John Gibbons: Put Pete Rose and Barry Bonds in MLB Hall of Fame
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Edgar Chaput
A subject that stirs the passions of many a baseball fan and pundit is the situation of Pete Rose’s exclusion from ever being inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame. To this day the memorial in Cooperstown refuses to admit one of the greatest players the sport has ever seen.
In 2004, after years of allegations and investigations, Rose admitted to having placed bets on baseball and the team he played for, the Cincinnati Reds. What’s more, he did so while he was a member of the franchise. To this day the debate rages on about whether he deserves to be inducted on the merits of his accomplishments or if his exclusion is warranted on understandably ethical grounds.
Below is the first of two Pitch Clock episodes that broach the sensitive topic (originally made public on YouTube April 26).
Pete Rose into the Baseball Hall of Fame: Yes or No?
Bastl brings up the subject given that certain NFL players were suspended for violating the league’s gambling rules. In relation to baseball, “Gibby” says that the game had better hope that it doesn’t have to deal that issue given that “everything” is banned in baseball these days.
And then Bastl asks the big one. Pete Rose enters the Hall of Fame when?
“My gosh, he should have been there already! Just put an asterisk on his plaque. Those guys (Hall of Famers) aren’t all choir boys.”
Why a player is welcomed into the Hall of Fame is based on what they accomplish on the field, first and foremost. The fact of the matter is Pete Rose is the all-time hit king.
Betting and Steroids in Baseball
Below is the second Pitch Clock episode in which “Gibby” and Bastl discuss the hot topics some more. This is the episode from May 3. It begins at the 1:35 mark.
A bold answer, certainly. Gibbons makes it clear he understands the severity of Rose’s lapses in judgment. He does not absolve the would-be Hall of Famer. By the same token, he astutely brings up the situation of players who used performance-enhancing substances but haven’t been inducted. Barry Bonds comes to mind. He would go into the Hall of Fame regardless.
“Put them in there if they’re your all-time great performers. Historically they belong in the game.”
For Gibbons, steroids added to what could have happened. The players themselves are still excellent. As long as their transgressions are explained and put into context, their greatness and accomplishments should not go unrecognized.
“You can’t take some average Joe, give him steroids and expect him to get into the Hall of Fame.”
“Gibby” is equally open-minded about professional athletes who partake in props in sports other than their own. As to whether those individuals should be penalized:
“I don’t see how you can even do that. They make these rules knowing that they (players) won’t be able to follow them.”
Gibbons argues that a more practical solution is necessary, otherwise, all these leagues are left with are pipe dreams and the issue of gambling will never be dealt with in a productive manner.