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. Best known for his time with the Cincinnati Reds' "Big Red Machine," he also played for the Philadelphia Phillies and Montreal Expos. Rose secured three World Series championships, one with the Phillies. As manager for the Reds, his career ended due to allegations of betting on baseball. He holds MLB records for hits (4,256), games played (3,562), and at-bats (14,053).
In 1985, according to the Dowd Report, Pete Rose was allegedly involved in gambling activities. The report, which documented these activities in 1985 and 1986, compiled a day-by-day account of his alleged betting on baseball games in 1987.
In 1985, during Pete Rose's pursuit of Ty Cobb's hit record, there were allegations that Rose used corked bats. Two sports memorabilia collectors had Rose's game-used bats x-rayed and found signs of corking. Rose had previously denied using corked bats.
In 1986, according to the Dowd Report, Pete Rose was allegedly involved in gambling activities. The report, which documented these activities in 1985 and 1986, compiled a day-by-day account of his alleged betting on baseball games in 1987.
In 1987, the Dowd Report documented Pete Rose's alleged betting on baseball games, citing bets on fifty-two Reds games. The report alleged Rose wagered a minimum of $10,000 a day.
On April 30, 1988, during a game against the New York Mets, Pete Rose was ejected after shoving umpire Dave Pallone twice during an argument over a call. Rose claimed Pallone initiated physical contact. Fans responded by throwing objects onto the field, leading to a brief suspension of play.
In February 1989, Pete Rose was informally questioned by Commissioner Peter Ueberroth and A. Bartlett Giamatti about reports that he had bet on baseball. Rose denied the allegations, admitting only to betting on other sports.
On March 21, 1989, Sports Illustrated gave the public their first detailed report of the allegations that Rose had placed bets on baseball games in the cover story of the issue dated April 3, 1989.
On April 3, 1989, Sports Illustrated's issue with the cover story detailing the allegations that Rose had placed bets on baseball games was released to the public.
In August 1989, Pete Rose faced a significant challenge when he was penalized with permanent ineligibility from baseball amid accusations of gambling on baseball games while playing for and managing the Reds.
On April 20, 1990, Pete Rose pleaded guilty to two charges of filing false income tax returns, not showing income he received from selling autographs and memorabilia and from horseracing winnings.
On January 7, 1991, Pete Rose was released from prison after serving five months for filing false income tax returns. He paid back taxes and interest and was required to perform community service.
In 2020, Pete Rose petitioned the Hall of Fame to repeal their 1991 ban on players on the ineligible list.
In 1992, Pete Rose first applied for reinstatement to baseball after his ban. Commissioner Fay Vincent never acted on his application.
In September 1998, Pete Rose applied for reinstatement with Commissioner Bud Selig, after Fay Vincent never acted on his 1992 application. Selig also never acted on it.
In December 2002, John Dowd stated in an interview that he believed Pete Rose likely bet against the Reds while managing them, despite the Dowd Report stating that no evidence was discovered that Rose bet against the Reds.
In March 2003, Commissioner Bud Selig acknowledged that he was considering Pete Rose's application for reinstatement, but ultimately took no action.
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.
In 2020, Pete Rose, along with his lawyers, applied for reinstatement, referencing the Houston Astros sign stealing scandal. He also petitioned the Hall of Fame to repeal their 1991 ban on players on the ineligible list.
In 2022, Pete Rose again applied for reinstatement to MLB, stating that he thought about the Hall of Fame every day, however Commissioner Manfred quickly rejected the request.
In March 2023, Commissioner Manfred dismissed speculation about possible reinstatement of Pete Rose, despite MLB's partnerships with sportsbooks.