Ty Cobb was a malicious player. He was known to slide into bases with his spikes up, in order to injure whichever unlucky infielder was in the position to tag him out. Most baseball historians remember Cobb as angry, mean-spirited and racist.

But Cobb is in the National Baseball Hall of Fame.

So why not Pete Rose?

Angry baseball fans will argue that Rose didn’t just break some rules, he broke their hearts. These fans, who cheered him when he was a player, are a lot of the same people who agree he should never get to Cooperstown.

But since when was hall of fame recognition based on opinions of character? There is no doubt that Rose’s gambling was wrong. It was wrong that he wouldn’t admit it back then, and it’s wrong that he has now conveniently written a book and is trying to profit off his confession. It’s a disgrace and a shame that Rose diminished his impressive playing record because of dishonest habits. We’ve all agreed on this for 14 years. But that doesn’t erase what he did as a player.

Three World Series rings. Two Golden Gloves. A Rookie of the Year Award. An incredibly high 18 All-Star Game appearances. And he holds the record of most career hits, a record he took from the nasty, merciless Cobb. Rose’s awesome career can’t be ignored because of the gambling issue, can it?

I believe there is a way to compromise.

Bud Selig should make a deal with Rose. He’ll get into the Hall of Fame, but he won’t live to see that day.

A posthumous induction. What could be fairer?

Most of the complainers harp that Rose has no remorse; that he’s actually enjoying the attention again. So give him what he deserves. Allow him the eventual induction, but don’t give Rose the option of ever enjoying it. It’s the career that deserves recognition, not the man.

And if they want, the broken-hearted fans can complain over exhibits with photos of Rose in a Reds uniform (or a Phillies uniform, depending on the year), winning the World Series. Or they can skip that portion of the museum in Cooperstown altogether. Just because a player is inducted, that doesn’t mean you have to respect him.

Only three professional baseball players were at Ty Cobb’s funeral in 1961. It is not likely many more Major League players today would celebrate Rose’s induction.