Mike Downey completely misses the point in his Jan. 7 column on Pete Rose.
The issue is not the “sickness” of gambling, the issue is 14 years of constant lies. Pete Rose has lied about his involvement, he has lied as he attacked the credibility of sources proving he gambled on baseball, he has lied as he attacked baseball management for saying he bet on baseball when he promised he did not, he has tried to alienate fans against those trying to adhere to rules by telling his lies at large gatherings. Now, after 14 years, he admits he lied and tried to deceive his fans. Had he told the truth 14 years back, he would probably already be in the Hall of Fame. But he did not, and even now doesn’t seem to believe he was wrong.
Pete Rose was a great ballplayer–but he tried to undermine the sport he claims to have loved and he certainly should not be allowed into the Baseball Hall of Fame.
