[TRF]

There was much evidence that Ty Cobb bet on baseball.

I believe he was on the very first ballot.

Do I like how Rose has carried himself since the ban? No. But the way some baseball fans talk about him, you would think he murdered the mother of his kids and her waiter friend, then signed a 3.5 million dollar contract to do an interview, before his upcoming book comes out.

Pete Rose bet on baseball. Pete never bet against the Reds. Pete wanted to win every game. And if by Pete not betting influenced the betting odds on a game, i say Who Cares? Did he try harder to win games he bet on? probably. So?

Pete's on field accomplishments speak for themselves. He was baseball's best ambassador for 20+ years. But baseball as an organization has no clue how to use him. And boy could they use him. They trotted him out when someone ponied up enough dough. Twice.

If baseball were smart, Rose would be hired to travel the country to give promotional/motivational speeches. Or how about MLB setting up regional baseball academies in the summer for kids 16-18? Rose could be an instructor.

The man isn't perfect. Hell, he's far enough away from just being "flawed." But to think he isn't a Hall of Famer is just ridiculous IMO.