By Tyler Kepner, David O’Brien and Jayson Stark
No one has ever played more games, has collected more blows or generated more passionate opinions than Pete Rose. The history of baseball cannot be told without him, and his memories and records are displayed throughout the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum of Cooperstown, NY
In the plaque gallery, however, there is still no room for Rose – and there can only be in the summer of 2028, the sooner could be inducted after Commissioner Rob Manfred judged Tuesday that a person’s place on the ineligible list expires to death. Rose, who died at the age of 83 on September 30, could be considered by the classical baseball era committee in December 2027, the next time he will meet to assess players who had their greatest impact before 1980.
Athletics Contacted a dozen of the renowned temple, covering several eras, to see what the immortals of baseball think of the new guy on the waiting list. This is what they told us. (Some quotes have been modified by brevity and clarity.)
Reggie Jackson, 1993 class
Voltiger, 1967-1987
There is no doubt: Pete Rose enters. There are already steroid users in the Hall of Fame. They should be placed in the temple of fame, and just like Pete, when Pete goes into the temple of fame, his ban is finished and if you want to tell his story, and you have a true story, then tell them and put them in the temple of fame.
Jim Palmer, 1990 class
Launcher, 1965-1984
If you were playing against him, if you were a fan, you know that he is one of the greatest players of all time. But the problem I had, we all knew what the rule was. And I said to him: “If you profess to love the game as much as you have professed it over the years, and the commissioner, who was Bart Giamatti, gives you a chance to be reintegrated and to apologize and admit that you have made a mistake, if you really like the game as much as your teacher, you bring back, hands and knees, no matter.” And I said, “Well, why didn’t you do that?” And he really had no answer.
I don’t think he will enter. Now maybe it will change over time. I think you get enough people in these committees if he’s going to enter, he’s going to shake right. It really depends on what the committee is. Perhaps the vote could be more liberal (with the youngest of the renowned temple), but if the bench is on this committee – once again, this is what is so great in the committee. You have enough people who really know the game and know the story of the game where it will just shake. I listened to what others say and I would think about my mind. I know how much he is a player. Now, I will say this: whenever I make my broadcast and our opening is sponsored by Draft Kings, I am going: “And Pete is not in the temple of fame”.
If he enters the fame of fame, they voted, you become a member – I mean, obviously he died – but again, do you think it would be a shame if Pete Rose was in the Hall of Fame? I don’t think. He was a fabulous player.
Mike Schmidt, 1995 class
Third basic player, 1972-1989
Rose’s teammate with the Phillies (1979-1983)
I think the question of Pete Rose will always be divided, 50-50. Even with regard to the temple of fame, I think that if you were asking the question to the whole temple of living fame at the moment, I think it would be almost 50-50. This is my assumption.
I see both sides. I see that he was wasted so many opportunities to change his life and go ahead and do what the Commissioner (Bud) Selig asked him to do (at a 2002 meeting then arranged by Schmidt and the late Joe Morgan).
There was no remorse there. He has not shown no atonement for his admission to betting on baseball. But at the same time, Pete Rose is one of the greatest players in the history of baseball, without a doubt. Statistically and for what he has done in his career, he would be a temple of unanimous fame.
Jim Leyland, class of 2024
Manager, 1986-1999, 2006-2013
If someone asked me today, would you vote for Pete Rose to go to the fame of fame, I really don’t know the answer. I should think for a long time and hard about it. You know is something that everyone knows, that the game, Pete Rose is a temple of fame.
Jim Kaat, 2002 class
Pitcher: 1959-1983
Rose’s teammate with Les Phillies (1979), Reds launcher coach (1984-1985)
I talked to him a lot and he didn’t want it. He was cited as saying this. I think where baseball missed the boat was years ago, they should have (should have) brought it to the office and said: “Listen, we want you to go into the spring training camps and advise children to the dangers of the game, then while you are there, spend a few days and teach them a little baseball.” For Pete, it was nothing in the fame, it was not involved in the game that was the most painful thing for him. He had such a high baseball IQ. I look at some of the things that happen today and the way the game is played – I mean, he had a control over fundamentals.
Jim Kaat gives Pete Rose, who was the Reds player / manager at the time, in a match in 1984. (George Gojkovich / Getty Images)
I suppose that when it comes back, when it is on the ballot in 2027, if I was part of this committee, the first question would be: “Do we just look at Pete for what he did on the baseball field?” And if that’s the case, it’s obvious. (But) You can only vote for three, when do you do about Tommy John and Dale Murphy and guys like this who have never been (accused) something like that out of the field. Then this will harm their cases.
Kaat interviewed Rose for ESPN during the spring formation in 1989 when the Paris scandal emerged.
Before leaving live, I said, “I want to ask you a question. Have you ever bet on baseball?” He said, “You know we went to the horse track”, and I knew he was betting on football every Sunday afternoon. But he said, “I never bet on baseball.” I said, “Well, I want to ask you because if you did it – and I knew he had problems with the bookmakers – I said that if you had just admitted:” Hey, I had a problem “, Baseball loves you, they wanted to forgive you. But he would not admit it – and then he admitted respect for his teammate (memorabilia) who told him. So he started off.
But the thing with Pete with the temple of fame, I mentioned in Jane Clark the year I was inducted and talked about the chances with Pete, my position was always there should be something there to recognize the achievements of Pete and why he was not inducted. And she said there were 31 examples of what Pete did during his career (at the museum). He was not ignored. It is therefore not as if people could go through the temple of fame and say that there is nothing in Pete Rose. He is therefore recognized. But he never had the opportunity to obtain an official induction.
John Smoltz, 2015 class
PITCHER, 1988-2009
I would (vote for Rose). If I were on the committee, I think it would be (the result), because there is no more suspension now. Look, there are people in the renowned temple that had crimes. What started in the Hall of Fame in its purest form moved away from the code of conduct, the character clause. If it was still the case, Dale Murphy would be five times more. So, yes, my answer would be yes.
Billy Wagner, class of 2025
PITCHER, 1995-2010
I did not play against Pete, so I think that listening to older guys, I think it is a decision for their time rather than mine. I think my time should have a voice in the Peds. For my time, Pete Rose was the guy you could light the television and see him have a blow.
Am I glad that Pete Rose has his chance and Shoeless Joe Jackson? Yes.
Bill Mazeroski, 2001 class
Second basic player, 1956-1972
Bill Mazeroski tries to label Pete Rose in a match between the pirates and the Reds in 1972. (Bob Donaldson / Associated Press)
(When asked if Rose should be in the fame, he replied, laughing.) Not immediately. I would make him wait a little longer.
Pat Gillick, 2011 class
Executive, 1978-2015
Based on performance, it’s obvious, right? I mean that it is absolutely obvious, the guy should be in the temple of fame. But then again, the guy, maybe he served his debt to society by going to prison for a while. But again, you have to consider, I think there is more than the thing on the ground. The character means a lot and I should question this. It will be a difficult subject.
Andre Dawson, 2010 class
Voltiger, 1976-1996
The Rose teammate with the exhibitions (1984)
I think it’s been expected for a long time. My thing is that now it was always personal for me because your representation of the renowned temple is your achievements on the ground. It is a museum of history and artefacts. And I realize that there is a certain protocol. But baseball, and sports in general, the game writes everywhere. And this has been expected for a long time.
As a personal Imi, I am happy for him. I hope he can enter. The sooner the better. It was a shame that he did not have the opportunity while he lived. I was actually with him the day before his death. We were in Nashville and the large red machine was there. And he was supposed to stay the next day to make a private signature, but he didn’t feel well. And he returned home that evening for Vegas. And unfortunately, it is the next day (that he died).
Tony La Russa, 2014 class
Manager, 1979-2011, 2021-2022
In the case of Pete, the statistics are undeniable. But by being in Chicago with (Tom) Seaver, and once arrived in Saint-Louis, with Stan (Musial) and Red (Schoeniest), Gibby (Bob Gibson) and (Lou) Brock, the emblematic and legendary Hall of Famers until it is not put in the temple of renown. Speaking for them, I can simply transmit their opinion, I know how upset they were to the point where they were very ruthless.
There was always a big sign on the clubhouse board on the game, and an official had to read the team’s game problem before the start of the season. It was a bit difficult to miss him.
Tony Pérez, class of 2000
Fielder, 1964-1986
The Rose teammate with the Reds and Phillies (1964-1976, 1983-1986)
I always say what he did on the ground, which is why he should be in the fame of fame. But this is excellent news. I am happy that they give him the opportunity. They can vote for him and see if he can enter the renowned temple because he should be there.
He paid the price for a long time, long and I know he was injured. Maybe he didn’t look like that, but I know he was injured. Because he loved the game so much and he wanted to be with the fans and he wanted to be at the stadium. But he made a mistake and he paid for this.
He can always play with me. When I see him again, I would like to play with him.
(Top Photo of Rose and Far the enthronement of the Rose Reds renown temple in 2016: Jamie Sabau / Getty Images)
