Rose, Holliday, Goodell, and random observations on the wonderful world of sports

In the words of the great San Francisco Chronicle sports columnist Scott Ostler, here are my deep thoughts, cheap shots, and bon mots:

---Apparently Commissioner Bud Selig is considering reinstating Pete Rose back into baseball. Good for Selig. It's easy to criticize Selig's general ineptitude, but at least he's beginning to see the stupidity in Pete Rose's lifetime ban on baseball.

---Pete Rose belongs in the Hall of Fame. No if's, and's, or but's about it. In no way do I condone his betting on baseball, but this isn't the Hall of Morals. Pete Rose is one of the greatest hitters the game has ever seen, the face of those great Cincinnati Reds teams in the 1970's. He played with incredible grit and tenacity. And he's not in the Hall of Fame? This is beyond ridiculous. Rose may be a prickly jerk, but he needs to be inducted into Cooperstown as soon as possible.

---Speaking of Cooperstown, congratulations to Jim Rice and Rickey Henderson on their inductions into the HOF yesterday. Rice and Henderson both gave excellent speeches, especially Henderson, who displayed surprising humility in a speech that was genuinely funny and gracious. And once again, the ceremony was beautifully done. Baseball, more so than any other sport, does a fantastic job of honoring the legends of the game.

---It was not a good weekend for the St. Louis Cardinals, who squandered their first-place position to the resurgent Chicago Cubs, but it wasn't all bad for Tony LaRussa's club. Matt Holliday has been an unstoppable force through his first couple of games with the Cards. Here's hoping he continues to stay hot against Dodger pitching this week.

---It's a big homestand for my San Francisco Giants, who return to AT&T Park to face the Pirates and Phillies after a rough road trip. Let's get off to a great start tonight behind Tim Lincecum! Go Giants!

---To my surprise, Roy Halladay has yet to be traded. The Phillies have refused to meet J.P. Ricciardi's strict demands for Halladay, and sources are reporting that the trade is unlikely to occur. I'm not sure what Philly is thinking here. Of course it's never ideal to give up top prospects, but we're talking about Roy Halladay here! If I were Philadelphia G.M. Ruben Amaro Jr., I'd give up the entire farm in order to get Halladay.

---Terrell Owens ignited more controversy over the weekend, but this time he did nothing wrong. Asked about Commissioner Roger Goodell's decision to suspend Michael Vick for four games to start the NFL season, T.O. passionately spoke in opposition to Goodell's decision. Owens' had harsh words for Commissioner Goodell, even suggesting that Goodell spend time in jail. Of course that last part is laughable, but Owens' broader point is absolutely dead-on. Vick has served his time and he has expressed genuine remorse for his actions, yet Goodell insists on extending further punishment toward Vick. Goodell is a strong commissioner, but when it comes to Vick, he is unnecessarily unforgiving.

---And in the NBA, the New Orleans Hornets are close to an agreement with the Charlotte Bobcats that would send Tyson Chandler to Charlotte in exchange for Emeka Okafor. This marks the second time in six months that the Hornets have tried to trade away Chandler. If this deal does indeed go through, it is a huge win for Charlotte, and a reminder that the Hornets are blind when it comes to Chandler. Tyson Chandler is in the upper echelon of NBA big men, while Emeka Okafor has never fully realized the potential that he showed during his days at UConn.