"I want to say to baseball fans everywhere that I'm very sorry about this" - When Jim Gray apologized for his infamous 1999 interview with Pete Rose
Pete Rose enjoyed a 24-year career in the big leagues. He was one of the best players at the time taking home numerous awards, World Series victories, and accomplishments.
However, after his playing days were over, he switched to the managerial side. He managed the Cincinnati Reds from 1984-1989 but did the one thing baseball players and managers were permitted to do.
He bet on the game and agreed to a permanent place on baseball's ineligibility list. During the 1999 All-Star Game sportscaster Jim Gray met up with Rose for an interview that rubbed fans the wrong way, apologizing afterward.
"After viewing the videotape, I can understand the reaction of many baseball fans. I thought that it was important to ask Pete Rose if this was the right moment to make an apology," said Gray.
Gray hounded Rose on the subject of betting. He asked Rose directly if this was an appropriate time to issue an apology, which came out a bit distasteful, especially given the nature of the All-Star game.
"If in doing so, the interview went on for too long and took out some of the joy of the occasion, then I want to say to baseball fans everywhere that I'm very sorry about this" said Gray.
Pete Rose issued an apology to no avail
Pete Rose did not feel an apology was needed in 1999 but he later changed his mind. In 2022, Rose sent a letter to the league apologizing for his actions and asking to be reinstated.
However, MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred was quick to shut that down. Manfred strongly believes that if you bet on the game as a player or manager, you deserve to be permanently ineligible.
This is the stance other sports have taken with the increase in sports betting over the years. Most recently, Jontay Porter was banned by the NBA for life for violating the league's gambling policy.
The league even implemented a new rule for the upcoming season regarding two-way or 10-day contracted players. Most sportsbooks will not offer under for these players when talking about player props.
Unfortunately, Rose would go on to pass away last month. Rose died of natural causes at the age of 83 in Nevada. The day before he died, he met up with his former teammates Ken Griffey Sr. and Tony Perez at a collectibles show.