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Lately, there has been much talk and speculation concerning Bud Selig contemplating Pete Rose and his current Hall of Fame status. Should Selig put Rose up for reinstatement for the baseball Hall of Fame? Although there may be backlash for an unpopular decision, it is a simple answer; Pete Rose should be in the MLB Hall of Fame!

Players should be judged by their performance on the field. Rose’s play during his 24 years in the Majors places him among the all time greats. Rose is the all time leader in career hits (4,256) and games played (3,562). He is an 18 time All Star and a former league MVP. Rose also has 3 World Series titles. Lastly he has a lifetime batting average of .307 .

Most of us are aware of his statistical prowess. What made him legendary was how he played the game. I have vivid memories of Pete Rose sacrificing his body and sliiding into either second or homeplate like a mad man (earning him the title “Charlie Hustle). He played the game with as much passion as anybody who has put on a jersey. When I played little league, I wanted to be like Pete Rose. After he was caught gambling, I still wanted to play like Rose. I was a youngster and didn’t know much or care about how he played the game. I just knew he had over 4000 hits and was the standard for Major League Hitters.

There has been a long drawn out discussion on what numbers and stats mean because of the “Steroid Era.” Unless you are going to deny or eliminate every “needle bending” and “cream rubbing” player of this generation then you must consider Pete Rose’s reinstatement.

Rose’s journey back to the Hall doesn’t end with Selig’s decision. He must then gain the necessary votes from the Hall of Fame committee, which won’t be easy. There is a definite line that is drawn in the sand on this issue. Certain people have chosen a decision and will never veer from it.

Lastly, Charlie Hustle played the game as a man’s man with the highest intensity possible. The game of baseball has benefited from his career in the Bigs and thats enough for me! Stop the personal vendettas already and put him in the Hall of Fame.

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