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. 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).
July 14, 1970: Rose Involved in Infamous All-Star Game Play
On July 14, 1970, at Riverfront Stadium, Pete Rose was involved in a controversial play during the All-Star Game, where he barreled over catcher Ray Fosse to score the winning run, resulting in a fractured shoulder for Fosse.
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1978: Paternity Suit Filed
In 1978, Pete Rose was named in a paternity suit related to Morgan Erin Rubio.
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1978: Rose Meets Tommy Gioiosa
In 1978, during spring training, Pete Rose met Tommy Gioiosa, who later became a companion and runner to Rose before bringing Rose to his gym in 1984. Gioiosa's gym was later found to be selling anabolic steroids.
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1980: MLB Refusal to Participate in Phillies Anniversary Celebrations
In 1980, MLB refused to allow Pete Rose to participate in 1980 Phillies anniversary celebrations.
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1984: Gioiosa Brings Rose to His Gym
In 1984 Tommy Gioiosa, who had first met and befriended Rose in 1978, brought Rose to his gym. Gioiosa's gym in suburban Cincinnati was later found to be selling anabolic steroids.
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1985: Rose's Alleged Gambling Activities
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.
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1985: Allegations of Corked Bats During Record Chase
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.
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1986: Rose's Alleged Gambling Activities
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.
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April 26, 1987: Rose Allegedly Bet on Hockey and Basketball
On April 26, 1987, Pete Rose allegedly placed bets on hockey and basketball games but no baseball games, according to a notebook detailing his betting activity.
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1987: Dowd Report Details Rose's Alleged Baseball Betting
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.
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April 30, 1988: Rose Shoves Umpire, Ejected from Game
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.
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February 1989: Rose Questioned About Baseball Betting Allegations
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.
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March 21, 1989: Sports Illustrated Publishes Baseball Betting Allegations
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.
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April 3, 1989: Sports Illustrated Publishes Baseball Betting Allegations
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.
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August 1989: Rose Penalized with Permanent Ineligibility
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.
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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, not showing income he received from selling autographs and memorabilia and from horseracing winnings.
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January 7, 1991: Rose Released from Prison
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.
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February 4, 1991: Hall of Fame Excludes Ineligible Players
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 vote.
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1991: Hall of Fame Formally Bans Ineligible Players
In 1991, the Baseball Hall of Fame formally voted to ban those on the "permanently ineligible" list from induction.
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1991: Rose Applies for Reinstatement Amid Astros Scandal
In 2020, Pete Rose petitioned the Hall of Fame to repeal their 1991 ban on players on the ineligible list.
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1992: Rose Applies for Reinstatement
In 1992, Pete Rose first applied for reinstatement to baseball after his ban. Commissioner Fay Vincent never acted on his application.
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1996: Paternity Lawsuit Settlement
In 1996, Pete Rose settled the paternity lawsuit with Morgan Erin Rubio, acknowledging her as his daughter.
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September 1998: Rose Applies for Reinstatement
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.
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December 2002: Dowd Believes Rose Bet Against Reds
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.
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March 2003: Selig Acknowledges Considering 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.
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January 8, 2004: Admission to Betting on Baseball
On January 8, 2004, Pete Rose admitted publicly to betting on baseball games and other sports while playing for and managing the Reds in his autobiography.
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2004: Rose Admits to Betting on Baseball
After years of public denial, in 2004, Pete Rose admitted that he bet on baseball and on the Reds.
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2004: Swagger Violation Acknowledged
Even after Pete Rose's 2004 admission of gambling, Rose had described his violation of MLB rules with a "screw-you defiance".
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2004: Criticism of Rose's Admission
In 2004, Pete Rose's admission of betting on baseball was met with criticism, with some seeing it as a publicity stunt and linking himself to the Hall of Fame.
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March 2007: Confirms Betting on His Team
In March 2007, Pete Rose said he "bet on my team every night" during an interview on The Dan Patrick Show.
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September 11, 2010: Apology for "Disrespecting Baseball"
On September 11, 2010, at a roast in Indiana, Pete Rose wept while acknowledging he had "disrespected baseball" and apologized to members of the Big Red Machine.
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June 2015: ESPN Investigation Reveals Betting Records
In June 2015, ESPN concluded its investigation and determined that Pete Rose had bet on baseball while still a player-manager, revealing records of bets made by Rose.
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2015: Manfred Rejects Rose's 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.
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July 2016: Defamation Suit Against John M. Dowd
In July 2016, Pete Rose filed a defamation suit against John M. Dowd after Dowd alleged Rose committed statutory rape.
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August 2017: Let Go by Fox Sports
In August 2017, Pete Rose was let go by Fox Sports after details of his sexual relationship with a teenager in the 1970s were revealed.
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December 15, 2017: Defamation Suit Dismissed
On December 15, 2017, a judge dismissed Pete Rose's defamation suit against John M. Dowd after both parties reached an agreement.
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2020: Rose Applies for Reinstatement Amid Astros Scandal
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.
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2022: Rose Applies for Reinstatement
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.
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March 2023: Manfred Dismisses Speculation About Rose's Reinstatement
In March 2023, Commissioner Manfred dismissed speculation about possible reinstatement of Pete Rose, despite MLB's partnerships with sportsbooks.
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