Should Pete Rose be enshrined in baseball’s Hall of Fame?

Sounds like a redundant question, but the Rose loyalists have risen from the ashes once again to generate interest for the legendary Red, Phillie, and Expo.

You can find plenty of posts around over the past two weeks either defending or rejecting his admittance. Overall, Rose has received plenty of support, as fans recognize his high levels of determination and grit.

At age 83, Rose’s biological clock is ticking.

Rose’s stumbling block is gambling, but there have been others whose Cooperstown status is certainly debatable. And don’t forget ex-Phillie Richie (Dick) Allen?

In this week’s version of my Yesterday column — reminiscing about sports and pop culture in the 1960s, 70s, 80s and sometimes before and beyond — I’ll take a look at Rose’s state and some other possible candidates, as well as some interesting “red” pop culture items.

Who sang the song, “Red Rubber Ball?” What former wrestler had the same first name as Barney Rubble’s son? What was a “Hippity Hop?”

Color Him Red ... In 1989, Rose received a lifetime ban from the game for admitting that he bet on baseball. Two years later, MLB passed a rule that forbade anyone with a lifetime ban to enter the Hall.

Rose applied for reinstatement in 1997, and met with then commissioner Bud Selig in 2002, but Selig never addressed the issue. Rob Manfred succeeded Selig in 2015, and he rejected Rose’s plea.

“Charlie Hustle” did violate the rule that was clearly stated in big, bold print on the back of every clubhouse door rule, forbidding any semblance of gambling.

Along with his lifetime ban, you may have forgotten that Rose served six months in prison in 1990 for tax evasion. Speaking of the Expos, Rose is still eligible to get into the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame.

The Irony of It All ... It’s true that Rose did break one of baseball’s golden rules, but I’m sure you have noticed baseball’s close ties with online wagering.

You can look at any baseball-related website and find gambling odds and all kinds of bets aside from the straight team bet. Websites have “prop” bets — betting on an occurrence happening (Trea Turner gets three hits) — and also “money line,” point spread, over/under, and team totals to name a couple. A few of the terms are also associated with football, which has been a bedside partner with gambling.

I don’t want to explain all of the various kinds of bets and turn this into a different column, but you get the idea.

When you think about it, it’s a bit crazy to hold Rose out of the Hall with gambling being such a huge component of the game. However, he did cut his deal.

Still, should Rose’s character have anything to do with his play on the field?

As a result, the player with the following credentials likely won’t be among the game’s greats: most hits in MLB history, three World Series wins, 17 MLB all-star appearances (at five different positions), two Gold Gloves, three batting titles, an MVP award, and a Rookie of the Year honor.

It is a never-ending argument. What do you think?

More Debate ... Aside from Allen, here are some other worthwhile candidates: Roger Maris, Don Mattingly, Keith Hernandez, Lou Whitaker, Bobby Grich, Kevin Brown and Johan Santana.

They all have comparable numbers to their contemporaries already enshrined.

What’s bad? ... Mike Schmidt was among the Phillies involved in the amphetamine scandal of those “little green pills” during the mid-70s when Schmidt had the bulging numbers. Should we look at him any differently?

For years, there have been stories about Ty Cobb’s off-the-field behavior, notably being a self-proclaimed racist. Cap Anson issued the color ban, and Kenesaw Mountain Landis had his share of miscues. Jeff Bagwell and Ivan Rodriguez played during the steroid era and were suspected of using. Tim Raines was a cocaine users in the 80s and found his way to upstate New York.

How about former Braves’ manager Bobby Cox, who was charged with domestic abuse and reportedly has a history with it?

Through the Years ... Aside from the “Black Sox” scandal in 1919, there were a few other notable ones.

Former manager Leo Durocher was suspended for part of the 1947 season for associating with gamblers and gangsters. I always remember Durocher from his days with the Cubs, and he played himself as a manager in a 1960s episode of “The Munsters.”

In 1967, Detroit’s Denny McLain became baseball’s first 30-game winner. Three years later, McLain was suspended for half the season for gambling. He retired in 1972 and soon after found himself in prison for racketeering and money laundering charges.

Then there was former Phillies pitcher Wayne Simpson (remember him) who was offered $2,000 or a new car to throw a game as a member of the Reds in 1972. The pitcher also had to allow Pirates’ first baseman Bob Robertson to get a hit. Simpson and Reds’ catcher Johnny Bench reported the incident to Reds’ management. There weren’t any arrests made, the Reds won the game, and Robertson did get a hit. Hmmm.

That Red Ball ... In 1966, the Cyrkle released “Red Rubber Ball,” a classic bubblegum song that we all recognize. It soared to No. 2 on the Billboard chart.

The Cyrkle is also known for the song, “Turn Down Day” the same year.

More Seeing Red ... If you were a youngster in the 60s, you will probably remember “Hoppity Hop,” the inflatable giant red ball that you could bounce and ride.

In the same set was “Tip Rok,” where you would be seated in a car chair and rock side-to-side. There also was “Go Go Rock,” which was a standing version of the previous item, and the “Aerobat,” where you could do somersaults in a giant circle.

Of course, all were red, and you really could amuse yourself with any of them.

WWF/WWE Wrap ... Every week, I’ll briefly recount the career of a former standout?

Do you remember Bam Bam Bigelow? He was renowned for wearing his bright red and yellow tight.

Born Scott Charles Bigelow in New Jersey, “Bam Bam Bigelow” began his career in 1985 and retired in 2006. He had an overall record of 808 wins, 597 losses, and 78 draws. Bigelow also was known as Crusher Bam Bam Biglow and Crusher Yurkoff.

Bigelow won the USA Heavyweight Championship, was an ACW and WCW tag-team champion, and was a WCW Heavyweight champion.

He passed away at age 45 in 2007.

What’s in a Name ... Through the years, I remember some sports personalities with a “Red” nickname. There was the Flyers “Big Red” Tim Kerr, St. Louis Blues’ Red Berenson, Knicks’ head coach Red Holzman, Celtics’ head coach Red Auerbach, and baseball announcer Red Barber.

And how about actors Red Skelton and Red Buttons?

X Gets the Square ... In your youth or teenage years (or beyond), you likely watched the game show “Hollywood Squares.” Longtime show host and personable Peter Marshall recently passed at age 98.

In sports circles, he is always associated with being the father of former Cub and Royal Pete LaCock, who was a left-handed hitting first baseman and outfielder.

Memory Lane ... Each week, I’ll recall a former player, manager, coach or media personality from our yesterday.

Do you remember former Phillies and Reds pitcher Pat Zachary? He became famous for being a part of the Mets-Reds Tom Seaver trade in June of 1977.

Zachary spent six seasons with the Mets, where he posted an overall 41-46 record with a 3.63 ERA. He had a 17-14 mark with a 3.35 ERA with the Reds in two years, and also spent two years with the Dodgers.

His final season was with the Phillies in 1985 when he had a winless record with a 4.26 ERA in 10 games.

Overall, Zachary was 69-67, 3.52 in 10 seasons. He passed away in April at the age of 71.

Final thought ... Remember when TV stations signed off in the early morning with the national anthem?

What do you think about Rose? Your thoughts about him and other topics are always welcomed at tnsports@tnonline.com