Pete Rose found it a bit unsettling to discuss the topic of his Hall of Fame prospects, but he was never shy about it.

Now that he has passed away, dying on Monday in Las Vegas at age 83, the question arises: “Will Pete Rose finally be inducted into the Hall of Fame?”

In our many conversations, the subject of his Hall of Fame eligibility came up often, yet he always hoped it would not culminate in this manner.

He yearned for the honor of induction, but was also fearful, perhaps realistically, that he wouldn’t be alive to see it happen.

As the all-time leader in baseball hits, Rose was banned indefinitely from the sport in 1989 for betting on games while managing the Cincinnati Reds.

Despite this, he maintained that it was unjust for Major League Baseball to punish him indefinitely.

“There are individuals who receive life sentences in prison,” Rose remarked, “yet they are freed before I am.”

He highlighted the presence of steroid users who have been welcomed into the Hall of Fame.

He noted that some players who faced legal issues or were suspended for drug use have gone on to become ambassadors for the sport.

When Major League Baseball started to embrace gambling through shows on its network and ads in ballparks, he argued it was time to reconsider his induction.

Rose even made a wry comment following the arrest of Ippei Mizuhara, Shohei Ohtani’s interpreter, for illegal gambling, saying: “If I had an interpreter, I’d already be in the Hall of Fame.”

Yet the harsh reality was that Rose always accepted the painful fact that he might need to have passed on for his induction to happen.

This way, MLB would no longer have to concern itself with his actions or comments.

After his death, he couldn’t potentially bring embarrassment to the league.

It’s uncertain whether Commissioner Rob Manfred or MLB would ever contemplate reinstating Rose, even with the Hall of Fame considering him for its Era Committee ballot.

On the other hand, “Shoeless” Joe Jackson, who was involved in the 1919 World Series scandal, still has not been inducted into the Hall of Fame despite being deceased for 72 years.

“It always bothered him seeing others being inducted despite their wrongdoings,” shared Bob Crotty, who grew up a fan of Rose’s Big Red Machine and became close to him over the last 15 years. “He often mentioned that. He simply desired to find his name on that ballot.”

There are many who will always hold grudges against Rose for his gambling, his controversial actions, and his loud persona.

“I once gave Pete a ride home on my plane from Cooperstown,” Crotty recounted. “As he got onboard, he told me, ‘You’re the others.’

“I inquired, ‘What do you mean?’

“He explained, ‘If this plane goes down, it will read: Pete Rose and others died in the crash.’”

Crotty laughs while sharing this story, noting he has countless anecdotes with Rose that he can’t publicly divulge.

“Pete was straightforward,” Crotty stated, “but he had a complex personality. He was a genius when it came to baseball, recalling everything from the pitch count to the weather for any moment. No one understood the game like he did. Yet there was a softer side; when my daughter passed away in 2015, Pete left me a heartfelt message.”

“But his personal life was where the issues arose.”

Most recently, Rose was seen in Cooperstown this summer, signing autographs in a store, still enjoying his fame. However, his health was in decline; he required assistance with stairs and was on heart medication, with his memory fading.

He no longer resembled the passionate young player who played baseball with relentless intensity.

“Honestly, Pete’s health began to decline after Joe Morgan passed away in 2020,” Crotty noted. “That loss had a profound effect on him; he idolized Joe. It hit him hard.

“He became more reflective and emotional. While he had a tough exterior, that shell was beginning to fracture.”

The fans adored Rose, and his absence will be felt profoundly by those who knew him well. No one played the game with such fervor. No one cared more about baseball. No one had a better knack for storytelling. His entire life revolved around the sport.

And ultimately, all of that was stripped away from him.

Prominent Hall of Fame figures like Morgan, who served as vice president on the Hall’s board, and legendary home run hitter Henry Aaron tirelessly advocated for Rose’s induction. They lobbied on his behalf with four different commissioners, yet nothing changed.

Morgan questioned why players suspended for performance-enhancing drugs can be included on the Hall of Fame ballot, yet Pete Rose is not.

Years ago, Rose reflected, “I made my share of mistakes, and I can’t complain about them. I just picked the wrong thing to do. If I had chosen drinking, using drugs, or domestic violence, I’d probably get a second chance.”

“In baseball, it seems that gamblers are not given many second chances.”

Perhaps one day, Rose will finally receive that second opportunity.

Unfortunately, as he has feared, he may not be around to witness it.

(This article has been updated to include new information.)