Opinion: The Hypocrisy of MLB’s Pete Rose Ban and Its Gambling Affiliation – A Necessary Stance
With Pete Rose now deceased, the calls for his induction into the baseball Hall of Fame may intensify.
Many argue that it is hypocritical for Major League Baseball to keep Rose on its permanently ineligible list, effectively barring him from the Hall of Fame, while the league profusely accepts and profits from betting on its own games.
But this reasoning is flawed.
Rose, who passed away at age 83 on Monday in Las Vegas, spent the last 35 years of his life feeling wronged after an extensive investigation revealed he placed bets on Cincinnati Reds games while serving as their manager.
The allegations and subsequent fallout were astonishing, comparable to the turmoil of the steroid era and the sign-stealing scandals, all occurring in a condensed timeframe, leading to the downfall of one of baseball’s legends.
Since the lifetime ban issued by commissioner A. Bartlett Giamatti in August 1989, Rose sought to rehabilitate his image through the passing of time.
However, throughout the tenures of three subsequent commissioners and amidst various scandals, Rose’s status remained unchanged. Iconic figures of the game, some of whom have cheated or used performance-enhancing drugs, continued to enter Cooperstown’s Hall of Fame.
While he remained an influential figure, Rose was frequently found signing autographs just a short distance away from where he once thrived.
That distance, less than 500 feet, felt like an insurmountable barrier, though his supporters were willing to travel great lengths to show their loyalty.
However, the passage of time does not absolve Rose’s actions – nor should it.
Although the comprehensive Dowd Report did not establish that he fixed games, evidence showed he placed bets on games both as a manager and while pursuing his goal of surpassing Ty Cobb as the all-time hits leader.
The situation is disheartening, revealing the damage inflicted on a sport when a manager places bets on games involving his own team. This conduct is troubling not only for the player involved but also for the 24 other team members affected by his decisions which could arguably undermine the outcome of games.
Some of Rose’s advocates might wonder, who really cares? It’s a valid inquiry.
The MLB’s acceptance of gambling has become inevitable, albeit unsettling.
This partnership became evident in 2018, following a Supreme Court ruling that allowed legalized sports betting across different states. As of 2024, bets can be placed in 38 states and Washington D.C. on a variety of games.
It makes sense that sports leagues want to oversee this new landscape and potentially profit from it, especially as traditional revenue sources, like lucrative sports network deals, begin to dwindle.
However, the proliferation of gambling advertisements within stadiums and arenas, the establishment of sportsbooks in these venues, and the incessant push of gambling promotions present a concerning trend. In these environments, individuals, sometimes in dire circumstances, are encouraged to take risks while facing increasingly long odds.
We now find ourselves in an age where prominent figures like LeBron James promote companies like DraftKings, sending mixed messages to athletes at all levels regarding gambling behavior.
Despite the growing acceptance of gambling, it does not erase Rose’s past mistakes, which have put a strain on the trust shared among players, leagues, and fans.
As sports fans and casual bettors, we are left to hope that leagues will genuinely uphold fair play and the integrity of the sport, not just protect the reputations of their most popular athletes should they become involved in gambling.
To date, the league’s disciplinary actions have only resulted in a handful of cases.
The NFL has managed to discipline a few players, including Calvin Ridley, who received a one-year suspension for placing bets on football games. A Toronto Raptors player, Jontay Porter, was banned for life due to a scheme aimed at influencing a prop bet involving himself.
Moreover, five MLB players, including infielder Tucupita Marcano, were suspended for betting on baseball, with the league attributing the discoveries partly to their collaboration with licensed sportsbooks.
The looming threat of a more significant scandal remains ever-present. The sport narrowly avoided a major incident when Shohei Ohtani’s interpreter confessed to stealing approximately $16 million from Ohtani to feed his gambling addiction. Although this didn’t culminate in an “Ohtani gambling scandal,” it was an alarming close call,
In a surprising turn of events, bookmakers, their associates, and one of the game’s biggest stars found themselves intertwined.
This situation is quite unsettling. For those of us who remember the Pete Rose scandal, it’s disheartening to hear athletes casually talking about point spreads or carrying apps related to gambling. It serves as a warning to the younger crowd.
While Rose often made situations revolve around him, this issue extends beyond him. Sports betting has become a legitimate industry across many areas. Various leagues are striving to regulate it and are taking measures against those who violate the rules.
Rose betrayed the integrity of the sport, lied about his actions, and tried to gain financially from his admissions of guilt. This personal struggle consumed him, given that it’s reasonable to argue that no one cherished the game more than he did.
Now he has faded into the background. In five years, commissioner Rob Manfred will likely follow. When a new commissioner steps into the role, one of the first inquiries will probably be, “Will you contemplate reinstating Pete Rose?”
From Giamatti to Fay Vincent, Bud Selig, and now to Manfred, the answer has consistently been no, irrespective of whether Rose has managed to gain a moment to argue his case with the current commissioner.
The name may change at the commissioner’s office, but the response is unlikely to shift. Giamatti unfortunately suffered a heart attack just a week after banning Rose, and subsequent commissioners have respected his wishes.
Perhaps there will be a change in opinion someday. However, it wouldn’t be wise to count on that happening.
