I don't think there is a direct correlation between the off-field sins of Lawrence Taylor, Darrell Strawberry, and others and the Pete Rose situation. Pro sports has always been acutely sensitive to the accusation that games might be thrown or fixed, and this is for good reason- the issue of untainted effort and competition lie at the heart of what makes sports exciting. It went hard for the Black Sox, Hornung, and Rose because they violated this rule, a violation which constitutes a failing on a personal level(like drug abuse), but a lethal strike at the heart of League Sports on a professional level. And, in addition, Rose lied about his gambling involvement, and continues to deny it.

I don't blame Pro Baseball for taking a hard-ass stance on this, and for making an example of Rose. However, I do think a sufficient amount of time has passed that he should be seriously considered for the Hall of Fame, and I think that the Reporter went after him too hard, and in the wrong venue. I DO think Rose needs to make a clean breast of it.