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John Condit, the last person to interview Pete Rose, spoke with profound emotion about the baseball legend’s Hall of Fame eligibility following recent MLB announcements. Condit conducted the interview just ten days before Rose’s death, commemorating the 40th anniversary of Rose breaking Ty Cobb’s hit record.
During their discussion, Rose expressed doubt about his chances of being inducted into the Hall of Fame, indicating that he believed it would only happen posthumously. In a statement to Fox News Digital, Condit shared his feelings of shock upon learning about Rose’s passing, reflecting on their poignant conversation from just days prior.
As it turns out, Rose’s worrying prediction is starting to become a reality. The Major League Baseball organization recently declared that individuals on baseball’s ineligible list will be reinstated after their deaths. This change means that Rose, along with Shoeless Joe Jackson and 15 other players, is now eligible for induction into the Hall of Fame.
With this announcement, the door has opened for Rose’s potential enshrinement in Cooperstown. The timing of the news coincided with a planned celebration of Rose at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati, which may have marked the last major tribute to him if he had remained banned.
Condit, a former sportscaster from Dayton and a lifelong Reds fan, initiated a petition urging President Donald Trump to pardon Rose, a promise that Trump indicated he would consider in the weeks leading up to the Reds’ event.
Condit praised Trump’s willingness to advocate for Rose, asserting that many baseball fans believe Rose deserves a place in the Hall of Fame despite his troubled past. He remarked on the public sentiment that while Rose made significant mistakes, his statistical achievements warrant recognition.
Following MLB’s announcement, Condit no longer needs to rely on a presidential pardon. He expressed his relief, stating that Rose’s reinstatement means an actual chance for the legendary player to be celebrated appropriately following his death.
“I’m extremely happy. My biggest fear was that the highlight of Pete Rose’s legacy would only be Wednesday night in Cincinnati. Instead, we now have a genuine opportunity for him to be inducted into the Hall of Fame,” Condit shared enthusiastically after news of Rose’s eligibility.
MLB’s stance shifted dramatically since 1991, when it chose not to permit Hall of Fame voting for players on the ineligible list. Until recently, as long as Rose remained banned from baseball, the Hall itself upheld this decision without exception.
Condit mentioned a significant meeting last month between Trump and MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred, speculating that they discussed Rose’s situation. He expressed gratitude towards both Trump and Manfred, believing that their actions greatly increased the likelihood of Rose’s candidacy being approved.
“I believe President Trump played a crucial role for two main reasons. He loves baseball and he respects Pete Rose. Furthermore, who would want to oppose a sitting president on such a significant matter?” Condit explained, emphasizing how influential such a discussion could be in the world of sports.
Recalling his long relationship with Rose that began in the 1980s, Condit shared that he was involved in an interview with Rose in 1989 when he first learned about the MLB investigation into Rose for gambling. He was present when the MLB Commissioner at the time, A. Bartlett Giamatti, first announced Rose’s lifetime ban.
Reflecting on their earlier encounters, Condit revealed he once encouraged Rose to admit any wrongdoing, believing society would forgive him. During their recent interview, he asked Rose if he would handle things differently now, to which Rose replied he would not—indicating he thought he could evade accountability.
This complicated relationship allows Condit to empathize with both sides of the debate surrounding Rose’s eligibility for the Hall of Fame. He acknowledged Rose’s faults, confessing, “I do not blame anyone for voting against him. He is no saint; he made numerous mistakes.”
Nonetheless, Condit advocates for second chances, suggesting that Rose has served his time and deserves recognition in Cooperstown based on his unmatched statistics. He expressed hope that the Rose family may one day find peace with MLB and the Hall of Fame, despite his lingering frustrations.
“If this situation resolves positively, it could lead to a happier ending in Pete’s story. There is always hope for reconciliation and acknowledgment of the past,” Condit concluded.
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