OPINION

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By Hunter Milligan

There are 4,256 reasons why Pete Rose should be in the Baseball Hall of Fame. Rose has been known his entire life for his worldly athleticism on the baseball diamond, along with his enthusiasm and passion for the game. At just 18 years old, he began his professional career with the Cincinnati Reds, spending three years in the minor leagues before getting called up to the big show in 1963. 

Rose’s rookie year was a memorable one, with him winning playing time and establishing himself at the top of the Reds’ batting lineup. He went on that year to become NL Rookie of the Year, with an impressive batting average of .273, six home runs, 41 RBI’s, and 13 stolen bases. It didn’t take long for Rose to establish himself in the league as a dominant and promising player.

Along with Rose’s early success as a baseball player, he excited crowds and fans with his distinctive personality as well. Rose, also known as “Charlie Hustle,” got his name for his extremely aggressive base running, which included the never-seen-before head-first slide. He would run to first base after being walked, and he was also known for starting fights with just the slightest provocation. As a baseball fan myself, I can’t help but be intrigued by a guy who brings a new type of energy to the game. 

Photo by Bsoist via flickr.

Rose continued his special career in dominating fashion. In just his third year in the league, Rose batted for an impressive .308, along with 81 RBI’s, which led to his first of 17 All-Star selections. Rose continued to demonstrate his amazing skills with league-leading stats throughout the next 15 years of his career. Rose won the 1973 NL MVP award, the World Series MVP in 1975, and three batting titles in his illustrious career. 

Along with Rose’s personal success, he won three World Series in 1975, 1976, and 1980. Charlie Hustle contributed to his team in about every way he possibly could. He stands as the only person in Major League History to play at least five hundred games at five different positions— first base, second base, third base, left field, and right field—and he also spent the 1985-1986 season as a player/manager. Rose won Gold Gloves in 1969 and 1970 while playing in the outfield. Rose was an unrepeatable type of player who found success on the diamond at practically everything he did. Rose’s ability to play baseball was never in question, but unfortunately what he did off the field was. 

Rose holds the Major League Record for most hits at 4,256, most games played, 3,562, at bats, 14,053, and singles, 3,215. These facts alone should put him in the Hall of Fame.

Rose was known as a renowned gambler, especially by his-ex wife, Carol Rose, who reported in that, “the baseball great still gambled much of his reported $1 million in earnings as he failed to offer support for her and their family.” His gambling addiction translated to the baseball field as a player-manager for the Reds late in his career. Rose allegedly bet $10,000 in at least 52 of the Reds’ regular season games in 1987, despite being the manager. This move forever tainted his career. Following this incident, Rose not only got snubbed from the Hall of Fame but would never work for another baseball organization in the major leagues ever again. Ironically, steroid user Mark McGuire worked as the bench coach for the Padres for many years after his record-breaking career, and there continues to be controversy regarding the eligibility of steroid users for the Hall of Fame.  

According to the National Baseball Hall of Fame, in order to be selected to the Hall you need to play at least ten years as a Major League Baseball player. Along with this, you would have to prove to the active and honorary members of the Baseball Writers’ Association of America that you are a worthy candidate. According to their website, a player is selected, “based upon the player’s record, playing ability, integrity, sportsmanship, character, and contributions to the team(s) on which the player played.” In regards to Rose, his integrity and character is what keep him out of the Hall, despite being the best hitter of all time. 

One may wonder how the best hitter of all time is still not in the Hall of Fame? “I think it’s ridiculous to not allow one of the best hitters and all-around players of the game to not be in the hall of fame; it’s ridiculous,” says Heth Alexander (‘21), pitcher for the Collegiate varsity baseball team. John Ballowe (‘21,) a varsity outfielder, says, “Pete Rose should be in the Hall of Fame because he is probably the greatest hitter, and an off-the-field problem does not affect his on-the-field achievements.” 

While Rose’s off-the-field problems should not be ignored while evaluating his character, character does not get you into the Hall of Fame; your ability to play baseball does. Rose has been completely cut off and put on the permanently ineligible list by the MLB ever since he was found guilty of betting on games in 1989 before a grand jury. 

In the past, Rose tried to appeal the decision of his permanent ban, but to no avail. It is likely that the greatest hitter in all of baseball history will be reprimanded in the most severe way possible for his actions. Personally, I believe Rose should, without a doubt, have his name etched in with the greats in Cooperstown, but it seems as if the MLB is using him as an example.