Sports Feuds Over the Years

Baseball accused the all-time hits king of gambling on the sport in 1989, three years after he retired as an active player. While still denying all allegations, Rose accepted a lifetime suspension from baseball under the assumption that no facts would ever be leaked. Thirteen years passed, and Rose continued to deny his gambling. The baseball legend applied for reinstatement in 1997, but Commissioner Bud Selig took no action until a vote by fans puts Rose back on the field to participate in a ceremony honoring the All-Century Team before Game 2 of the 1999 World Series. When Selig finally agreed to meet with Rose in 2002 to discuss potential reinstatement, Rose gave up the charade. "Yes, sir, I did bet on baseball," Rose told Selig, confessing to frequent betting. Despite his newfound candor, Rose wasn't reinstated.