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| Frank Deford makes his case... |
Ichiro is undoubtably entitled to the Hall of Fame, if only for breaking the MLB season hit record. Ichiro is a class act.
The problem with Rose is whether or not he bet against his own team when he was managing. He claims he only bet on his team. Rose accepted a life time ban as part of his post investigation plea deal in 1989. I do not see MLB backing down on the ban if there remains a strong suspicion he bet against his own team.
All I can say is, during his days in Philadelphia, they called him, "Charlie Hustle".
ReplyDeleteMake of that what you will.
Rose was given that nickname by Mickey Mantle during spring training of Rose's rookie year. It was meant to mock him for stuff like running to 1B after a walk and generally playing like he wasn't hung over, but it morphed into praise at some point (early in his career, I think).
ReplyDeleteI agree with Deford. Pete Rose should enter the HoF with Ichiro--as his guest after Ichiro's induction ceremony.
You just got a hit! Maybe a double!
DeleteI think Pete Rose should be given HoF status while the juicing fuckers that plaque baseball now will get in there instead.
ReplyDeleteThat's the thing. If A-Roid and Clemens get in how are they going to keep Rose out.
ReplyDeleteAlso there are many players who bet on baseball in the Hall of Fame. Ty Cobb. Tris Speaker. Walter Johnson.
ReplyDeleteCobb and Speaker were thrown out of baseball because of a gambling scandal.
Let's see if we can find any difference b/w shit that went on before the Black Sox scandal and shit that happened after Rule 21 went into effect. A rule, BTW, that is posted in every clubhouse in MLB. It reads, in part:
ReplyDeleteAny player, umpire, or club or league official or employee, who shall bet any sum whatsoever upon any baseball game in connection with which the bettor has a duty to perform shall be declared permanently ineligible.
Clear enough?
In 1991 the Baseball Hall of Fame determined that no one permanently banned from baseball would be eligible for induction into the Hall.
Clear enough?
"Steroids are bad, too" has nothing to do with any of this.