Ty Cobb was a disgusting racist. Hack Wilson was a hopeless drunk. At the peak of his career Babe Ruth seemed to violate 12 of the Ten Commandments almost daily. They’re all in the Hall of Fame and are revered as some of the game’s all-time greats. What’s a few wagers compared to their sins?

Reinstating Rose, at least in a narrow, short-term view, comes at little cost. The Hall of Fame is the true prize for Rose’s supporters.