I’d like to cast a vote for Pete Rose for the Major League Baseball Hall of Fame. Unofficially, obviously.
Probably no issue has dominated the professional baseball scene for the last decade more than the matter of whether “Charlie Hustle,” as Rose has been popularly called, belongs on the Hall of Fame.
I think he does.
First, a little history. A total of 295 former players, managers, executives, umpires, and journalists have been enshrined in Cooperstown since the Hall was established more than 70 years ago. Members are elected by journalists who are members of the Baseball Writers Association of America (BBWAA). Election is based on 75% of the BBWAA members voting in any given year.
BBWAA election rules state that, “Voting shall be based upon the player’s record, playing ability, integrity, sportsmanship, character, and contributions to the team(s) on which the player played.” Beyond t hat, the rules for election are silent. There is no guidance as to the weight to be given to any of these six criteria. What’s more important, a lifetime batting average or a likable personality? The number of no-hitters or gentlemanly manners? With all due respect to the veteran writers who vote, recognition of baseball’s greatest honor is solely dependent on the subjective perceptions of the game’s greatest performers by journalists who write about them.
Almost all of the time, this system works. From Henry Aaron to Robin Yount, all deserving players have made it. But therein lies the problem. Sometimes performances between the lines have been ignored and integrity overlooked (think Ron Santo). Babe Ruth was a true superstar and perhaps the most influential player the game has known, but he had some serious character issues. And many players who participated in the ugly persecution and abuse of Jackie Robinson as he sought to break the color barrier are in the Hall.
Then we have Ty Cobb. A true superstar on the field, he was far less than that off it. His behavior to opposing players, fans, and umpires was often so bad he would have spent much of his life in jail if he wasn’t a baseball star. He was probably elected to the Hall simply on the basis of his record and playing ability. He was probably the greatest player of the first 20 years of the 20th century, but definitely not the most respected or popular.
In short, no one agrees on a precise, understandable set of criteria for election to baseball’s most important recognition of its heroes.
Former Commissioner Bart Giamatti banned Rose from Baseball after it was revealed he bet on games, including allegedly betting on his own team. He was reinstated several years ago, and the debate on his fitness for the Hall has raged ever since.
On the field, Rose was a consummate example of the enthusiastic professional. He always hustled, always gave his best to his team, and delighted fans with his hustle and production. A genius with a bat, he holds the all-time major league hits record, which may not be broken for a long time. He made his teammates better by his example and leadership. He played on several championship-level teams. In short, he did all of the things many other Hall of Famers have done.
So, I say if Ty Cobb is in the Hall, Pete Rose belongs in it. As long as there are so few guidelines for election, Rose has qualified, despite his flaws. No evidence has been uncovered that his betting illegally or unduly influenced the outcome of games or damaged the fundamental integrity of the game.
He has admitted his mistakes, been punished, and has been reinstated. This last development entitles him to at least be considered for election by the writers.
I wonder if “Gentleman” Christy Mathewson, widely considered to be the most respected, and admired player in the game, would agree with that.
