or broadcasting could very well be up for discussion for the all-time hit king. However, to some fans, what may be of interest in Pete’s story is the possibility of him finally becoming eligible for Cooperstown. So, with a new commissioner, Rose hopes to finally get his true shot at reinstatement.
There are some voters on the BBWA ballot for Cooperstown that would not vote for Rose, stating that he is a disgrace to the game, despite Charlie Hustle’s obvious qualified career as a player. He is the all-time leader in games, plate appearances, at bats, and hits. His recorded 4256 base hits is 67 ahead of the great Ty Cobb and 485 ahead of the 3rd place Hank Aaron, so it is safe to stay that the record may never be touched. Along with a career average of .303, Rose had good plate discipline, resulting in an on-base percentage of .375, which allowed him to score over 2000 runs. He never hit really any homers or drove in many runs, but he did still manage to produce a slugging percentage of .409, due to doubling 746 times (2nd all-time), as well as tripling 135 times. To pick an all-time great leadoff hitter, Rose might just be the guy, as he was not only a true contact hitter, but batted from both sides of the plate. Pete Rose was a true baseball player, appearing at multiple positions with over 1000 innings, thrashing at the ball, finding a way to get on base, just an all-around MVP (won the NL MVP in 1973 and WS MVP in 1975). However, to cheat and gamble off the field is against the rules, and Rose should be ashamed of that, especially after lying about it.
There is no doubt that Rose should have always been eligible for the Hall of Fame, but considering his past after his playing career, it may not be a good idea to let him back into the game, whether its in the booth or as a coach. The man they called Charlie Hustle was the meaning of the great American sport representing eager players, so Cooperstown should honor that. But, with gambling a part of his past, his hopeful future Hall of Fame plague should have an asterisk on it. Rose’s future in baseball is now in the hands of a new, brilliant, and reasonable baseball commissioner, Rob Manfred.
