Horned Toad
Active Member
100% agree with you on this. He knew better, the precedent had already been set in the Black Sox scandal, and he did it anyway. If you are an athlete and care about your legacy, then protect your reputation. You reap what you sow.I understand the opposing view but I like that baseball has upheld their view that betting on baseball is a line that can't be crossed.
Shoeless Joe had a .356 career batting average and struck out 150 times in 5,000 at bats. He has been left out of the Hall all these years even though there is some ambiguity to his offense (did he actually accept money? His Series stats were very good, etc.).
Rose, on the other hand, knew clearly that betting on baseball carried a lifetime ban from the Hall but he did it anyway.
I understand that I hold a very black and white position, but I think there is honor in not going back on a clear rule.