“Did you know the career record for most hits is 4,256 by Pete Rose, who is not in the Hall of Fame?”

     As silly as this rhetorical question from “Jerry Maguire” (1996) might come across during a rather insignificant scene showcasing friendly banter between Tom Cruise’s “Jerry” and Jonathan Lipnicki’s “Ray Boyd,” it perfectly encapsulates the absurdity and outrageousness surrounding the context of Major League Baseball’s (MLB) all-time career hit leader. Today, Rose remains excluded from being officially recognized as “Baseball Immortality”— a decision that continues to spark debate and raise questions surrounding one of baseball’s most prestigious institutions: the Hall of Fame.

     Born on April 14, 1941, Pete Rose began playing baseball at age eight, became a switch-hitter shortly thereafter, and signed with the National League’s (NL) Cincinnati Reds at age 18. Nicknamed “Charlie Hustle” for his ferocious style and grit on the field, Rose appealed to virtually all fans of the sport, particularly the working class, because of his unrelenting work ethic and passion for the game. Rose solidified himself as a face of the sport throughout the ‘60s, ’70s and ‘80s, making him one of the most recognizable and animated athletes in the nation.

     Over his illustrious 24-season career stretching from 1963 to 1986, Rose solidified himself as one of the greatest players to ever grace a Major League diamond. He was a two-time Gold Glove winner, a World Series Most Valuable Player (MVP), and a three-time batting champion, meaning he led the league in Batting Averages.

     Additionally, he was an All-Star 18 times, and the recipient of several other accolades, including the NL Rookie of the Year award in 1963 and the NL MVP in 1973.

     Rose’s impact extended beyond individual accolades. As a key member of the legendary “Big Red Machine,” he helped lead the Cincinnati Reds to multiple division titles and World Series championships in 1975 and 1976. His aggressive base-running style and versatility— playing second base, left field, right field, third base and first base— made him a force to be reckoned with on the field.

      Yet Pete Rose’s extraordinary legacy has been heavily tainted by controversy. In 1989, Major League Baseball banned him for life due to allegations of gambling, including betting on baseball games, even when he was managing his own Cincinnati Reds. Interestingly, the 1989 agreement between then Commissioner A. Bartlett Giamatti and Rose was that, in return for a lifetime ban from baseball, Rose would not make a formal determination on whether or not he had bet on the game. Despite initially denying all gambling allegations, Rose ultimately admitted that the allegations were true in his 2004 book, “My Prison Without Bars.” This banishment extended to Hall of Fame eligibility, preventing Rose from being considered for induction. Despite multiple requests, Rose has reapplied under multiple other commissioners to no avail.

      “For me, the thrill wasn’t about the odds. I got involved because I was rooting for my teams — no, believing in my teams. I bet the Reds to win every time. I bet the Phillies to win even though they were huge underdogs and on a losing streak,” Rose wrote in 2004.  “It wasn’t the smart way to bet. But it was my gut feeling … and I always bet with my guy. I never — ever — bet against my teams. If I had, I’d be doubting everything I believed in. And, hell, to my way of thinking, we were going to win every night. You can’t be a competitor and think otherwise.”

       The question of Pete Rose’s Hall of Fame status is not simply about the incredible numbers that Rose produced throughoutntal principles of forgiveness, redemption and the celebration of baseball history. Despite his off-field transgressions, Rose’s on-field achievements speak volumes. His record-breaking 4,256 hits remain unmatched, a testament to his skill, endurance and dedication to the sport. It’s time to reassess Pete Rose’s legacy. The Hall of Fame should reflect the entirety of baseball’s story, acknowledging both triumphs and controversies. Excluding Rose denies baseball fans the opportunity to honor one of the game’s greatest players and to appreciate his impact on the sport.

    Additionally, with the legalization of sports betting in 33 states after the 2018 SCOTUS decision, sports gambling has boomed across the US, with virtually all professional sports in the US endorsing it in one form or another– ethical or not. However, MLB has openly promoted sports betting, including partnering with DraftKings in the summer of 2021.

     Simply put, Pete Rose deserves a place in the Hall of Fame. His exclusion not only overlooks his exceptional talent but also diminishes the integrity of baseball’s highest honor. Unlike some of the other greats who are excluded from the Hall of Fame for using performance-enhancing drugs, Rose never did anything on the field that improved the exceptional player he already was. To put it differently, you cannot tell the story of baseball without Pete Rose– and every day that he is left out of Cooperstown will continue to do a grave disservice to the game.