When MLB legend Pete Rose found an unlikely ally in his bid for Cooperstown 

Former Cincinnati Reds star Pete Rose gained an unexpected ally in his bid to make the Hall of Fame in the shape of former New York Mets staffer Joe Radomski.

Radomski was alleged to be a steroid supplier in the Mitchell report, which alleged that many major baseball players were involved in the illegal use of steroids. The report was released by George Mitchell, an American politician, diplomat, and lawyer.

Radomski spoke to Mitchell while under threat of “potential criminal exposure” and during the investigation, it was discovered that he had supplied drugs to Roger Clemens.

In a 2020 Forbes interview, Radomski described MLB as "a bunch of hypocrites" and questioned why Rose, who is the all-time leader in hits (4,256), is not a member of the Hall of Fame.

“I really don’t care if Bonds and Clemens get in. Baseball is a bunch of hypocrites. It’s a game. You’re going to tell me (career hits leader) Pete Rose is not in the Hall of Fame? Ridiculous.”

Rose was penalized in 1989 for gambling and betting on the Cincinnati Reds while he was still in a managerial position. Two years later, the Hall of Fame formally voted to ban those on the "permanently ineligible" list from induction.

In 2016, Rose petitioned for the Hall of Fame ballot. However, he is still ineligible.

When Pete Rose gave up on getting inducted into the Hall of Fame

Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame News Conference

In an interview with Forbes earlier this year, Rose admitted that he has given up on induction into the Hall of Fame.

Rose has appealed his case and written an open letter to MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred, but to no avail.

“To be honest with you, I’ve kind of given up on the Hall of Fame. I’ve been turned down so many times, I can’t see Mr. Manfred changing his mind.”

Manfred also denied Rose's request in 2015. As such, it is unlikely he will ever be enshrined in Cooperstown. However, he was inducted into the Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame in 2016.