Rich “Goose” Gossage was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2008.
While the former relief pitcher calls Pete Rose “one of the greatest players to ever play the game,” he does not think baseball’s hit king should join him in Cooperstown.
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“I don’t think he’ll ever get in, nor should he get in,” Gossage told Perform Media on Friday. “There is more to the story than Pete’s gambling and the extent of it.”
Rose, who was a contemporary of Gossage during their playing careers, received a lifetime ban for gambling on baseball in 1989. He has convinced new MLB commissioner Rob Manfred to consider reinstating him.
“It’s only a formality that Pete be elected to the Hall of Fame,” Gossage said, but added that it won’t be a good thing for baseball.
“As young players, the thing you learn early is to not gamble on the game or you will be suspended for life,” said Gossage, who has partnered with Hormel Foods to bring fans tips for a no-hassle major league tailgate.
“If we let Pete in, then gambling and everything else is out the window,” he added. “The horse is out of the barn. What will that mean?
“An old man once told me there’s a paddle for everyone’s ass. The paddle for Pete’s butt is not getting inducted into the Hall of Fame.”
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