Time to reinstate Pete Rose

By John Roberts Sports Central Columnist

A decade has passed since he was due to take his place among the all-time greats. Indiscretions, lack of admission, and a grudge by baseball has kept Pete Rose from reaching full bloom with his spot in the Hall of Fame.

Rose, 61, now retired from the game for 16 years, long ago became a ghost lurking in the shadows of a game that will not allow him to participate on any official basis. Baseball's Hit King lives off his name and the cottage industry he has produced in his battle to become enshrined at Cooperstown. His legions of fans will not betray Rose. Instead, they choose to ignore his past -- the gambling allegations and eventual deal with baseball that got him placed on the ineligible list.

Just when Rose seems ready to fade from memory, an event such as the ceremonies before Game 4 of the World Series honoring baseball's most memorable moments bring his place in the game's history into perspective. Rose's 4,192nd career hit, which surpassed Ty Cobb's long-believed unapproachable standard, earned him the No. 6 spot on a peculiar list that had Cal Ripken, Jr.'s consecutive-games-played streak-setting game as the top moment in baseball history. When Rose took the field in pregame ceremonies honoring each of the top 10 achievements, he easily received the loudest ovation, surpassing those enjoyed by Hank Aaron and Mark McGwire.

It was the second time Rose has been part of a baseball promotion honoring historical achievements. The other was in 1999 during the World Series, when he was introduced as a member of baseball's All-Century team. Rose also heard thunderous applause on that occasion, the loudest for any member of the greatest collection of names ever assembled.

Rose is not the most popular player ever. The fans were responding on both occasions to their chance to show baseball they believe there must be a response by commissioner Bud Selig to Rose's 1997 application for reinstatement to the game -- thus becoming eligible for Hall of Fame induction.

Selig has refused to make a ruling on Rose's application. The majority of fans believe Rose has served his sentence for his alleged gambling on baseball. Rose has said repeatedly he "played the game for the fans."

The fans now are going to bat for Rose, letting him and baseball know they only care about what he did on the field. His 4,256 career hits are indeed Hall of Fame worthy.

An Atlanta Journal-Constitution online poll revealed 86 percent of respondents believe Rose should be reinstated to the game.

Selig and Rose need to find a resolution. The time is right, and Rose has the momentum of sentiment to make it happen on his terms. Selig needs to end the 2002 year on a high note. The near-strike again brought a sour taste to fans, the All-Star Game ended in an unsatisfying tie and the World Series is among the lowest-rated in history.

The perfect capper to this topsy-turvy baseball season has nothing to do with the spectacular, but enigmatic Barry Bonds finally getting his World Series glory. The time has come to have Charlie Hustle restored to his mantle as the game's greatest ambassador.

The induction ceremony next summer at Cooperstown would shatter all attendance records and erase the memory of the bitter summer of 2002.