The Battery That Powered The Big Red Machine

Pete Rose died today at the age of 83.

He retired and ultimately dies as Major League Baseball’s all-time hits leader with 4,256 hits during his 24-year career.  Because he bet on baseball during his time as the manager of the Cincinnati Reds, he was denied entry into the Baseball Hall of Fame.  He was effectively slapped with a lifetime ban from the Baseball Hall of Fame.

I was able to catch the tail-end of his playing days, as well as his days as the manager of the Reds.  I saw the numbers.  I know what he did on the field as a player.  I guess one mistake kept him out of the Hall of Fame, which is a damn shame, but a necessary price to pay as far as MLB’s superiors were concerned.

I don’t want to say that what Rose did was right or even remotely appropriate.  But what I wonder is this?

Now in death, will Pete Rose be allowed into the Baseball Hall of Fame posthumously?

Only time will tell, but at the end of the day, I don’t know if anyone surpasses those 4,256 career hits.

Charlie Hustle, may you rest in peace.