Mr Commissioner Never Mind, Your Services Are No Longer Required, Hall Of Fame: It's Time To Drop the "Pete Rose Rule" !

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Mr. Commissioner,

   It is clear to us that barring Pete Rose's untimely death, Pete showing up volunteering to be a sausage for life in one of your Oversized Meat races, or simply groveling for forgiveness, your not going to reinstate him. Bullheaded Pete wont grovel anyway, so forget that idea. Not even with the backing of Mike Schmidt or Henry Aaron on Pete's Side, will you make a decision. Before we go further consider this: How antiquated is a system is one ruler dictatorship/decision maker-ship? iHow has that worked in Government politics, ummm can you say government "Fail" ? I know thats extreme, but isn't a "one ruling power" over the careers of so many, an outdated idea? How can one person wield the power that thus effects thousands even millions of fans and many men ie: Shoeless Joe, Pete Rose, etc. How can one man only, influence the history of the game? In keeping the All-time MLB hits leader out of even the conversation of the Hall, one man has the Baseball Universe by its Balls!
Well Ya' know what Commish' Never Mind we don't need you! For two Reasons:


1) You don't need to reinstate him: I kinda agree with you, Pete doesn't deserve a job in the Game. Why?  Pete needed to "reconfigure" his life, Remove himself from gambling if that was the addiction that caused his banishment from his passion: Baseball. His continued gambling, lack of sincerity, and lying for 14 years is hard to swallow(More below)
2) The Hall Of Fame Itself can make thing whole thing "right"!

   Pete isn't close to "reconfiguring" his life , (yes I know about the recent heartfelt hug to Johnny Bench) and legally he has every right to bet on the ponies. But if something your addicted to is keeping you from your first love: Baseball, wouldn't you gather the strength to remove yourself from that addiction? Even "Bullheaded" Pete who would wear a "Gasoline suit through Hell to play baseball" doesn't evidently have the strength or desire to quit his second love: gambling. Pete is still observed at the track waving wads of cash. In his book My Prison Without Walls he still admits to what some call his disease, his weakness: "One would think he might have learned his lesson following fulfillment of his sentence, which included time in a halfway house and community service, yet he continues to "occasionally" gamble and sought to make a living as a race horse trainer." (http://www.bookreporter.com/reviews/1579549276.asp) 
   The point is if he admitted to gambling on the Reds in the clubhouse, and he wants another job in a clubhouse, could you trust him? Would it be worth the risk/press/media scrutiny to your ball-club? In my opinion he aint gettin' reinstated though the commissioners office, but he could get on the ballot if the Hall erases its seemingly "behind the scenes collaboration" with the Commish office when they made the "Pete Rose Rule." So lets focus our energies elsewhere! ;)
   Shortly after Pete's banning, the Hall made the rule: If any Player is on the Ineligible List from baseball he cannot go on the Baseball HOF ballot, Thus because of the timing it is referred to as the "Pete Rose rule". After Rose's ban, the Hall formally voted to ban those on the "permanently ineligible" list from induction. Previously, those who were banned had been excluded by informal agreement among voters. 
Dear HOF,
   We revere you, the history you maintain in your hallowed halls, the yearly pomp and circumstance that you exhume when you enshrine the greatest, is revered by all. Hall Of Fame, Its time, the entire universe recognizes Pete's deserving efforts for what he did between the White Lines. Why would you maintain an allegiance with the Commissioners office that is scrutinized across the country as outdated, unfair, and gets hammered on all sides to address the Pete Rose situation. Imagine the weekend Cooperstown NY would have inducting Peter Edward Rose? I was there when Sparky/Tony/Fisk/Marty (and of course Bid) went in in 2000, but the buzz was about Pete then as it still is now. You want a Economic bailout? Announce the Hit Kings induction!;) 
There is another with a new perspective on Petes Induction: One Mr Ken Burns:  "Vote him in after he's dead. He deserves to be in the Hall but he doesn't deserve to know"  Wow Mr Burns, we respect you, but for you to judge when someone would enjoy an accomplishment only in death is rather callous, is it not? Judge away Mr burns we will choose not to cast stones! http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=5437988
   We are not naive, there are many old schoolers that will never forgive Pete, and their argument has validity, he bet on the game, thus putting his own financial entertainment above the rules of the game he so dearly loved. But it is also a game he bled for, dove for, crashed through catchers for, raised others levels of ability for, and hit more baseballs safely than any other Human has done, on the field of play, in recorded history. It's time. Pete has shown signs of contrition towards those that have looked on him with a cautious eye. Namely One JB #5. http://www.wcpo.com/dpp/news/region_central_cincinnati/pete-rose-apologizes-to-johnny-bench---
   Pete's contrition towards Johnny Bench may be the start of "reconfiguration" of his soul. After all thats what must change first. So Finally, Hall Of Baseball Fame, we have seen Pete's items you so proudly display in your Reds display, isnt it time now to finish it off with a bust? We ask you to take another look within baseballs soul which at times emanates from 25 Main Street, but is not baseballs soul mainly centered in its fans nationwide? You don't have to decide O Hallowed Hall, all you have to do do is erase the Rule in order for a vote to take place. Let Petes fate have its day on the ballot. For who else is banned from baseball waiting to get in? Shoeless Joe Jackson? Another strong case. Your not opening a can of worms here, 2 men, one changed the game, let us re-embrace their accomplishments together, on your lawn!


Sincerly,


Baseballs Humble fans


(Sent the above 8/8/10)


If your So Inclined:

National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum
25 Main Street,
Cooperstown,
NY 13326


Its time folks, I must not be the first to want to bypass the Commish, and I'm sure I wont be the last, but the easy fix is so evident is it not? If you feel so inclined to drop the Hall a quick e-note here is the link:
http://baseballhall.org/contact
Please sign the petition:
http://bit.ly/bzz9qO
I have also started a Facebook page to hopefully continue the groundswell in that other cyber-world:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Commissioner-Not-needed-HOF-Please-Put-Pete-on-Ballot-Now/118758871506665?v=wall

Warren Spahn said it best: A good hitter has timing. A good pitcher upsets timing. 
Let us have good timing!