Doors to Baseball Hall of Fame now open for the late Pete Rose
Article content
Why was Rose banned from baseball?
Rose was an addicted gambler who bet on baseball games in which he either played or managed, a direct contravention of MLB's Rule 21 pertaining to misconduct.
Rumours about his betting activities began to swirl near the end of his playing career, prompting MLB to launch an investigation. Acting as special counsel to the commissioner, John Dowd delivered a damning, exhaustive 225-page report to MLB in May 1989. It was published on June 27, 1989, along with bank and telephone records, alleged betting slips and transcripts of interviews with Rose and other witnesses.
Six days later, Sports Illustrated magazine published a comprehensive cover story that quoted Ron Peters, alleged to be Rose's bookie, saying Rose bet on baseball games, including those in which he acted as manager.
Rose nonetheless continued to deny that he bet on baseball. However, he dropped his legal action against commissioner A. Bartlett Giamatti and agreed to lifetime banishment in a deal that was announced on Aug. 23, 1989 and stated, in part:
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
National Post
2 hours ago
- National Post
Trump's support of Pete Rose among the voices Rob Manfred listened to in ending MLB ban
President Donald Trump's support of Pete Rose was among the factors Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred weighed when he decided last month that permanent bans by the sport ended with death, which allows the career hits leader to be considered for the Hall of Fame. Article content Manfred announced the new interpretation on May 13, a decision that allows Rose and Shoeless Joe Jackson to be considered for a Hall committee vote in December 2027. Article content Article content 'The president was one of a number of voices that was supportive of the idea that this was the right decision,' Manfred said Wednesday during a news conference at an owners meeting. 'Obviously, I have respect for the office and the advice that he gave I paid attention to, but I had a lot of other people that were weighing in on the topic, as well.' Article content Rose and then-Commissioner A. Bartlett Giamatti agreed to a permanent ban in August 1989 after an investigation commissioned by MLB concluded Rose repeatedly bet on the Reds as a player and manager for the team from 1985-87, a violation of a long-standing MLB rule. The Hall of Fame in 1991 decided people on the permanent banned list were ineligible for consideration. Article content 'Those who really think about the reasons that I did it think that it is the right decision, and other people I think largely get confused with whether he's going to be in the Hall of Fame or not and maybe don't think that was so good,' Manfred said. Article content Robot umpires Article content Computer technology to appeal ball/strike calls could be in place for the 2026 regular season. Manfred said use of the Automated Ball-Strike System was likely to be considered by the 11-man competition committee, which includes six management representatives. Article content During a spring training experiment in 288 games, teams were successful on 52.2% of their ball/strike challenges using the Automated Ball-Strike System. Article content 'I do think that we're going to pursue the possibility of change in that process and we'll see what comes out at the end of that,' he said. 'The teams are really positive about ABS. I do have that unscientific system that I use: my email traffic. And my distinct impression is that using ABS in spring training has made people more prone to complain of balls and strike calls via email to me referencing the need for ABS.' Article content An experiment with a technology system to challenge checked-swing calls started in the Class A Florida State League on May 20. That is not under consideration for MLB use in 2026. Article content 'I think we've got to get over the hump in terms of either doing ABS or not doing it before you'd get into the complication of a separate kind of challenge,' Manfred said.
Toronto Sun
2 hours ago
- Toronto Sun
Trump's support of Pete Rose among the voices Rob Manfred listened to in ending MLB ban
Published Jun 05, 2025 • 5 minute read FILE - MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred speaks at the SBJ CAA World Congress of Sport, April 22, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn. Photo by George Walker IV / AP President Donald Trump's support of Pete Rose was among the factors Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred weighed when he decided last month that permanent bans by the sport ended with death, which allows the career hits leader to be considered for the Hall of Fame. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account Manfred announced the new interpretation on May 13, a decision that allows Rose and Shoeless Joe Jackson to be considered for a Hall committee vote in December 2027. 'The president was one of a number of voices that was supportive of the idea that this was the right decision,' Manfred said Wednesday during a news conference at an owners meeting. 'Obviously, I have respect for the office and the advice that he gave I paid attention to, but I had a lot of other people that were weighing in on the topic, as well.' Rose and then-Commissioner A. Bartlett Giamatti agreed to a permanent ban in August 1989 after an investigation commissioned by MLB concluded Rose repeatedly bet on the Reds as a player and manager for the team from 1985-87, a violation of a long-standing MLB rule. The Hall of Fame in 1991 decided people on the permanent banned list were ineligible for consideration. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'Those who really think about the reasons that I did it think that it is the right decision, and other people I think largely get confused with whether he's going to be in the Hall of Fame or not and maybe don't think that was so good,' Manfred said. Robot umpires Computer technology to appeal ball/strike calls could be in place for the 2026 regular season. Manfred said use of the Automated Ball-Strike System was likely to be considered by the 11-man competition committee, which includes six management representatives. During a spring training experiment in 288 games, teams were successful on 52.2% of their ball/strike challenges using the Automated Ball-Strike System. 'I do think that we're going to pursue the possibility of change in that process and we'll see what comes out at the end of that,' he said. 'The teams are really positive about ABS. I do have that unscientific system that I use: my email traffic. And my distinct impression is that using ABS in spring training has made people more prone to complain of balls and strike calls via email to me referencing the need for ABS.' Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. An experiment with a technology system to challenge checked-swing calls started in the Class A Florida State League on May 20. That is not under consideration for MLB use in 2026. 'I think we've got to get over the hump in terms of either doing ABS or not doing it before you'd get into the complication of a separate kind of challenge,' Manfred said. Baseball in 2028 Olympics Baseball is returning to the Olympics in 2028 after being played from 1992 to 2008 and then in 2021. MLB is considering whether to allow big league players to be used at the 2028 Games. It did not allow players on 40-man rosters to participate in the 2021 Olympics and many teams discouraged top eligible prospects from playing. 'We made some progress with LA 2028 in terms of what it could look like,' Manfred said. 'We have some other business partners that we need to talk to about, changes that would need to be made in order to accommodate the Olympics. I think we're going to go forward with that process.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Manfred said the players' union appears to be supportive. Labor and possible salary cap proposal A decision on MLB's bargaining positions with the players' association, including whether to propose a salary cap, will be made after this season. Bargaining is likely to start in the spring of 2026 for a successor to the five-year agreement with the union that ended a 99-day lockout on March 10, 2022. The deal expires on Dec. 1, 2026. An ownership economic study committee was formed in early 2023, sparking speculation about a renewed push for a salary-cap system aimed at decreasing payroll disparity. 'Payroll disparity is such a fact of life among the ownership group that there's not a lot of need for talking about whether we have it or not. Everybody kind of gets it,' Manfred said. 'We understand that it has become a bigger problem for us, but there has not been a lot of conversation about that particular topic.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. When MLB proposed a cap in 1994, players struck for 7 1/2 months in 1994 and '95, leading to the first cancellation of the World Series since 1904. 'Obviously, over the winter we're going to have to decide what is going to be out there from our perspective, but no decisions on that topic so far,' Manfred said. Broadcasting MLB hopes to reach a deal before the All-Star break on a Sunday night national broadcast package and for the Home Run Derby to replace the agreement ESPN said in February it was ending after this season. Manfred said MLB is negotiating with three parties and is weighing traditional broadcasters and streaming services, who may pay more but have a smaller audience. Manfred regrets giving ESPN the right to opt out, which is causing a negotiation for rights lasting three seasons. MLB's contracts with Fox and Turner end after the 2028 season. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'If you're talking about what we're doing for the next three years, I would overweight reach,' Manfred said. 'The larger negotiation we'll have for the post-'28 period and we continue to believe that reach drives our live business.' Tropicana Field repair Tampa Bay hopes to return to Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida, next season after playing home games this year across the bay at Steinbrenner Field in Tampa, the New York Yankees' spring training home. The St. Petersburg City Council approved $22.5 million in April to repair the roof, destroyed by Hurricane Milton last Oct. 9. A new roof is being built in Germany and will be shipped to Florida. 'Repair of the stadium is moving along. We remain optimistic that we will be ready either for opening day or very shortly thereafter,' Manfred said. 'Obviously, the big contingency is what happens with hurricane season.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. A formal groundbreaking hasn't taken place for the Athletics' planned ballpark to open in 2028, though work is being done at the site and a ceremony could be held this month. 'My understanding is they believe they're going to make opening day '28,' Manfred said. Attendance up slightly from 2024 Attendance averaged 28,081 through Tuesday and 900 dates, up 1.4% from 27,687 through the same point last year, when MLB finished with a 0.9% rise to 29,568 for its highest average since 30,042 in 2017. MLB could finish with an average increase in three straight years not impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic for the first time since 2004-07. Tariffs on baseballs While MLB is not concerned about Trump administration tariffs raising the cost of big league baseballs, which are manufactured in Costa Rica, the impact on minor league balls is a concern. 'The minor league baseball is made in China. That's more of an issue,' Manfred said. NHL Columnists Columnists Columnists Columnists
National Post
3 hours ago
- National Post
Seattle Mariners pitcher George Kirby takes line drive to face, exits game
Seattle Mariners right-hander George Kirby exited Tuesday night's 5-1 loss to the Baltimore Orioles after taking a line drive to his right thumb and mouth. Article content After the contest, Kirby said he felt pretty good and that neither his hand nor face hurt despite some swelling on the right side of his mouth. Article content Article content 'I didn't even see it coming,' Kirby said. 'Just put my hand up. So, just glad it kind of missed any of the bad spots on my face.' Article content With two outs in the fifth inning, Kirby threw a fastball inside to Orioles third baseman Ramon Urias, which he promptly ripped right back up the middle. The baseball made contact with Kirby's face, and he immediately jogged off the field as blood flowed from his mouth. Article content George Kirby with a line drive off of his face — Jared Barth (@jared_barth1998) June 4, 2025 Article content Kirby was promptly attended to by the Mariners training staff after what manager Dan Wilson called a 'scary' moment. 'It's just so close and you just hope for the best,' Wilson said. 'It looked like he was a little surprised by it all, even as he was walking off. Article content 'But, he was able to gather it all together. There was some blood coming down when he came off the field where it nicked him in the face. But, I think he's going to be okay.' Article content Kirby did not return for the sixth inning, although he had already thrown 95 pitches by the time of his departure. It was easily Kirby's best start of the season, considering he entered the contest with an 11.42 ERA across two appearances since being activated from the injured list. Article content The 27-year-old right-hander's start to the season was delayed until late May due to inflammation in his throwing shoulder, and he hadn't yet pitched to his standard. Kirby wasn't perfect, but was pleased to give up only two runs across five innings before being lifted for reliever Eduard Bazardo. Article content Article content 'I feel great right now,' Kirby said. 'Obviously, you don't want to throw that many pitches in five innings, but I'm glad I feel really good from it after it. So, that's a good sign.' Article content So, too, is it a good sign from Wilson's standpoint that Kirby is so upbeat. The starter is still expected to have X-rays done on Wednesday, after which the team will learn more. For as challenging a start to the season as it's been for Kirby, Wilson has the utmost confidence in him to bounce back. Article content 'George is a competitor. We know that,' Wilson said. 'A lot of times, these things can make you stronger, and that's what I expect from George. Again, hopefully it's nothing serious and it's just kind of a bump in the road.' Article content
