“I bet on my own team to win”: Pete Rose Didn’t Get the Second Chance He Desperately Wanted After His MLB Ban Over Gambling
- Pete Rose reflected on his lifetime ban and regretted betting on baseball.
- He hoped to make the Hall of Fame and find true happiness again.
- Rose also shared advice to young players about honesty and mistakes.
MLB’s all-time hits king, Pete Rose, sadly passed away on September 30 at the age of 83. He was one of the GOATs of baseball, racking up a jaw-dropping 4,256 hits during his 24 seasons with the Cincinnati Reds, Philadelphia Phillies, and Montreal Expos.
However, the all-time hits leader in baseball was no stranger to controversy. In 1989, this baseball icon received a lifetime ban for betting on games while he was managing the Cincinnati Reds.
Since then, Rose had been eager to return to the game he loved, but it seemed like every opportunity was closed off. In 2013, he had been involved in discussions about baseball’s current issues, especially the recent cheating scandals. There, Rose reflected on his past, expressed regrets, and even offered advice to young players.
Pete Rose Reflected on His Missed Chances
In 2013, Pete Rose hopped on 93.7 The Fan with John Phillips (@937Phillips) to chat (via CBS News). Rose made a big mistake by betting on his own team. Even though he claimed he was only trying to win, the baseball world didn’t look kindly on it. The good thing is Rose was aware of what he did, as he admitted:
Well, I know I bet on my own team to win.
Charlie Hustle claimed he chose the wrong vice—he should have picked something else. Rose said that if he had chosen problems like drinking, using drugs, or domestic violence instead of gambling, he might have been given a second chance.
He felt that people who did those things often received another opportunity, but gamblers like him rarely did in baseball. The professional baseball player had serious regrets and admitted that making it into the Hall of Fame would have made him happier than a kid in a candy store. As Rose added:
Oh sure, it’s the worst mistake I could have ever made. If I ever made the Hall of Fame, I’d be the happiest guy in the world.
But don’t think Rose was wallowing in self-pity. Nope, he was cheering for baseball and trying to keep the spirit alive, even as the game faced some major drama. Still, he didn’t get a second chance.
Pete Rose Urged Honesty After A-Rod’s PED Scandal
At that time, Pete Rose also gave advice reflecting on what A-Rod, aka, Alex Rodriguez had done. Well, Rodriguez got caught using PEDs (performance-enhancing drugs) in the Biogenesis scandal that led to his suspension.
The two were good friends and bonded over their love for baseball and their struggles to get back in the game. Rose was super honest about A-Rod’s past, saying he messed up but loves the history of baseball.
Rose gave advice like a seasoned coach, urging younger players to be honest when they make mistakes. He knew that lying only makes things worse. Honestly, who wants to deal with that kind of stress?
With baseball changing, today’s players are more into hitting homers than racking up those classic 200-hit seasons. Rose thought that’s a shame! Breaking his hit record was no walk in the park, and today’s players are missing that grind.
As Peter Edward Rose Sr. reflected on his legacy, he kept it real and hoped the game he loved could get back on track. But it seems his wish will always remain a hopeful dream.
