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Pete Rose is dead. One of Major League Baseball’s most iconic and controversial figures has ended his journey on this side of eternity. He was 83. With his passing, the inevitable question resurfaces: Should Major League Baseball induct Pete Rose into the Hall of Fame? 

Count me among those who answer in the affirmative. Baseball owes it to the fans and the spirit of the game to honor one of its greatest competitors. It’s time to put Pete Rose in Cooperstown.

Honoring Rose posthumously with something he long desired does not erase the stain on his legacy. That stain is still there and should not be forgotten by history. Yet, unlike so many people today, I don’t believe in the full-on cancellation of flawed people. If individuals have made a mark worth remembering, then let’s remember them, flaws and all. 

Make no mistake. Pete Rose left a mark on baseball.

Baseball Legacy

Known for his unmatched drive and on-field excellence, Rose’s 24-season career, which spanned from 1963 to 1986, left an indelible mark on the sport. His record of 4,256 career hits remains unbroken. But as history would have it, Rose’s off-field antics, particularly his gambling, overshadowed his many achievements, leading to his lifetime ban from the sport he loved.

To those of us fortunate enough to have watched Rose in action, either live or (in my case) on TV, his tenacity on the field was the stuff of legends. Nicknamed “Charlie Hustle” for his relentless style of play, Rose epitomized the all-American work ethic: grit, determination, and an unyielding passion for the game. 

Rose’s resume speaks for itself. A 17-time All-Star, a three-time World Series champion, and the 1973 National League MVP, Rose was a giant on the baseball diamond. Beyond his stats, though, it was his attitude that set him apart. His no-nonsense approach and blue-collar work ethic endeared him to fans across the nation, especially in Cincinnati, where he spent most of his career.

Gambling Scandal

Despite his legendary career, Rose’s gambling scandal looms large in any discussion about him. While managing the Cincinnati Reds, Rose was found to have bet on baseball games, including those involving his own team. In 1989, after a thorough investigation by Major League Baseball, Rose accepted a lifetime ban from the sport. For years, he denied the allegations, but in 2004, Rose finally admitted that he had indeed bet on baseball, though he maintained that he never bet against the Reds.

This lifelong ban has kept Rose out of the Hall of Fame. Critics argue that allowing him into Cooperstown would tarnish the integrity of the game. After all, gambling, especially by someone in Rose’s position as a manager, is one of the cardinal sins of baseball. But Rose’s defenders — and there are many — counter that his gambling, while serious, does not negate his on-field accomplishments.

The debate is similar to that which hangs over the legacies of, say, our nation’s founders — men like George Washington and Thomas Jefferson who made indispensable contributions to the founding of the United States yet were slave owners. Should their sins disqualify them from honor? Many believe so, but the truth is that when it comes to their overall effect on the nation as a whole, their positive contributions outweigh their sins. This is the same with Pete Rose and his legacy in baseball.

Making the Case

It’s time to honor Rose for the all-time great ball player that he was. The reasons are simple.

First, Rose has now served his lifetime ban. The ban was for life, and that penalty has now been paid in full. Death presents an opportunity for grace. 

Moreover, Rose’s on-field achievements stand alone. The Hall of Fame, after all, is a place where the greatest baseball players are enshrined, and no one can deny that Pete Rose is one of the greatest. His hit record still stands. His work ethic and passion for the game inspired countless players and fans. To keep him out of the Hall forever because of his mistakes off the field seems unjust when weighed against his monumental contributions to baseball.

What’s more, baseball has not shied away from controversial figures in the past. Ty Cobb, known for his volatile temper and racist behavior, has a plaque in Cooperstown. Many other players with checkered pasts are enshrined in the Hall because their contributions to the game outweighed their personal failings. 

In Rose’s case, those failings were significant. In addition to betting on games, including those involving his own team, Rose faced numerous other controversies. He admitted to extramarital affairs during his career and was embroiled in a statutory rape allegation, though no charges were filed. When it came to those failings, especially his gambling addiction, he was more defensive than contrite. 

Rose’s legacy is marred by his controversies and shortcomings. We shouldn’t shy away from acknowledging this. Nevertheless, Pete Rose belongs in the Hall of Fame — not because his actions were excusable but because his legacy on the field is too great to be ignored.

Now that Rose’s life on this Earth has come to an end, it’s time for his lifetime ban from baseball to do the same. Put Pete Rose in the Hall of Fame.

Brian Tubbs is a husband, father, pastor, blogger, and author. He and his wife live with permission in the home of a Jack Russell min-pin dog named “Rex.” You can follow Brian on X and Medium.