What to Say About Sports – The Only Pete Rose Fact You Need [VIDEO]

Pete Rose ran when he walked.

That's the one reason people like me want him to be in the Hall of Fame. He ran when he walked.

For the uninitiated of baseball, a 'walk' occurs when a pitcher throws four pitches that don't cross the plate for a strike, or that the batter doesn't swing at and miss. Four balls and the batter then gets to go to first base without hitting the ball. There is no pressure to get there quickly, so most players trot down the line and take their bag.

Rose ran full speed to first base every time he was walked. It was as if he was saying "I'll practice how I'll play, and being walked is just practice for my next single."

He earned the nickname "Charlie Hustle" for this reason and because he always played all out. Always.

That, and what his effort really meant in regards to what he accomplished in sports, is the reason why I am so sad that he'll never make it to the Baseball Hall of Fame.

I don't know if he should or shouldn't be there. I just know that I am sad that he is not.