Pete Rose, yes Pete Rose will likely officially be a part of Major League Baseball again.
MLB ‘s all-time hits leader, who’s still not in the Hall of Fame, due to his gambling on the game is making a come back. Wagering on sports has gained a lot of popularity in recent years, and betting online is quite popular.
Not just sports action, but also online poker available at Red Flush is growing in popularity. What Pete Rose did shouldn’t be considered shameful. The first big step towards reinstatement for him came in April when FOX Sports announced Rose as the newest studio analyst for the network’s MLB coverage.
Obviously, MLB has no objection to FOX and Rose working together. Sports leagues and their broadcaster partners are excessively inter-twined. There are numerous examples of this phenomena, but the most obvious example is the proliferation of so-called “insiders” in recent years.
Fox Sports Insider Ken Rosenthal breaks almost every MLB trade story first. Likewise with Adam Schefter and the NFL on ESPN; or Ian Rappoport at NFL Network. These media personalities, and other professionals who serve in similar roles, are work in highly connected, highly coveted positions.
There isn’t much of a firewall these days between the leagues and the giant television networks that broadcast, i.e. promote their product. Therefore, Rose’s rise to this prominent position carries with it a lot of tacit implication.
Pete Rose was banned from working in MLB in 1989 for violating Rule 21(d) while managing the Cincinnati Reds, but has recently petitioned for reinstatement. MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred is currently serving his first year on the job.
Pete Rose, yesterday, during an All-Star Game Preview Press Call, on the possibility of reinstatement:
“Just having him [Commissioner Manfred] review my status, I’m happy. I’m looking forward to sitting down one-on-one with Mr. Manfred and discussing the situation. I’ll be as honest as I possibly can about my life in baseball. I’m elated and I’m genuinely happy that Mr. Manfred is willing to reconsider my status. I’ve never met him before, but hopefully I can introduce myself soon. When you’re in my situation, you’ll be happy with pretty much anything. I’m just happy that he’s willing to review my status, and we’ll go from there.”
In another All-Star Game preview press call, ESPN Analyst Aaron Boone gave his thoughts on Pete Rose’s involvement in the on-field All-Star Game ceremonies on Tuesday in Cincinnati.
“I’m fine with it. I think on this level he should be allowed to participate in things on a limited basis. I think teams like Cincinnati and maybe even the Phillies in controlled situations should be allowed to have him be a part of their organization, part of their marketing, whatever. I think it’s time that we celebrate him in his accomplishments in a limited way.”
“But I also don’t believe that he should be allowed all the way back into the game. I think that the violations that he’s ultimately committed, I think, has been very clear, and I don’t think he should be allowed to be in decision making situations anymore in the game. But I absolutely believe there is a place for him in the Hall of Fame. I believe there is a place for him certainly with the Cincinnati Reds organization and certainly at this All-Star Game.”