Should Pete Rose be reinstated?

[Bloodline666]

Why do steroid users get second chances, but not Petey?

Isn't steroid use worse than gambling?

Actually, steroid use IS worse than gambling. With steroid use, there is no question that cheating is involved. Gambling, on the other hand, is subjective. I mean, sure, if Pete Rose bet AGAINST his own team, it would be easy for him to jeopardize the integrity of the sport by throwing games and/or playoff series. But he admitted to betting IN FAVOR of his team, so I don't see how he could cheat in the games he's betting on. And besides, this was before the homers started skyrocketting at an alarming pace. Not to mention, pulling a slot machine, placing down chips in a game of Poker, buying a lottery ticket have nothing to do with sports, period.

Oh there's no doubt that he should be in the Hall of Fame. After all, if I remember correctly, they elect you into the Hall for what you do ON the field, not off.

You are exactly right. And it is for this reason alone that I even brought up this poll to begin with.

of course Shoeles Joe Jackson isn't in the Hall of Fame either. there is the argument that gambling compromises the very credibility of the game and baseball simply wants to erase all evidence of gamblers because it is such a shame.

Ahh...the infamous Black Sox scandal that is the 1919 World Series...He has the stats to make the Hall of Fame. But alas, a lifetime ban for his role in throwing the 1919 World Series. He denied his involvement up until his death, when he spoke the following:

I'm about to face the greatest umpire of all, and He knows I am innocent.

But wait...he was banned for life, wasn't he? That means he's banned from baseball for the rest of his life, doesn't it? He's dead, isn't he? That means...his ban from baseball is OVER!

And besides, the Baseball Hall of Fame's new rule in 1991 that no one banned for life would be inducted was made retroactive. Pete Rose, Shoeless Joe Jackson, etc. were banned for life BEFORE that new rule was established