Major League Baseball is going to allow players like: Barry Bonds, the career Home Run leader, Roger Clemens, the oldest pitcher to even win a Cy Young (age 42), Mike Piazza, who admitted to using androstenedione, a steroid and many other who have or will become eligible in the years to come. Now, people who blatantly took a substance to cheat and give themselves an edge, will be and are eligible for induction into the Hall of Fame, but two of the greatest hitters of all time are not even able to be on the ballot, let alone get inducted. If you are going to allow the Baseball Writers Association to make the decision, they have done a decently good job with being the Gatekeepers into the Hall, ever since their beginning in the position in 1936. Bonds, Clemens, and Sosa, who have been eligible for the past four years, have not gotten closer than 7th in voting. I think it is time Baseball let them do their jobs and decide who gets in and who does not.
For those that do not know how the MLB Hall of Fame voting works, “Only active and honorary members of the Baseball Writers’ Association of America, who have been active members for at least 10 years, shall be eligible to vote. They must have been active as Baseball writers and members of the Association for a period beginning at least 10 years prior to the date of election in which they are voting.” The electors can only vote for a maximum of 10 players they feel are the most deserving of election in to the Hall. They are not permitted to write in anyone's name that is not on the ballot. Voting is based on player’s record, ability, integrity, sportsmanship, character and contributions to their teams. If this is how it works, then let the organization reinstate Pete Rose and Joe Jackson, and allowing the Baseball Writers’ Association do its job.
“Shoeless Joe Jackson”
Jackson began his baseball career in 1909. Playing with the Philadelphia Athletics, he struggled in his first couple of seasons playing in the big leagues only making 10 Major League appearances in two seasons. By 1911, he was traded to the Cleveland Naps, who later became the Indians. In 1915, the Naps became the Indians and Joe Jackson hits for .408, which to this day is still a record for a rookie season. Late in 1915, Jackson was traded to the Chicago White Sox, two years later he batted .307 in the World Series and led the White Sox to a championship over the New York Giants. Two years later in 1919, the White Sox returned to the World Series, the very series that gets Joe Jackson banned for his part with 8 other players throwing the series for money. Jackson batted .375 and had a perfect fielding percentage in the series. The following year, while dealing with the allegations, he batted .385 and led the American League in triples. He was acquitted by a jury in 1921 of any wrong doing and yet was still banned from ever having the chance to be enshrined in Cooperstown.
Pete “Charlie Hustle” Rose
Charlie Hustle owns 14 Major League Baseball records, among them are Most Career Hits (4,256), only player in the history of the game to play 500 games at 5 different positions, Most Career at Bats (14,053), just to name a few. Rose also holds 12 National League Records highlighted by Most Extra Base hits by a Switch Hitter (1,041). He was a player manager from 1984-86 when he retired as a player, but remained as manager of the Reds. In 1989, then Commissioner Bart Giamatti banned Rose from baseball for life with the stipulation that he could apply for reinstatement after one year. Rose has reapplied twice, once in 1997 and most recently in 2015. Rose admitted to gambling in 2004, stating that he never bet against his teams.
It is time for Major League Baseball to change its stance on gambling. What a player does in his personal life is their business, just as long as it does not affect the on-field performance or decision-making capacities. Two of the greatest hitters of all time cannot be even voted on by the selection committee. Pete Rose, the greatest hitter of all time and Joe Jackson, arguably the third best hitter in the game's history, behind only Ty Cobb and Pete Rose. Both are banned for life from baseball due to gambling. The issue is both Rose and Jacksons stats show that gambling did not affect the passion and skill in which they played the game. Judge for yourself.
Written By:
Carlo Guadagnino
Edited By:
Daniel Bishop M.A.
Ethan Barnes
References:
http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/2015/12/14/baseball-commissioner-rob-manfred-not-reinstate-pete-rose-cincinnati-reds/77290922/
http://www.complex.com/sports/2012/07/the-25-best-alleged-and-confirmed-steroid-users-in-baseball-history/steroids-14
http://www.baseball-reference.com/awards/hof_2016.shtml
http://baseballhall.org/hall-of-famers/bbwaa-rules-for-election
http://www.shoelessjoejackson.com/about/biography.html
http://www.peterose.com/about/
