I was just a kid when Pete Rose was in his prime. I remember how Pete looked standing in the batter's box, confident that he would be on base soon. He WAS arrogant, but only because he knew he could back it up. Pete played the game as hard as anyone ever has, or ever will.

Pete Rose should be in the Hall of Fame.

I do not care that he bet on baseball. I would not feel different even if I knew for a fact that he bet against his own team. I would be disappointed, but I would still vote him in the Hall. Pete's morals and ethics are of no concern to me personally. The Hall of Fame should be about on the field performance, not morals and ethics.

I suppose we will have to wait and see if Barry Bonds or Mark McGwire will be voted into the Hall. If they are, what is the difference? A wrong is a wrong isn't it? Take Babe Ruth for example, his morals were questionable. He was a womanizer, a drunk, and if ESPN were around in his day, GOD only knows what else we would have found out about the man.

IF I were Pete Rose I would not worry about getting in the Hall. He is more famous by being out. His name always comes up when the Hall of Fame is mentioned. The Hall of Fame portrays itself as "Holier than thou" by keeping him out. Pete is only human like everyone else. He made a mistake, but not forgiving him for his mistake is unrealistic. Even GOD forgives.

Learn more about this author, Keith Smitherman.
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