MLB History: Pete Rose Banned for Life

A. Bartlett Giamatti spent five months as the Commissioner of the MLB before his untimely death at age 51. However, his tenure was quite eventful, including the decision to ban Pete Rose on this day in 1989.

A lifetime ban is not something to be taken lightly, regardless of the circumstances. When such a punishment may come down upon one of the all time greats of the game, that decision will come under even more scrutiny. Banning a player for life is a legacy changer, one that could lead to second guessing for the years, and even decades, to come.

That was what MLB Commissioner A. Bartlett Giamatti had to face almost upon the moment he took office. Gambling allegations had followed Cincinnati Reds manager, and baseball legend, Pete Rose, landing on Giamatti’s desk. As such, he was compelled to investigate further, attempting to determine the validity of these rumors.

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It was on this day in 1989 that Giamatti made his decision. Although he was unable to find any formal proof that Rose gambled on baseball, both parties signed a five page document to announce that ban. Giamatti took that as an admission of guilt, despite Rose’s protestations otherwise. Alas, the toll from this investigation may have been too much for the Commissioner, as he would succumb to a heart attack only eight days later.

In the end, Giamatti proved correct in his thoughts. Rose infamously admitted to his gambling years later as part of a book deal, justifying that lifetime ban. The integrity of the game had been at stake, and Giamatti literally defended it with his life. Rose, even now, still finds himself on the outside looking in, ineligible for the Hall of Fame and unable to be a part of the game he loves so dearly.

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A. Bartlett Giamatti may have only had five months as the Commissioner of the MLB, but he certainly made his mark. One of his rulings still looms large, as on this day in 1989, he banned Pete Rose for life.