Public opinion has shaped and shadowed the decades-long saga of Pete Rose — from his fall from grace to his long-awaited return. Relive the debate that followed baseball’s hit king through scandal, confession, and redemption.

The investigation unfolds

Rose’s admission

  • “Two teammates with two different stories” is a letter to the editor contrasting the stories of former teammates Rose and Tug McGraw — here

  • “A Rose with any other crime would be in the Hall of Fame” is an editorial giving examples of the transgressions of other Hall of Famers — here

  • “If Rose gets into Hall of Fame he’ll do it without my vote” — here

  • “Rose’s latest hustle changes little” — here

  • “Pete Rose is Selig’s dilemma” and editorial cartoon — here

  • “Call his bluff” argues for letting him in the Hall of Fame but showcasing all aspects of his story at Cooperstown— here

  • “Ethics: the last resort of hypocrites” — here

  • “Glad you came clean, Pete. Now leave us alone.” — here

Rose’s reinstatement

Keeping it all in perspective

Despite all of the controversy, one writer celebrates the return of baseball in the Spring despite controversy — “Warts and all, baseball is back.”.

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