Pete Rose Formally Applies For Reinstatement to Baseball

Pete Rose, baseball’s all time hit leader who was banned from the game for life in 1989 for betting on baseball games, has formally applied to Commissioner Rob Manfred for reinstatement. Manfred, who became commissioner in January following the retirement of commissioner for life Bud Selig, said he will consider the request.

Rose played in the majors from 1963 to 1986, mostly with the Cincinnati Reds, but he also spent five years with the Philadelphia Phillies and part of one season with the Montreal Expos. Rose was a player manager of the Reds from 84-86 and remained as manager until 1989 after retiring as a player in 1986. An investigation revealed the Rose bet on baseball games involving the Reds while he was managing the team, charges he denied. He reached a settlement with baseball in which he was permanently banned from the game, while not acknowledging why he was banned (though the reason was common knowledge despite the denials.

Rose continued to deny that he bet on baseball until finally admitting it in 2004. He said he never bet on his team to lose, only to win (and by implication, not do anything to throw games) but baseball’s rules do not permit players or managers to bet on any baseball games. Rose has asked for reinstatement in the past from both Selig and his predecessor, Fay Vincent, but was denied. Part of the problem in the past was Rose’s own arrogant attitude that he did nothing wrong. Now, at age 73, he perhaps sees that his chances of getting into baseball’s Hall of Fame within his lifetime are fading and that baseball wasn’t kidding when they banned him. If Rose is finally genuinely contrite, perhaps Manfred might reinstate him. Ultimately, it would still up to the Hall of Fame voters, and not the commissioner, to elect Rose to the Hall.

Rose was an incredible player, with more than enough qualifications for the Hall if he was eligible. Here’s a look at Rose in the 1970 All Star Game, knocking Cleveland Indians catcher Ray Fosse out of the way as he scored the game’s winning run: