GaryMrMets
05-18-2003, 12:37 AM
Ripken: Rose Should Be in Hall
DENVER -- Cal Ripken believes Pete Rose should be allowed in the Hall of Fame, but he's not sure if it would be a good idea to let the all-time hits leader back in baseball.
Ripken, in Denver as part of a speaking tour, said Rose's reinstatement and his entrance into the Hall of Fame are two separate issues.
"The first one is really easy. He should be in the Hall of Fame,'' said Ripken, who also threw out the first pitch before the Colorado Rockies' game against the Montreal Expos. "His career should be celebrated in the Hall of Fame. He has the most hits.''
Commissioner Bud Selig is weighing whether to reinstate Rose, who accepted a permanent ban in August 1989 and spent time in prison for failing to pay federal taxes. He acknowledged gambling with bookmakers, but denied betting on baseball.
Because of Rose's actions, Ripken is not convinced that he should be allowed back in baseball.
"I know that gambling almost killed baseball many years ago,'' Ripken said. "To actually examine that issue and say whether he should be involved in baseball or associated with baseball, I don't know. I think you have to go to a smarter person than I to actually decide that.''
DENVER -- Cal Ripken believes Pete Rose should be allowed in the Hall of Fame, but he's not sure if it would be a good idea to let the all-time hits leader back in baseball.
Ripken, in Denver as part of a speaking tour, said Rose's reinstatement and his entrance into the Hall of Fame are two separate issues.
"The first one is really easy. He should be in the Hall of Fame,'' said Ripken, who also threw out the first pitch before the Colorado Rockies' game against the Montreal Expos. "His career should be celebrated in the Hall of Fame. He has the most hits.''
Commissioner Bud Selig is weighing whether to reinstate Rose, who accepted a permanent ban in August 1989 and spent time in prison for failing to pay federal taxes. He acknowledged gambling with bookmakers, but denied betting on baseball.
Because of Rose's actions, Ripken is not convinced that he should be allowed back in baseball.
"I know that gambling almost killed baseball many years ago,'' Ripken said. "To actually examine that issue and say whether he should be involved in baseball or associated with baseball, I don't know. I think you have to go to a smarter person than I to actually decide that.''