Challenges in the Life of Pete Rose in a Detailed Timeline

Resilience and perseverance in the journey of Pete Rose. A timeline of obstacles and growth.

Pete Rose, nicknamed "Charlie Hustle," was a prominent MLB player and manager from 1963-1989. Notably with the Cincinnati Reds' "Big Red Machine" in the 1970s, he also played for the Philadelphia Phillies, winning a World Series in 1980, and briefly for the Montreal Expos. Rose managed the Reds from 1984-1989.

Sections (7)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals Legacy & Impact

1985: Rose's Gambling Activities

In 1985, Pete Rose allegedly engaged in gambling activities, according to the Dowd Report.

1985: Allegations of Corked Bat Use

In 1985, during Pete Rose's pursuit of Ty Cobb's hit record, allegations arose that Rose used corked bats. In 2010, a report by Deadspin indicated that two sports memorabilia collectors had X-rayed game-used bats from that season and found signs of corking, a claim Rose had previously denied.

1986: Rose's Gambling Activities

In 1986, Pete Rose allegedly continued his gambling activities, according to the Dowd Report.

April 26, 1987: Rose Allegedly Bets on Other Sports

On April 26, 1987, Pete Rose allegedly placed bets on hockey and basketball games, but not baseball games. A notebook detailing Rose's daily betting activity shows Rose placed bets on five of the six games Mario Soto started in 1987.

1987: Day-by-Day Account of Betting on Baseball Games

In 1987, the Dowd Report documented a day-by-day account of Pete Rose's alleged betting on baseball games. The report alleged that Rose wagered a minimum of $10,000 a day on fifty-two Reds games.

April 30, 1988: Rose Ejected for Pushing Umpire

On April 30, 1988, during a game against the New York Mets, Pete Rose was ejected after forcefully pushing umpire Dave Pallone twice during an argument over a call. Rose vehemently disputed the call, leading to the physical altercation.

February 1989: Informal Questioning by MLB Officials

In February 1989, Pete Rose was informally questioned by Commissioner Peter Ueberroth and A. Bartlett Giamatti amid reports of betting on baseball. Rose denied betting on baseball but admitted to betting on other sports.

March 21, 1989: Sports Illustrated Report on Gambling Allegations

On March 21, 1989, Sports Illustrated published a detailed report on the allegations that Pete Rose had placed bets on baseball games. The article appeared on the cover of the issue dated April 3, 1989.

April 3, 1989: Sports Illustrated Report on Gambling Allegations

On April 3, 1989, Sports Illustrated published a detailed report on the allegations that Pete Rose had placed bets on baseball games. The article appeared on the cover of the issue dated April 3, 1989.

April 20, 1990: Rose pleads guilty to filing false income tax returns

On April 20, 1990, Pete Rose pleaded guilty to two charges of filing false income tax returns for not reporting income from autograph and memorabilia sales, and horseracing winnings.

January 7, 1991: Rose is released from prison

On January 7, 1991, Pete Rose was released from prison after paying $366,041 in back taxes and interest and being required to perform 1,000 hours of community service.

February 4, 1991: Hall of Fame Excludes Ineligible Individuals

On February 4, 1991, the Hall of Fame formally voted to exclude individuals on the permanently ineligible list from being inducted by way of the Baseball Writers' Association of America (BBWAA) vote.

1991: Petition to Hall of Fame Board

In 2020, Pete Rose sent a petition to the Hall of Fame's board of directors, asking them to repeal their 1991 ban on players on the ineligible list.

1992: Rose Applies for Reinstatement

In 1992, Pete Rose applied for reinstatement to baseball. However, Commissioner Fay Vincent did not act on his application.

September 1998: Rose Applies for Reinstatement with Selig

In September 1998, Pete Rose applied for reinstatement with Commissioner Bud Selig, but Selig also did not act on it.

December 2002: Dowd Believes Rose Bet Against the Reds

In a December 2002 interview, John Dowd stated that he believed Pete Rose probably bet against the Reds while managing them.

March 2003: Selig Considers Rose's Application

In March 2003, Commissioner Bud Selig acknowledged that he was considering Pete Rose's application for reinstatement, but ultimately took no action.

January 8, 2004: Rose Admits to Betting in Autobiography

On January 8, 2004, Pete Rose publicly admitted to betting on baseball games and other sports, including Reds games, in his autobiography, My Prison Without Bars, published by Rodale, Inc., and in an interview on ABC's Primetime Thursday.

My Prison Without Bars

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2004: Criticism Following Admission

In 2004, Pete Rose faced criticism after admitting to betting, with some supporters expressing outrage and questioning the timing of the admission relative to the Hall of Fame announcement.

2004: Rose exhibits swagger

In 2004, journalist Kostya Kennedy described Rose exhibiting a kind of swagger, that familiar screw-you defiance, even after admitting to gambling.

March 2007: Rose Admits to Betting on His Team Every Night

In March 2007, Pete Rose stated in an interview on The Dan Patrick Show on ESPN Radio that he bet on his team to win every night, affirming his belief and love for his team.

2008: Veterans Committee Bars Ineligible Players

In 2008, the Veterans Committee barred players and managers on the ineligible list from consideration.

September 11, 2010: Rose Acknowledges Disrespecting Baseball

On September 11, 2010, at a roast in Lawrenceburg, Indiana, commemorating the 25th anniversary of his 4,192nd hit, Pete Rose wept and acknowledged that he had "disrespected baseball", apologizing to Pérez and other members of the Big Red Machine.

June 2015: ESPN Investigation Reveals Rose's Betting Records

In June 2015, ESPN's investigation of Pete Rose revealed records of bets he made on baseball while still a player-manager, which had been seized by federal authorities from one of Rose's associates.

2015: Manfred Rejects Reinstatement Request

In 2015, Commissioner Rob Manfred rejected Pete Rose's request for reinstatement, citing Rose's lack of candor about his gambling and continued betting on baseball. Manfred also felt that Rose did not have a mature understanding of his misconduct and the damage it caused to the game.

July 2016: Defamation Suit Filed Against John M. Dowd

In July 2016, Pete Rose filed a defamation suit against John M. Dowd after Dowd alleged Rose committed statutory rape.

December 15, 2017: Defamation Suit Dismissal

On December 15, 2017, the defamation suit filed by Pete Rose against John M. Dowd was dismissed after both parties reached an agreement.

2020: Rose Applies for Reinstatement After Astros Scandal

In 2020, Pete Rose, along with his lawyers, once again applied for reinstatement in the wake of the Houston Astros sign-stealing scandal. In his petition, he stated that his gambling did not affect the outcome of games, whereas other players who used steroids or used electronic signs to steal catchers' signals, did affect games, yet were not banned. He also sent a petition to the Hall of Fame's board of directors, asking them to repeal their 1991 ban on players on the ineligible list.

2021: Ineligible Players List

In 2021, Roberto Alomar was banned for sexual misconduct and put on the ineligible list, and Pete Rose was already on this list.

2022: Rose Applies for Reinstatement Again

In 2022, Pete Rose again applied for reinstatement to MLB. Commissioner Manfred quickly rejected the request and stated that any Hall of Fame discussions would be deferred to the Veteran's Committee.

March 2023: Manfred Shoots Down Reinstatement Speculation

In March 2023, Commissioner Rob Manfred quickly dismissed speculation about Pete Rose's possible reinstatement, despite MLB's emerging partnerships with sportsbooks.