Reds Hall of Famer Marty Brennaman has perfect response to MLB lifting Pete Rose ban

Former Cincinnati Reds broadcaster Marty Brennaman maintained a close friendship with Pete Rose over the years, so perhaps no one is better qualified to speak on the recent decision from MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred to lift the ban keeping The Hit King from appearing on the Hall of Fame ballot.

During an interview with Joe Danneman of FOX19, Brennaman restated his long-held belief that Rose would never be eligible until after his passing — which was confirmed — and described the feelings surrounding Manfred's decision as a mixture of happiness and anger.

Brennaman then bemoaned the current rules in place that will still keep Rose out of Cooperstown until at least 2028. The Baseball Writer's Association of America will not be the ones who decide Rose's fate, but rather the Era Committees. With Rose having enjoyed most of his success prior to 1980, the Classic Era Committee will make the decision whether or not to include Charlie Hustle into the Hall of Fame, and they don't convene until 2027, with enshrinement coming one year later.

Reds Hall of Famer Marty Brennaman has perfect response to MLB lifting Pete Rose ban

Brennaman also brought up an intriguing aspect of Roberto Clemente's induction into Cooperstown. Clemente, of course, tragically passed away in plane crash in the winter of 1972. The Baseball Hall of Fame then held a special election the following year that allowed for Clemente to be included on the ballot, and he received 92.7% of the vote despite having played during the previous season.

Players typically have to wait five years after their playing career is over in order to be included on the Hall of Fame, but an exception was made for Clemente due to the tragic circumstances surrounding his death. Would the Hall of Fame voters do the same for Rose?

"The earliest he (Rose) could be in is 2028, which I think is ridiculous," Brennaman said. "I would like to think that they could waive the rules like they did with Roberto Clemente when he tragically died in a plane crash in the early-70s while he was still an active player."

Brennaman is certainly correct in his assertion that the Hall of Fame could make an exception for Rose, but given his questionable past, that seems unlikely. While the ban has been lifted, many Reds fans feel as though it's too little, too late. But Manfred has effectively shoved the responsibility of Rose's candidacy to the voters.

Rose's legacy is, at the very least, complicated. It's also one that deserves recognition alongside the other greats of baseball's past, and Reds fans will continue to wait and see if Rose's accomplishments will ever adorn a bust in Cooperstown.

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