He does NOT deserve to be put in the Hall of Fame. Sure Pete Rose was a great player that at one time deserved to be inducted but he blew it, and big time at that. Here is why I think that the only way he should get into the Hall of Fame is as a paying customer.
He bet on the game of baseball while he was playing. In every clubhouse in every professional ballpark their is a sign on the home teams door as they exit for the field. One line on this sign states IF YOU BET ON BASEBALL YOU ARE SUSPENDED FOR LIFE. Period, no grey area there. This one is a no brainer, its there in your face every time you leave your teams clubhouse.
He bet on his own team. Maybe you believe Pete that he never bet on his team to lose, but I dont. Come on, he idea of gambeling on sports is to WIN money. There is no 100% sure thing in any pro sport EXCEPT that you can throw a game to LOSE in order to cover a spread to win a bet. Hmmmm
He lied to everyone for14 years that he never bet on baseball, and I quote "I have to much respect for the game, and of the fans to bet on baseball" Charlie Hustle should have been nicnamed Charlie Liar Liar Pants on Fire. This was in 1989
At the all star game in 99 (cleveland i think) when he was named to the all century team, he lied again, and got all pissed off and stormed off when asked. "Pete, did you ever bet on baseball"
And now in 04, when he realizes he will never get in, he finally admits it in a book first, then reluctantly on TV. But he has no remorse for doing it.
He is a liar and a cheater, and as a fan of most sports, and as a person who enjoys gambeling on sports, I say screw Pete Rose. He was a great, make that an amazing player, but thats it. Why should he get some sort of special treatment.