The argument rages on and on about whether Pete Rose should be in the Major League Baseball Hall of Fame. For years, I have argued that he should be based on his hitting merits alone, not what he did wrong as a manager. A recent trip to the gambling capitol of the world, Las Vegas, has made me reconsider my stance.

Walking through the Forum Shops at Caesers Palace on Saturday, I spotted a “signing autographs today, Pete Rose” sign outside of The Field of Dreams store. Heading in, I saw Pete sitting behind a table and yacking on his cell phone. He was also writing, but not his name. Making my way farther around the table where he signs, I was able to snap this shot that had a monitor showing horse races. Pete was scribbling his perfectas and trifectas on a big pad while he talked on his phone.

A customer paid the asking fee of $69.00 for an autographed baseball. Rose never got off of the phone, continued to worry about the races and stopped concentrating for a split second to scribble his name on a keepsake I would not pay a dime for, not now.

Maybe Pete should check into rehab instead of Caesers Palace for a week.