The Pete Rose Case

Observations and Defining the Problem

Pete Rose is one of the greatest baseball players of all time

Controversy about whether he should be reinstated for allegedly gambling

Is it ethical to allow Pete Rose to be reinstated, despite the

rule in baseball and all professional sports

prohibiting betting/gambling?

Identifying Options1. Do not reinstate Pete Rose

2. Reinstate Pete Rose conditionally, if he apologizes and admits to betting in baseball

3. Not reinstate Pete Rose, but allow him to be considered for the Hall of Fame

Viewing Pros and Cons

Pros Cons1. Reinforcing the rule of no

gambling/betting. Also supports players who follow the rule.

Hall of Fame incomplete and it looks bad to reinstate worse offenses by setting a line of how far one can go

2. MLB finishes issue and there is a complete Hall of Fame. There is a resolution and Pete Rose admits to

being wrong.

Weakens MLB betting rule and undermines the players and league.

3. Hall of Fame is incomplete and Pete Rose is happy. MLB saves face

and provides closure.

Compromises the rule that has been established for a long time.

Stakeholder Analysis: Those affected by each option

Hall ofFamers

MLB

PeteRose

StakeholderAnalysis

PlayersProfessionalLeagues

Fans

Stakeholder group that’s significantly affected by

options: Other

professional sports

leagues

Hall of Fame Exception – Option 3Option:

– Rose will remained banned from all aspects of baseball, including coaching management, scouting, and consulting

– Rose will become eligible to enter to Hall of Fame

Effects:– Pros:

• Complete Hall of Fame• Resolution

– Both sides save face– Cons:

• Compromises strength and validity of rules

Stakeholder Analysis – Option 3• Effects on Stakeholders:

– Pete Rose: remains banned but validated by Hall of Fame admission

– MLB: lingering issue resolved, rules compromised– Hall of Fame: complete, integrity questioned– Other Professional Sports: integrity and rule enforcement questioned

• Who is most affected?– Other Professional Sports leagues because a precedent will be set

Virtue Analysis – Option 3

Accounted Values:– Justice- for Rose, MLB, its rules and those abiding

players– Loyalty- for Rose from the Hall of Fame

Ethics of Respect – Option 3• Option as a law:

– Anyone banned from baseball will not be reinstated, but will remain eligible for the Hall of Fame

• Option and the Categorical Imperative:– Violates the formulation of kingdom of ends• Option and the preservation of dignity:

– Threatens the dignity of Rose, the rules and the players that abide by them, and Hall of Fame stakeholders

Utilitarian Analysis – Option 3

Harms to stakeholders:– Weakens rules and

questions administrative dedication

– Rose remains – banned

Benefits to stakeholders:– Resolution for all parties– Complete Hall of Fame

Creepy Scenario does not occur with this option

Conditional Reinstatement based Upon Apology – Option 2

Pros– Consideration for

Hall of Fame leads to its completion

– Resolution of this controversy is a win win situation for both the MLB and Pete Rose. MLB can put this situation into the past, and Pete Rose will be eligible for Hall of Fame

Cons– Undermines players

– Gives bad reputation to the MLB

Analysis on Ethics of Respect – Option 2

• Stated as if it was a law, this particular option would be identified as followed: Anyone banned from baseball should not be considered for reinstatement without apologies and admittance of guilt.

• In regards to the categorical imperative, there are some formulations from the categorical imperative which are violated: The formula of Universal Law would violate this option because it would include exceptions to the accepted standard.

• When considering the stakeholder groups, the dignity of certain stakeholders is compromised with accordance to this option: It threatens the dignity of law abiding players and also those in the Hall of Fame because their honorary position is being discredited upon his eligibility.

Utilitarian Analysis – Option 2

Harms Benefits

Pete Rose Ruins imagine because he makes it open to the public that he lied

Reinstated, eligible for Hall of Fame

MLB Making exceptions, weakens authority of the rules

Resolution

Fans None Resolution

Hall of Fame None Completion

Other Professional Athletic Leagues

Compromises rules and creates a bad image for all Athletic Leagues

None

•In regard to these harms and benefits, a creepy scenario is presented to other professional athletic leagues.

•This Option also presents the most harms because it has all the harms of not reinstating Pete Rose but allowing him to be eligible in the hall of fame, but also has the added factor of ruining Pete Rose’s image.

Justice Honesty Steadfast-ness Loyalty Humility Respect

MLB Yes No Yes No No Yes

Pete Rose

No Yes No No No No

Virtue Analysis – Option 1

This chart shows how both Major League Baseball and Pete Rose are affected by the virtues we found to be important.

Analysis on Ethics of Respect – Option 1• Anyone banned from baseball must not be re-instated.

– This establishes a maxim on which to evaluate situations that arise

• This violates Pete Rose’s Dignity• This violates the dignity of the Hall of Fame’s stakeholders

Utilitarian Analysis – Option 1• Groups Harmed:

– Pete Rose, Hall of Fame

• Groups Benefited:– Major League Baseball, Other sports organizations

• Pete Rose is caught in “creepy scenario”

Recommendation

Do not reinstate Pete Rose

You’re Out!