Pete Rose, a name synonymous with baseball greatness and controversy, has long been entangled in a web of denials and admissions regarding betting on the sport he loved and dominated. For decades, the burning question has remained: Who Did Pete Rose Bet On? While “Charlie Hustle” initially denied betting on baseball altogether, he later confessed to wagering on games, albeit claiming it was only during his managerial career. However, newly surfaced evidence throws a sharp curveball at this narrative, suggesting a much deeper and more problematic truth.
This article delves into the explosive revelations stemming from newly obtained documents that indicate Pete Rose’s betting extended to his playing days, specifically during his time with the Cincinnati Reds in 1986. These documents not only challenge Rose’s long-standing story but also reignite the debate surrounding his permanent banishment from Major League Baseball. Let’s explore the details of this rediscovered evidence and uncover who Pete Rose was betting on, and what it means for his legacy.
The narrative surrounding Pete Rose and baseball betting has been a saga of shifting stories. Initially, Rose vehemently denied ever betting on baseball. This steadfast denial persisted for nearly 15 years, becoming a defining aspect of his public image amidst the swirling rumors. It wasn’t until 2004 that Rose finally admitted to betting on baseball, but with a crucial caveat: he claimed these bets were placed solely during his tenure as manager of the Cincinnati Reds, after his playing career had concluded.
This admission, while a significant shift from his outright denials, still allowed Rose to maintain a degree of separation between his betting activities and his playing career. His supporters often argued that any transgressions committed as a manager should not overshadow his unparalleled achievements as a player. This narrative became a cornerstone of the campaign for his reinstatement into baseball and potential Hall of Fame induction.
However, the newly unearthed documents, brought to light by Outside the Lines, paint a different picture. These aren’t just hearsay or circumstantial evidence; they are copies of pages from a notebook seized from Michael Bertolini, a former associate of Rose. Bertolini’s home was raided in 1989 as part of a mail fraud investigation unrelated to gambling, and this notebook remained sealed under court order for 26 years, hidden within the National Archives.
This image from the Bertolini notebook provides visual evidence of betting records linked to Pete Rose, suggesting a deeper involvement in gambling than previously admitted.
John Dowd, the former federal prosecutor who spearheaded MLB’s initial investigation in 1989, reviewed these documents at the request of Outside the Lines. Dowd, whose investigation led to Rose’s permanent banishment, stated unequivocally, “This does it. This closes the door.” He believes these documents represent the missing piece of the puzzle, solidifying the case that Rose bet on baseball while still an active player.
The notebook entries cover the period from March to July 1986, a time when Pete Rose was still actively playing for the Cincinnati Reds, accumulating the final hits of his record-breaking career. Crucially, the records reveal a pattern of betting on baseball games, and more specifically, betting on the Cincinnati Reds.
Here’s a breakdown of what the documents reveal about who Pete Rose bet on:
- Extensive Baseball Betting: Over the period documented in the notebook (March-July 1986), Rose placed bets on at least one MLB team on 30 separate days. The precise number of baseball bets is likely even higher due to some illegible entries.
- Betting on the Reds: On 21 of the days where baseball bets are clearly recorded, Rose wagered on the Cincinnati Reds. This is particularly significant as it directly contradicts his claims of not betting on baseball as a player.
- Betting While Playing: The timeline of the bets coincides with Rose’s active playing period in 1986, meaning he was betting on games, including potentially games in which he himself was participating.
- Bet Amounts: The majority of Rose’s bets, across various sports, were around $2,000. His largest single bet recorded was $5,500 on a Boston Celtics game (which he lost).
While the documents don’t show Rose betting against the Reds, the very act of betting on his own team, or any baseball game, while being a player is a direct violation of Major League Baseball Rule 21. This rule explicitly states that any player or baseball employee who bets on a baseball game in which they have a duty to perform is subject to permanent ineligibility.
Dowd emphasized the significance of betting on any baseball game, regardless of whether it’s for or against your own team. “The rule says, if you bet, it doesn’t say for or against,” Dowd explained. “It’s another device by Pete to try to excuse what he did. But when he bet, he was gone. He placed his financial interest ahead of the Reds, period.”
The timing of these revelations is particularly sensitive as Pete Rose had applied for reinstatement to MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred earlier in 2015. Dowd had recently met with MLB officials involved in reviewing Rose’s application, presenting his original investigation findings. MLB officials declined to comment on the newly discovered notebook, but the emergence of this evidence undoubtedly complicates Rose’s reinstatement efforts.
Adding further weight to the authenticity of the documents, Outside the Lines tracked down two former postal inspectors, Craig Barney and Mary Flynn, who were involved in the 1989 raid on Bertolini’s home. Both inspectors verified that the documents were indeed copies from the notebook they seized.
Former postal inspector Mary Flynn, pictured here, confirmed the authenticity of the betting records found in Michael Bertolini’s notebook, adding credibility to the new evidence against Pete Rose.
The raid itself was initially triggered by a seemingly minor complaint of mail fraud against Bertolini’s business, Hit King Marketing Inc. Inspectors Barney and Flynn, initially posing as potential homebuyers, gained access to Bertolini’s residence and observed a chaotic scene filled with sports memorabilia, realizing the potential for fraud related to autographed items.
During the subsequent search, a spiral notebook was discovered in the basement, filled with handwritten entries clearly referencing “PETE” and detailing sports bets. “There were numbers and dates and — it was a book for sports betting,” Barney recalled. Flynn’s immediate reaction was “Holy mackerel,” and she confirmed that Bertolini acknowledged the notebook contained records of bets he placed for Pete Rose.
Despite the 1989 raid receiving media attention, the existence of the betting notebook remained hidden from public view for years. Requests for access to the notebook under freedom of information laws were denied, citing its status as a grand jury exhibit and concerns about privacy. It wasn’t until recently that Outside the Lines was able to examine the Bertolini memorabilia stored at the National Archives and bring these documents to light.
The revelations from the Bertolini notebook not only confirm that Pete Rose bet on baseball as a player, specifically the Cincinnati Reds, but also strengthen the connection between Rose and organized crime. Dowd believes Bertolini’s records solidify the link to mob-connected bookmakers in New York, a significant concern given the potential for compromising the integrity of baseball.
“Bertolini nails down the connection to organized crime on Long Island and New York. And that is a very powerful problem,” Dowd stated. He contrasted this with Rose’s other known bookie, Ron Peters, emphasizing the more dangerous implications of being indebted to organized crime figures. “The boys in New York are about breaking arms and knees,” Dowd warned. “The implications for baseball are terrible. [The mob] had a mortgage on Pete while he was a player and manager.”
In conclusion, the newly unearthed Bertolini notebook provides compelling evidence that Pete Rose bet on baseball, and specifically on the Cincinnati Reds, while he was still an active player. This directly contradicts his long-held denials and significantly undermines his case for reinstatement into Major League Baseball. The question of who did Pete Rose bet on is now definitively answered: he bet on baseball, including his own team, while wearing a Major League uniform. This revelation casts a long shadow over his legacy and raises serious questions about the future of his relationship with the sport he so profoundly impacted.
