"What kind of guy was Ty Cobb? What kind of guy was Babe Ruth? I can name three or four players in the Hall of Fame who spent time in a penitentiary."
Rose knows Cobb's stats: a .366 lifetime average, 4,189 hits, 2,246 runs and 897 stolen bases. He also knows that Cobb got 222 out of 226 votes in the very first Hall of Fame election, more than Ruth, more than Honus Wagner, more than Walter Johnson.
On Sunday, Rose will step onto the Cincinnati Reds' field to be honored for the 25th anniversary of when he broke Cobb's hit record. It is only the third time he has participated in a MLB event since he was banned in 1989.
"Character was never mentioned, back then," Jim Bunning growled during a recent visit to Citizens Bank Park to honor Roy Halladay for his perfect game. "Pete doesn't belong in the Hall of Fame because he's a convicted felon and there are no convicted felons in the Hall of Fame."
Whoops. Maybe Rose can call Bunning and name those ex-cons for him. (The issue may soon become moot when twice-convicted George Steinbrenner gets enshrined.)
If Pete calls, Bunning can then tell Rose about the current guideline that says voting shall be based on character, integrity and contributions to the game. He might even tell Pete his chances of getting approved by the veterans committee are slim and none and that Slim has just left town.
Pete, apparently, would take his chances.
"My friends know what kind of player I was," Rose said. "My teammates know, my fans know, all my managers know what kind of player I was. I don't need a Hall of Fame plaque to prove that to them."
