19-Year MLB Veteran Slams Pete Rose Eligibility Decision
Major League Baseball's decision on Tuesday to lift Pete Rose's ban from the Hall of Fame sent shockwaves that are still reverberating to this very moment.
As one would imagine, myriad opinions on the matter have come to the forefront, including personal insights of former players, coaches, journalists and fans alike.
The statue of former Cincinnati Reds player Pete Rose in front of Great American Ball Park.Aaron Doster-Imagn Images
Undoubtedly, it is difficult to feel the precise pulse of the situation.
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Many have expressed discomfort toward the recent news while vehemently berating MLB commissioner Rob Manfred. Conversely, droves of others echoed support for Rose, who passed away last September, and his family (also ostracizing Manfred).
For a notable name in the mix, A.J. Pierzynski — a two-time All-Star catcher who played 19 MLB seasons — hopped on the Foul Territory podcast to say his piece.
Pierzynski pulled no punches on Wednesday's episode, telling his co-hosts, "I have been firmly against this from the get go. I've said it on this show, I've said it everywhere and to anyone who will listen to me—I am against [Rose] being reinstated.
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"Permanent. That doesn't mean it stops when you die," the former backstop asserted. Of course, like Rose, Pierzynski was a polarizing, hard-nosed (literally) player in his own right.
Pierzynski, drafted in 1994 by the Minnesota Twins, is best known for winning the 2005 World Series with the Chicago White Sox. Also, he famously absorbed a right hook from Cubs catcher Michael Barrett in the "Crosstown Classic," outwardly expressing joy to the South Side crowd after.
Pierzynski continued his tirade by citing Article 21 of MLB's rulebook, which prohibits players and coaches from betting on baseball. "Where's the repercussions when you do something? (...) His family still gets to experience it, and it means more to the family — for a lot of these guys — then it does to them."
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Transparently, harsh feelings around Rose's status reversal are not going anywhere. As it is now, the Historical Overview Committee and the Classic Baseball Era Committee can nominate Charlie Hustle for Cooperstown enshrinement in December 2027.
Related: Calls Escalate Against Rob Manfred After MLB's Pete Rose Decision
Ironically, the Reds are hosting Pierzynski's beloved White Sox on "Pete Rose Day," wherein MLB's all-time leader in hits will be honored. Projected starters are Davis Martin and Nick Lodolo; first pitch is slated for 7:14 p.m. ET.
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