The Confessions of Pete Rose

As I said, its BaseBall, judge his performance in BaseBall and save the 'Holier Than Thou' BS for the church pews.

It is about his baseball performance. When you enter into any profession, you agree to abide by the rules of that profession. Rose knew what he was doing. I know a guy that was a firefighter, and he committed a felony. He lost his license, and it is illegal for him to work as a firefighter. I know a bunch of firefighters who have been banned for life from firefighting for everything from drug abuse to shoplifting. Is it fair? Maybe not, but they knew what the rules were. BTW, I think it is fair. Without reference to other conduct, such as rape, drug abuse, steroids, assault, etc, gambling on the games is dangerous because it creates the opportunity to win a bet by affecting the outcome of the game.

Is there hypocrisy in sports? Absolutely. The NFL bans active players from doing beer commercials, but sells and advertises beer in the stadiums. Is that right? Probably not. But the players know the rules, and they know there are consequences if they break them.

Art Schlichter, the former Ohio State QB, ended up over $100,000 in debt to the mob (this wasn't chump change for an athlete in the 80s). He could easily have been co-opted to throw games. Point-shaving rings are broken so often now, they hardly get past the local news.

I have no interest in baseball, so it makes no difference to me whether he gets into the Hall of Fame or not. However, your accusations of people being "sanctimonious" are laughable. It's a pure business decision. There's plenty of shady stuff that goes on in competitive sports. Here's a link to a 2002 football game between UNLV and Wisconsin. The game was shortened because a generator went out, putting out the stadium lights. There's a little bit that isn't mentioned in the story, though. Betting in Vegas had been so heavily in favor of UNLV that the bookmakers were going to lose a fortune. Wisconsin had covered the point spread handily, and it was obvious UNLV wasn't coming back. After the last seven minutes were cancelled by the unexplained power outtage, the Vegas bookmakers cancelled all the bets on the game. It could have been a coincidence, and the Vegas bookmakers just took advantage of it. However, it also might not have been that hard to pay off a stadium employee to kill the lights, saving the bookies a bundle. There's too much shady stuff that goes on in gambling to let players gamble.

You take Pete Rose at his word that he never bet against his team. Of course, Charlie Hustle wouldn't lie. But Charlie Hustle did lie. He lied about his gambling. So he lied about his gambling, but he wouldn't lie about the types of bets he made.

Keep on believing it.

"You take Pete Rose at his word that he never bet against his team. Of course, Charlie Hustle wouldn't lie. But Charlie Hustle did lie. He lied about his gambling. So he lied about his gambling, but he wouldn't lie about the types of bets he made.

Keep on believing it.

Thanks for your reply. I have no doubt in my mind that Pete Rose bet on BaseBall games. Did he lie, yes I believe he knowningly did.

This does not change the records he achieved on the field. It also does not negate the time he spent in prison (admittedly it was a 'country club' joint. But prison none the less.)

The posts seen here are more worthy of Idi Amin or Pol Pot than a BaseBall layer from the mid 60's thru the 80's. It is ridiculous.

I admit that I am a life-long Cin Reds fan. (Talk about seasonal heart-break) Spent my youth along the 1st baseline of Crosley field. Gordy Coleman was a family friend. A neighbor of ours had pictures of Joe Nuxhall sleeping on their living room floor. But I have had no personal contact with Rose. He was a hot-shot, a hustler on the field and off. But that was/is who Rose is. Balance things out and then make the call. Pete Rose did one hell of a lot of good off the field that never got press. A lot. Both in Cincy & in Philly.

BaseBall is deep in the American psyche, to see the feet od an idol exposed is hard for a lot of people. But as Pete himself has said.."Hell...I'm a ball player. Thats all I've ever been. I came from high school to the big league. Thats what I am."

Its not like he's a politician or something.

I cannot IMAGINE him betting AGAINST himself (Reds)

[beats head against keyboard] FDFAKLJAGERVMCM Betting for your team is every bit as corrupt as betting against your team for at least two reasons:

1. It creates a confict of interest -- it is in your interest to win that game, even at the cost of risking the long-term competitiveness of the team (e.g. by overworking star players).
2. It signals your bookie that you are giving 110% in certain games... and (by obvious inference) that you are giving 90% in the others.

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