Council wants Pete Rose back in baseball

Cincinnati City Council wants to do something baseball's all-time hits leader hasn't been able to do for three decades: convince Major League Baseball to let Pete Rose back into baseball.

Council on Wednesday, in a 9-0 vote, passed a resolution requesting that Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred reinstate Rose.

"Pete Rose has done a lot for the City of Cincinnati," said Councilman Christopher Smitherman, who introduced the idea. "He spent years on the outside and we're a council that often talks bout second chances. This is about his quest to be in the Hall of Fame."

Mayor John Cranley expressed support as well.

"I think (Rose) is the greatest player of all time," Cranley said. "He shows that even if you're not born with greatest of natural skills, hard work can make a difference. Hopefully in year of the All-Star Game he'll get a second chance."

Council passed a similar resolution in the '90s that went nowhere. Smitherman is confident this time it will be different.

"We're putting millions into hosting the All-Star Game," he said. "It's the right time for MLB to take under deep consideration."

Smitherman garnered support from Councilman Charlie Winburn. Committee member Amy Murray abstained – she does not vote on resolutions.

Full Council will take up the issue Thursday at their regular meeting.

Rose, who grew up on Cincinnati's West Side, epitomized that area's work ethic. He wasn't the most talented player but always worked hard to try to outdo the competition. The Western Hills high grad signed with the hometown Reds and quickly rose through the minor leagues. He earned the nickname "Charlie Hustle" by running to first base after a walk.

He rose to stardom, helping the Big Red Machine of the 1970s win back-to-back World Series championships in 1975 and 1976. It was in a Reds uniform and before the hometown crowd that Rose became the game's all-time hits leader on Sept. 11, 1985. His 4,256 hits is just one of the many records Rose holds in baseball: He's also the game's all-time leaders in singles, outs, at-bats and games played in addition to three championships, a Most Valuable Player award and three batting titles.