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in 1919, the white sox were accused of throwing
the world series because of gambling and for the mob.
the scandal very nearly destroyed baseball, as in no more.
Congress debated outlawing major league baseball.
It barely survived.

In order to continue to exist, baseball had to make damn sure
that gambling and the mob were not involved in
any way, shape or form.

Everyone knew that, it was clear to all involved
that betting on a game was a sin, and betting against
your own team was the worst sin of all and it would be fatal.
remember folks, this was back when gambling was still
illegal in most of the world.

Now time for a bit of honesty, this thread surely could use some:

Pete Rose bet on his own team,
and even bet for and AGAINST his own team when he was a manager.
He BET AGAINST the team that he managed and controlled.
That wreaks of throwing games for profit.
And he bet with bookies who were allegedly associated with the mafia.

He risked the entire game for his own selfish amusement.
His sentence was appropriate and deserved.
It was necessary to keep the game clean.
Maybe to some it doesn't seem as serious today as then because
the morals of our society have sunk into the toilet (no offense) but it is still true.

Even though he was one of the best baseball players
of all time.