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Pete Rose Received Two Write-In Votes This Past HOF Election



By Mike Silva ~ January 30th, 2012. Filed under: Hall of Fame.

Update 10 AM: Repoz from Baseball Think Factory has informed me the other Rose supporting is perennial backer Jack McCaffery of the Daily Times in the Philly area.

Original Post

Last night, I was joined by Marco Maturo, a member of the BBWAA who spent 40 years covering sports for Gannett, which included 7 years on the Mets beat in the late seventies/early eighties.

When submitting his Hall of Fame ballot this year, Maturo wrote-in Pete Rose.  Jack O’Connell, Secretary-Treasurer of the BBWAA, told Maturo that Rose received 2 write-in votes this past election. In 1992, what would have been Rose’s first year of eligibility, he received 41 votes. “He’s been getting about 20 write-ins over the period,” Maturo said.

Back in November, I discussed how reinstating Rose would be a great way for Commissioner Bud Selig to end his tenure. When you walk into the Hall of Fame there is message on how the plaques are dedicated to the “heroes upon whose shoulders the game was built?” Hasn’t Pete Rose lived up to the credo?  Isn’t Rose’s style of play one that you would want all ballplayers to emulate? Shouldn’t he be given credit for finally taking responsibility for his wrongful actions?  Many also forget the foundation of the Reds 1990 title was built during Rose’s tenure as a manager. If baseball is truly “America’s Pastime” wouldn’t it be the American way to give him a second chance and build a comeback story?

Maturo agrees. “If you cut to the chase, Old Petey boy, let me tell you he should be in the Hall. Especially to the extent that the Hall is meant to reflect baseball excellence. And it’s also meant to reflect moral excellence- the American variety. You remember Charlie Hustle? His work ethic, his dedication, he made the most of less-than-world-class athletic ability. This guy was a definite Hall of Famer. He gave so much to the game, to the fans. It’s a shame that he’s not in there.”

So what did Maturo think about individuals who cite Rose’s issues off the field?

“A lot of people, I think, want the Hall to be a place for ‘dashboard Jesus’ types.” Maturo added that he thinks “baseball needs him (Rose) maybe more than he needs personal rehabilitation. Who better to promote the game of baseball than a Pete Rose for what he did for it?”

Maturo also voted for Barry Larkin and Jeff Bagwell on this last ballot. I couldn’t let him go without getting his perspective on next year’s controversial election that includes steroid era candidates such as Barry BondsRoger ClemensSammy Sosa, and Mike Piazza.

“That’s a tough one. If Rose is not in there I couldn’t vote for them, either. I think they deserve some time in purgatory as well as Pete did, right?”

***

You can download the entire show here. The Pete Rose dialogue starts at the 50-minute mark.

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