Pete Rose Banned From Baseball Hall of Fame 23 Years Ago

Pete Rose bet on baseball. Pete Rose was banned from baseball. Twenty three years ago today the Baseball Hall of Fame voted to ban Rose from future induction, two years after being banned from baseball.Early on, 'Charlie Hustle' denied the allegations that he gambled on baseball. It wasn't until 2004 that he finally admitted his guilt.

Baseball fans and experts have debated the issued for years - should Pete Rose, one of the greatest baseball players of all-time be allowed into the Hall of Fame?

I am no expert, and only a slight baseball fan. I used to be a huge Cincinnati Reds fan, watching Pete Rose slide head first into bases like a mad man. He wasn't like anyone else at the time. He made watching baseball fun. He made kids like me want to play baseball.

Like everyone else, I am disappointed by what the all-time hits leader did. He bet on baseball. He broke the rules. But so have countless other ball players, particularly in the area of performance enhancing drugs. But are these players like Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens facing a ban from the Hall? No!  While the hall of fame voters may ultimately never vote known PED users into Cooperstown, these players are facing not official ban.

Are you telling me that what Peter Rose did is worse than these players?

Sure, he gambled, but he didn't cheat. Let Pete in! He's served his time. He's paid for his misdeeds. It's time to forgive - and forget.

What do you think? Should Pete Rose be allowed into the Hall of Fame?