Many baseball players are known solely for their athletic talent. Derek Jeter, Bryce Harper, and Aaron Judge are associated exclusively with baseball. However, some MLB players have found fame outside the stadium, for example, for their love of sports betting.
It should be noted that such stories are not unique to baseball, as scandals of this kind occur in other sports disciplines. Take, for example, cricket, which is now gaining popularity. Mohammad Asif, Hansie Cronje, and Ajay Sharma—all of them have been accused of working with bookmakers. The sport is closely intertwined with betting, especially now, when betting can be done from your phone. Find cricket betting apps in minutes at https://iplbetting.guru/, which ranks top among other gambling-related resources. Often, bets are made not only by fans but also by the players themselves.
But let’s get back to baseball and look at a few of these stories.
Pete Rose
Pete Rose is an outstanding player who deserves a place in the MLB Hall of Fame. However, his career ended in scandal because of betting on sports.
In 1989, as manager of the Cincinnati Reds, Rose found himself at the center of an investigation alleging that he was betting on baseball games. Despite professing his love of betting, he denied being involved in betting on his team’s games.
MLB disqualified Rose for life, banning him from coaching and participating in baseball. In 1991, he was finally removed from the list of possible Hall of Fame candidates.
Shawn Chacon
Shawn Chacon is a former baseball player who began his career with the Colorado Rockies but was better known for his confrontational behavior.
After his career ended, he owed Caesars Casino $150,000, which led to an arrest warrant being issued against him. The situation was later resolved, and Chacon was never prosecuted again.
Denny McLane
Detroit Tigers pitcher Denny McLane was also the subject of a betting scandal. In 1970, Sports Illustrated accused him of participating in illegal betting schemes, claiming he was being punished by the Mafia for debts.
The league suspended McLain for three months and later banned him from the season because of his violent behavior.
Eight Chicago White Sox players (1919)
White Sox players made history with the 1919 World Series. Eight team members, including Joe Jackson, conspired to lose the tournament for payouts from bookmakers. Although a court found them innocent, the league banned them from baseball for life. The scandal became one of the most discussed topics in sports history.
Léo Durocher
Leo Durocher was not only an outstanding manager but also a personality with a controversial reputation. He was often accused of betting on sports, leading to his suspension for the entire 1947 season.
However, Durocher is remembered for supporting black players, notably Jackie Robinson, the first African-American in MLB.
Kris Bryant and the charity casino
In 2015, Kris Bryant organized a charity event in Las Vegas where baseball players and celebrities gambled. The goal was to raise money for charity.
Each winner received a jersey autographed by a famous player. The tournament was a success, and the finalist was basketball player Landry Fields.