'I was 30 years too early': Pete Rose opens up about MLB's new gambling stance
“Baseball is pretty much in bed with gambling now," baseball's all-time hit king said.
Bob NightengalePete Rose heard the news Wednesday morning, but instead of being bitter, resentful or even hateful towards Major League Baseball, he instead felt jealousy.
“I just came up at the wrong time," Rose told USA TODAY Sports. “I was 30 years too early."
Colorado Rockies All-Star outfielder Charlie Blackmon became the first active Major League Baseball player to endorse a bookmaker. It’s a partnership in which Blackmon will be an ambassador in marketing campaigns, promotions, social media content and at events for the Colorado-based online sportsbook.
“Baseball is pretty much in bed with gambling now," Rose said.
Rose, baseball’s all-time hits king, understands the irony with Blackmon’s deal with MaximBet. Rose received a lifetime ban from baseball in 1989 when an investigation revealed that he gambled on baseball games while managing the Cincinnati Reds. He accepted a permanent place on baseball’s ineligible list, and two years later, the Hall of Fame voted to exclude all individuals on the permanently ineligible list.
MLB SALARIES: Baseball's top 25 highest-paid players in 2024