Twenty years ago, Pete Rose did what Major League Baseball wanted him to do, step up and take responsibility for his alleged gambling habit. Rose, who has been cooperative since, followed orders and confessed his wrongdoing. Still not in the Hall of Fame, and still jumping when being told to jump, I cannot figure out why he has not gotten his second chance yet.

Athletes have done so many things worse than Rose on the totem pole of ethics. I am not here to rip on the other athletes, but rather convey the message that Rose is still being punished for much less. Michael Vick, a name we are all sick of hearing, ran a dogfighting ring, did his time, and is suiting up for Philadelphia. Vick was given a second chance that quick.

Steroids in baseball have more to do with altering the course of a game moreso than a manager [Rose] betting on his team to win every night. I understand that Mark McGwire, Sammy Sosa, Rafel Palmeiro, A-Rod, and Big Papi will probably never see the Hall of Fame either. However, they cheated. How is betting on the team you are managing to win cheating? It is unethical, but it is not cheating.

Donte Stallworth killed another human being because he was drunk. He served some time (minimal), coughed up a small fortune, and you can bet he will be back on the field next year. How can these guys literally get away with murder, and Rose still be punished 20 years later? It makes no sense to me.

Rose is baseball’s all-time leader in hits. If Bud Selig decides that enough-is-enough already, he would be making the right decision. Selig seems to want to milk this and turn Rose’s funeral into his induction period. Selig knows he belongs.

Rose played from 1963 until 1986. Without him, there was no Big Red Machine, no Charlie Hustle, no advertisements that featured a baseball player so much. Rose did so much more good for the game than the bad he is still being judged upon.

There are common people who serve less than 20 years for murders. To keep a star like Rose out of the limelight is dumb. He is still charismatic, loves the game, and hurt no one but himself. Time is up, do the right thing and re-instate Pete Rose.