Quote:
Originally Posted by Snakeeye
The Hall of Fame isn't limited to a playing career. He risked damaging the credibility of the game by betting on the game. That is more than enough.
Any pitcher who used the spitball and is in the Hall did so when the spitball was legal.
That potential future hall of famers used steroids is a not a valid defense of Rose. While the game does need to take action to make sure such cheaters are denied access, if they make a mistake in this regard, it does not mean that leaving Rose out was not also a mistake.
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Wrong. Gaylord Perry self-admittedly used a spitter throughout his hall of fame career (he of course admitted in retirement).
However, the only reason the spitball became illegal was during the 1919 influenza pandemic, to prevent flu transmission. Most pitchers who can effectively throw a spitter, say it is a very difficult pitch to throw, and if most pitchers tried it, they'd be throwing all kinds of crazy wild pitches.