Pete Rose

He played high school baseball and eventually ended up signing a minor league contract with the Cincinnati Reds. He improved his game working his way up the ranks until 1963 when he finally got his shot at the "big time". His all-out attitude, hard-nose style and grueling work ethic quickly earned him the nickname, "Charlie Hustle". By the end of his first year, Rose was awarded rookie of the year as the leagues most outstanding first-year player (www.peterosefanclub.com). This was the first of many honors Pete Rose would receive.
             Throughout his twenty-four year career, Pete Rose was a part of three World Series Champion teams, won two Gold Gloves for outstanding fielding, was National League Most Valuable Player in 1973 and was World Series Most Valuable Player in 1975. When he retired in 1986, Rose had broken records that no one thought would ever be broken. The most notable record he broke was the all-time hit record which still stands today at 4,256. He also played in 3,562 games had 14,053 at-bats, 3,315 singles, 746 doubles and 2,165 total runs, all of which are major league records. Another unbelievable feat Pete Rose accomplished was something unheard of in almost any sport. He played at least five hundred games at five different positions (www.mlb.com). Versatility such as this has never been displayed by another athlete. His twenty four consecutive years is also an all-time record. .
             Pete Rose's credentials are comparable, and in many cases much better than all of the members of the Hall of Fame, yet he may never be mentioned along side them as a member himself. Rose meets all of the criteria required to be eligible for election except for one: .
             Rule 3-E. Any Player on Baseball's ineligible list shall not be an eligible candidate (www.baseballhalloffame.org).
             Pete Rose was placed on Baseball's ineligible list in 1989 by Bart Giamatti, commissioner of baseball at that time.