Major Controversies Surrounding Pete Rose: A Detailed Timeline

A closer look at the most debated and controversial moments involving Pete Rose.

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

1978: Paternity Suit Filed Against Rose

In 1978, a paternity suit was filed against Pete Rose, naming him as the father of Morgan Erin Rubio.

1980: MLB Refuses Rose participation in anniversary

In 1980, MLB refused to allow Pete Rose to participate in the 1980 Phillies anniversary celebrations.

1984: Rose at Gold's Gym

In 1984, Tommy Gioiosa brought Pete Rose to his Gold's Gym, where Gioiosa sold anabolic steroids in the late 1980s.

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.

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.

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.

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

Check it on Amazon

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.

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.

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.

March 1, 2025: Trump Promises Posthumous Pardon

On March 1, 2025, President Donald Trump announced on Truth Social that he would grant Pete Rose a posthumous pardon, while also criticizing MLB and the BBWAA for Rose's ban and advocating for his reinstatement and Hall of Fame induction. Manfred responded by stating he would review Rose's ineligibility, following a petition from Rose's estate submitted in January.