Let me get this straight; some rules are ok to break but not others? What message do we send kids when we make it okay to pick which laws we obey? Rose was in baseball too many years to not know the consequences of his actions, no matter how trivial they seem in hindsight. He knew the rules and broke them willingly. Sending kids the message that actions don't have consequences is what got us where we are right now. I know I'll hear about this so bring it on.
I think there is a serious difference betweening banning him from participation in the game (at any level) and banning him from induction into the hall of fame. The consequences of his actions was that he could not ever participate in baseball again. So no consulting, no caoching, no managing, no influence at all in any way. That is IMO a fair punishment for his actions. Banning him from any possibility of being inducted into the hall of fame is a double standard and is not a fair consequence for his actions. The hall of fame is an award for great baseball players, he was that and deserves the recognition. Morally he had far higher standards than many of the inductees, but their moral character was not taken into account, only thier baseball carreer. Pete Rose should be given the same consideration when it comes to the hall of fame. I agree he was wrong, and I agree he should be held accountable for his actions, I do not agree that it should have any bearing at all on his ability to enter the hall of fame.
Lets also remember that he was banned from even entering a ball park. He had to get special permission from the commissioner of baseball to go to the final game in riverfront stadium. That is the only time he has been in a ball park since his crime was tried. Isn't that enough? I also firmly believe that the fans should be allowed to vote, baseball is entertainment and the fans opinions should be paramount in who gets recognized for awards. Gambling just happens to be baseballs hot button, and that is the button Pete pushed. If it had been drugs, alchohol, rape, physical abuse, or any number of other crimes mentioned or not mentioned he would be in the Hall of fame today. Because no one except Pete has ever been banned from hall of fame nomination based on their character outside of the ball park. He was unfairly singled out in this regard.
Dave