The baseball world mourned the loss of legendary baseball player and all-time hits leader Pete Rose this week.
Rose, known as “Charlie Hustle”, was revered for his tough play and knack for hitting. But unfortunately, Rose has one of the most complicated legacies in baseball history due to a gambling scandal that kept Rose out of the baseball Hall of Fame, even until his death.
But despite Rose’s passing, there are still calls for Rose to be inducted into the Hall of Fame.
And leading the charge is none other than former president Donald Trump.
In a tribute on social media, Trump called for Rose to receive his overdue spot in Cooperstown after Major League Baseball had long tried to keep him out of the Hall of Fame over his past gambling controversy.
The GREAT Pete Rose just died. He was one of the most magnificent baseball players ever to play the game. He paid the price! Major League Baseball should have allowed him into the Hall of Fame many years ago. Do it now, before his funeral! DJT
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 2, 2024
“The GREAT Pete Rose just died. He was one of the most magnificent baseball players ever to play the game. He paid the price! Major League Baseball should have allowed him into the Hall of Fame many years ago. Do it now, before his funeral! DJT.”
Rose passed away in Las Vegas on Monday due to heart failure, according to a Clark County medical examiner. He holds MLB records for games (3,562), at-bats (14,053), hits (4,256) and singles (3,215).
The records Rose holds will likely never be broken in the modern baseball era, and it’s not the first time that Trump has called for Rose’s ban to be overturned so he could enter the Hall of Fame.
In 2020, Trump tweeted: “Pete Rose played Major League Baseball for 24 seasons, from 1963-1986, and had more hits, 4,256, than any other player (by a wide margin). He gambled, but only on his own team winning, and paid a decades long price. GET PETE ROSE INTO THE BASEBALL HALL OF FAME. It’s Time!”
Pete Rose played Major League Baseball for 24 seasons, from 1963-1986, and had more hits, 4,256, than any other player (by a wide margin). He gambled, but only on his own team winning, and paid a decades long price. GET PETE ROSE INTO THE BASEBALL HALL OF FAME. It’s Time!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 8, 2020
Despite Rose’s on-field scandals, he was loved by fans and players.
Time will tell if Trump’s push to get Rose in the Hall of Fame will work.