Last week in class we had an interesting conversation about ethics in sports. In this case we were talking about Major League Baseball and Pete Rose. Dr. Spencer asked the class whether Pete Rose should be allowed into the Baseball Hall of Fame or not. Most of the class raised their hand and I think I may have been the only person to keep my hand down in favor of keeping Pete Rose out of the Hall of Fame. When I was younger I agreed with most of the class. I always believed Pete Rose should be honored by being accepted into the Hall of Fame. Pete Rose's statistics and accomplishments certainly cannot be ignored. Usually when a player hits for over 3,000 hits in their professional career they're usually guaranteed a spot in the Hall of Fame. Pete Rose shattered the 3,000 hit mark and is baseball's all time hit leader with over 4,200 hits. Rose also is the all time leader in games played and at bats. Some other historic accomplishments Rose achieved throughout his career are three world series rings, three batting titles, one MVP award, two gold gloves, Rookie of The Year, and an impressive 17 all star game appearances at 5 different positions. So I do agree with most of the class, sure Pete Rose should be in the Hall of Fame. Those statistics and accomplishments are incredible and we may never see a player have success like Rose ever again. The issue with Rose is he embarrassed and disrespected the game of baseball. Rose gambled on baseball both as a player and manager for the Cincinnati Reds. Even though Rose denies betting against the Reds, he did bet on the Reds and we never will truly know if he bet against his own team which wouldn't surprise me. Rose denied these claims for 15 years. I believe Rose shouldn't be in the Hall of Fame because he gambled on baseball and denied it for years. A major issue with baseball today is steroids. Prominent MLB players such as Mark McGuire, Sammy Sosa, Rafael Palmero, Rogers Clemens, and Barry Bonds are surrounded by the black cloud of steroids. Steroids along with gambling on baseball can tarnish a sport and has definitely giving Americas greatest past-time a huge black eye. If some of the best players ever to play the game such as Barry Bonds and Rogers Clemens can't be elected into the Hall of Fame because questions over steroids then why should Pete Rose be elected into the Hall of Fame when he to disrespected the game of baseball. Pete Rose should be in the Hall because of his statitsics but what example do you show to baseball fans, players, and young kids when you lets cheaters and gamblers into the Hall of Fame of a sport that they disrecpeted and broke the rules of. This topic of debate is one that can go on all day long. The fact of the matter is it doesn't even matter until Pete Rose is even reinstated which may never happen. Even if Rose is reinstated his Hall of Fame eligibility is nearly up. It is sad to say but one of the all time greats will most likely never be accepted into the Hall of Fame.
Sports fact of the week: The 2009/10 NFL season kicks off this week on Thursday with the defending Super Bowl Champion Steelers taking on the Titans.
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I like the sports fact of the week that you include. You bring up a good point by saying that until Pete Rose is reinstated, it is really a moot point about his getting into the Hall of Fame. I have mixed feelings about whether he should be accepted as a player, but not as a manager. But it still bothers me a lot that he lied for so many years. I heard someone on ESPN talking about that this past week. I will be surprised if he is reinstated anytime soon.
ReplyDeleteI agree that Pette Rose's achievements cant be over looked but all in all he gambled the game. Of course when your legacy is at steak your going to try to protect it , which he is doing so by lying. So he shouldn't be in the Hall of Fame. Taking any performance enhancers should automatically exclude you from the game soon as you test positive. I don't know much about steroids but they create a health hazard in the long run, So why even take them the game isn't worth harming yourself over. The NLB need to test regularly to eliminate those who are taking steroids.
ReplyDeleteI also have mixed feelings about whether or not Pete Rose should be allowed in the hall of fame. I remember years ago Pete Rose was at a Target in Stongsville signing autogrpahs with his book.This was about 8 years ago so I was very young but it was still cool getting his autograph. All of his achievements shouldnt be overlooked and I think I agree with Dr.Spencer that he maybe should be accepted as a player but defenitely not as a mananger.
ReplyDeleteDr. Spencer,
ReplyDeleteI do agree with your opinion. He did not gamble as a player therefore he should be allowed in the Hall of Fame strictly as a player. I really have never given any thought to that but that's a good idea. I just would never allow him into the Hall of Fame as a coach as well because of the way he treated the game of baseball with his gambling and lying.