full

full
Published on:

15th May 2025

Preserving History: Why We Must Acknowledge Baseball's Past

Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred says bans from the sport should end at death. That means Pete Rose and Shoeless Joe Jackson could be in the Hall of Fame. And I think they should be. Barry Bonds, Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa too.

Their absence creates a false version of history.

Rose bet on games. Jackson was part of the Black Sox scandal. Bonds, McGwire and Sosa used performance-enhancing drugs. No doubt. But they also hit milestones that shaped the sport. They filled stadiums. They made headlines. And in the case of Bonds and McGwire, they helped save baseball after the 1994 strike.

Subscribe now

None of these men are perfect. But they were giants. And their stories are inseparable from the game itself.

Leaving them out is like vacating titles in college sports. It lets institutions pretend something we all witnessed didn’t happen.

Jordan Peterson says, "Tell the truth, or at least don't lie." That is the standard we should hold the Hall to.

Put their flaws on the plaque. Add context. But don't erase the story.

What do you think? Should the Hall of Fame reflect what really happened?

Let me know in the comments and check out more at jamesbrowntv.substack.com.

On that note, I’m James Brown, and as always, be well.

Takeaways:

  • The discussion emphasizes that the Hall of Fame should include figures like Pete Rose and Shoeless Joe Jackson despite their controversies.
  • Rob Manfred's assertion that bans from baseball should last only until death raises significant ethical questions regarding the Hall of Fame's inclusivity.
  • The exclusion of prominent players like Barry Bonds and Sammy Sosa from the Hall distorts the historical narrative of baseball.
  • The podcast advocates for acknowledging the flaws of players while also celebrating their substantial contributions to the sport.
  • Jordan Peterson's principle of truthfulness is proposed as a standard for evaluating Hall of Fame eligibility.
  • The conversation suggests that leaving out controversial figures allows institutions to deny historical events that shaped baseball's legacy.

Links referenced in this episode:

Companies mentioned in this episode:

  • Rob Manfred
  • Pete Rose
  • Shoeless Joe Jackson
  • Barry Bonds
  • Mark McGuire
  • Sammy Sosa
  • Jordan Peterson


This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:

Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy
Transcript
Speaker A:

Let them in.

Speaker A:

This is commentary from James Brown.

Speaker A:

Baseball commissioner Rob Manfred says bans from the sport should end at death.

Speaker A:

That means Pete Rose and Shoeless Joe Jackson could be in the hall of Fame.

Speaker A:

And I think they should be Barry Bonds, Mark McGuire and Sammy Sosa, too.

Speaker A:

Their absence from the hall creates a false version of history.

Speaker A:

Rose bet on games.

Speaker A:

Jackson was part of the Black sox scandal.

Speaker A:

Bonds, McGwire and Sosa.

Speaker A:

They all juiced, no doubt.

Speaker A:

But they also hit milestones that shaped the sport.

Speaker A:

They filled stadiums.

Speaker A:

They saved baseball.

Speaker A:

None of these men are perfect, but they were giants.

Speaker A:

Their stories are inseparable from the game itself.

Speaker A:

Leaving them out is like vacating titles in college sports.

Speaker A:

It lets institutions pretend something we all witnessed didn't happen.

Speaker A:

Jordan Peterson says, tell the truth, or at least don't lie.

Speaker A:

That's the standard we should hold for the hall of Fame.

Speaker A:

Put their flaws on the plaque, add context, but don't erase the story.

Speaker A:

What do you think?

Speaker A:

Should the hall of Fame reflect what really happened, or am I totally wrong here?

Speaker A:

Let me know in the comments and support my work@jamesbrowntv.substack.com on that note, I'm James Brown and as always, be well.

Listen for free

Show artwork for The Daily Note with James A. Brown

About the Podcast

The Daily Note with James A. Brown
Finding the extraordinary in the ordinary. 5 days a week, 90 seconds a day, on-air and online from sea to shining sea.
The Daily Note is a daily commentary podcast that finds deeper meaning in everyday moments. Host James A. Brown explores how our world really works through thoughtful observation and authentic storytelling.

Each short-form episode starts with something specific James noticed while walking downtown, a conversation overheard in a coffee shop, or a small detail that revealed something larger about modern life. These aren't political hot takes or partisan commentary. The Daily Note offers genuine reflection and systems thinking for busy professionals.
This daily podcast serves listeners who want intelligent analysis without the noise. Perfect for commuters, coffee breaks, and anyone seeking thoughtful perspective on current events, workplace dynamics, and American culture.

The Daily Note delivers smart commentary, personal storytelling, and practical insights in bite-sized episodes that respect your time and intelligence. New episodes Monday through Friday.

Commentary for people who want to understand their world better, not feel better about what they already believe.

To support my work and tell me what you think join me at JamesABrown.net.
Or email me at comments@jamesabrown.net.

About your host

Profile picture for james brown

james brown