In the wake of the sad passing of Major League Baseball legend Pete Rose, a renewed conversation about his legacy and exclusion from the Hall of Fame has sparked among fans and former players.
Rose, baseball’s all-time hits leader, passed away on September 30, at the age of 83.
While many honor his contributions to the game, the issue of his Hall of Fame ineligibility continues to dominate discussions.
Rose was permanently banned from baseball in 1989 following accusations that he bet on games while playing for and managing the Cincinnati Reds.
This ban has kept him off the Hall of Fame ballot for over three decades.
However, Bret Boone, a three-time All-Star and son of Bob Boone, who played alongside Rose on the Philadelphia Phillies, believes it’s time to reconsider Rose’s candidacy.
Speaking on the Bret Boone Podcast, Boone expressed that while opinions may vary, Rose should at least have the opportunity to be considered for the Hall of Fame by his peers.
“Let (Rose) have a vote. It doesn’t matter what I think or any individual thinks that played the game. But the collective, what does the collective think? What does the veterans committee think, because that’s part of the collective of his peers. I think that’s the fair way to go about it going forward,” Boone stated.
“I don’t have an answer for you (about whether Rose should be in the MLB Hall of Fame or not) because on one hand the memories, the relationship I had with him, the respect I had for him between the lines.
On the other hand, that’s kind of the one thing, so I don’t know … I think it’s going to happen eventually.”
Boone also revealed the personal connection he shared with Rose, describing him as his favorite player growing up and someone he respected greatly.
As a child, Boone spent time in the dugout with Rose, forging a unique bond.
Boone now advocates for Rose to be removed from the ineligible list so that his legacy can be properly debated and voted on by those within the baseball community.
Though Boone stopped short of definitively stating whether Rose belongs in Cooperstown, he acknowledged the complexity of Rose’s case.
Others have been much more outspoken about Rose’s deserved spot in Cooperstown…
Despite Rose’s passing, the debate around his Hall of Fame candidacy is far from settled.
His ban from the game was rooted in a strict adherence to baseball’s rules regarding gambling, a line that many in the sport believe should not be crossed.
Yet, as time passes, some argue that Rose’s legacy should be reassessed, particularly given his unmatched contributions on the field.
The exclusion of Rose from the Hall of Fame, along with other controversial figures like Rogers Clemens, Alex Rodriguez, and Barry Bonds reflects what many see as baseball’s overly rigid stance on the legacy of its players.
Critics have pointed out that some Hall of Fame voters have taken extreme stances in the past – one voter reportedly refused to vote for Greg Maddux simply because he played during the steroid era, despite no evidence of Maddux’s involvement in performance-enhancing drugs.
As the sport grapples with its past, many wonder whether Rose, along with others who have been denied entry due to scandals, will eventually be enshrined in Cooperstown.
Boone seems to think so, noting that Rose’s Hall of Fame induction may not happen in the near future, but it feels “inevitable.”
What are your thoughts on the situation? … Does Rose belong in the Hall of Fame???