In the ongoing debate surrounding Pete Rose’s eligibility for the National Baseball Hall of Fame, two Republican lawmakers from southwest Ohio have taken a stand. On April 23, they introduced House Concurrent Resolution 15, calling for Rose to be removed from MLB’s “permanently ineligible list” as soon as possible.
The resolution highlights Rose’s impressive career in baseball, noting that he holds the MLB lifetime record for hits and is the all-time leader in at-bats and games played in Major League Baseball. In addition, Rose is recognized as the only MLB player to play more than 500 games at five different positions.
At 83, Pete Rose remains a controversial figure in the baseball world. Despite his undeniable talent and records, he was banned from the sport for his involvement in gambling. However, lawmakers behind House Resolution 15 believe it’s time for Rose to be recognized and inducted into the Hall of Fame. They called on the Baseball Writers Association of America and the National Baseball Hall of Fame to put Rose on the Hall of Fame ballot. Thirteen more MPs, mostly from the same region, signed on as sponsors of the resolution.