Baseball Hall of Fame might be tempted to defy Pete Rose’s wishes next summer

One of the greatest players the game of baseball has ever seen passed away on Monday. Cincinnati Reds legend Pete Rose died at the age of 83. Rose's accomplishments on the field are Hall of Fame worthy, but his complex off-the-field identity will continue to complicate his legacy.

Rose's career accolades included the 1963 NL Rookie of the Year Award, 1973 NL MVP honors, two Gold Glove Awards, three batting titles, 17 trips to the All-Star Game, and three World Series championships. Rose also owns the Major League Baseball record for the most career hits.

But all those accomplishments were pushed aside in 1989 when Rose accepted a permanent spot on baseball's ineligible list due to gambling allegations; a clear violation of Major League Baseball rules. Rose maintained his innocence for years, but eventually admitted he did bet on baseball.

Will the Baseball Hall of Fame defy Pete Rose’s wishes next summer after the Reds legend passed away this week?

Rose's passing will surely prompt many fans and media members alike to advocate for the National Baseball Hall of Fame to finally allow the Hit King to be enshrined in Cooperstown. But a few months ago, in an interview with longtime sportscaster Al Michaels, Rose revealed that he doesn't want to be allowed into the Hall of Fame after his death.

“Here’s my deal on that. I don’t want to go to the Hall of Fame after I die because the Hall of Fame is for your family and your fans. That’s who really gets the benefit from an individual going to the Hall of Fame. I don’t want to go to the Hall of Fame after they bury me. What good is that going to do to my family?”

Those comments seem to complicate matters when it comes to Rose's inclusion among the all-time greats in Cooperstown. While many Reds fans have been clamoring for Rose to be allowed into the Hall of Fame for years, a posthumous induction may not have been what he would've wanted.

In 2016, Rose had his No. 14 jersey retired by the Reds and was inducted into the Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame. Time will tell if Rose will ever be enshrined in Cooperstown.

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