"I'm Sorry I Bet On Baseball"

I found this baseball on Etsy while I was shopping around for baseball memorabilia. I know about the gambling situation with Pete Rose and his lifetime ban, but I wanted to read more about it. I still had a few questions about it.

It's an often-debated topic in sports. If he was just betting on his team to win, I wouldn't see an issue with it. Betting on your team to lose is a different story. That would, of course, involve attempting to throw the game, like what we saw in the Chicago "Black Sox" case of 1919. A question I had was, did Pete Rose ever bet against his team? I've had a hard time finding an answer to that, but I found this in a Bleacher Report article (I think it was BR):

[c=008099]"John Dowd says that time constraints prevented him from disclosing evidence that Rose not only bet on baseball, but bet against his own team."[/c]

Dowd was the lawyer who was hired to look into the case. If there is evidence, I would like to see it. I'm a fan of Pete Rose. Yes, he broke a rule that was clearly in place. Yes, he agreed to a lifetime ban so the MLB would look no further into the matter and release any findings. Yes... that's suspicious. This whole story reminds me of people who have criminal records of marijuana possession and usage, only a short time prior to the substance becoming legalized and/or more accepted by people (look into the more recent story of Pete Rose and the first legal bet in Ohio... and the smell of what is strikingly similar to hypocrisy that clings to it.)

Anyhow, I can't afford the baseball, so I went with a vintage catcher's mitt. 🙂 Why was the mitt cheaper than the ball? The signature, of course!

This page is a permanent link to the reply below and its nested replies. See all post replies »

BizSuitStacy · M

The Rose ban has always made me wonder, as I agree, the real sin would be betting against your team and throwing the game. As a manager, Rose had a .525 winning percentage, which is pretty good. I don't think it's possible for a manager to cause their team to lose games without the involvement of the players and other coaches. There is more to this story that we don't know.

MarineBob · 56-60, M

@BizSuitStacy exactly

Eoghan · 31-35, M

@BizSuitStacy I remember watching a movie about the White Sox throwing the World Series, and it was definitely easier said than done. Not everyone will be on board with it, and someone will say something. There are quite a few factors to be considered.

BizSuitStacy · M

@Eoghan Right...and with the Black Sox scandal, several players were involved and ultimately banned.

Eoghan · 31-35, M

@BizSuitStacy I'm still not sure what to think about Shoeless Joe. I hope he wasn't involved.

Tminus6453 · M

@BizSuitStacy [quote]I don't think it's possible for a manager to cause their team to lose games [/quote]

Although it would be difficult to throw games on his own as manager, he could make it possible on his own by pulling a pitcher too soon who is throwing a good game and putting in a bad reliever, playing a pitcher too long who is fatigued... having a slower runner try to steal a base, set up a unfavorable batting order against a really good opponent... the manager has quite a bit of control over the outcome of a game....even without the help of his players or other coaches

BizSuitStacy · M

@Tminus6453 A manager has control over who plays, but not how they play (assuming the players aren't in on it). There's no guarantee that struggling pitcher will have a poor outing, the guy in a slump won't get a hit, or the slow baserunner won't get a good jump. This wouldn't be a one game situation. And the manager can't make it too obvious by making several intentional bad moves.

Tminus6453 · M

@BizSuitStacy Im talking about players who are ALREADY playing, if they are having an off night, or are just not that good of a player, the manager can leave them in or pull them early to throw the game..a tired pitcher can be left in and give up hits...sure its not guaranteed to lose the game but it puts them at a big disadvantage... managers can make a difference believe it or not

MarineBob · 56-60, M

@BizSuitStacy looking back many years I recall my coaches pep talk before the games, some he just knew we didn't have a chance

BizSuitStacy · M

@MarineBob And that's the difference...knowing the opponent is better and probably should win vs. making managerial decisions to ensure you lose.