Rose Has Only Himself to Blame

Pete Rose spent the Hall of Fame induction weekend signing autographs two blocks from the hall for an obvious reason: To continue his campaign of whining by reminding everyone what a poor little victim he is.

Despite what Bill Plaschke says, Rose was not banned from the sport for gambling. He voluntarily agreed to accept banishment for conduct not in the best interests of baseball in exchange for avoiding a hearing investigating his gambling activities. That’s why he “wasn’t given due process before the suspension� and why it was “never proven� that he bet on baseball. He refused to let things get that far. That was a wise move considering the evidence against him (which, according to the FBI) included his fingerprints on dated betting slips.

He is free to apply for reinstatement at any time, which he never has done, preferring instead to make a career out of his perceived victimhood. “How long are you going to make me pay?� he asks. The last I heard, that was up to him.

KRISTI HALE

Garden Grove