Former Cincinnati Red and Philadelphia Phillie Pete Rose doffs his cap at Phillies Alum day at Citizens Bank Ballpark in Philadelphia Aug 7, 2022 two years before his passing in 2024 (AP News file photo)

It is Time for Pete Rose in the Hall of Fame

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

It was in 2004 when Pete Rose admitted to betting on baseball as a player. It has been 21 years since his admission and since then sports betting has taken place in any sport, including, football, basketball and baseball, from collegiate sports to professional sports sports books are regulated all over the country by state governments.

Legal sports gambling is more widespread than ever. Missouri voters in November became the latest to approve it, making it legal in 39 states and the District of Columbia. Last year, Americans bet more than $121 billion on sports, according to the American Gaming Association. The $121 Billion posted for sports bets in the United States by Americans is more than the GDP(Gross Domestic Product) in other words, the economies of these countries: Ecuador, Sudan, Kenya, Nicaragua, Guatemala, Jordan, Angola, Croatia, El Salvador, Cambodia, Paraguay, Uruguay, Panamá, Ghana and dozens more all around the world.

The last time baseball topped the list as America’s favorite sport for fans to watch was in 1960, since 1972 football took the top list and has remained on top, all you have to do is look at the #1 TV event in the US, NFL The Superbowl with a record $1.4 Billion placed in bets this year. Following Football, Baseball, Basketball, Ice Hockey and Soccer the most popular leagues in the country and where the majority of the bets are going.

Let’s stop the hypocrisy, everybody knows that Pete Rose is worthy of the Hall of Fame, the last person to walk on water is documented in the most popular book ever, the Bible, the best selling book of all time with over 5 billion books sold and distributed. As far back as 4,000 to 3,000 BC ancient Egyptians bet on dice and board games, including chariot racing. Betting on sports took place during the ancient Olympic Games, around 800 to 700 BC. Yes, before the Designated Hitter took effect in baseball.

It is good news that the Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred is considering removing Pete Rose from the ineligible list. That is a good first step to have Pete Rose where he belong and for the good of baseball, in Cooperstown. I think this is just common sense.

Amaury Pi-Gonzalez – Cuban-born Pi-González is one of the pioneers of Spanish-language baseball play-by-play in America. Began as Oakland A’s Spanish-language voice in 1977 ending in 2024 (interrupted by stops with the Giants, Mariners and Angels). Voice of the Golden State Warriors from 1992 through 1998. 2010 inducted in the Bay Area Radio Hall of fame