Baseball needs to take a serious look at its standards. 

Rose surely flaunted the rules as a manager by betting on baseball, and on Reds games.  He deserved punishment for that.  But despite his success as a manager, Rose would have entered the HOF as a player. 

His all-time hits record must be acknowledged, even if we understand it was a product of longevity.  More impressive was his hitting streak, second only to DiMaggio’s legendary mark.  And most of all, his attitude of playing every play all out to the end, the drive and effort that transformed a man whose athletic gifts were above average, but not exceptional, into Charlie Hustle, the ideal for every Little Leaguer.

And then there is the case of Joe Jackson, long dead, who took money from gamblers indirectly, allegedly to throw a World Series in which he not only led both teams in hitting but set a WS record for hits, and who was found not guilty in a court of law.

And yet steroid cheat freaks like McGwire and Bonds are eligible?  Send it the clowns, baby.

Clemens is different.  Steroids or HGH don’t really offer pitchers anything in the way of an advantage.  When pitchers use them it is to recover faster from injuries, not to bulk up.  It’s still against the rules and should be punished, but shouldn’t preclude HOF consideration since it didn’t seek a competitive advantage.

Or how about Weaver who did not participate in the Black Sox fix, did not take money, but did not turn in his fellow players.  He got banned too.  

Of course Rose’s ban probably would have been lifted by now but for Rose being an asshole and embarrassing Selig and other MLB leadership.  

Congratulations The Other McCain!

 Players used to use amphetamines and greaseballs, too. Should we kick Gaylord Perry and greenie users from the 1960s out of the Hall, then?

Wombat-socho, is it okay to use this thread to tell folks about stuff we’re doing in the world of music?  Folks can click over to my site to get info, but I was wondering if it’s OK to let people know about specific releases.  (Not trying to spam so much, more like kinda bragging on stuff, and hoping a few friends appreciate it.)

 And we were just talking about assholes, and Perry’s name comes up.  First class one there, but his violations are more mere allegations.  Don’t you see a difference between spit and pine tar and artificial muscles?

AFAIK, amphetamines don’t actually improve performance, and baseball had no policy at the time anyway.