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. Best known for his time with the Cincinnati Reds' "Big Red Machine" in the 1970s, he also played for the Philadelphia Phillies and Montreal Expos. Rose is MLB's all-time leader in hits (4,256) and several other categories. He won three World Series championships and an MVP award. As a manager for the Reds (1984-1989) his career was overshadowed after receiving a lifetime ban from baseball in 1989 for betting on baseball games.

Sections (7)

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

1964: Slumped Late in Season

Pete Rose slumped late in the 1964 season, resulting in him being benched and finishing with a .269 average, leading him to play in the Venezuelan Winter League to improve his batting.

1983: Worst Season of Career

In 1983, Pete Rose had the worst season of his career, batting only .245 and finding himself benched during the latter part of the season with the Phillies, though he did blossom as a pinch-hitter.

April 26, 1987: Rose Bets on Other Sports

On April 26, 1987, Pete Rose allegedly placed bets on hockey and basketball games but no baseball games, as detailed in a notebook on Rose's daily betting activity.

April 30, 1988: Rose Ejected After Altercation with 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. The incident led to a fifteen-minute suspension of the game.

February 1989: Rose Questioned About Betting

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

March 21, 1989: Sports Illustrated Details Betting Allegations

On March 21, 1989, Sports Illustrated published a cover story detailing allegations that Pete Rose had placed bets on baseball games.

April 3, 1989: Sports Illustrated Cover Story Released

On April 3, 1989, Sports Illustrated released its cover story detailing the allegations that Pete Rose had been betting on baseball games.

August 1989: Permanent Ineligibility from Baseball

In August 1989, Pete Rose was penalized with permanent ineligibility from baseball due to accusations of gambling on baseball games.

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 selling autographs and memorabilia and from horseracing winnings.

January 7, 1991: Rose Released from Prison

On January 7, 1991, Pete Rose was released from the minimum security prison camp at the United States Penitentiary in Marion, Illinois, after paying $366,041 in back taxes and interest and being required to perform 1,000 hours of community service, after being sentenced the prior year in July.

1991: Rose asks to repeal ban

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, but Commissioner Fay Vincent did not act on the application.

September 1998: Rose Applies for Reinstatement Again

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

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, in his autobiography My Prison Without Bars, Pete Rose admitted publicly to betting on baseball games and other sports while playing for and managing the Reds. Rose stated that he hoped his admissions would help end his ban from baseball so he could reapply for reinstatement.

My Prison Without Bars

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2004: Admission of Betting on Baseball

After years of denial, in 2004, Pete Rose admitted that he bet on baseball and on the Reds.

2004: Rose's Gambling Violation Described

Even after his 2004 admission of gambling, Pete Rose had described his violation of MLB rules with a defiant attitude.

2004: Criticism After Admission of Gambling

In 2004, following Pete Rose's admission of gambling, some supporters were outraged that he would reverse fifteen years of denial, particularly due to the timing of the admission relative to the Hall of Fame announcement.

March 2007: Rose Discusses Betting on His Team

In March 2007, during an interview on The Dan Patrick Show on ESPN Radio, Pete Rose admitted that he bet on his team every night to win, stating he did everything in his power to win that game.

September 11, 2010: Rose Apologizes for Disrespecting Baseball

On September 11, 2010, at a roast held at Hollywood Casino Lawrenceburg in Indiana on the 25th anniversary of his 4,192nd hit, Pete Rose wept while acknowledging he had "disrespected baseball" and apologized to Pérez and other members of the Big Red Machine.

June 2015: ESPN Investigation Reveals Rose Bet on Baseball

In June 2015, ESPN concluded its own investigation of Pete Rose, revealing that he had bet on baseball while still a player-manager, with records of his bets seized from one of his associates.

2015: Reinstatement Request Rejected

In 2015, Commissioner Rob Manfred rejected Pete Rose's request for reinstatement, citing concerns about Rose's honesty and continued gambling.

July 2016: Defamation suit filed

In July 2016, Pete Rose filed a defamation suit against John M. Dowd, after Dowd alleged in a radio interview the previous summer that Rose committed statutory rape.

August 2017: Let Go by Fox Sports

In August 2017, Pete Rose was let go by Fox Sports when the details of his sexual relationship with a teenager in the 1970s was revealed after he attempted to sue John Dowd.

December 15, 2017: Defamation suit dismissed

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

2020: Rose Applies for Reinstatement Again

In 2020, Pete Rose and his lawyers applied for reinstatement in the wake of the Houston Astros sign stealing scandal, but the request was not responded to.

2022: Another Reinstatement Application Rejected

In 2022, Pete Rose again applied for reinstatement to MLB, stating his desire to be considered for the Hall of Fame, but Commissioner Rob Manfred quickly rejected the request.

March 2023: Manfred Dismisses Reinstatement Speculation

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