When does forgiveness begin?

Tonight at the Great American Ballpark in Cincinnati Pete Rose appeared as one of the Reds' "Franchise Four" players, along with Hall of Famers Johnny Bench, Joe Morgan and former NL MVP Barry Larkin for the annual MLB All-Star Game. As the final player introduced, Rose entered to a rousing ovation from the Ohio faithful who became the game's all-time hits leader. Known as many by his nickname "Charlie Hustle," Rose was revered for his constant hustle on the base paths as well as his ability to go-all out on every play. Baseball fans of yesteryear remember him for his gut-wrenching hit on catcher Ray Fosse at the 1970 All-Star Game which affected Fosse's career going forward.

However, despite being a key member of the "Big Red Machine" that won two World Series titles in the 1970s, the Pete Rose that many know now is the one that was banned from baseball for life in 1989 for admitting to gambling on baseball while being a player-manager for the Reds. He signed the agreement once he was caught, effectively ending his career and later being barred from being voted into the Hall of Fame. For the past 26 years the never-ending debate of whether or not he should be reinstated has been a topic of discussion on sports talk radio shows, countless television programs, and even at Cooperstown, NY, home of the Hall of Fame. Many remember the uncomfortable interview he had with Jim Gray at the 1999 All-Star Game in Atlanta.



Even with the recent release of the Dowd Report which highlights Rose's gambling as a manager, the calls for him to be reinstated have grown louder than ever. New MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred has stated that he would keep an open mind about re-opening talks with Rose, which brings an even greater question: To what extent should a person extend forgiveness?

We've seen countless athletes fall to a myriad of scandals...Sammy Sosa (drugs), Lance Armstrong (lying) and Tiger Woods (infidelity) yet the public has been willing to forgive them once they came clean and was willing to show humility. Forgiveness is a human quality that we all possess, even to the point of extending it to the most heartless person. When Peter asked Jesus in Matthew 18 how many times he should forgive, Jesus responded "Seventy times seven." Even when Jacob stole Esau's birthright and Esau swore revenge, he forgave his brother and they made amends.

This is not about whether or not Rose should be inducted into the Hall of Fame, but it does go to a bigger question: how much longer must we hold grudges with one another? Forgiveness releases not the person who did the offending, but the person who was offended. They say time heals all wounds, and the only way to do that is to be willing to extend forgiveness, or take the first step in saying "I'm sorry."