Re: Pete Rose, 20 years later...HOF or not?
 

If Mantle's ban was not lifted on his death bed then why should Rose's?

Re: Pete Rose, 20 years later...HOF or not?
 

Excellent point. Neither Mantle or Mays were never even remotely alleged to have gambled on baseball games. Their only "crimes" were that they were hired to be greeters at casinos well after they retired from MLB. Wear a sport coat, greet patrons of the casino, sign autographs, etc. For this they were banned from baseball for life.

Re: Pete Rose, 20 years later...HOF or not?
 

Correct me if i'm wrong, but I though both were reinstated by commissioner Peter Ueberroth?

Re: Pete Rose, 20 years later...HOF or not?
 

I stand corrected. Smitty knows his baseball. Here is a sentence from Wikipedia:

Hall of Famer Willie Mays, who had also taken a similar position, had already had action taken against him. Mantle accepted the position, regardless, as he felt the rule was "stupid." He was placed on the list, but reinstated on March 18, 1985, by Kuhn's successor, Peter Ueberroth.