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Todd (nolemmings)since I could go on about this for days. Pete Rose should be banned for life. There is one golden rule in baseball, it's posted for all to see and has been for decades--thou shall not bet on baseball. The rule is there for a reason, since its violation damages the integrity of the game itself. Whereas baseball is apparently willing to overlook the other sins and bad acts of its participants, it does not and should not tolerate those who strike at its very core.
So let's look at this pinhead. He bets on baseball at a voracious rate, including games involving his own team. He denies it for some umpteen years now, and claims those investigating him are only out to further their own agendas. He never admits anything, much less express contrition. Now, he apparently is willing to admit he bet on baseball, even maybe (although I have not heard this confirmed) that he is sorry. However, he is willing to go this far only in exchange for some assurance that he can get into the Hall. What a joke.
Read the Dowd report, if only to see the amount of time Rose spent wagering. To suggest his managerial abilities and loyalties weren't compromised is to look at life through rose-colored glasses (sorry). In addition ot the injury points raised by others, do you wonder if the closer was ever held back to tommorrow's, wagered game? If the AAA kid was called up so that another starter could get an extra day's rest for tomorrow's, wagered game? If the rotation was juggled to give Petey a distinct advantage in one game (and perhaps only one) of a four game series? Now, to suggest that this is all speculation that must be proved is to ignore why the anti-betting rule is there in the first place.
Finally, look at and consider the opinions of those already in the Hall. Many if not most prefer that Pete not be admitted as a result of his gambling on baseball. Isn't that significant?
I am fairly certain that Bud Selig will do the wrong thing and let Rose back into baseball. Selig has proven time and again to be the most miserable commisssioner in baseball history, but that's a topic for another thread.
Be well..................Todd