Pete Rose had one of the best careers in Major League Baseball history. When he retired, Rose won three World Series championships with the Cincinnati Reds and Philadelphia Phillies. Rose is still the all-time hit king with 4,256 career hits, and he made 17 All-Star games. But, he is not in the Hall of Fame.

After a 1989 investigation, it was found that Rose had placed numerous bets on his current team, the Reds, numerous times in the past. Despite the constant denials for over a decade, Rose eventually admitting to cheating in 2004. Since then the debate has raged on. Many believe Rose should be allowed to be eligible for the Hall of Fame while others disagree.

Here are five reasons I believe Rose should never be allowed in the Hall of Fame:

1. It's Fair

Let's not sit here and act like there is an injustice being done. There's dozens of players who are banned from Hall of Fame eligibility for numerous reasons. The most notable (other than Pete Rose) is Shoeless Joe Jackson for his involvement in the 1919 Black Sox scandal. Former Philadelphia Phillies owner Horace Fogel was banned in 1912 just for accusing umpires of making favorable calls. Benny Kauff was even banned from baseball because he sold stolen cars. Players found guilty of using performance enhancers haven't been voted into the Hall of Fame, either. Rose's statistics, wins and accomplishments can all stay, but he just can't make the Hall of Fame. So, again, let's not make it like Rose is being singled out.

2. He Lied

People must have short-term memories or they just want to forget what Rose did from 1989 to 2004. He lied. Who knows, maybe if Rose would have come clean in the very beginning he would have been forgiven. But the notion of Rose getting a "second chance" after he illegally bet on the game and then lied about it for 15 years is a bit of a stretch. During that time period, Rose was arrested for tax evasion, constantly lied and mocked the game by slandering commissioners. When he finally "came clean," it was when he was releasing his book "My Prison Without Bars" in 2004. Pretty weird coincidence. Marge Schott (the racist Reds owner who was banned in 1996) didn't exactly help the situation for Rose, either.

3. Open Pandora's Box

If you think Rose not being eligible is controversial, you haven't seen anything yet. If Rose were ever to get inducted into the Hall of Fame, it would bring a huge argument amongst baseball fans. The all-time home run leader Barry Bonds isn't in the Hall of Fame, and neither is Sammy Sosa or Mark McGwire. As soon as you let Rose in the Hall of Fame, you would have to let everyone who used performance enhancers in, including pitching great Roger Clemens. To be equal, you would have to forgive the 1919 White Sox as well. There's no reason to treat Rose any differently, especially considering the fact he bet on his own team.

4. Numbers Aren't Everything

Jackie Robinson and Roberto Clemente aren't in the Hall of Fame just because they won World Series championships, had great numbers and were viewed as the best at the time. They showed class on the field and were ambassadors off it donating time and money to those less fortunate. For players to make the Hall of Fame they must play great on the field while honoring the game with integrity. Rose can remain the all-time hit leader and keep his three World Series titles, but the Hall of Fame is currently blocking more than 20 people (players, managers, owners) who bet on baseball.

5. Rules Are Rules

There's not much of a point in having a Major League Baseball Constitution if you're not going to follow it. Whether or not you agree with the rules, they are printed clearly on everyone's contract. Rose didn't just bet on baseball when he was the Reds manager, it was also found that he bet on them as a player and manager in the 1980s. Rose really did have a gambling problem, even with horse racing. Who knows how far Rose's bets go back? He later admitted to betting on his own teams but only to win. But can we really trust Rose? Even if Rose is reinstated, it's unlikely he would get enough votes to make the Hall of Fame anyway. We can't change the rules just for Rose and his cheating ways.

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