Should Pete Rose’s Hall of Fame ban be lifted?

The death of Pete Rose on Monday reignited widespread debate about whether or not baseball’s “Hit King” belongs in the Hall of Fame. Moreover, it led many to wonder if the Hall will lift its ban on Rose, opening the door to a posthumous enshrinement. Rose remains on Major League Baseball’s permanently ineligible list, and Hall rules forbid anyone on that list from being elected.

In this week’s “Polling Place,” your home for Sun-Times sports polls on the social platform X, we asked if the Hall should lift the ban.

“Should’ve been done a long time ago,” @Homeofthefree5 commented.

Next, we asked which voters would rather watch, a huge baseball playoff game or any old NFL game.

“Game 7s are a dime a dozen,” @JBIRD1268 cracked.

Last, we asked who will be better this season, the Blackhawks or the Bulls. Yeah, yeah, we know it’s a little early for that question.

“Bulls are a waste of time,” @puckplacement wrote.

@GentlemanHawk summed it up with some dry humor: “Great time to be a Chicago sports fan.”

On to the polls:

Poll No. 1: Should the National Baseball Hall of Fame lift its ban on the late Pete Rose?

Upshot: Both @CheeseDaddy62 and @breacher60 mistakenly referred to Rose’s “lifetime” ban, something commonly read and heard throughout the week. “Permanent” is more accurate. Then again, it won’t have been “permanent” if the Hall eventually reverses course.

Poll No. 2: A baseball Game 7 or an average NFL matchup not involving the Bears? You can watch only one.

Upshot: One-third picked a rando NFL game, hard for a seamhead to understand. It probably would have been two-thirds had the alternative been a Game 6 rather than a Game 7.

Poll No. 3: What’s your early take on which team will have a better season on the ice/court, the Blackhawks or the Bulls?

Upshot: There’s only one thing to do at a time like this, and that’s watch “The Last Dance” for the 17th time.