For the first time since 1989, Pete Rose has admitted that he bet on the Cincinnati Reds while he managed them in the 1980s:
Pete Rose revealed Wednesday that he bet on the Reds “every night” while he was manager of the team and that the Dowd Report was correct when it said he did so.
Rose spoke Wednesday with Dan Patrick and Keith Olbermann on ESPN Radio to discuss the new Pete Rose exhibit that will be on display at the Great American Ballpark as part of the Reds Hall of Fame. The exhibit will be on display for 11 months.
“I bet on my team every night. I didn’t bet on my team four nights a week. I was wrong,” Rose said.
Rose said that he believed in his team so much that he bet on them to win every night.
“I bet on my team to win every night because I love my team, I believe in my team,” Rose said. “I did everything in my power every night to win that game.”
Rose accepted a lifetime ban for gambling in 1989, but denied for nearly 15 years that he bet on baseball. He finally acknowledged in his latest autobiography, published in January 2004, that he made baseball wagers while he managed the Cincinnati Reds.
It’s good that Rose has finally admitted what everyone knew was true, but I don’t think that should change things. For now, I see no reason that his lifetime ban should be lifted and, even if it were, he should never be permitted to be inducted in the Hall of Fame. The rules barring players and coaches from betting on baseball are there for a reason and ignoring what Rose did would essentially be condoning it.
He was a great player and manager, but he made a mistake and he needs to pay the price.
