[AnotherUnixGeek]

The lack of integrity and character of others in the Hall of Fame is not a lack of integrity and character related to a violation of Rule 21d. Rose knew the penalty for a violation of that Rule.

Rule 21d declares Rose to be permanently ineligible to manage or play again. Fine - but that should have no bearing on his inclusion in the HoF. I've always disliked Rose as a person, but his contribution to baseball as a player in the '70s and '80s is monumental - it simply makes no sense to honor exceptional players and leave out the guy who holds the record for most hits over a career.

[Scoutmaster]

The Hall of Fame rules only permits those who are considered eligible by Major League Baseball to be eligible for inclusion in the Hall of Fame. It’s always been that way.

Had you asked Pete Rose in 1972 why Shoeless Joe Jackson wasn’t in the Hall of Fame, he could have told you succinctly. Shoeless Joe Jackson still isn’t in the hall of fame.

Pete Rose’s accomplishments are in the Hall of Fame.

Rose was involved in one the best plays I ever saw live. Rose always ran to first base on a walk (it was a sprint in his early days and slowed later, but he always ran). One game, he noticed that the catcher was lobbing the ball back to the pitcher and the second baseman and short stop weren’t particularly wary.

Rose walked, sprinted to first, turned the bag, and headed straight to second as the ball was lobbed back to the pitcher.

He beat the pitcher’s throw to second with a head-first slide.

Second base on a walk.

That was the Pete Rose I remember.

But he doesn’t belong in the Hall of Fame.