Was Pete Rose In Cooperstown?

As Baseball And The Hall Of Fame Honor The Latest Legends, The Misconception About Rose Continues.  He May Not Be In The Hall Of Fame, Rose Is Recognized As Part Of The History.

The Perception Is That Pete Rose Isn’t In The Hall Of Fame.  That’s True, But The Reality Is A Bit More Than You May Expect.

Congratulations to Joe Mauer, Jim Leyland, Adrian Beltre, and Todd Helton.  These baseball legends are the recently enshrined class of inductees for the National Baseball Hall of Fame.  An inaccuracy of understanding continues behind the scenes during the weekend of festivities.

This article started as “Was Pete Rose In Cooperstown”?.  A better question is actually “Is Pete Rose In Cooperstown?”, since the majority of people believe Rose is not presented at all.  To understand how he is, a few details need to be woven together.

Putting aside all of the interviews and admissions and non-admissions that have been muddled over the years, there is a basic truth to Rose’s situation that is found in the initial settlement.  There is a rule in baseball where certain violations of gambling will automatically result in a lifetime ban from the sport.  In 1989, Rose came to an agreement with Commissioner A. Bartlett Giamatti about his actions.  Rose would accept a lifetime ban provided that Major League Baseball did not finalize the investigation by issuing a formal decision about his activities.

Rose’s accomplishments during his career placed his candidacy for the Hall of Fame into the status of absolute certain admission.  He continues to be the career leader in areas such as hits, games played, and at-bats.  At 3,215, just his career number of singles would place him comfortably in the 3,000-hit club.

When he agreed to the action in 1989, the lifetime ban from organized baseball did not also ban Rose from being enshrined in the Hall of Fame.  Giamatti and MLB had no provision preventing Rose from being elected.  In 1991, the Hall of Fame adjusted its eligibility rules, establishing a bylaw that states permanently banned individuals who are ineligible for the Hall of Fame.

Over the decades since, arguments, conversations, and interviews have been made, offered and publicized on both sides of the Rose into the Hall debate.  One of the most fascinating aspects is constantly missed.  Several reports raise the idea of how, given all of his actions and accomplishments, the story of baseball can be told while excluding Rose.  That’s where truth and reality collide a bit and create an amazing misconception.

The National Baseball Hall of Fame is nestled into the scenic beauty of Cooperstown, NY.  The facility itself is more than the Hall of Fame.  The official title is the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum.  Rose is a significant figure in the museum.

Photos by Bob Hocking, taken at National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, July 2014

Craig Muder, Director of Communications for the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, responded to an inquiry about Rose’s presence:

“The Hall of Fame is three entities under one roof:

1.      The Hall of Fame, where the 346 elected members are celebrated

2.      The Museum, which tells the story of the entire history of baseball over three floors of exhibit spaces

3.      The Library, which features more than three million documents

Pete Rose had a historic career and is well represented in the Museum and Library, as are thousands of others who have not been elected to the Hall of Fame.”

The story of baseball is told with Pete Rose.  It’s told in the same location that is home to the Hall of Fame.  Rose may not be enshrined in the Hall, but he is unquestionably present at the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum.

Regardless of the opinions for or against making Pete Rose eligible for enshrinement, his accomplishments remain a part of the fabric of the sport.  It is on display throughout a gorgeous and historic building in New York for visitors to learn from and enjoy.

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