House Concurrent Resolution 15 was introduced by two Republican lawmakers from Southwest Ohio on April 23. The resolution urges the commissioner of Major League Baseball to remove Cincinnati Reds great Pete Rose from MLB’s “permanently ineligible list as soon as possible.” It also urges the Baseball Writers’ Association of America and the National Baseball Hall of Fame to include Rose on the Hall of Fame ballot. Thirteen other lawmakers, most from Southwest Ohio, signed on as sponsors of the resolution.
Pete Rose, who recently celebrated his 83rd birthday, holds the lifetime MLB record for hits. The resolution highlights that he is the all-time leader in at-bats and games played in Major League Baseball. Additionally, Rose is noted as the only Major League Baseball player to have played more than 500 games at five different positions.
It is clear that supporters of the resolution believe that Pete Rose’s accomplishments and contributions to the game of baseball warrant his inclusion in the Hall of Fame. They argue that his records and achievements speak for themselves and should not be overshadowed by his ban from the sport. The resolution emphasizes the importance of recognizing Rose’s significant impact on the history of baseball and his rightful place among the all-time greats.