Just days before his passing, baseball legend Pete Rose shared his thoughts on his Hall of Fame prospects in a poignant interview with sportscaster John Condit. This previously unseen footage, aired on "Fox & Friends," offers a glimpse into Rose's perspective on his legacy and the controversy surrounding his career.

Rose, who passed away at 83 from cardiovascular disease, expressed a resigned belief that he would only be inducted into the Hall of Fame posthumously. "I’ve come to the conclusion, I hope I’m wrong, I’ll make the Hall of Fame after I die," he stated. He questioned the purpose of such an honor after death, emphasizing that the Hall of Fame should be a celebration for one's family and fans during their lifetime. "What’s the point?" he asked. "Because they’ll make money over it? The Hall of Fame is for what you did on the field, not what you did off the field."

Rose's on-field accomplishments are undeniable. As MLB's all-time hit leader with 4,256 hits, a National League MVP, a 17-time All-Star, and a three-time World Series champion, his statistical achievements speak for themselves. However, his legacy is intertwined with his lifetime ban from baseball in 1989 due to gambling on games, a transgression that continues to fuel debate about his Hall of Fame eligibility.

Despite the controversy, Rose maintained he wasn't bitter. "When you make a mistake, don’t be bitter to other people," he reflected. "I wish I hadn’t made the mistake, but I did, it’s history, get over it." He defended his actions, stating that he only bet on his team to win and that his gambling didn't harm his fans. "Every game I played in I wanted to win," he affirmed.

Adding another layer to the narrative, former President Donald Trump recently announced his intention to issue a full pardon for Rose. Trump criticized MLB for excluding Rose from the Hall of Fame, calling it a "shame" and highlighting Rose's impressive on-field record. He argued that Rose only bet on his own team to win and never against himself.

While Rose's Hall of Fame status remains unresolved, the Reds inducted him into their own Hall of Fame in 2016 and retired his number. MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred has denied Rose's reinstatement requests, but is reportedly considering a petition from Rose's family to remove him from baseball's ineligible list posthumously, a move that could potentially pave the way for his eventual Hall of Fame induction.