Rob Manfred Addressed Whether MLB's Gambling Partnerships Affect Pete Rose's Lifetime Ban

Since baseball banned legendary player and manager Pete Rose from the game for life in Aug. 1989, the sport’s relationship with gambling has changed substantially. 

In the wake of the Murphy v. National Collegiate Athletic Association decision in 2018, leagues of all stripes have rushed to make deals with sportsbooks. That includes MLB, which entered into a partnership with FanDuel in March.

Does this development spell a change in Rose's status? According to commissioner Rob Manfred, the answer is no.

“Pete Rose violated what is Rule 1 in baseball. The consequences of that are in the rule,” Manfred said ahead of the All-Star Game Tuesday evening in Seattle. “We continue to abide by our own rules.”

Rob Manfred says that #MLB's relationship with gambling has no effect on Pete Rose's suspension.
"Pete Rose violated what is Rule 1 in baseball, the conseuqences of that are in the rule. We continue to abide by our own rules.''

— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) July 11, 2023

Rose, who was barred from participation in baseball while managing the Reds for betting on games during both his playing and managerial career, cannot be elected to the Hall of Fame as long as he remains permanently ineligible. He is the game’s all-time hits leader, with 4,256 from 1963 to ’86.

The relationship between sports and legal gambling continues to engender debate, as the NFL and college baseball have dealt with betting scandals over the last two years.