text: I grew up in Queens, the Shea Stadium neighborhood. So I often got a chance to see Pete Rose play in the late 60s, early 70s. Never saw a ballplayer who hustled with such intensity as Pete Rose. On a routine ground ball, he would sprint with all of his heart to first base. If he thought the play would be close, he would dive head first to try to beat the throw. He was a geniune ballplayer, all heart, and a gifted batting eye. That's why he holds the record for most career hits, breaking Ty Cobb's record. Needless to say, he belongs in the hall of fame. And he's probably better than 75 percent of the inductees.\n\nAll I have to say about that is the steroid issue now permeating baseball is a greater crime than Pete Rose betting on baseball games not involving his team. Bart Giamonti, baseball commissioner who banned Rose, was too full of himself. No where near as great as Rose was to baseball. Let him in and we should all beg for his forgiveness.