Former baseball star Pete Rose has begged the MLB to include him in the Hall of Fame, apologising for every controversy he's ever been involved in.
Rose remains one of the greatest baseball stars of all-time, with the former switch hitter holding the record for the most hits (4,256), games played (3,562), at-bats (14,053), singles (3,215), and outs (10,328) in the MLB. Rose won the World Series on three occasions, but he ruined his reputation when he became a coach.
Three years after retiring as a player in 1984, Rose switched to management, but allegations were made that he had gambled on games he played as a player and a manager for the Cincinnati Reds - which he later admitted. The Hall of Fame voted to make him permanently ineligible to be inducted as a result, but Rose has now penned a letter out of desperation to be considered.
Rose's career in baseball ended in 1989 following the allegations of wrongdoing, even though he denied all claims. But after years of public denial, Rose then admitted in 2004 that he was guilty of gambling on games.
Over three decades have passed since the fallout between Rose and the MLB, but now at the age of 81, the former star is begging to be considered. And Rose penned an emotional letter to MLB commissioner Rob Manfred, asking for his lifetime ban to be lifted.
"I am writing today for three reasons," Rose wrote in his letter. "First, because at my age I want to be 100% sure that you understand how much I mean it when I say that I'm sorry.
"Second, to ask for your forgiveness. And third, because I still think every day about what it would mean to be considered for the Hall of Fame."
And Rose went into even more detail, pouring his heart out in one final attempt to change the commissioner's mind. "Aside from spending time with my kids and my partner, nothing has made me happier than playing baseball in front of fans," Rose added.
"Letting her down and bringing shame to the sport we all love is something I think about every day." And Rose also spoke about the pain he's dealt with seeing his former co-stars get inducted over him, and also not live with the guilt.
"You can’t imagine how painful it is when I see my teammates from all the great teams I’ve played in and players I’ve played against make their life the way I wanted it to be. I want to be a part of that too and I know I probably never will.
"I’m so thankful for the time I shared with them on and off the pitch. I beg your forgiveness. Despite my many mistakes, I’m so proud of what I’ve accomplished as a baseball player – I’m the bat king and my dream is to be inducted into the Hall of Fame.
"Like all of us, I believe in accountability. I am 81 years old and I know that I have been held accountable and that I hold myself accountable. I am writing now to ask for another chance."
