Pete Rose is finally stepping to the plate in hopes of getting the biggest hit of his life: reinstatement.
Newsday is reporting that Rose has indicated to commissioner Bud Selig that he is willing to admit he bet on baseball and apologize for denying it for the past 13 years.
Rose was banned for life from Major League Baseball in 1989 for gambling.
Rose has reiterated that he never bet on baseball while seeking to get the ban lifted so he would be eligible for the Hall of Fame.
I say, let the numbers speak for themselves.
The all-time hit king deserves to be enshrined in Cooperstown. Rose retired from baseball in 1986 with a total of 4,246 hits. He broke Ty Cobbs all-time hit record on Sept. 11,1985.
I feel that as long as he did not bet against his team, no foul was committed. People across America bet on sporting events every day.
However, I do think Rose should admit to the public that he did bet on games. I think that it shows some character, and that is what is important. Admitting when you are wrong is one of the hardest things to do.
It isn’t like Rose will ever manage again; all he wants is to take his rightful place among the all-time greatest. Maybe they should let him back in under the condition that it is for ceremonial purposes only. Rose just wants to be part of the Hall.
Reinstatement comes with a probationary period that could have Rose eligable for Hall of Fame consideration next year.
Rose was wrong to deny his gambling habits, but I do think that he is sincere. The people want him reinstated; that was evident at the standing ovation he received during the All-Star game last year.
The Hall of Fame is full of players who, at one time or another, did things that compromised the integrity of the game. Rose has paid the price for his actions and his willingness to admit his wrongdoing shows that he has put the past behind him.
What a player has done off the field should not take anything away from what they have done on it.