Charley Hustle played the game with avengeance. He played with a passion that overcame his "moderate" talents. Lesser men would have spent all their careers in AA, warming the bench...that was about the extent of his raw ability. But man what that drive and passion can do! No, his private life was less than perfect, but gawd knows there are plenty in the HoF who were complete assholes--Cobb comes readily to mind.

The Hall of Fame is about baseball. How in the hell can you keep a player like Pete out? He ran afoul of Black Bart and that was that. Just ridiculous.......

When I want my sons to learn the importance of passion in life, doing their best and giving more than they have, I'll let them watch Pete Rose play baseball...and Cal Ripken, Minnie Minosa, the entire "Big Red Machine," the Mick playing thru pain, Rocky Colavito, Yogi, Roy Campanella, Dale Murphy, Jackie Robinson, Robin Roberts, Joe Nuxhall, Brooks Robinson, Stan Musial, Bob Gibson, Duke Snider, and on and on.........some had admirable family lives, some didn't, but the lesson is about giving your all.

Pete Rose not in the Hall of Fame? Like Folk Music without Pete Seeger...just ain't right is it?

Spaw