Fansided

Hall of Famer says Pete Rose deserves to be in Cooperstown

By FanSided Staff

Apr 14, 2014; Cincinnati, OH, USA; A Cincinnati Reds fan holds up a sign for Pete Rose (not pictured) birthday during the second inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Great American Ball Park. Mandatory Credit: Frank Victores-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 14, 2014; Cincinnati, OH, USA; A Cincinnati Reds fan holds up a sign for Pete Rose (not pictured) birthday during the second inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Great American Ball Park. Mandatory Credit: Frank Victores-USA TODAY Sports /
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During a conversation with Indystar, a current Hall of Famer says that his former teammate, Pete Rose should be allowed in the Hall of Fame.

One of the biggest questions out there since Rob Manfred took over for Bud Selig as the commissioner of the MLB has been whether or not Pete Rose should be allowed in the MLB Hall of Fame. He was once banned for life by Selig after betting on baseball. A punishment that is considered harsh by some and fair by others. The issue has resurfaced the past couple months because of Manfred not dismissing the idea that he could reinstate Rose into baseball eventually.

One of Rose’s former teammates and current member of the Hall of Fame, Tony Perez thinks that there is no reason why Rose shouldn’t be in the Hall of Fame. When asked whether or not he thinks Rose should be in the Hall of Fame he had an interesting response.

"“He hasn’t talked to me about that. He doesn’t talk much about it.” started Perez when speaking about his friend getting inducted into the Hall of Fame. “If you ask me, Pete belongs in the Hall of Fame. He should be back in baseball. I always say that. Pete was great for baseball when he played. He made a mistake, but he’s paid already for it. He should be back.”"

Perez is one of many strong supporters for Pete Rose and his campaign to be reinstated in Major League Baseball. With Rob Manfred at the helm of the MLB, there is no reason to think it won’t happen soon. Although former commissioner, Bud Selig doesn’t seem to think so.

When asked about Manfred revisiting the issue, he had a passionate response in an interview back in April.

"“I still have the same strong feelings,” said Selig in a conversation with ABC News. “That gambling rule has been on the books for forever, and the job of a commissioner is to always, under all circumstances, protect the integrity of the sport.”"

It’s no easy choice. Manfred has quite the ethical conundrum ahead of him if he plans on revisting the Pete Rose issue. On one hand, he has the right to interpret the rules and make decisions based off of them. On the other, the former commissioner’s interpretation of the rules is pretty biased against Rose.

Even if Manfred does reinstate Rose into baseball, the question still remains whether or not Rose will be inducted. It’s by no means a done deal, and plenty of people out there think that Rose doesn’t belong in the Hall of Fame. However, one of his teammates think Rose served enough of a sentence to be forgiven and that the Hall of Fame should welcome him with open arms as soon as possible.

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