Sports Gambling Revolution: Revisiting Pete Rose's Impact on Baseball

The Shifting Landscape of Sports Gambling

During the 1970s, the era of peak Pete Rose, Major League Baseball maintained an air of innocence. Nary a betting booth was to be found in stadiums, game broadcasts had not a single FanDuel ad, and leagues lacked an Official Sports Betting Partner. Rose’s recent passing at the age of 83 evoked that distant era, instigating considerable cognitive dissonance.

Rose's Dual Legacy

His fame resided in being one of baseball’s greatest players while also being one of its most disgraced figures. In 1989, he was permanently banned from the game for regularly betting on baseball, including on the Cincinnati Reds while serving as manager. The door to the Baseball Hall of Fame forever closed for Rose, where his entry would have likely been a safe bet.

From Innocence to Entanglement

Baseball has since lost that innocence, acknowledging fans' financial interests in game outcomes. The professional sports world has intertwined deeply with the gambling industry, a shift accelerated by a 2018 Supreme Court ruling that overturned a nationwide ban on organized sports betting. Monthly wagering surged from below $50 million to over $1 billion last year.

Rethinking Rose's Actions

• In today’s context, a player would likely face a substantial suspension for betting on baseball.
• However, experts suggest Rose might have received reinstatement due to the sports world’s evolving perspectives on gambling.
• His long-term denial of betting on baseball complicates his legacy.

The Corruption of Trust

Betting on games by players is inherently corrupt, arguably worse than performance-enhancing drugs, since it undermines the sport's integrity. Yet, the impact of Rose’s actions reverberates differently in light of current practices.

Embracing the Monster

We may not forgive Rose merely because baseball moguls now see dollar signs. As Dan Okrent stated, Rose’s actions violated the sport’s cardinal rule. However, baseball’s acceptance of the gambling industry might suggest that more players could soon share Rose’s ignominious legacy.