Sure Pete Rose belongs in the HOF based on his career as a player. Just as much as Ty Cobb belongs. BUT Pete Rose disqualified himself by breaking the cardinal rule of baseball. He bet on a baseball game while an active participant. And he did it as both a player and as a manager. So far, he has only admitted to the latter. And he did it illegally. He MAY have only bet on his own team. But then again maybe that's only the part to which has admitted so far. Maybe we'll eventually learn that he bet against his team as well. But whether he did or he didn't is ultimately not relevant. He broke the cardinal rule of baseball. He'e out of baseball and the HOF as a result. MLB should keep it that way.