MLB Legend Pete Rose Talks Career and Controversy in His Final Interview

A Candid Conversation

Just weeks before his death, Pete Rose spoke with the sports team at Nexstar’s KTLA on September 9 to reflect on his life, career, controversies, and public perception about his place among the greats in American sports. It was a candid and pragmatic conversation that, unbeknownst to those involved, would prove to be his final interview before his passing.

Reflections on Controversy

Rose was suspended from baseball for life for betting on games, leaving him ineligible for induction into the MLB Hall of Fame. Decades later, he still clung to the hope of one day being welcomed into that exclusive fraternity.

“I keep convincing myself or telling myself, ‘Hang in there, Pete, you’ll get a second chance,'” Rose said. “I continue to hope that someday I’ll get a second chance, and I won’t need a third.”

A Changing Sports Landscape

He also reflected on the media landscape of 2024, including major sports leagues partnering with gambling companies and advertising betting services during games.

“There’s a lot of people gambling on sports. There’s no question about it,” Rose said. “And ESPN makes a lot of money based on people betting on sports. Baseball makes a lot of money on people betting on sports… I have nothing bad to say about that. Baseball does what it does because it’s the world of baseball, and they’re king.”

Personal Reflections

He said he still enjoyed watching sports, but his problems with betting had derailed his life so significantly that he couldn’t stand to even be in the gambling “atmosphere.”

And although Rose admitted to his wrongdoing, he still questioned his lifetime ban.

“It’s been a long time, and there’s been a lot of negative things happen in the world of baseball,” Rose said. “I was absolutely 110% wrong for what I did. But to do something like I did, and that’s bet on baseball games — and now you’re punished for the rest of your life — I don’t think it makes a lot of sense to a lot of people.”

A Legacy of Athletic Excellence

Rose will be remembered both for his scandals and his athletic excellence. In his 24 MLB seasons, spent mostly with the Cincinnati Reds and Philadelphia Phillies, he won three World Series titles, was named to 17 MLB All-Star teams, and was crowned the 1973 National League MVP.

But the number that hangs over his head and that of the sports world entirely remains 4,256 — the number of hits that propelled him to the top of baseball’s leaderboard, whether the powers that be wish to acknowledge him or not.

Conclusion

Pete Rose’s legacy is a complex one, marked by both remarkable achievements and personal struggles. His final interview serves as a poignant reminder of the complexities of human nature and the enduring power of sports to captivate and inspire us.

FAQs

Q: Why was Pete Rose suspended from baseball for life?

A: Rose was suspended for betting on baseball games, which was against MLB rules at the time.

Q: Is Pete Rose eligible for the MLB Hall of Fame?

A: No, Rose is not eligible for the MLB Hall of Fame due to his lifetime ban from the sport.

Q: What was Pete Rose’s greatest achievement in his baseball career?

A: Rose holds the record for most career hits in MLB history, with 4,256 hits.

Q: Did Pete Rose ever express regret for his actions?

A: Yes, Rose has repeatedly expressed regret for his actions and has asked for forgiveness from the baseball world and the public.