posted 12-29-2002 06:31 PM         

Should the actions of an athlete away from the playing field shadow his/her accomplishments on the field? For Pete Rose, the most prolific hitter in all of baseball history, the question remains. Players in the Hall of Fame all have their own unique achievements that got them inducted into the Hall. As a baseball player, Pete Rose accumulated an all-time best 4,256 hits during his career, which no one has been able to match in baseball history. Also, he is the rightful owner of several other unmatched feats. To those unfamiliar with Pete Rose, he is still not a member of the Baseball Hall of Fame since retiring from baseball in 1986. However, this story dictates more than just a player's quest to enter the baseball shrine. Rose began to stir much of the baseball world's attention to himself through his actions off the field. After his years as a player for the Cincinnati Reds, Rose began his career as the Reds' manager. During his managing years, Rose was known for being a gambler and a questionable parent. After much investigation by baseball officials, Rose was found to have been illegally gambling on different sports, including his own team and baseball. As a result, baseball officials placed a lifetime banishment on Pete Rose, which, in effect voided his eligibility for the Hall of Fame.

Pete Rose's accomplishments in the game have gone unmatched by many of the other players in the Hall of Fame. Statistically, Pete Rose has amassed Hall of Fame numbers. After 24 seasons in Major League Baseball, Rose holds the most career hits, games played, and ten other achievements. Using Pete Rose as an example, baseball attempted to show the public what a Hall-of-Famer shouldn't be. Baseball exposed Pete Rose's faults to those that believed in him and to the public, in general.

Some of the greatest players in the Hall of Fame do not have the cleanest reputations either. In a similar situation Bowie Kuhn, a past commissioner of baseball, suspended Hall of Fame legends Mickey Mantle and Willie Mays for their connections to certain public figures in casinos, which were later overthrown after six years. If ethics is preventing Pete Rose from being admitted into the Hall of Fame, then what happens to those players with criminal records, drug scandals, or illegitimate children with different women? Ty Cobb, the player Pete Rose was chasing to become the all-time hits leader, killed a man and admitted to it. Of all players in history to have troubled times, Babe Ruth, arguably one of the greatest players to play the game, if not the greatest, had a reputation for being somewhat flirtatious towards women and an alcoholic. Certainly, there are a number of past and present players with controversial pasts, but their fate in the Hall of Fame has been or will be secured due to their contributions to the game.

While Rose?s dedication and hunger to succeed in the game of baseball were unquestionable, his actions outside the playing fields are still a mystery. Ten years ago, Pete Rose was banned from baseball on the grounds that the best hitter in baseball placed bets on the game of baseball itself. This ban resulted in Rose losing his opportunity to be inducted into the Hall of Fame, which has fueled the debate over Rose's ineligibility. If the Hall of Fame is a display of above average showmanship and merit, just how much of each is weighed into the decision making process? There is no doubt that Pete Rose left his mark on baseball with numerous accomplishments, but his gambling activities also left its own mark on the game, fueling one of the greatest sports controversies. Achievements are recognized for the effort and commitment placed into them, but morality also holds an equal share in the hearts of those attempting to recognize such achievements. Pete Rose will always be a baseball icon, but definitely not an icon to live by.

posted 12-29-2002 07:36 PM         

Rkstr

posted 12-29-2002 08:56 PM         

quote:

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Originally posted by Gary C:
,.......morality also holds an equal share in the hearts of those attempting to recognize such achievements. Pete Rose will always be a baseball icon, but definitely not an icon to live by.

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Geeezz Gary! You're literary skills are impressive!

posted 12-30-2002 07:09 AM         

Rickster - The Cardinals got private $$ to build a new stadium??? Sure,,,,you send Az the loser Cardinals organization that steals one (1) billion $$ from the taxpayers to build a new stadium for them,,,,and they still will be losers!!! You are off my Christmas card list!

posted 12-30-2002 07:52 PM         

If Pete Rose was a child molester, murderer, or thief I would say let him in the baseball's hall of fame. These have nothing to do with baseball. If he were a camp counselor or teacher I wouldn't let him have a hall of fame designation for a teacher if he were a child molester. This has to do with his job. Not on the job, but job related.

If you were an addicted gambler and bet on games that you played in, I don't see how any of you can't figure how to make more money by adjusting the outcome. I can tell you how, but anyone should be able to figure out how to do it.