For the second time in five years, former player and manager for the Cincinnati Reds, Pete Rose, has petitioned for reinstatement from Major League Baseball’s ineligible list.
On Wednesday, it was revealed that Rose is asking MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred to reconsider Rose’s placement on the ineligible list, which went into effect on Aug. 21, 1989.
MLB’s leader in career hits was given a lifetime ban from the game 30 years ago for violation of MLB’s Rule 21, Section D, gambling. He was a player-manager of the Cincinnati Reds from 1984-1986 and manager from 1987-1989.
In his petition, Rose cites the Mitchell Report released in 2007 and the recent electronic sign-stealing investigations surrounding the Houston Astros and the Boston Red Sox.
The Mitchell Report was released to address the use of illegal anabolic steroids used by Major League Baseball players. Rose’s petition calls the use of illegal substances “tragic and indisputable.”
Rose’s petition also comments further on the electronic sign-stealing methods used by the Astros and Red Sox. During the 2017 season, Commissioner Manfred issued a memorandum to each team in MLB that reminded teams of the rules regarding electronic equipment and the potential for punishments and penalties should teams be caught even after the memorandum was sent out.
“Yet, despite that announcement, the Houston Astros organizations deliberately continued to engage in direct and flagrant violation of the rules throughout their 2017 World Series Championship postseason and the 2018 season,” Rose’s petition says.
In interviews and radio shows Pete Rose has expressed remorse for his actions in betting and not being honest. His petition says that he “continues to express repentance” for violating Rule 21.
MLB has experienced a booming offseason in terms of free-agent signings and trades, with a potential blockbuster involving the Boston Red Sox and Mookie Betts in the works. But a dark cloud has been cast over MLB, as the sign-stealing investigations and punishments were addressed in January 2020.
With those recent punishments being handed down, subsequent actions were made by Houston, Boston, and the New York Mets as each team removed their manager from their position, with the New York Mets and Carlos Beltran parting ways on Jan. 16. No active player has received punishment for their role in any sign-stealing controversy. Rose’s petition does not take lightly to that.
“Major League Baseball has never punished other acts of moral turpitude with the severity reserved for involvement in illicit gambling, further highlighting the disproportionate nature of Mr. Rose’s penalty,” Rose’s petition says.
Rose also requested an in-person meeting with counsel present.
“Should Commissioner Manfred wish to meet with Mr. Rose and discuss this petition further, Mr. Rose would be grateful and appreciative for the opportunity.”
