On this day in 1989 Cincinnati Reds manager Pete Rose was banned from baseball for gambling by Commissioner A. Barlett “Bart” Giamatti. Giamatti would die a week later of a massive heart attack at age 51.

Over the years Pete Rose denied and denied that he ever bet on baseball. In typical Pete Rose fashion he finally admitted to it about a decade ago- in a book he wrote.

Pete Rose is still banned from baseball. Pete Rose still thinks that a major league team would hire him as a manager if only he was eligible. Pete Rose is delusional. Pete Rose was a great ballplayer, the all-time hits leader. Pete Rose as a human being is not someone anyone should admire. If he was Uncle Pete the plumber and acted as he acts, you wouldn’t even invite him over for Christmas dinner. He’s an embarrassment. Pete Rose never impressed me as being very intelligent. Great ballplayer though. They still love Pete in the “Natti.

Its too bad Bart Giamatti died. I think he would have been a great commissioner. It would also have saved us from “Bud” Selig.