By Rick LaRivière with Richard Luthmann and Michael Volpe
The Unknown All-Stars: Hall of Fame or Hall of Shame?
On a fiery new sports segment of The Unknown Podcast, co-hosts Michael Volpe and Richard Luthmann tore into two of the biggest sports controversies: Pete Rose’s Hall of Fame eligibility and Michael Jordan’s surprise return to NBA broadcasting.
Pete Rose’s reinstatement to Hall of Fame eligibility has reignited one of the most heated debates in baseball history.
Rose, who died earlier this year, still holds MLB’s all-time record for hits at 4,256. He won three World Series, earned 17 All-Star appearances, and managed the Reds while secretly betting on games. That got him tossed in 1989 and kept him out for decades.
But after his death, MLB reversed course, removing him from its permanently ineligible list along with Shoeless Joe Jackson.
Luthmann defended Rose, quoting MLB’s recent decision: “Permanent ineligibility ends upon the passing of the disciplined individual. Mr. Rose will be removed.”
He argued that Hall of Fame exclusion should end with life.
“At death, we face final judgment. Who the hell is Cooperstown to think they’re more important than God?” Luthmann said.
Volpe hit back hard.
“Shoeless Joe Jackson took money to throw a World Series. Rose bet on his own team while managing,” Volpe said. “Every locker room had that gambling rule plastered on the wall.”
He said the integrity of the game was at stake.
“You can’t put either of these guys in. They didn’t help the game—they hurt it.”
But Luthmann pressed the issue.
“Would you take Mickey Mantle out? He was an alcoholic. Rose had a sickness too—gambling.”
Luthmann argued that if the Hall honored flawed legends like Ty Cobb, it should honor the all-time Hit King.
“Errors happen inside the diamond and out. Baseball is a game of success despite flaws and failures.”
Volpe didn’t budge.
“Rose knew the cardinal sin. He did it anyway. He strategized based on bets. That’s unforgivable.”
The Unknown All-Stars: Jordan Reclaims His Throne—With a Microphone
As the Rose segment cooled, the podcast turned to basketball—and a bombshell announcement.
Michael Jordan is joining NBC’s NBA coverage as a special contributor. It’s the first time he’s ever taken a formal TV role covering the league, and it comes amid a $76 billion broadcast war for NBA media rights.
“Jordan does everything to avoid attention,” Volpe said. “He once said that when he walks into a room, he feels every eye on him. So it’s a big deal that he’s doing this.”
Luthmann said the move was calculated.
“Jordan sees the LeBron era ending. This is his way of reminding the world he’s the GOAT. For the next decade, people will see Jordan again and say, ‘Oh yeah, he was the greatest.’”
Volpe pushed back.
“Jordan isn’t interested in debate. He always said those arguments don’t matter unless you settle it on the court—and you can’t, not with LeBron or Wilt or Bill Russell. He’s doing this because he wants to stay in the game. As a player, GM, owner, and now contributor.”
NBC rolled out Jordan’s announcement with style, mimicking his 1995 return from retirement with a presentation at Radio City Music Hall that flashed: “I’m back.”
Jordan then appeared in a video message: “The NBA on NBC was a meaningful part of my career… I’m excited to be a special contributor.”
Jordan’s hiring is a major coup in a TV battle that includes Amazon and ESPN, which have also locked in talent like Steve Nash, Dwyane Wade, Candace Parker, and Charles Barkley.
The Unknown All-Stars: A Tale of Two Legends
Volpe and Luthmann’s debate highlighted two iconic but controversial sports figures—one tainted by scandal, the other returning to center stage.
Luthmann framed Rose’s case in spiritual terms.
“Only God is perfect. Rose made mistakes. But if we forgive Ty Cobb, why not Rose?”
Volpe was unmoved.
“Gambling nearly killed baseball in 1919. Rose knew that. He did it anyway.”
As for Jordan, Volpe saw a man trying to impact the game from a new angle.
“He’s been a central part of the game since hitting that shot in the ’82 NCAA finals. Now he wants to contribute as a broadcaster.”
Luthmann saw something else.
“Jordan never stopped competing. This is about legacy. This is about G.O.A.T. status.”
Whether Jordan’s move is about legacy or loyalty to the game—and whether Rose deserves enshrinement in Cooperstown—The Unknown Podcast didn’t settle the arguments.
But it brought the fire.
And that’s what sports talk is supposed to do.
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