Should Pete Rose get into the Hall of Fame? We asked 12 current members

By Tyler Kepner, David O’Brien and Jayson Stark

Nobody ever played more games, collected more hits or generated more passionate opinions than Pete Rose. The history of baseball can’t be told without him, and his memorabilia and records are displayed throughout the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in Cooperstown, N.Y.

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In the plaque gallery, though, there’s still no spot for Rose — and there can’t be until the summer of 2028, the earliest he could be inducted after Commissioner Rob Manfred ruled on Tuesday that a person’s place on the ineligible list expires upon death. Rose, who died at 83 last Sept. 30, could be considered by the Classic Baseball Era Committee in December 2027, the next time it meets to evaluate players who made their greatest impact before 1980.

The Athletic contacted a dozen Hall of Famers, spanning several eras, to see what baseball’s immortals think about the new guy on the waiting list. Here’s what they told us. (Some quotes have been edited for brevity and clarity.)

Reggie Jackson, Class of 1993

Outfielder, 1967-1987

There is no doubt: Pete Rose gets in. There’s already steroid users in the Hall of Fame. They should be put in the Hall of Fame, and just like Pete, when Pete goes in the Hall of Fame, his ban is over and if you want to tell his story, and you have a true story, then tell it and put them in the Hall of Fame.

Jim Palmer, Class of 1990

Pitcher, 1965-1984

If you played against him, if you were a fan, you know he’s one of the greatest players ever. But the problem that I had, we all knew what the rule was. And I told him, “If you profess to love the game as much as you professed it over the years, and the commissioner, which was Bart Giamatti, gives you a chance to be reinstated and to apologize and admit you made a mistake, if you really love the game as much as your profess to, you grovel, hands and knees, whatever.” And I said, “Well, why didn’t you do that?” And he really didn’t have an answer.

I don’t think he’ll get in. Now, maybe that will change with time. I think you get enough people on those committees that if he’s going to get in, he’s going to get a fair shake. It really depends on what the committee is. Maybe the voting might be more liberal (with younger Hall of Famers), but if Bench is on that committee — again, that’s what’s so great about the committee. You have enough people that really know the game and know the history of the game where he’s going to get a fair shake. I would listen to what other people say and then I would think up my mind. I know how great a player he is. Now, I will say this: Every time I do my broadcast and our opening is sponsored by Draft Kings, I go, “And Pete’s not in the Hall of Fame.”

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If he gets into the Hall of Fame, they voted him in, you become a member — I mean, obviously he’s passed away — but again, do you think it would be a disgrace if Pete Rose was in the Hall of Fame? I don’t think so. He was a fabulous player.

Mike Schmidt, Class of 1995

Third Baseman, 1972-1989

Rose’s teammate with the Phillies (1979-1983)

I think the Pete Rose question is always going to be divided, 50-50. Even in terms of the Hall of Fame, I think if you posed the question to all of the living Hall of Famers right now, I think it would almost be 50-50. That’s my guess.

I see both sides. I see that he squandered so many opportunities to change his life and go forward and do what commissioner (Bud) Selig asked him to do (in a then-secret 2002 meeting arranged by Schmidt and the late Joe Morgan).

There wasn’t remorse there. He didn’t show any atonement for his admission to betting on baseball. But at the same time, Pete Rose is one of the greatest players in the history of baseball, without question. Statistically and for what he did in his career, he would be a unanimous Hall of Famer.

Jim Leyland, Class of 2024

Manager, 1986-1999, 2006-2013

If somebody asked me today, would you vote for Pete Rose to go in the Hall of Fame, I really don’t know the answer. I’d have to think long and hard about that. You know, it’s something that everybody knows, that playing-wise, Pete Rose is a Hall of Famer.

Jim Kaat, Class of 2002

Pitcher: 1959-1983

Rose’s teammate with the Phillies (1979), Reds pitching coach (1984-1985)

I talked to him a lot, and he would not want this. He’s been quoted as saying that. I think where baseball missed the boat was years ago, they (should) have brought him into the office and said, “Look, we want you to go around to spring training camps and counsel kids on the dangers of gambling, and then while you’re there, spend a couple of days and teach them a little baseball.” For Pete, it was nothing about the Hall of Fame, it was not being involved in the game which was the most painful thing for him. He had such a high baseball IQ. I look at some of the things going on today and the way the game is played — I mean, he had a master’s degree in fundamentals.

Jim Kaat confers with Pete Rose, who was serving as the Reds’ player/manager at the time, during a game in 1984. (George Gojkovich / Getty Images)

I guess when it comes right down to it, when he’s on the ballot in 2027, if I were on that committee, the first question would be, “Do we just look at Pete for what he did on the baseball field?” And if that’s the case, that’s a no-brainer. (But) you can only vote for three, so what do you do about Tommy John and Dale Murphy and guys like this who have never been (accused of) anything like that off the field. Then it’s going to hurt their cases.

Kaat interviewed Rose for ESPN at spring training in 1989 as the betting scandal was emerging.

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Before we go on live, I said, “I want to ask you a question. Did you ever bet on baseball?” He said, “You know we’ve been to the horse track,” and I knew he bet on football every Sunday afternoon. But he said, “I never bet on baseball.” I said, “Well, I want to ask you that because if you did — and I knew he had problems with the bookies — I said if you just admitted, “Hey, I had a problem,” baseball loves you, they want to forgive you. But he just would not admit it — and then later he did admit it and started signing (memorabilia) that said he bet on baseball. So he started to lose the respect of his teammates. That’s where he kind of shot himself in the foot.

But the thing with Pete with the Hall of Fame, I mentioned to Jane Clark the year that I got inducted and talked about the chances with Pete, my stance has always been there should be something in there to recognize Pete’s accomplishments and why he didn’t get inducted. And she said there are 31 examples of what Pete did during his career (in the museum). He has not been ignored. So it’s not like people could go through the Hall of Fame and say there’s nothing in there about Pete Rose. So he is being recognized. But he just never got the opportunity to get a formal induction.

John Smoltz, Class of 2015

Pitcher, 1988-2009

I would (vote for Rose). If I was on the committee, I would think that that would be (the outcome), because there’s no suspension now. Look, there’s people in the Hall of Fame that had felonies. What started out in the Hall of Fame in its purest form has gotten away from the code of conduct, the character clause. If that was still the case, Dale Murphy would be in five times over. So, yeah, my answer would be yes.

Billy Wagner, Class of 2025

Pitcher, 1995-2010

I didn’t play against Pete, so I think listening to the older guys, I think that’s a decision for their era to make rather than mine. I think my era should have a voice in the PEDs. For my era, Pete Rose was the guy you could turn on the TV and see him getting a hit.

Am I glad Pete Rose is gonna get his chance and Shoeless Joe Jackson? Yes.

Bill Mazeroski, Class of 2001

Second baseman, 1956-1972

Bill Mazeroski attempts to tag Pete Rose during a game between the Pirates and Reds in 1972. (Bob Donaldson / Associated Press)

(When asked if Rose should be in the Hall of Fame, he answered with a laugh.) Not right away. I’d make him wait a little longer.

Pat Gillick, Class of 2011

Executive, 1978-2015

Based on performance, it’s a no-brainer, right? I mean it’s absolutely a no-brainer, the guy should be in the Hall of Fame. But then again, the guy, maybe he served his debt to society by going to jail for a while. But again, you have to consider, I think there’s more to it than the on-the-field thing. The character means a lot and I’d have to question that. It’s going to be a tough subject.

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Andre Dawson, Class of 2010

Outfielder, 1976-1996

Rose’s teammate with the Expos (1984)

I think it’s long overdue. My thing is, now going forward, it was always personal for me because your Hall of Fame depiction is your accomplishments on the field. It’s a museum of history and artifacts. And I realize there’s certain protocol. But baseball, and sports in general, has gambling written all over it. And this is long overdue.

As a personal friend, I’m happy for him. I hope he can get in. The sooner the better. It’s a shame he didn’t get the opportunity while he was living. I was actually with him the day before he passed away. We were in Nashville, and the Big Red Machine was there. And he was supposed to stay over the next day to do a private signing, but he wasn’t feeling that well. And he flew back home that night to Vegas. And unfortunately, it was the next day (that he died).

Tony La Russa, Class of 2014

Manager, 1979-2011, 2021-2022

In Pete’s case, the statistics are undeniable. But from being in Chicago with (Tom) Seaver, and once I got to St. Louis, with Stan (Musial) and Red (Schoendienst), Gibby (Bob Gibson) and (Lou) Brock, iconic, legendary Hall of Famers, they were very upset at Pete for a couple of reasons — one, he made the mistake, and two, he wasn’t honest about it, and three, they never really felt like he was contrite or ashamed by it or had a big regret until he wasn’t put in the Hall of Fame. Speaking for them, I can just convey their opinion, I know how upset they were to the point where they were very unforgiving.

There was always a big sign on the board in the clubhouse about gambling, and an official had to read the gambling issue to the team before the season started. It was a little tough to miss it.

Tony Pérez, Class of 2000

Infielder, 1964-1986

Rose’s teammate with the Reds and Phillies (1964-1976, 1983-1986)

I always say what he did on the field is why he should be in the Hall of Fame. But this is great news. I’m happy that they are giving him the opportunity. They can vote for him and see if he can get in the Hall of Fame, because he should be in there.

He paid the price for a long, long, long time and I know he was hurt. He maybe didn’t look like it, but I know he was hurt. Because he loved the game so much and he wanted to be with the fans and he wanted to be at the ballpark. But he made a mistake and he paid for that.

He can always play with me. When I meet him again, I would love to play with him.

(Top photo of Rose and Pérez at Rose’s Reds’ Hall of Fame induction in 2016: Jamie Sabau / Getty Images)

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