ESPN report claims Pete Rose bet on games as a player

By TODD DEWEY LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL

10 years ago

Former Cincinnati Reds player and manager Pete Rose waves to the crowd during the 5th inning of play against the St. Louis Cardinals in their MLB baseball game at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati, Ohio, June 10, 2008. (REUTERS/John Sommers)

The odds just became a lot longer on Pete Rose’s bid for baseball reinstatement.

ESPN’s “Outside The Lines” released a report Monday claiming that Rose bet on baseball games as a player in 1986. Baseball’s career hits leader has previously insisted that he only bet on games as a manager, which led to his lifetime ban from the game.

“This does it. This closes the door,” said John Dowd, the former federal prosecutor who led MLB’s investigation that resulted in Rose’s banishment.

The ESPN report alleges that Rose, as a Cincinnati Reds player/manager in 1986, bet on baseball, including Reds games. Not that it helps his case, but according to documents obtained by ESPN, there is no evidence that Rose bet against the Reds.

The timing of the report couldn’t be worse for Rose, who in March applied to baseball commissioner Rob Manfred for reinstatement.

Also, in April, Manfred said Rose will be allowed to participate in activities surrounding the July 14 All-Star Game in his hometown of Cincinnati. However, in light of Monday’s report, all bets might be off.