Did Pete Rose Bet on the Reds?
Newly uncovered documents obtained by Outside the Lines, copies of pages from a notebook seized from the home of former Rose associate Michael Bertolini, provide the first written record that Pete Rose bet extensively on baseball, and on the Reds, while he was still a player.
The Dowd Report
The Dowd Report, a 225-page document prepared by Special Counsel to the Commissioner John M. Dowd in 1989, stands as a landmark document in baseball history. It meticulously detailed the gambling transgressions of Pete Rose, specifically his betting on baseball games, which ultimately led to his permanent ban from the sport. The report, commissioned by then-Commissioner Bart Giamatti, stemmed from accusations that had plagued Rose’s career, casting a shadow over his achievements on the field. The investigation, spearheaded by Dowd, meticulously gathered evidence, including testimonies from associates and damning phone records, revealing a pattern of betting that dated back to 1985, during Rose’s tenure as both a player and manager for the Cincinnati Reds.
The report’s findings were irrefutable⁚ Rose had bet on numerous Reds games, although it remained inconclusive whether he had bet against his own team. Despite the absence of concrete proof regarding bets against the Reds, the mere act of gambling on baseball games, particularly those involving his own team, constituted a severe breach of MLB’s Rule 21. This rule, designed to safeguard the integrity of the sport, explicitly prohibits any player, manager, or club personnel from engaging in betting on baseball games. The Dowd Report’s release sent shockwaves throughout the baseball world, forever tarnishing Rose’s legacy and sparking fierce debates about the severity of his actions and the appropriateness of his punishment.
Evidence from Betting Slips and Phone Records
The investigation into Pete Rose’s gambling activities revealed a compelling trail of evidence, primarily in the form of betting slips and phone records, directly linking him to illegal baseball wagers. These artifacts painted a clear picture of Rose’s involvement in gambling and served as the cornerstones of the case against him. The betting slips, meticulously documented and analyzed by investigators, provided concrete evidence of Rose’s wagers on various sporting events, including Major League Baseball games. These slips, often bearing Rose’s handwriting or coded initials, indicated the dates, teams involved, and amounts wagered, offering undeniable proof of his transgression.
Furthermore, Rose’s phone records proved equally damning, revealing a pattern of communication between him and known bookmakers. Investigators meticulously pieced together a timeline of calls, demonstrating frequent contact between Rose and these individuals, often in close proximity to games on which he had placed bets. The frequency and timing of these calls, combined with corroborating evidence from betting slips, solidified the case against Rose, leaving little doubt about his involvement in illegal gambling activities. The weight of this evidence, meticulously compiled and presented in the Dowd Report, ultimately forced Rose to confront the consequences of his actions and accept a lifetime ban from the sport he loved.
Testimonies of Associates
The investigation into Pete Rose’s gambling activities relied heavily on the testimonies of his associates, individuals who had firsthand knowledge of his betting habits. These testimonies, often provided reluctantly and under oath, painted a vivid and damning picture of Rose’s deep entanglement with gambling. Key figures in Rose’s inner circle, including friends, business associates, and even a former bookie, came forward to share their accounts, corroborating the evidence gleaned from betting slips and phone records.
One pivotal testimony came from Ron Peters, a former bookmaker who had handled bets for Rose. Peters detailed Rose’s extensive gambling on baseball, including bets placed on his own team, the Cincinnati Reds. He revealed intricate details about Rose’s betting patterns, amounts wagered, and even his preferred methods of communication. Other associates, though some initially hesitant, eventually provided crucial pieces of the puzzle, confirming Rose’s penchant for high-stakes gambling and his inability to resist the allure of betting on baseball. These testimonies, though often met with denials from Rose himself, served as powerful corroborating evidence, weaving a compelling narrative of his gambling activities and ultimately sealing his fate as a disgraced baseball legend.
The Bertolini Notebook
The Bertolini Notebook emerged as a smoking gun in the Pete Rose betting scandal, providing irrefutable evidence of his gambling activities while he was a player for the Cincinnati Reds. This notebook, belonging to Michael Bertolini, a close associate of Rose, was seized during an unrelated raid by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service in 1989. Its contents remained hidden for years until being obtained by ESPN’s “Outside the Lines.”
The notebook contained detailed records of bets placed by Rose, including wagers on Major League Baseball games, notably those involving the Reds. Entries in the notebook meticulously documented dates, games, and amounts wagered, exposing Rose’s deep involvement in gambling on his own team. The Bertolini Notebook shattered Rose’s longstanding denials of betting on baseball as a player, providing concrete proof that contradicted his claims. Its emergence forced a reassessment of the scandal and further solidified Major League Baseball’s stance on Rose’s permanent ineligibility. The notebook remains a powerful symbol of the consequences of violating the sport’s sacred rule against betting on games.
Rose’s Reinstatement Attempts
Despite his lifetime ban from Major League Baseball, Pete Rose has made several attempts at reinstatement, seeking to overturn his punishment and earn a place back in the sport. His efforts have been met with mixed reactions, reflecting the complex legacy he left behind. Some fans and former players have supported his pleas for forgiveness, citing his on-field accomplishments and arguing that he has served his time. Others remain resolute in their belief that his actions warrant a permanent ban, emphasizing the importance of upholding the integrity of the game.
Rose’s initial application for reinstatement in 1992 was rejected by then-commissioner Fay Vincent. Subsequent attempts, including a meeting with commissioner Bud Selig in 2002, also proved unsuccessful. In 2015, Rose submitted a formal request for reinstatement to commissioner Rob Manfred, acknowledging the wrongfulness of his actions and expressing remorse. However, Manfred ultimately upheld the ban, citing the seriousness of Rose’s transgressions and his lack of full accountability. Despite these setbacks, Rose has continued to seek reinstatement, his efforts a testament to his unwavering desire to return to the game he loves, even as the possibility remains distant.